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.
Astros turn it on late to beat A’s after McCullers strikes out 12
May 28, 2025, 5:11 pm
Zach Dezenzo homered and Victor Caratini drove in two runs in the seventh to help the Houston Astros rally for a 5-3 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday.
The Athletics led by 1 when rookie Justin Sterner (1-1) took over for Luis Severino to start the seventh. Dezenzo sent his fourth pitch 416 feet to center field for his second homer this season to tie it at 3-all.
DEZENZO. BOMB. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/ur27VQMcmm
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 28, 2025
There were runners on second and third with two outs in the inning when Caratini lined a single to center field to score 2 and put the Astros on top 5-3.
CARATINI FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/QX8fAMlQcd
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 28, 2025
Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. allowed five hits and three runs in a season-long six innings in his fifth start after missing more than two seasons with injuries.
Shawn Dubin (2-0) struck out two in a scoreless seventh for the win and Josh Hader converted his 14th save in 14 opportunities with a scoreless ninth.
Jacob Wilson homered with two RBIs for the Athletics, who fell to 3-17 in their last 20 games.
Severino yielded three hits and two runs — one earned — in six innings. He struck out four to give him 1,003 strikeouts in his career, making him the 48th active player to reach 1,000 strikeouts.
Christian Walker was hit on the hand with a pitch to start Houston’s fourth. He left in the bottom of the sixth inning because of the injury. Manager Joe Espada said the X-rays were negative after the game.
Key moment
The Astros jumping on Sterner in the seventh to take the lead after Severino’s strong start kept them in check through six.
Key stat
McCullers struck out 12 to tie a career high he last reached in 2018.
Lance McCullers, 12th K. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/A3hJ0eSzId
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 28, 2025
Up next
LHP Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA) will start for Oakland on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Toronto. The Astros open a four-game series against Tampa Bay on Thursday night with RHP Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.58) on the mound against RHP Shane Baz (4-3, 4.94).
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