Overview
- Ronel Blanco is making his second major-league start Sunday after returning from Tommy John surgery and five minor-league rehab outings that produced a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings.
- In his first start on July 20 he struck out eight batters but allowed four earned runs on two homers in 4 2/3 innings, a mixed performance that left questions about his early workload.
- The Astros enter the game riding a five-game winning streak and will complete the series at Guaranteed Rate Field with a sweep on the line.
- Houston's rotation has been uneven this season, so a dependable multi-inning outing from Blanco would ease strain on the bullpen and strengthen the club's depth down the stretch.
- Chicago will send Erick Fedde to the mound and may be without shortstop Colson Montgomery because of a sore shin/calf, creating lineup uncertainty for the White Sox.