The Houston Astros head to Rate Field on Sunday, July 26 for a 2:10 PM ET matchup against the Chicago White Sox, with right-hander Ronel Blanco getting the start opposite Chicago's Erick Fedde. Houston rolls out a familiar lineup anchored by Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, and Jeremy Peña as the Astros look to pick up a road win against a White Sox club that has leaned heavily on young talent this season. The game airs on Space City Home Network for Houston viewers and KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2 for radio listeners.

Pitching Matchup: Blanco vs. Fedde

Ronel Blanco gets the ball for Houston. The right-hander has been a key part of the Astros' rotation this season, and this is a favorable spot on paper — the White Sox lineup has several young, unproven bats that Blanco can attack with his arsenal. The matchup carries real meaning as Houston works through the second half of the schedule with playoff positioning in mind.

Erick Fedde takes the mound for Chicago. A veteran presence in what is otherwise a developing White Sox pitching staff, Fedde has experience navigating lineups like Houston's — deep, switch-hitting capable, and patient enough to run up a pitch count. The Astros will need to make him work early.

Houston Starting Lineup

• Jeremy Peña, SS
• Yordan Alvarez, DH
• Isaac Paredes, 3B
• Jose Altuve, 2B
• LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B
• Yainer Diaz, C
• Taylor Trammell, CF
• Cam Smith, RF
• Zach Dezenzo, LF

Chicago Starting Lineup

• Sam Antonacci, LF
• Munetaka Murakami, 1B
• Miguel Vargas, 3B
• Braden Montgomery, RF
• Andrew Benintendi, DH
• Tristan Peters, CF
• Chase Meidroth, 2B
• Luisangel Acuña, SS
• Drew Romo, C

Three Keys to Watch

• Yordan Alvarez in the two-hole: Batting second, Alvarez gives Houston maximum plate appearances with the best hitter in the lineup. How Fedde handles Alvarez — and whether Chicago pitches around him — will shape the offensive flow all afternoon.
• Blanco's command against a young lineup: The White Sox have youth throughout their order. Blanco's ability to establish his fastball early and mix in his secondary pitches will be critical. If he's sharp, this lineup shouldn't give him many problems. If he falls behind in counts, Chicago has enough athleticism to put the ball in play and manufacture trouble.
• Cam Smith and the developing bats: Smith and Zach Dezenzo occupy the bottom of the Houston order, and how they contribute — whether manufacturing a run, working a walk, or turning a lineup over — will matter in a potentially tight game. The Astros need production across the full nine.

Prediction

This is a game Houston should win. Blanco on the mound away from Minute Maid Park, against a Chicago lineup still finding its footing, sets up as a manageable afternoon. The Astros have enough proven production from Alvarez, Altuve, and Peña to generate runs against Fedde. Expect Houston to get contributions early, give Blanco a lead to work with, and come away with the road win. Astros 5, White Sox 2.