Astros drop game three of series
Astros daily report: Rays 3, Astros 1
Mar 30, 2019, 7:50 pm
Astros drop game three of series
A quick recap of Saturday's Astros game against the Rays:
Final Score: Rays 3, Astros 1
Record: 1-2, third in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Tyler Glasnow (1-0).
Losing pitcher: Collin McHugh (0-1).
Star of the game: Collin McHugh made it two straight nights where a starter did a great job but didn't have the offense behind them to earn a win. McHugh was only able to go five innings, but his pitches had great movement to them, allowing him to rack up nine strikeouts to go with his two earned runs on just three hits and one walk.
Notes: Alex Bregman put Houston on the board early with a solo home run in the top of the first, giving Collin McHugh a lead to work with when he took the mound for his return to the starting rotation. He looked fantastic through the first four innings, allowing just one baserunner on a walk in the bottom of the fourth, then faltered in the fifth to let the Rays take a 2-1 lead. Will Harris made his 2019 debut with a scoreless sixth, as did Chris Devenski who threw a hitless seventh before returning in the eighth to allow a run on three hits to extend the Rays lead to 3-1. The Astros managed to load the bases with two outs in the eighth, but couldn't convert, and came up empty in the ninth as well. The Astros fall to 1-2 on the season.
Up next: The Astros will wrap up the season-opening series with the Rays tomorrow afternoon at 12:10 PM. We'll get our first look at Wade Miley on the mound for Houston, while Tampa Bay is expected to go to their tactic of having a bullpen day every few days.
As we begin another week of MLB free agency, we still haven't seen any movement when it comes to Alex Bregman. Several reports are indicating that the market for Bregman is being impacted by Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander.
The thought being, Santander is expected to command less than Bregman, and teams are waiting to see how his market shakes out before making an offer to Breggy.
Which is interesting, because we're seeing reports about Santander softening his stance on demanding a four or five year deal. It appears he's willing to consider a shorter contract with a high yearly salary.
If that is indeed the case, should the Astros consider moving some salary if they can come to an agreement on a short-term deal with Santander?
In theory, trading Pressly's $14 million contract along with Victor Caratini's $6 million dollar deal could allow them to pay Santander $20 million. Of course finding a club to take on all of Pressly's money may not be realistic, but if they could pull it off, should they do it?
This move would weaken the bullpen and the depth at catcher, but the team still has Caesar Salazar to back up Yainer Diaz. And both Pressly and Caratini aren't likely to be back with the Astros anyway after their contracts expire after the 2025 season.
Should we be worried about the Rangers?
MLB Network's Robert Flores (huge Astros fan) joined the Locked on Astros YouTube channel last week and said he likes the Rangers chances to win the AL West this year, despite Vegas giving Houston better odds to win the World Series. Does he have a point?
Farewell to Justin Verlander
Verlander signed a one-year deal with the Giants last week, so it appears he's played his last game in an Astros uniform. But should we close the door on him being traded to Houston again if the 'Stros need another starter and the Giants are looking to move him at the deadline?
Plus, we share some of our favorite Verlander moments from the team's dynastic run!
Be sure to watch the video above as the guys from Stone Cold 'Stros break it all down! And be sure to share your favorite Verlander memories in the comment section on YouTube.