Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox 8/18/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Guaranteed Rate Field will play host to a Thursday afternoon MLB clash between the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox. The Astros (76-43) are 12 games above .500 on the road and own the best overall record in the American League. Last night, SP Framber Valdez (12-4) allowed two runs over seven innings to lead Houston to a 3-2 road victory against Chicago.

Twenty-five year old righty Luis Garcia (9-8 4.03 ERA) will head to the hill for the Astros in this contest. Through 118 plus innings, Garcia has struck out 123 batters and owns a solid 1.13 WHIP.

The Chicago White Sox just had their five-game winning streak snapped and trail AL Central Division leading Cleveland by two games. On Wednesday, Chicago batters went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. 3B Yoan Moncada doubled in a run in a losing effort for the White Sox, who fell to 61-57 on the season.

The White Sox will counter with twenty-eight year old righty Lucas Giolito (9-6 4.92 ERA) on Thursday. Chicago has won Giolito’s last three starts and he has allowed seven runs over his last 17 innings.