GOING DEEP!
How Astros can optimize their new starting lineup for maximum impact
Jan 2, 2024, 12:26 pm
What's the best way to deploy Houston's top sluggers?Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros are heading into the 2024 season with their window still open. Some seem to think the window is closed. Others choose to believe it's rolling up and will close soon. I think it can be held open for a bit longer. This upcoming season may be the beginning of the end, but I still have hope. Last time, I previewed the starting rotation. This time, I take a look at the lineup:
There are pending free agents if they aren't re-signed. Guys looking for either their first big payday, or their second. Some could end up leaving for one reason or another (mainly money). However it happens, there's always roster turnover. Usually it's at the middle or bottom because most teams lock up their top players. Some will let guys walk and take the draft pick compensation. Others will trade them to maximize their value.
When it comes to the Astros, they've been able to reload and reshape things while remaining competitive. Losing Martin Maldonado will indeed hurt the pitching staff most. He was a great teammate as well, but his woes at the plate, coupled with Yanier Diaz's ability to excel there, made him expendable. Michael Brantley most likely won't be back, and I'm okay with that move as well. Here's how I see the lineup for new manager Joe Espada looking to open the new season:
- Jose Altuve
- Alex Bregman
- Yordan Alvarez
- Kyle Tucker
- Jose Abreu
- Jeremy Pena
- Yainer Diaz
- Chas McCormick
- Maurcio Dubon (We'll see about Dana Brown's endorsement of Jake Meyers).
This lineup is eerily similar to the one employed in the Twins playoff series. A few things may change. Free agents may come in and change things a bit. I highly doubt they spend any significant money, but you never know if they'll find a good deal or not. Positions five through nine are where we could/should see some movement.
Abreu is a solid vet, but his bat was nothing to be scared of in 2023. Pena is a guy who's moved up and down the lineup. I'd like to see him settle in somewhere. Diaz is the guy who could be an X factor for this team. In limited at-bats, he hit .282 with 23 homers. McCormick and Dubon have earned spots based off their play. They, too, could use more consistent playing time to get in a better groove.
Some will argue about placement up and down the lineup. Some may even have fantasies about adding guys from the bench, minors, or free agency. I'm dealing with the here and now. Again, this is my way too early look at what the lineup may be. We have a lot of time between now and Opening Day to flesh this out completely. Let me know what you think and send me your proposed lineups on Twitter.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.