How everything lined up for the Astros at just the right time
GOING DEEP
04 June
The Astros beat the Pirates, 3-0. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images.
Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six sparkling innings for his first win since 2022, and Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit late home runs as the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night.
McCullers (1-1) won a tight duel with Pirates ace Paul Skenes, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, at Tampa Bay.
LMJ set the tone. #BuiltForThis x @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/PKbdBlDu56
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 4, 2025
The right-hander missed the past two seasons because of injuries, then was winless in his first five starts this year after being activated from the injured list on May 4.
Skenes (4-6) was nearly as dazzling in defeat, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked one as the Pirates lost for the third time in four games.
Skenes’ record is two games under .500 despite a 2.05 ERA.
Walker hit a first-pitch sweeper from Skenes into the left-field bleachers with one out in the seventh to break a scoreless tie. It was the first baseman’s eighth home run this season.
WALKER BOMB!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/SyQFK9IcOp
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 4, 2025
Paredes added a two-run shot in the ninth, his 12th, off Dennis Santana.
ISAAC ADDS 2!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/GQ6GF6sexQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 4, 2025
Shawn Dubin, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader worked an inning apiece to complete the four-hitter. Hader his converted all 16 of his save opportunities this season.
Houston won the opener of a three-game series for its seventh victory in nine games.
The Astros pitched their sixth shutout of the year. The Pirates have been blanked 10 times in 61 games.
Key moment
With the Pirates down 1-0 and runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Oneil Cruz grounded into a forceout. Then he was caught stealing to end the inning.
Key stat
Skenes has pitched at least eight innings three times in his two-year career and the Pirates have lost all three games.
Up next
Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.62 ERA) starts Wednesday night for Houston against fellow rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (0-1, 8.64).
Nick Chubb will make a great addition to Houston's backfield. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
Over the weekend, reports emerged linking the Texans and four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, with mutual interest in a potential deal.
Nick Chubb has passed his Texans physical, per source. https://t.co/bJ3C0BucGn
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) June 9, 2025
The contract is expected to be a one-year, incentive-heavy deal, but it’s contingent on Chubb passing a physical. He’s working his way back from a severe knee injury suffered in 2023, followed by a broken foot that sidelined him for the final three games of the 2024 season.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Chubb has passed his physical, so a deal should be official in short order.
Impact on the offense
If Chubb can return to anything close to the player he was before the knee injury, this will give the Texans offense a tremendous lift. Chubb, still only 29 years old, is one of the best backs in the league when he's right. Chubb rushed for 996 yards in his rookie season, and then ripped off four-straight seasons with over 1,000 yards. With his best year in 2022 (1,525 yards) before blowing out his knee in Week 2 of 2023.
Pairing Chubb with Joe Mixon could create a dynamic duo in Houston's backfield. And should Mixon miss time like he did in 2024 with an ankle injury, Chubb could step in without the offense missing a beat.
Chubb could also make a big impact in goal line situations. At 227 pounds, he's a big load for defenders to take down.
One thing is for sure, if the Texans make this deal official, nobody can say the front office isn't doing their best to surround CJ Stroud with top level talent this season. With a revamped offensive line and a slew of new playmakers, we should expect the Texans to get the offense back on track in 2025 and beyond.
Official!
It's a done deal, per KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. A one-year contract worth up to $5 million.
#Texans deal for four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb has maximum value of $5 million, per a league source @KPRC2
Passed physical and good to go for defending AFC South champions https://t.co/p2E6k1v00E
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 9, 2025
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