Houston is on a roll
Astros secure series over White Sox with sixth straight win
Jun 19, 2021, 9:27 pm
Houston's offense helped extend the Astros winning streak Saturday night. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Houston's offense helped extend the Astros winning streak Saturday night.
With the exciting walk-off win thanks to Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the ninth in game two, Houston had a 2-0 grip on this series, looking to secure the series with a win on Saturday night. They'd get it done, thanks to more offensive success, grabbing their sixth straight game.
Final Score: Astros 7, White Sox 3
Astros' Record: 42-28, second in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Framber Valdez (4-0)
Losing Pitcher: Lance Lynn (7-3)
Astros pull away with big third inning
The early goings gave the impression that this one may go down to the wire again, with Houston and Chicago grinding out one run each through two and a half innings. Houston's game in the bottom of the first, as Jose Altuve would reach on an error, move to third on a single, then score on a wild pitch. Chicago tied things up in the top of the third against Framber Valdez, getting a two-out single followed by an RBI double to make it 1-1.
Robel Garcia unloads the bases for the Astros and they now lead 5-1 ☄️ pic.twitter.com/K03RAYD6Ib
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 20, 2021
Houston would not leave the game tied for long, getting back in front on an RBI single by Michael Brantley in the bottom of the third. They went on to load the bases, setting up a big three-RBI double by Robel Garcia to push the lead to 5-1. They added another in the bottom of the next inning, with Brantley getting his second RBI in as many innings on a double to make it 6-1.
Valdez goes seven and gives up three
Valdez kept rolling along on the mound or Houston, rebounding from the one-run third to erase a walk in the fourth, getting a 1-2-3 fifth, then erasing another walk in the sixth to keep it 6-1. Chicago would finally get to him in the top of the seventh, getting a solo home run to start the frame, then later watching a single score after a flyout and throwing error moved the runner around. That would be the end of Valdez's night, still an overal success: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 108 P.
Houston secures the series win
Now a 6-3 game, Ryne Stanek game in for the top of the eighth to try and keep it there. Although he'd deal with traffic on two singles, he'd accomplish his mission. Carlos Correa added an insurance run in the bottom half, getting an opposite-field solo homer to make it 7-3. With Ryan Pressly already warm, he would come in for the top of the ninth to close things out, sitting down Chicago 1-2-3 to wrap up the victory, which gives Houston the series and makes it six games in a row.
Up Next: The Astros will look to complete the four-game sweep in the finale at 1:10 PM Central on Sunday. It'll be a matchup of friends and old teammates, as Dallas Keuchel (6-1, 3.78) for Chicago will make his first start against his former team, while Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1, 2.89 ERA) will take the mound for Houston.
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Coming off a dominant offensive performance, the Houston Astros return to the field Wednesday night looking to keep their momentum rolling against the Athletics. Cam Smith’s four-hit breakout powered a 13-3 rout on Tuesday, and now the Astros aim to take control of the series in Game 3 of the four-game set.
Houston, sitting atop the AL West at 42-31, will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound. Valdez has been in strong form all season, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.10 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 2025. He’ll be looking to build on Houston’s recent pitching success. The Astros have held opponents to a 2.60 ERA over their last 10 games while going 7-3 in that span and outscoring opponents by 24 runs.
The A’s will counter with veteran right-hander Luis Severino, who enters with a 2-6 record and a 4.47 ERA. While his season has been inconsistent, Severino still has the ability to miss bats and will look to keep an Astros lineup in check that’s hitting .271 over its last 10 contests.
The Athletics come in at 30-45 overall and 13-24 at home, and though they've dropped three of four to the Astros this season, the power potential is always there. The A’s have launched 92 home runs so far — seventh-most in the majors — with Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy continuing to anchor the offense. Soderstrom has already racked up 14 homers and 45 RBIs on the year, while Muncy has gone deep three times over his last 10 games.
Houston’s offense has been steadily rising, fueled by key performances from both veterans and emerging talent. Jeremy Peña continues to provide steady production with 15 doubles and nine homers on the year, while rookie Cam Smith has caught fire, going 14-for-40 with four doubles and two homers in his last 10 games.
The Astros are 33-13 this season when they out-hit their opponent, and they’ll look to follow that blueprint again Wednesday. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. EDT in West Sacramento, with Houston holding a 3-1 edge in the season series.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -162, Athletics +136; over/under is 9 runs
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