Here’s an intriguing Hunter Brown comp that pays off a lot sooner than you think for Astros
SPOT ON ASSESSMENT
17 February 2023
Astros fans have all heard the comparisons between Justin Verlander and Hunter Brown based on how similar their mechanics are. But there's another Hunter Brown comp that actually makes a little more sense based on what role Brown will likely be asked to play for Houston.
Brown is expected to work as the team's sixth starter, and bounce between the rotation and the bullpen, like Cristian Javier has been doing for the team. Javier started last season as the team's sixth starter/ relief pitcher, and now has a 5-year contract extension and is considered by many to be Houston's second-best starter behind Framber Valdez.
With this in mind, is it crazy to think Brown could have a similar ascension for the Astros this season and enter the 2024 season as the third or fourth starter? Javier ended up making 25 starts in the regular season last year due to scheduling and injuries to the rotation. Javier made his first start of 2022 in mid-April, with the team going on a long stretch of games with no days off.
The Astros play eight straight games to start 2023, and we expect the organization to be careful with Lance McCullers due to his history of arm issues. Especially now, with him already experencing soreness in his throwing arm. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that we might see Hunter Brown make a start in the first week of the season.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss how Hunter Brown could eventually be the team's next Cristian Javier, what the expectations are for him this season, and much more!
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Late rally falls short as Astros drop opener to San Francisco
Mar 31, 2025, 10:30 pm
Wilmer Flores hit his third homer of the season and drove in four runs to lead the San Francisco Giants over the Houston Astros 7-2 on Monday night.
Giants starter Jordan Hicks (1-0), who grew up in suburban Houston, allowed only a first-inning single and struck out six in six innings.
There were two on with two outs in the sixth when Flores sent a slider from Luis Contreras into the left-field seats to make it 5-0. The homer came after Flores hit an RBI single in the second to give San Francisco an early lead.
The Astros had managed just one hit and had a runner on second when Jose Altuve singled off Spencer Bivens with two outs in the eighth. Isaac Paredes then smacked a double off the wall in left field to score two runs and cut it to 5-2. Erik Miller took over and struck out Yordan Alvarez to end the inning.
Ronel Blanco (0-1), who threw a no-hitter in his season debut last year, allowed three hits and three runs with three walks in five-plus innings.
LaMonte Wade Jr. had a sacrifice fly in the fifth that made it 2-0.
Christian Walker singled with two outs in the first before Hicks retired the next 14 batters, fanning five straight. Altuve walked with one out in the sixth, but Hicks set down the next two batters to end the inning and his night.
Matt Chapman drove in two runs with a single in the ninth that made it 7-2.
Key moment
The home run by Flores that padded the lead in the sixth.
Key stat
San Francisco’s Bob Melvin managed his 200th career game against the Astros, improving to 99-101 with the victory.
Up next
RHP Hayden Wesneski makes his Houston debut against RHP Logan Webb when the series continues Tuesday night. Wesneski joined the Astros this offseason from the Chicago Cubs as part of the trade for outfielder Kyle Tucker.
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