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How Houston Astros league-best rotation could actually get better
Jun 28, 2023, 11:02 am
How Astros league-best rotation could actually get better
One of the most important pieces of the Houston Astros rotation over the last two years has been none other than Cristian Javier. His combined no-hitter in the World Series turned things around for the Astros and helped them secure a championship.
Javier received a deserving contract extension in the offseason, and he's been good, not great, for Houston this year.
While his declining numbers don't jump out at you at first glance, a deep dive in the stats are very telling. Javier's velocity is down this year, and his release point is different as well. By releasing the ball higher this season, his spin rate has declined and the effectiveness of his “Invisi-Ball” fastball is down.
Plus, his walks are way up, with 5 in his last outing. And his strikeouts are way down, recording only 5 in his last 3 outings combined.
Javier and the Astros have a big opportunity to gain some ground on the Rangers when they face each other this weekend. Hopefully we see a classic Javier performance.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss how important Javier is to the Astros' title chances in 2023, and shed some light on what might really be going on behind the scenes.
Plus, how unstoppable Houston's rotation will be when Javier gets his mechanics cleaned up.
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Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.