Here's what could tip the scales in Astros most hotly-contested debate
GAME-CHANGER
06 July 2023
The Houston Astros are getting huge offensive contributions from rookie Yainer Diaz, especially when he's behind the plate catching. He hit two home runs in the Rockies finale just this week.
In fact, his splits when he's playing catcher, as opposed to hitting DH, clearly indicate he should be catching more often.
Especially with catcher Martin Maldonado suffering through another miserable year at the plate, hitting .171 with half the season in the books. His poor offensive production used to be tolerated because he was one of the top defensive catchers in the game.
Well, that's no longer the case. Yainer Diaz is better than Maldy in almost every defensive category imaginable. And pitchers that are throwing to Diaz have a lower ERA. Now, you can't even make the argument that Maldonado calls a better game for his pitchers.
So when will Diaz be used as a catcher in at least an even playing time split with Maldy?
At this point, it doesn't look like manager Dusty Baker will give Diaz the opportunity to catch on a regular basis. But what about the playoffs? Will Diaz get a bump in playing time if the Astros return to the postseason this year?
Mauricio Dubon was no longer Justin Verlander's personal center fielder when the playoffs began last season.
And what about when Yordan Alvarez returns from injury? Will that change how Baker sets his lineups?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down.
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Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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