ASTROS INVEST IN PITCHING
Astros strike a deal and solidify their starting rotation moving forward
Mar 24, 2021, 4:10 pm
Lance McCullers will stay in Houston. Composite image by Jack Brame.
With concerns about Framber Valdez's health, let's examine the Astros rotation
Mark Berman is reporting that the Astros and Lance McCullers Jr. have agreed on a contract extension. McCullers said earlier this spring that he would like to stay in Houston, but wasn't sure if he was in the Astros' plans. Well, it looks like he got his answer. The deal is reported to be a 5-year contract worth $85 million.
With Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke decent bets to move on from Houston after the 2021 season, this deal makes a lot of sense for the Astros. Verlander could possibly agree to a prove-it deal with the team after the 2021 season, but my guess would be this move means Greinke won't be an Astro after 2021.
McCullers has been a terrific pitcher at Minute Maid Park posting a career home ERA of 2.51. Every other ballpark his ERA jumps to 4.99. If McCullers can pitch just a little better on the road, you have to like this deal for Houston.
MLB source: Lance McCullers Jr and the #Astros have reached an agreement on a five-year extension. So Lance is tied to the Astros for six years.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 24, 2021
McCullers $85M deal begins in 2022. So through 2026. Limited no-trade clause.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 24, 2021
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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.