How Houston Astros league-best rotation could actually get better
IT STARTS HERE
28 June 2023
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.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content.
Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.
Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.
Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.
Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.
Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.
The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.
There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.
Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.
The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.
Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.
Key moment
Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.
Key stat
The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
