GAME-CHANGER

Here's what could tip the scales in Astros most hotly-contested debate

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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The Houston Texans have a huge game against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, and they must come away with a victory if they want to avoid falling to 0-3 on the season.

And don't look now, but beating the Jags just got a little more difficult with Aaron Wilson reporting that Derek Stingley Jr is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. Plus, nickel corner Tavierre Thomas will also be out after having surgery on his hand.

The Texans are dealing with a massive amount of injuries just two weeks into the season. But one could argue some of these could have been avoided.

Both Stingley and guard Kenyon Green (IR) had injury concerns coming out of college and GM Nick Caseiro decided to draft them in the top half of the first round, despite those red flags.

Green will miss the rest of the season needing shoulder surgery, and if Stingley is placed on IR and misses 4 games, he will have only played in 11 of a possible 23 games to start his career. Don't forget, Stingley missed time due to a hamstring issue in 2022 as well.

And let's not forget, Caserio passed on All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner, when he decided to draft Stingley No. 3 overall in 2022. The Jets selected Gardner with the very next pick.

Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the implications of these injuries for the Texans and Caserio's future in Houston.

If you enjoy the videos, subscribe to SportsMap Texans on YouTube for our latest content.

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