Astros give up late lead in season

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Yasmani Grandal #24 of the Chicago White Sox hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park on March 30, 2023 in Houston.

The Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park on July 5, 2022, in Houston. (Logan Riely/Getty Images/TNS)

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3) picks up a grounder against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a Major League Baseball game on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Houston.

Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run in the second inning during Game 1 of the 2022 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Friday, October 28, 2022 in Houston.

The Houston Astros' quest for a second straight World Series title got off to a rough start Thursday night at Minute Maid Park, as the defending champions blew a late lead against the Chicago White Sox in a 3-2 loss.

Yordan Alvarez scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh, but Yasmani Grandal smashed a solo home run for the White Sox to even the score in the next inning, and Andrew Vaughn delivered a two-run double in the top of the ninth in what proved to be the decisive play of the game. Alvarez scored again on a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the ninth, but the Astros weren't able to get any more offensive production after that.

The Astros will look to bounce back from their Opening Day loss on Friday, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. central.

The top four spots in Chicago's lineup produced late Thursday night as first baseman Andrew Vaughn laced a two-RBI double to give the White Sox a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth.

Reynaldo Lopez will take the ninth for the White Sox as they look to snap Houston's 10-year streak of winning on Opening Day.

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We will not have a shutout for the Astros on Opening Day. White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal smacked a solo home run into the right-field stands in the top of the eighth against reliever Rafael Montero, knotting the constest at Minute Maid Park at 1-1. The contest could have swung in the White Sox's favor with Grandal's blast, but third baseman Yoan Moncada was thrown out at third earlier in the inning as he atttempted to stretch a double into a triple.

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Reliever Kendall Graveman will have the 8th for Chicago.

It wasn't exactly how many envisioned it, but the Astros have their first run of the 2023 season. Yordan Alvarez scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving Houston a 1-0 lead.

pic.twitter.com/vkLqilYIDb https://t.co/ARkoOtI0rR

Houston reliever Hectór Neris found himself in jam as he loaded the bases in the seventh inning, but the action on the basepaths didn't break the stalemate at Minute Maid Park. Neris induced a pair of strikeouts to close the inning, keeping Opening Day scoreless as we head into the seventh-inning stretch.

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The Astros' lineup isn't exactly looking so fierce Thursday as they get mowed down by White Sox ace Dylan Cease. Chicago's Opening Day starter certainly earned the designation as he racked up nine strikeouts in his first six innings. Cease has retired 15 straight since allowing a leadoff hit to Jeremy Peña, and he's at just 78 pitches.

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It was an abbreviated Opening Day for Framber Valdez as he threw just 85 pitches across five innings, but he kept the game scoreless entering the sixth frame as he dueled White Sox ace Dylan Cease. Bryan Abreu will take the mound for Houston in the sixth as he looks to build upon a stellar 2022 postseason.

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The Astros appeared to be in trouble again in the top of the fifth, allowing runners to reach first and third with no outs, but an outstanding defensive play from third baseman Alex Bregman allowed them to escape the jam.

Outstanding defensive play from Alex Bregman here to save a run. White Sox still threatening in the 5th. pic.twitter.com/W0daQbPoOf

Framber Valdez proceeded to strike out Luis Robert Jr. and Eloy Jimenez grounded out to end the frame.

The Astros are still struggling to find a groove against White Sox ace Dylan Cease. After giving up a hit to Jeremy Peña in Houston's first at-bat, Cease has retired 12 consecutive Astros batters.

Dylan Cease #84 of the Chicago White Sox. pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park on March 30, 2023 in Houston.

The White Sox had perhaps the best scoring opportunity so far today in the top of the fourth, though they weren't able to do anything with it. Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi delivered back-to-back two-out singles for Chicago, but Framber Valdez forced Yasmani Grandal into a groundout to end the inning.

Astros ace Framber Valdez and White Sox No. 1 starter Dylan Cease are off to a strong start to 2023 after finishing in the top five of the Cy Young voting last year. Cease has struck out seven batters with just one hit allowed through three innings, while Valdez has given up two hits and recorded one strikeout.

The game is still scoreless as we head to the fourth inning.

Both starting pitchers are cruising early tonight as both Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez roll through the first two innings without a run allowed. Cease in particular looks quite sharp, striking out four of his first six batters faced.

Chicago ace Dylan Cease finished second in the AL Cy Young vote in 2022, and he picked up where he left off Thursday against the top of Houston's lineup. Leadoff hitter Jeremy Peña came aboard with a single in his first at-bat, but Cease then struck out the side. We are now scoreless heading to the second.

One at-bat, one hit for Jeremy Peña in 2023. pic.twitter.com/ddll3N3yCw

Houston's Opening Day starter Framber Valdez allowed an infield single in the top of the first inning, but it was smooth sailing otherwise as he induced a flyout and a trio of groundouts. Valdez is looking to build upon a 2022 in which he finished No. 5 in the American League Cy Young vote.

The Houston Astros kicked off their 2023 campaign by celebrating their championship from the previous year. The team will look to add a third World Series banner this season.

The Houston Astros unveil their 2022 World Series banner. pic.twitter.com/M4g0qTv7fX

There are plenty of marquee matchups on Houston's schedule in 2023. We broke down 10 games Astros fans won't want to miss.

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The Astros' television broadcast could have some changes on the way in the future. But for now, the viewing experience will remain largely the same as previous years.

While Warner Bros. Discovery is getting out of the regional sports network business, games will continue to be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet Southwest for the foreseeable future.

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The Astros revealed a new mural wall in Hall of Fame Alley on Thursday afternoon. The artwork was created by local artists and celebrates the team's two World Series championships.

The Astros’ new mural wall in Hall of Fame Alley has been a hit with fans on #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/RVdAacfJcl

Will the Houston Astros repeat as World Series champions? Who will be this season's breakout star? Can Houston surpass the 100-win mark for the fifth time in seven years? We made our predictions for each of these questions and more.

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Star second baseman Jose Altuve will begin the season on the injured list, but Astros general manager Dana Brown expressed optimism about the timetable for his return while speaking with the media prior to Thursday's game. Brown said the eight-time All-Star is "a fast healer," noting that he has already moved to a soft cast after fracturing his right thumb during the World Baseball Classic earlier this month.

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The Minute Maid Park roof will be closed for Thursday's game between the Astros and White Sox.

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Chicago White Sox

Tim Anderson, SSLuis Robert Jr., CFAndrew Vaughn, 1BEloy Jimenez, DHYoan Moncada, 3BAndrew Benintendi, LFYasmani Grandal, CElvis Andrus, 2BRomy Gonzalez, RF

Starting pitcher: Dylan Cease

Houston Astros

Jeremy Peña, SSAlex Bregman, 3BYordan Alvarez, LFJosé Abreu, 1BKyle Tucker, RFYainer Diaz, DHJake Meyers, CFMartín Maldonado, CMauricio Dubón, 2B

Starting pitcher: Framber Valdez

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First pitch: 6:08 p.m. centralTV: ESPNRadio: SportsTalk 790 (Houston)Live streaming and tickets

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Despite the White Sox sending Cy Young hopeful Dylan Cease to the mound, the Astros are still favored to win on Opening Day. Here's a look at the betting odds for Thursday's season opener, via DraftKings Sportsbook as of 3 p.m.

Houston Astros spread: -1.5 (+150)Houston Astros money line: -150Chicago White Sox spread: +1.5 (-175)Chicago White Sox money line: +130Over/under: 7.5 runs

The Astros are also the betting favorites to win the World Series, joining the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and New York Mets as the only teams with less than 10-to-1 odds on Opening Day.

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