Houston gets back in the win column
Astros get best of Bauer, Dodgers to split series
May 26, 2021, 9:48 pm
Houston gets back in the win column
Carlos Correa hit a go-ahead homer off of Trevor Bauer Wednesday night.
After a demoralizing loss in the first of this two-game set, the Astros tried to split the series on Wednesday night by getting a win over Trevor Bauer and the Dodgers. They would get the job done, ending their four-game skid and taking one of the two games in this series.
Final Score: Astros 5, Dodgers 2
Astros' Record: 27-22, second in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Luis Garcia (3-3)
Losing Pitcher: Trevor Bauer (5-3)
After a 1-2-3 top of the first by Luis Garcia, Trevor Bauer took the mound in the bottom of the inning for the Dodgers. He was greeted by a leadoff solo homer by Jose Altuve, giving the Astros an early 1-0 lead. Garcia held the lead until the top of the third when he would have a lengthy inning, allowing an RBI single to make it 1-1. Garcia rebounded well from that lengthy inning, retiring the next nine batters in a row to complete six quality innings. His final line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 0 HR, 100 P.
He would end up in line for the win, thanks to Houston's second solo home run off of Bauer, this time Carlos Correa in the bottom of the sixth to give the Astros the lead back at 2-1. Houston extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh, getting an RBI single by Altuve then a two-run homer by Aledmyz Diaz to make it 5-1.
After a 1-2-3 top of the seventh by Brooks Raley, Ryne Stanek would finish the eighth though allowed a solo homer to cut the lead to 5-2. In the top of the ninth, Bryan Abreu would attempt the save and would get it by erasing two two-out walks. The win split the two-game set with Los Angeles and improved them to one game back of the A's for the AL West lead.
Up Next: The Astros will have a day off on Thursday, then will continue this homestand with the first of three games against the San Diego Padres on Friday at 7:10 PM Central. Framber Valdez will make his 2021 debut after starting the season injured, while the Padres are expected to start Dinelson Lamet (1-0, 1.64 ERA).
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
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