The Houston Astros open a home series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, September 1 at Daikin Park, with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET. Ronel Blanco gets the ball for Houston opposite Chicago's Sean Burke in what shapes up as a matchup between two pitchers the Astros will be counting on to set the tone early. With the calendar flipping to September, every game in the standings carries added weight, and Houston will look to take care of business against a White Sox club that has had a difficult season.

Probable Pitchers: Ronel Blanco vs. Sean Burke

Ronel Blanco has been one of the more compelling stories in the Houston rotation over the past couple of seasons. The right-hander has flashed genuine frontline stuff — a sharp four-seamer and a plus changeup that gives hitters fits — and when he's locked in, he can dominate lineups that aren't patient enough to grind through his arsenal. Tuesday night is an opportunity for Blanco to build on his body of work and keep the Astros' rotation in rhythm heading into the final month of the regular season.

Burke draws the assignment for Chicago. The young right-hander has faced the challenge of developing at the big-league level for a White Sox team that has not made things easy on its pitchers this year. Houston's lineup will look to exploit any command issues early and keep the pressure on throughout the night.

Houston Lineup to Watch

Manager Joe Espada is sending out a lineup built around proven bats from top to bottom. Jeremy Peña leads off at shortstop, followed by Yordan Alvarez in the two hole — a slot that keeps the middle of the order loaded and forces opposing pitchers to navigate danger early. Isaac Paredes hits third at third base, with Jose Altuve batting cleanup at second base, a configuration that puts three legitimate run producers in the heart of the order before you even reach the bottom half.

• Jeremy Peña (SS) — sets the table from the leadoff spot
• Yordan Alvarez (DH) — one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League
• Isaac Paredes (3B) — brings patience and pop from the three spot
• Jose Altuve (2B) — hitting fourth, a sign of how much lineup depth Houston has built
• LaMonte Wade Jr. (LF) — professional at-bat machine who doesn't give away outs
• Christian Walker (1B) — provides right-handed power in the six hole
• Yainer Diaz (C) — a dangerous bat behind the plate
• Taylor Trammell (CF) — handles center and gives the lineup speed
• Cam Smith (RF) — rounds out the order in the nine spot

Keys to the Game

Blanco's Command Sets the Tone

If Blanco is throwing strikes and working efficiently through the White Sox order, this game could turn into a comfortable evening at Daikin Park. The Astros' bullpen is far more effective when it isn't asked to cover five-plus innings, so Blanco going deep into the game is the single biggest factor on Houston's side.

Alvarez and Paredes vs. Burke Early

Burke will need to navigate Alvarez and Paredes in the second and third spots. If those two get on base in front of Altuve in the early innings, Houston has the kind of lineup that can put up crooked numbers fast. Making Burke work and running up his pitch count is a straightforward path to getting into the White Sox bullpen.

Daikin Park Energy in September

September baseball at Daikin Park carries a different electricity. The crowd tends to be dialed in, and Houston has historically played well in front of a home crowd with something on the line. Blanco will feed off that energy.

Prediction

Blanco delivers a quality start, the middle of the Houston order does enough damage against Burke in the first few innings, and the Astros take the opener. Astros 5, White Sox 2.

Catch the game on Space City Home Network on TV or KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2 on the radio.