How these underlying factors could be influencing Astros infield puzzle
POWER PLAY
23 May 2023
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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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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