Weekend that was
Fred Faour: A new direction for SportsMap, Sam Houston Race Park and a weekend you won't forget
Jan 15, 2018, 6:00 am
Tom Brady is the last star QB standing. Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
Today marks the start of a new phase here on SportsMap. All the on-air talent from Gow Media will be writing columns. So every day, you will get great stuff from people like A.J. Hoffman, Lance Zierlein, John Granato, Charlie Pallilo and more. You will also be getting a lot more videos. We have more great stuff ahead so please stay tuned.
Horse of a different color
On Friday, Sam Houston Race Park opens for live racing. (We will be broadcasting live from 4-7 and I will be doing an appearance after from 7-9 p.m.)
If you have never been, live racing is a unique experience. Take time to watch a race from the rail outside so you get a sense of the power of the animals. As far as wagering, check out my audio book Acing Racing 2016 for everything you need to know.
Final Four
Tom Brady we expected to be there. But raise your hand if you thought the three remaining quarterbacks would be Case Keenum, Nick Foles and Blake Bortles. Now put them down, because you are lying.
Minnesota might be the most complete team left. Keenum is playing at a high level, they run the ball effectively and their defense is off the charts. Don’t be surprised if they are hosting the Lombardi Trophy on their home field in a couple weeks. Have you seen a better finish? Wow.
Weekend wrapup
A lot happened over the weekend. Bill O’Brien got his contract extension. Patrick Creighton also weighed in on that.
The Astros made a monster deal, landing Gerrit Cole without giving up anything of note. Creighton had a nice take on that as well.
And finally, Astros FanFest was this weekend and Paul Muth was there.
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After riding high from a statement sweep of the Dodgers, the Astros limped into the All-Star break, having lost five of their last six games, including two of three to the rival Rangers. They still hold a five-game lead in the American League West, but the momentum they carried into July has cooled considerably.
While it’s tempting to point to the battered lineup as the reason for Houston’s recent struggles, the more pressing issue has been on the mound. For much of the season, elite pitching has masked an offense operating in the league’s bottom third. But during this six-game slide, the script flipped. Over the last seven days, Houston ranks 24th in team ERA at 5.37. The offense hasn’t been great either, 20th in runs, 22nd in OPS, 23rd in batting average, but those numbers aren’t that far off their season-long identity. The difference is that the pitching has stopped bailing them out.
The good news? Help may be (somewhat) on the way.
Astros GM Dana Brown recently provided updates on three key contributors. Shortstop Jeremy Peña isn’t expected back immediately after the break, but Brown said it shouldn’t be long before he returns from a fractured rib. Yordan Alvarez, meanwhile, is progressing well from his hand injury. According to Brown, Alvarez has “absolutely no pain” and will be re-evaluated Thursday. If cleared to swing, the Astros plan to expedite his return. Center fielder Jake Meyers, however, remains at least three weeks away as he recovers from a calf injury.
On the pitching front, expectations for late-season contributions from Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia remain uncertain. Both pitchers have thrown rehab starts recently in the Florida Complex League. Garcia has now been out for over two years following Tommy John surgery. If he’s not able to return this season, serious questions will need to be asked about his long-term outlook. Javier, also rehabbing from Tommy John, may be an option in August, but expectations should be tempered. As Brown himself has admitted, he tends to be optimistic. Fans would be wise to stay grounded.
Another arm to watch is Spencer Arrighetti. With no major injury (thumb) holding him back, Arrighetti may be Houston’s most viable rotation boost in the second half.
Fortunately, the schedule sets up favorably after the break. Over the next seven series, the Astros face four sub-.500 teams. But that doesn’t mean anything is guaranteed, especially if current trends continue.
Lance McCullers remains an enigma. When he’s locked in, he gives Houston a legitimate No. 3-caliber arm. When he’s off, he’s out of the game early and the bullpen pays the price. Manager Joe Espada faces one of his toughest managing challenges every time McCullers takes the hill.
Cam Smith has cooled off at the plate, hitless in his last 11 at-bats. He’s also been bounced all over the batting order. A simple solution? Plant him in the cleanup spot and let him adjust without the added mental shuffle.
And then there’s Josh Hader. The All-Star closer has surrendered home runs in three of his last four outings. If Houston is going to continue winning tight games with a low-margin offense, Hader has to be lights-out. His dominance alongside a top-tier setup man (Bryan Abreu) has been a pillar of the Astros’ success model this season. They need that foundation to hold.
The Astros aren’t panicking — nor should they. But after a hot run turned lukewarm, the margin for error is shrinking. The second half opens with an opportunity to bank wins and regain rhythm. Whether Houston capitalizes depends on health, consistency, and maybe a little creativity from the front office.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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