Now that their pursuit of the American League West
pennant is complete, the Houston Astros can focus their attention
on two final issues as the regular season winds down.
With 13 games remaining, the Astros (91-58) stand just 1 1/2 games
behind the Cleveland Indians in the chase for the best record in
the AL and home-field advantage in the postseason. The Indians own
the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series 5-1.
Of equal significance for Houston is the need to get All-Star
right-hander Lance McCullers healthy. Astros brass had hoped to
have McCullers available to start the series opener against the
Chicago White Sox tonight at Minute Maid Park, but after he
tossed a bullpen session on Saturday, McCullers remains sidelined
by arm fatigue, the latest in a long string of issues.
McCullers hasn't recorded a victory since June 24 against the
Seattle Mariners and has started just one game since the end of
July.
Despite missing the entire month of August with back discomfort,
McCullers wasn't rested enough to bounce back from his Sept. 6
start at Seattle. McCullers figures to slot in behind right-hander
Justin Verlander and lefty Dallas Keuchel in the postseason
rotation, but his continued arm problems have cast that scenario in
serious doubt.
"We want him to look right and feel right and feel strong," Astros
manager A.J. Hinch said of McCullers, who will continue throwing
bullpen sessions. "At this juncture of the season, we don't have a
lot of time for mistakes. We want to make sure he gets off the
mound with some energy, with some effort and just looks the part to
be able to compete at this level.
"He's feeling OK, but OK right now is not good enough to pitch him
in a game."
Instead of McCullers, the Astros will send right-hander Collin
McHugh (2-2, 3.61 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday. For McHugh, it will
be his first appearance since leaving his Sept. 8 start at Oakland
with a right middle finger avulsion.
McHugh is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA over four career starts against the
White Sox, including a 7-1 loss on Aug. 9 when he allowed seven
runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. It was his
fourth start after being activated from the 60-day disabled list.
He had been sidelined due to a right elbow impingement.
The White Sox (60-89) will counter with rookie right-hander Lucas
Giolito (2-2, 2.56 ERA), who is looking to post his first career
road victory and fourth quality start in six outings this season.
He has never faced the Astros.
Giolito, acquired from the Washington Nationals in the Adam Eaton
blockbuster trade last offseason, is one of a bevy of touted
prospects Chicago has amassed to fuel a rebuild. Chicago has
promoted several of those youngsters in order to give them a taste
of life in the majors.
"Really promising," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said to
MLB.com. "I think we were really excited from the moment they got
here, and we were excited when we acquired them. We hope it's going
to be something we can continue to build on through September."
Tonight's game can be heard on Good Time Oldies 1060 with the Pre-Game Show at 6:35.
