Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros 6/18/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Chicago White Sox will play the second game of a four-game series on the road Friday against the Houston Astros. Chicago is 43-25 following an 8-7 victory on Wednesday over Tampa Bay. Chicago won two of three games over the American League East leading Rays and the White Sox have won two straight and six of the last seven. Chicago is first in the American League Central with a 4 ½-game lead over the Cleveland Indians

Tim Anderson is batting .312 to lead Chicago and the shortstop has a team high 70 hits. First baseman Jose Abreu is the leader in home runs with 12 and RBIs with 51, while their baseman Yoan Moncada is the leader in on-base percentage at .402. On Friday, Chicago will send Carlos Rodon to the mound. The left-hander is 6-2 with an ERA of 1.89, 97 Ks and 17 BBs.

Houston is 39-28 following an 8-4 victory over the Texas Rangers. Jose Altuve hit two home runs and made history in the majors by hitting a home run to lead off one game after blasting a walk-off grand slam the game before. Houston is second in the American League West 2 ½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics and the Astros have won three straight.

Michael Brantley is batting .344 to lead Houston and the left fielder has a team high .389 on-base percentage. Second baseman Jose Altuve is the leader in home runs with 15 while first baseman Yuli Gurriel is the leader in RBIs with 48 and hits with 72. On Friday, Houston will send Luis Garcia to the mound. The right-hander is 5-4 with an ERA of 2.98, 72 Ks and 20 BBs.