Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros 10/8/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Friday MLB playoff schedule will get underway with a matchup between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros from Minute Maid Park. In yesterday’s series opener, Chicago went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base during a 6-1 road loss. SP Lance Lynn (0-1) was tagged for five runs in three plus innings and took the loss for the White Sox.

Twenty-seven year old righty Lucas Giolito (11-9 3.53 ERA) will take the ball for the White Sox in this matchup. Chicago has won Giolito’s last five starts and he has allowed six runs over his last 24 plus frames.

The Houston Astros won 51 of their 81 home games during the regular season and ranked third in the majors in slugging percentage. On Thursday, DH Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run shot and 2B Jose Altuve scored a pair of runs to spark the Houston offense. SP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0) tossed six plus shutout frames to earn the win for the Astros.

The Astros will turn to twenty-seven year old southpaw Framber Valdez (11-6 3.14 ERA) on Friday. In two starts versus Chicago this season, Valdez was 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA and surrendered four home runs across 13 plus innings.