AWFUL UMPIRING

Here's why the umpire from Astros-Yankees was even worse than we thought

Here's why the umpire from Astros-Yankees was even worse than we thought
Correa was not happy with the home plate umpire. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images.

Tuesday's Astros-Yankees game was very difficult to watch as an Astros fan. Home plate umpire Jose Navas missed so many calls it was hard for us to keep count during the game. Luckily, the folks at Umpire Auditor kept track of Navas' horrendous performance on Tuesday night. Navas wasn't just calling balls as strikes against the Astros, like during one of Carlos Correa's at-bats when he called two pitches that were below the strike zone as strikes. But he also squeezed Bryan Abreu in the 6th inning which led to the Yankees blowing the game open and never looking back. Astros catcher Martin Maldonado was so disgusted he could be seen arguing with the umpire throughout the inning.

According to Umpire Auditor, Navas missed an alarming 21 calls throughout the game. Have a look at how far outside this pitch was that he rung up Kyle Tucker on. This certainly felt like a game in which everyone outside of Houston wanted to see the Astros "take their medicine" in their first appearance at Yankee Stadium after the sign-stealing scandal went public.

Hopefully, with this game in the books, the Astros can move on and worry about beating the Yankees, and not think about having to beat the umpires too.

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Christian Walker had three hits in Game 1. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros continue their road trip Wednesday night in Denver, looking to stay red-hot against a struggling Rockies team that can’t seem to buy a win at Coors Field.

Houston enters the second game of the series with a 51–34 record, sitting atop the AL West and riding a stretch of eight wins in their last ten games. Their offense hasn’t exactly been overpowering during this run — the team is hitting just .228 over that span — but timely power and elite pitching have carried the load. They’ll lean on both again Wednesday as right-hander Hunter Brown takes the mound.

Brown has emerged as one of the most dominant starters in baseball this season, posting an 8–3 record and an eye-popping 1.74 ERA with 118 strikeouts. His efficiency and command (0.89 WHIP) have kept opponents off balance all year, and he’ll face a Rockies lineup that’s shown occasional pop but little consistency. Colorado is just 19–66 overall, with only eight wins in 41 games at home.

Austin Gomber gets the ball for the Rockies in what will be just his fouth start of the season. The lefty owns a 6.14 ERA and has managed only five strikeouts in limited action, which could open the door for Houston’s power bats to do damage early. The Astros are 18–5 when they hit multiple home runs in a game.

Colorado will hope to build on the lone bright spot from Tuesday’s loss, a five-hit effort from rookie Jordan Beck, while Hunter Goodman continues to show some spark with five homers in his last ten games.

With the Astros heavily favored (-258) and looking to build further separation in the division, all eyes will be on Brown as he tries to keep the momentum rolling, and give Houston its 52nd win of the season.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -258, Rockies +208; over/under is 11 runs

Roster moves

Luis Guillorme (hamstring) is headed to the 10-day injured list and Zack Short will replace him on the roster.

Thoughts on tonight's lineup

The first thing that jumps out is Christian Walker is hitting fifth after a three-hit game on Tuesday. Cooper Hummel is hitting seventh and playing left field, with Altuve playing second base again. Shay Whitcomb is in the DH spot, and hitting eighth, followed by Mauricio Dubon. Clearly, Houston's depth will be tested with this lineup. But at least they're playing the lowly Rockies.

Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.


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