VYPE Pick'Em

VYPE Pick'Em Challenge: Week 2

VYPE Pick'Em Challenge: Week 2
The Manvel Mustangs Vype

Originally Appeared on Vype 

Week Two of the VYPE Pick'Em Challenge is here and it was the newcomer to the VYPE Media team that came in with a bang in the opening week.

New VYPE West Houston reporter Dennis Silva II only missed on one pick in the opening week. So, congrats to him but it is a long season. Here comes week two.

Current Standings

Dennis Silva II / (4-1)

Matt Malatesta / (3-2)

Joshua Koch / (3-2)

Todd James / (3-2)

Matt Reese / (2-3)

The Pickers

Matt Malatesta headlines this group. Malatesta is the VYPE Media Chief Content Officer and one of the founders of VYPE. Joshua Koch is the Managing Editor of VYPE Houston Magazine and is entering his fifth season of covering high school football in Houston. Matthew Reese is the Digital Editor of VYPE Media and host of the VYPE Scoreboard Show on ESPN 97.5 FM every Friday night from 10-11 p.m. Todd James is the VYPE North Houston reporter and also VYPE videographer and producer. James produces the weekly Locker Talk Facebook Live show and corresponding Locker Talk Podcast. Dennis Silva II is the newest member of the VYPE team and brings years of experience of covering high school sports across the state.

Each week these five pickers will make their selections on what are deemed some of the top games of the area. So let's see how they picked Week 2.

 

Find the picks here 

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Joe Esapda is hoping Framber Valdez can secure a series win for Houston. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros (37-30) aim to close out their series against the Chicago White Sox (23-45) on a high note Thursday night at Daikin Park. The three-game set is currently tied 1-1, and with a chance to secure their 11th series win at home, the Astros will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) has quietly been one of the most consistent arms in the American League. Known for his heavy sinker and ground-ball inducing style, he enters the night with a stellar 1.06 WHIP and 84 strikeouts. With the Astros bullpen having absorbed some heavy usage earlier this week, Valdez will be counted on to give Houston quality length.

Opposing him will be right-hander Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62 ERA), who has pitched better than his win-loss record suggests. Martin has maintained a 1.21 WHIP and will try to quiet an Astros lineup that broke out for 10 runs in Wednesday’s win.

Houston’s offense has been led lately by Jeremy Peña, who is batting .439 over his last 10 games with five doubles, two homers, and six RBIs. Isaac Paredes continues to be a steady power threat, leading the team with 14 home runs and a .468 slugging percentage. José Altuve, fresh off his 2,300th career hit, adds veteran stability to the top of the order.

The Astros are 23-13 at home this season and have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. When they avoid giving up home runs, they win — as shown by their 20-4 record in games where they keep the ball in the yard. That will be a key Thursday against a White Sox team that’s light on power but capable of grinding out runs when they out-hit opponents (16-9 when doing so).

Chicago, meanwhile, has struggled mightily on the road, going just 7-27 away from Guaranteed Rate Field. Still, they’ve had unexpected success against the Astros this season, winning three of the first five matchups. Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman have been among the few bright spots in a lineup that’s hit just .227 over its last 10 games and been outscored by six runs.

With the series on the line and the division-leading Astros looking to stay hot, Thursday night offers a chance to assert their edge with a trusted ace on the hill and momentum building in the lineup.

Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for the finale!

Christian Walker remains in the five spot after his big night in Game 2. Victor Caratini will be the DH hitting seventh behind Jake Meyers. Jose Altuve is shifting back to left field, with Jacob Melton getting the night off. And Brendan Rodgers will hit last and play second base.


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