Houston Astros vs Chicago White Sox: Opening Day lineup predictions - March 30 | MLB 2023

On March 30, the Chicago White Sox will travel south to take on the Houston Astros in the Lone Star State. The action is set to kick off at 6:08 pm at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Excellence and mediocrity are two terms that can be used to describe the 2022 season for the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox, respectively. However, new seasons bring new beginnings, and you can be sure that both teams will be looking forward rather than backwards.

Despite very divergent results in 2022, both of these teams have the pitching and hitting to make a mark this year. Without further ado, let's get into their projected Opening Day lineups.

Chicago White Sox projected Opening Day lineup

1. SS Tim Anderson
2. CF Luis Robert
3. RF Andrew Benintendi
4. DH Eloy Jimenez
5. 1B Andrew Vaughn
6. C Yasmani Grandal
7. CF Oscar Colas
8. 3B Yoan Moncada
9. 2B Elvis Andrus

Although they finished with a record of 81-81, the White Sox still came within striking distance of the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the AL Central last year.

2023 will be the first season in two years without manager Tony La Russa. Fortunately for the Chicago White Sox, they are a team that knows how to get on base.

Despite being a .500 team, the White Sox posted a team average of .256, the fifth highest in the MLB last year. A big reason for this was shortstop Tim Anderson, who will be the White Sox's leadoff man for the fifth straight season. Anderson has hit over .300 every season since 2019. Despite some tumultuous personal scandals in 2022, the 29-year-old still hit .301/.339/.395.

Although outfielder Eloy Jimenez has effectively seen his offensive stats half since he burst into the league in 2019, the Dominican still represents a strong offensive threat and could have a breakout season.

"SALAMI FOR ANDREW VAUGHN!" - White Sox Talk

The 24-year-old Andrew Vaughn hit 17 home runs and 76 RBIs in a strong sophomore campaign last year. With the departure of Jose Abreu, he will be a strong candidate to man the first base position for his team.

Additionally, Andrew Benintendi is a strong addition to the outfield. Although Benintendi's 2022 year with the New York Yankees was plagued by injuries, the Chicago White Sox placed a large amount of trust in him after penning a five-year deal worth $75 million this offseason.

Right-hander Lance Lynn is a likely starter. A Cy Young contender during his days with the Texas Rangers, Lynn posted a 3.99 ERA in 21 starts last season.

Houston Astros Opening Day lineup projection

1. 2B Jose Altuve
2. DH Michael Brantley
3. 3B Alex Bregman
4. LF Yordan Alvarez
5. 1B Jose Abreu
6. RF Kyle Tucker
7. SS Jeremy Pena
8. CF Chas McCormick
9. C Martin Maldonado

First baseman Jose Abreu represents the elephant in the room in this matchup. The 2020 AL MVP will be suiting up for a team other than the Chicago White Sox for the first time in his career. The Cuban-born Abreu hit .304/.378/.446 with 15 home runs and 75 RBIs last year, making him one of the most threatening players in the MLB.

One notable absence for the Houston Astros will be first baseman Yuli Gurriel. After manning first base for a half-decade, Gurriel departed the Houston Astros after their 2022 World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies and signed a minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins earlier this month.

"This is MLB Network's prediction for the Houston Astros starting lineup for the regular season. Would you make any changes to this lineup or do you believe they got it correct?" - ESPN 97.5 Houston

Apart from Abreu replacing Gurriel at first base, the Houston Astros will look remarkably similar to the way they did at the end of last season.

Former MVP second baseman Jose Altuve will leverage his .387 OBP as a leadoff hitter. He will be backed up by Michael Brantley. Brantley, a former AL doubles leader during his days with the Cleveland Indians, appeared in only 64 games with the Houston Astros last year and will be chomping at the bit to get back into action.

Another Cuban, Yordan Alvarez, hit 37 home runs and 97 RBIs last year, and is set to take on the leadoff spot for the Houston Astros. Alvarez had two home runs and seven RBIs during the Houston Astros’ 2022 ALDS sweep of the Seattle Mariners.

After the departure of 2022 Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the Houston Astros still boast formidable pitching. Framber Valdez led the MLB in complete games and innings pitched last year, and looks to be a good choice to start on Opening Day.