The Astros have seen their fair share of bad umpiring over the years, from Angel Hernandez to Joe West, but this week things seemed to escalate to another level when Jerry Layne got in the face of Jeremy Pena.
Pena took exception to a pitch that was clearly out of the zone, which was called a strike, and hitting coach Alex Cintron was ejected for defending Pena. The altercation even made national news, with outlets picking up the story across the country.
This is just the latest example the Astros have experienced. Even going back to the 2022 playoffs, the Astros dealt with a different strike zone when they went on the road to play the Mariners, Yankees, and Phillies.
It's gotten to the point where even the broadcasters calling the game have openly accepted that the home team was going to get calls in their favor from the umpires. The strike zone should not change based on where the game is being played.
So how does this get fixed? MLB is currently testing out two different systems in the minors that could be implemented in the big leagues in the next year or two. One system uses computer technology to call all balls and strikes, while the other operates with a challenge system.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss which system will be the best option going forward, how soon it will be implemented, and much more!
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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