Here are the Astros last options to fade Dusty Baker’s curious managerial decisions
DUSTY GONNA DUSTY
27 June 2023
Astros manager Dusty Baker took a lot of heat over the weekend for once again using Rafael Montero in a high leverage situation that almost cost the team a win. Baker also took more criticism for his reluctance to pinch hit for Martin Maldonado late in the game when the team needed offense.
And his refusal to move Jose Abreu down in the lineup, when he's literally in the top five for worst OPS in baseball, has fans super frustrated.
Baker's managerial style may have worked perfectly last year, but this season he is clearly not pushing the right buttons. And the Astros have a much more difficult path back to the playoffs with a much stronger division to win. Houston is currently five games behind the Rangers, with an epic clash looming this weekend in Arlington.
Which begs the question; how much longer can the Astros fade Dusty's poor decisions and unwillingness to play his better offensive options? Plus, these issues appear more dire with Yordan Alvarez unable to contribute. So his mistakes are more glaring.
Don't miss the video above as we address what options the team has to get more out of their manager, and better production from the team overall.
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Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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