The Houston Astros finally get a chance to avenge a 2005 World Series sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox when the clubs meet in the American League Division Series, beginning Thursday afternoon in Houston.
The AL West champion Astros earned home-field advantage in the best-of-five series by virtue of having two more wins than the White Sox compiled en route to the AL Central title.
Houston also had a 5-2 advantage head-to-head, sweeping a four-game home series in June before losing two of three in Chicago in July.
The teams clash in the postseason for the first time in 16 years. The clubs almost met last year, when the White Sox were beaten 2-1 by the Oakland Athletics in the opening round and thus denied a shot at the Astros.
Right-handers Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5, 3.16) of the Astros and Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69) of the White Sox are the scheduled starters in Game 1.
McCullers pitched two of Houston's five earlier wins over the White Sox, allowing a total of just three runs and four hits in 13 innings with 14 strikeouts. The Astros won those games 8-2 at home and 7-1 on the road.
The 28-year-old has made six career starts against Chicago, going 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA.
Lynn, meanwhile, was bombed for six runs and eight hits in four innings in his only previous start against the Astros this season. The visiting White Sox were beaten 7-3.
The 34-year-old has gone 5-7 with a 4.41 ERA in 14-lifetime appearances against Houston, 13 as a starter.
Both veterans have extensive postseason experience, with Lynn having pitched in 26 previous games (seven starts), with a 5-4 record and 4.80 ERA, while McCullers has gone 1-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 playoff games (seven starts).
Lynn won a championship with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011; McCullers won one with the Astros in 2017.
The White Sox are uncertain of the status of slugger Jose Abreu, who flew to Houston on his own Wednesday night in an attempt to shake non-COVID, flu-like symptoms.
He will be a game-time decision Thursday.
Game time today 3:07 central time and you can hear all the action starting at 2:30 pm this afternoon on WHOW.
