ABOUT HOUSTON: This is the Astros’ first trip to the Fall Classic in the team’s 44-year history. Houston was 15-30 on May 24, but went 74-43 the rest of the way to clinch the wild card on final day of season. The Astros might be new to this, but two of their top starters aren’t. Game 1 starter Roger Clemens is 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA in seven World Series starts. Game 2 starter Andy Pettitte has started 10 times in the Fall Classic, going 3-4 with a 3.90 ERA. And Game 3 starter Roy Oswalt is 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA this postseason. DH Jeff Bagwell and 2B Craig Biggio have been teammates in Houston for 15 years, finally landing on baseball’s biggest stage.
ABOUT CHICAGO: The White Sox have not been to the World Series since 1959 and have not won it all since 1917. In between, there was that infamous little episode in 1919 that would become known as the “Black Sox Scandal.” Starting pitchers Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras pitched consecutive complete games in the ALCS. That hadn’t been done since the New York Yankees threw five in a row in 1956. 1B Paul Konerko is the most consistent power hitter on either team (40 HR, 100 RBIs).
THE BUZZ: This series should be a throwback pitching duel. Neither team hits well: The White Sox batted .262 during the regular season and the Astros hit just .256, though Chicago can hit the long ball, averaging 221 home runs during the past three seasons. Both teams have great starting pitching, so this should come down to defense and the bullpens. The Game 2 matchup between lefties Pettitte and Buehrle has classic written all over it.
PREDICTION: Astros in seven.
THE SCHEDULE
Game 1: Today at Chicago, 8:03 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday at Chicago, 8:09 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday at Houston, 8:38 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday at Houston, 8:33 p.m.
Game 5*: Thursday at Houston, 8:28 p.m.
Game 6*: Oct. 29 at Chicago, 7:58 p.m.
Game 7*: Oct. 30 at Chicago, 8:13 p.m.
All games on Fox (WOFL-Ch. 35)
*–if necessary
