How Houston Astros corners of the future could already be here
DON'T LOOK NOW!
26 June 2024
Can the Astros afford to lose Alex Bregman? Composite Getty Image.
We can't help but notice that the turnaround we're witnessing with the Astros is coinciding with Alex Bregman heating up at the plate.
Astros GM Dana Brown has said many times that the key to the team getting hot, centers around the play of Bregman.
And if that is indeed the case, can the club really afford to lose him in free agency after the season? As good as Mauricio Dubon has been, he would have some big shoes to fill.
Who's on first?
Plus, what's the short and long-term plan at first base? When Kyle Tucker returns, the outfield will get pretty crowded. It would be nice if Joey Loperfido could earn some starts at first base.
In the meantime, Dubon is doing a fine job at first. He and Loperfido should be in the starting lineup on most days until Tucker returns.
Speaking of King Tuck
If he does leave in free agency after next season, could the team already have some qualities options available to take his spot?
Finally, when looking ahead to next season and beyond, could a move to first base be in the cards for Yainer Diaz?
Don't miss the video above for the full in-depth conversation of these topics and more!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Mauricio Dubón scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the 10th inning, Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes opened the game with home runs, and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Friday night.
Peña led off the 10th with a single that advanced automatic runner Dubón to third. Dubón scored when Hunter Strickland, who hadn’t allowed a run in 14 2/3 innings of his first 13 appearances with the Angels, threw a pitch behind the back of Paredes.
Houston closer Josh Hader (5-1) retired the side in order in the ninth and Bennett Sousa retired three straight batters in the 10th for his second save.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi gave up home runs to Pena and Paredes for a 2-0 Astros lead in the held the Astros to four hits, striking out nine and walking none, for the rest of his seven-inning start.
Jo Adell trimmed Houston’s lead to 2-1 in the fourth with a 426-foot homer off Astros starter Hunter Brown. Angels rookie Christian Moore, a first-round pick out of Tennessee in 2024, tied it 2-2 with his first major league homer to open the seventh.
Tempers flared in the third when Brown hit Angels shortstop Zach Neto in the elbow with a 95-mph sinker. Both benches and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown, and order was quickly restored.
Key Moment
Astros center fielder Jake Meyers raced to the gap in left-center to make a spectacular, full-extension diving catch of Adell’s drive with a runner on first base and one out in the bottom of the eighth to preserve a 2-2 tie.
Key Stat
The home runs by Peña and Paredes marked the first time in three years the Astros have opened a game with two homers. Jose Altuve and Peña last accomplished the feat on July 24, 2022 at Seattle.
Up Next
Astros LHP Brandon Walter (0-0, 1.53 ERA) opposes Angels RHP José Soriano (4-5, 3.54) on Saturday night.
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