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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Jeremy Peña had a season-high four hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning, to give the Houston Astros a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.
JP3 for the lead!!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/YMcU3GzjBM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 15, 2025
The Astros trailed by 1 when Zach Dezenzo singled with one out in the eighth and was lifted for pinch-runner Chas McCormick. Mauricio Dubón’s second double of the game dropped into the left field corner and scored McCormick, tying the game and chasing Michael Lorenzen (3-4).
DUBI TIES IT UP!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/lgwkhrX4iK
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 15, 2025
Carlos Estévez took over and Peña lined his third pitch into left field, sending Dubón home and putting the Astros on top.
Josh Hader walked one in a scoreless ninth for his 10th save after Bryan King (1-0) threw a scoreless eighth for the win.
Isaac Paredes homered for a second straight game for the Astros after his shot in the ninth inning Tuesday night lifted them to the 2-1 win.
Maikel Garcia homered and doubled as the Royals built a 3-1 lead.
Dubón’s first double came with one out in the sixth and he scored on a double by Peña to get the Astros within 3-2.
Houston’s Colton Gordon allowed seven hits and three runs in 4 1/3 innings in his major league debut.
Lorenzen yielded seven hits and four runs in 7 1/3 innings for the loss.
Garcia put the Royals up 1-0 with his towering home run to start the second inning. There were two outs and two on in the inning when Jonathan India then smacked an RBI double off the left field wall to make it 2-0.
The Royals had runners at first and second with two outs in the third when Jake Meyers robbed Hunter Renfroe of extra bases with a nifty catch on the track in center.
Paredes homered in the fourth before Garcia’s RBI double that bounced off second base and into the outfield pushed the lead to 3-1.
Isaac ➡️ Crawford Boxes#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/yIo7pklYL0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 15, 2025
Key moment
Dubón’s RBI double in the eighth that tied it and chased Lorenzen.
Key stat
Peña has been great in 16 games since moving to the leadoff spot and has five doubles, three homers, 15 RBIs and 28 hits.
Peña caught up with Julia Morales after the game to talk about the big win!
The @astros take the series vs KC with a 4-3 win!
After the game JP3 spoke with @JuliaMorales pic.twitter.com/uppWfUeEZE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) May 15, 2025
Up next
The Royals are off Thursday and RHP Hunter Brown (6-1, 1.48 ERA) starts for Houston on Thursday night in the opener of a series at Texas with RHP Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.72) on the mound.
