GAME-CHANGER
Here's what could tip the scales in Astros most hotly-contested debate
Jul 6, 2023, 6:33 pm
What could tip the scale 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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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.