POWER PLAY
How these underlying factors could be influencing Astros infield puzzle
May 23, 2023, 12:18 pm
How these underlying factors could be influencing Astros infield puzzle
The Houston Astros got a big lift with the return of Jose Altuve, and many believed this would give Dusty Baker the opportunity to drop the struggling Jose Abreu in the lineup.
But even after a walk-off win with Kyle Tucker in the cleanup spot, and Jose Altuve back in the fold, Dusty put Abreu right back in the four spot in the following game. Normally this wouldn't be that big a deal, especially with the team well overall. But Abreu is literally second to last in all of MLB in OPS and slugging. Essentially, making him the second-worst hitter in the league this season.
And Maurico Dubon who led the team in hits, runs, and doubles when Jose Altuve returned, didn't play a single game in the A's series. But when Dubon got the start on Monday night against the Brewers, he hit his first home run of the season off former Cy Young winner Corbin Burns. (Abreu is still sitting at zero homers on the season).
First HR of the season ✅ pic.twitter.com/K3tcntl2Vk
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 23, 2023
So what should the Astros do? Altuve is going to play regularly at second base, and Abreu will start most games at first based on his large contract. But dropping Abreu in the lineup should be a lock until he starts swinging the bat. However, Abreu has played in 46 of 47 games this season. Why not give him some days off from time to time and get Dubon in the lineup? They could do the same thing with Alex Bregman and Jeremy Pena. This would allow the starters in the infield to get a day off occasionally, and provide more opportunities for Dubon to play more regularly.
There's no reason the second-worst hitter in baseball has to be in the lineup and hitting cleanup every single game. It's time for Dusty Baker to address the problem, because there are quality solutions on the roster.
Be sure to check out the video above as we break down the infield conundrum and much more!
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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.