Astros shutout in Minnesota
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 1-0 loss
Apr 29, 2019, 9:13 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
After big back-to-back wins to split the four-game series with the Indians in Houston, the Astros hit the road with game one of four against the Twins on Monday night. Here's a quick rundown and three hits from the game:
Final Score: Twins 1, Astros 0
Record: 17-12, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Jake Odorizzi (3-2).
Losing pitcher: Justin Verlander (4-1).
1) No support for Verlander
Justin Verlander provided Houston another solid start, going six innings during which he allowed just one run on a solo home run to go with just one other hit, two walks, and striking out seven. The home run continued his streak of allowing one, a streak that has plagued him in every start this year, one in each of his seven starts. Still, six innings of one-run baseball shouldn't earn you a loss on most nights, but tonight it did, dropping his record to 4-1.
2) Bats can't crack Odorizzi or bullpen
Houston's offense could not string together enough hits to do any damage against Jake Odorizzi, allowing him to complete seven shutout innings during which he allowed just four hits, one walk, and struck out seven. They'd also have no luck against the bullpen, getting just one hit in the final two innings to go shutout in the game.
3) More solid innings from Houston's bullpen
After Verlander's six innings, the Astros looked to their strained bullpen to keep them in the game. Hector Rondon took over in the seventh and threw a perfect inning. Framber Valdez, after earning a win in two great innings the night before, had the eighth and worked around a leadoff double to keep it a one-run game going to the ninth where the Astros would come up empty.
Up Next: Houston will have game two of this four-game set tomorrow night with first pitch at 6:40 PM. The Astros will send Gerrit Cole (1-4, 4.71 ERA) to the mound to try and improve his tough early numbers against Michael Pineda (2-1, 5.63 ERA) for the Twins.
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
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Thoughts on Rockies-Astros series
After a rough opening loss to the Rockies, where Hunter Brown got knocked around early, the Astros regrouped and took the final two games to secure the series win. Framber Valdez delivered a much-needed dominant outing, a welcome sight after several shaky starts in August. Jason Alexander did his job as well, pounding the zone and keeping Houston within striking distance until the bats broke through.
Christian Walker provided the big swing in the finale with a go-ahead home run late, continuing his red-hot stretch — five homers in his last seven games. On the pitching side, Brian King and Bryan Abreu both turned in strong work to help close the door for Houston.
Yordan’s impact on the lineup
If Walker keeps producing near his career norms and Yordan Alvarez stays healthy, the Astros’ offense has the potential to overwhelm. Yordan’s return was immediately felt against the Rockies, giving the lineup a depth and presence that manager Joe Espada can slot anywhere.
With Jeremy Peña, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Yordan, Walker, Jesus Sánchez, and eventually Yainer Díaz forming the top seven, Houston suddenly looks as deep as any contender. Add Jake Meyers once he’s back, and the order stretches even further.
Sánchez, who snapped out of a brutal 0-for-27 slump, has quietly rebounded. Over his last 11 games, he’s batting .294 with a .529 slugging percentage and two home runs, giving Houston a second left-handed bat to pair with Yordan. Combine that with Correa — who leads the team in batting average since rejoining at the trade deadline — and it’s an offense poised for a major finishing kick.
Lance McCullers moves to the bullpen
McCullers has walked as many or more hitters than innings pitched in four of his last five outings, and command remains his biggest issue. A move to the bullpen doesn’t necessarily solve that problem — in fact, it could make it worse. Walks in relief situations are costly, and McCullers hasn’t shown the consistency to trust in high-leverage spots. A piggyback role, where he follows another starter, feels like a more realistic path for him at this point.
Rotation outlook with Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia could return as soon as Monday if elevated from Sugar Land, but Houston may not need to force a sixth starter into the mix.
Luis Garcia is certainly an obvious candidate to start on Monday, which is also the first day rosters expand from 26 to 28 - https://t.co/xBPB4xaog9 https://t.co/k2oSymidc0
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 28, 2025
If Spencer Arrighetti can build on his last outing and Cristian Javier starts trending upward, the rotation has enough stability to carry Houston through September. Garcia’s return would be a bonus — not a necessity — for a staff that looks like it may finally be rounding into form.
There's 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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