MLB Recap · August 18, 2024

Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros: Final Score & Recap

CWS0
Final
HOU2

Line Score

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CWS000000000031
HOU00000101-250

The Story

The Houston Astros defeated the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on August 18, 2024, at Minute Maid Park, converting an 82 percent pre-game home win probability into a certainty by the final out. The game was a tightly contained affair through five innings before Houston broke through with the only two runs it would need, delivered in solo fashion at precisely the moments that mattered most.

The decisive blow came in the bottom of the sixth, when Yainer Diaz connected for a home run off Ky Bush, a swing that shifted win probability by plus 13.8 percent according to the DiamondIQ model's estimate and gave Houston its first lead of the night. Jose Altuve then extended the margin in the bottom of the eighth with another solo home run, this one off John Brebbia, adding a further 12.0 percent swing in Houston's favor. White Sox opportunities were limited and largely self-inflicted, as a Jake Meyers double play in the first inning cost Chicago 10.1 percent in win probability, and Korey Lee grounded into a double play in the seventh off Framber Valdez at a cost of 9.2 percent, each sequence effectively draining whatever slim margin the White Sox carried.

Altuve led all batters with a plus 13.0 percent WPA and a RE24 of plus 1.4, while Diaz contributed plus 11.7 percent WPA on his home run. On the pitching side, Ky Bush was the most valuable arm despite surrendering the Diaz home run, finishing with plus 29.3 percent WPA overall, with Framber Valdez adding plus 22.0 percent and Bryan Abreu contributing plus 10.8 percent as Houston held Chicago to three hits and committed no errors in a clean two-run victory.

Analysis generated by DiamondIQ's model.

Win Probability

755025CWS bats firstFinalHOU win %CWS win %
DiamondIQ model home win probability across the game (pre-game 81.6% → final 100%).

Biggest Plays by Win-Probability Added

Yainer Diaz Home Run
Bot 6th · off Ky Bush
+13.8%
Jose Altuve Home Run
Bot 8th · off John Brebbia
+12.0%
Jake Meyers Grounded Into DP
Bot 1st · off Ky Bush
-10.1%
Korey Lee Grounded Into DP
Top 7th · off Framber Valdez
-9.2%
Mauricio Dubón Flyout
Bot 2nd · off Ky Bush
-8.6%

Top Batters by WPA

Jose Altuve+13.0%+1.4 RE24
Yainer Diaz+11.7%+0.6 RE24
Lenyn Sosa+6.1%+0.0 RE24

Top Pitchers by WPA

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