Astros extend winning streak to 8 games
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 5-1 win
May 15, 2019, 10:11 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Astros took the field Wednesday night looking to complete a three-game sweep against the Detroit Tigers. Houston capitalized on a strong start from their ace with big contributions at the plate from their bench.
Final Score: Astros 5, Tigers 1
Record: 29-15, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Justin Verlander (7-1, 2.38 ERA)
Losing pitcher: Gregory Soto (0-2, 13.50 ERA)
1. Verlander tosses gem in familiar territory
Justin Verlander's second ever start against his old team was the storyline going into this series and when the 36 year old was handed the ball to complete the sweep, he didn't disappoint. Verlander fired 7 innings of 2-hit baseball, surrendering one homerun while striking out 9. Verlander shows no signs of slowing down as he ranks first in the AL in record (7-1), WHIP (0.79), and second in strikeouts (77).
2. Jakeday delivers
The hallmark of this season's roster and their current streak is the ability to pick up each other's slack when someone has an off night. Tonight was no different, and while Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa each had their typically large contributions, George Springer turned in an 0-5 night. The effects were hardly felt, however, as Jake Marisnick went 2-3 with a single, a triple and two RBIs. He batted ninth.
3. Still Streaking
Since their embarrassing 2-12 defeat last Tuesday against the struggling Kansas City Royals (the one that included two grand slams and a Tyler White relief pitching appearance), the Astros have been white hot. With the win Wednesday night, the Astros have swept two teams in a row, and are riding an eight-game win streak heading into this weekend's series against Boston. The Astros are averaging an unreal 8.25 runs per game during this stretch, while holding their opponents to just 4.25. That number looks a lot better when you consider the fact that the runs being scored are typically against lower tier relievers that are only seeing action because the score is so out of hand.
Up Next: Houston will have a day off tomorrow before kicking off a three game series at Boston on Friday at 6:10. Gerrit Cole (4-4, 3.88 ERA) will face Rick Porcello (3-3, 5.15 ERA).
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
What looked like a minor blip after an emotional series win in Los Angeles has turned into something more concerning for the Houston Astros.
Swept at home by a Guardians team that came in riding a 10-game losing streak, the Astros were left looking exposed. Not exhausted, as injuries, underperformance, and questionable decision-making converged to hand Houston one of its most frustrating series losses of the year.
Depth finally runs dry
It would be easy to point to a “Dodger hangover” as the culprit, the emotional peak of an 18-1 win at Chavez Ravine followed by a mental lull. But that’s not the story here.
Houston’s energy was still evident, especially in the first two games of the series, where the offense scored five or more runs each time. Including those, the Astros had reached that mark in eight of their last 10 games heading into Wednesday’s finale.
But scoring isn’t everything, not when a lineup held together by duct tape and desperation is missing Christian Walker and Jake Meyers and getting critical at-bats from Cooper Hummel, Zack Short, and other journeymen.
The lack of depth finally showed. The Astros, for three days, looked more like a Triple-A squad with Jose Altuve and a couple big-league regulars sprinkled in.
Cracks in the pitching core
And the thing that had been keeping this team afloat, elite pitching, finally buckled.
Hunter Brown and Josh Hader, both dominant all season, finally cracked. Brown gave up six runs in six innings, raising his pristine 1.82 ERA to 2.21. Hader wasn’t spared either, coughing up a game-losing grand slam in extra innings that inflated his ERA from 1.80 to 2.38 in one night.
But the struggles weren’t isolated. Bennett Sousa, Kaleb Ort, and Steven Okert each gave up runs at critical moments. The bullpen’s collective fade could not have come at a worse time for a team already walking a tightrope.
Injury handling under fire
Houston’s injury management is also drawing heat, and rightfully so. Jake Meyers, who had been nursing a calf strain, started Wednesday’s finale. He didn’t even make it through one pitch before aggravating the injury and needing to be helped off the field.
No imaging before playing him. No cautionary rest despite the All-Star break looming. Just a rushed return in a banged-up lineup, and it backfired immediately.
Second-guessing has turned to outright criticism of the Astros’ medical staff, as fans and analysts alike wonder whether these mounting injuries are being made worse by how the club is handling them.
Pressure mounts on Dana Brown
All eyes now turn to Astros GM Dana Brown. The Astros are limping into the break with no clear reinforcements on the immediate horizon. Only Chas McCormick is currently rehabbing in Sugar Land. Everyone else? Still sidelined.
Brown will need to act — and soon.
At a minimum, calling up top prospect Brice Matthews makes sense. He’s been mashing in Triple-A (.283/.400/.476, 10 HR, .876 OPS) and could play second base while Jose Altuve shifts to left field more regularly. With Mauricio Dubón stretched thin between shortstop and center, injecting Matthews’ upside into the infield is a logical step.
*Editor's note: The Astros must be listening, Matthews was called up Thursday afternoon!
The Astros are calling up Brice Matthews, their top prospect on @MLBPipeline
via @brianmctaggart pic.twitter.com/K91cGKkcx6
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 10, 2025
There’s also trade chatter, most notably about Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, but excitement has been tepid. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but compared to who the Astros are fielding now, Mullins would be a clear upgrade and a much-needed big-league presence.
A final test before the break
Before the All-Star reset, Houston gets one last chance to stabilize the ship, and it comes in the form of a rivalry series against the Texas Rangers. The Astros will send their top trio — Lance McCullers Jr., Framber Valdez, and Hunter Brown — to the mound for a three-game set that will test their resolve, their health, and perhaps their postseason aspirations.
The Silver Boot is up for grabs. So is momentum. And maybe, clarity on just how far this version of the Astros can go.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!