How much-needed answers for Houston Astros could arrive sooner than you think
STONE COLD 'STROS
05 August
Is help on the way?Composite Getty Image.
Coming off a series loss to the Rays, the Astros sit one game back in the AL West as they head to Arlington to take on the Rangers.
Houston only scored one run in the final two games against Tampa Bay, highlighting the biggest problem the club is currently dealing with. The lineup is not very good, and the offense is not scoring nearly as many runs as earlier this season.
They clearly miss Kyle Tucker, and the top of the order is not delivering, especially when it comes to power numbers. Yordan Alvarez has only hit one homer in the past month, and Jose Altuve only went deep once in the month of July.
To make matter worse, once pitchers get past the top four hitters in the 'Stros lineup, it's smooth sailing until the top of the order comes back around. Jeremy Pena isn't getting the job done in the five spot, and the rest of the lineup isn't doing any better.
Jake Meyers will keep getting starts in center field because of his abilities on defense, but his batting average is now all the way down to .232.
First base remains one of the biggest weak spots on the team, and Astros GM Dana Brown recently said they may look to Sugar Land to give Jon Singleton a breather.
Prospects Zach Dezenzo and Shay Whitcomb were mentioned specifically by Brown as options that could be called up to give the team a spark. Both players are putting up big numbers in Sugar Land.
Chandler Rome made an interesting observation in his column for The Athletic this week. Neither Dezenzo nor Whitcomb have nearly the amount of experience at first base compared to Joey Loperfido. And Loperfido never got a start at first base before he was traded last week.
It's hard to believe Joe Espada would start Dezenzo at first when he only has one minor league start at the position on his resume. Lopefido couldn't get an opportunity at first with 59 minor league starts under his belt.
Finally, it sounds like Kyle Tucker won't be back until possibly September. Can the Astros hold down the fort with pitching and defense until Tuck returns?
Don't miss the video above for the full conversation!
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What (and who) is really behind Houston Texans push for Kenyon Green's return
Dec 10, 2024, 3:20 pm
Coming off the bye week the Houston Texans received good news as both LB Christian Harris and LG Kenyon Green have been designated to return from injury.
The timing couldn't be better with Harris considering the loss of LB Azeez Al-Shaair, who was suspended for three games for his hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans hasn't announced a return to game action for Harris or Green, the plan is to see how they progress over the course of the week before making any decisions.
When joining the Texans YouTube channel this week, Ryans described Green as a “player that can move people in the run game,” but also acknowledged his issues in pass protection that need to be cleaned up.
While Green was only on the field for three of the whopping 8 sacks on CJ Stroud the last time he started a game, it must be pointed out that he was atrocious that Thursday night against the Jets.
And that was following up a game against the Colts that got him benched for his struggles. If not for Jarrett Patterson suffering a concussion against Indy, Green shouldn't have been on the field versus New York.
That's why Ryans' comments about Green returning are so concerning. “If he's ready to get back out there, I think he can help us,” said the Texans head coach.
To be fair, it's not like the Texans have had much success with Juice Scruggs at guard and Patterson at center. But at least they haven't been a complete disaster in pass protection like they were with Green in the lineup. Green was getting beat quick or missing assignments that led to immediate pressures and big hits on Stroud.
Ground and pound?
There's a narrative out there that Green is the better option when it comes to run blocking. But no matter how you frame it, he was one of the worst, if not the worst, guard in the NFL according to ProFootballFocus before suffering the injury.
Somehow that's supposed to change after returning from a dislocated shoulder? I don't buy it. And considering the Texans' upcoming schedule, they're probably going to struggle with running the ball against the Ravens, Chiefs, and Titans, whether he plays or not.
Those teams are strong against the run, and the Texans would be wise to try to beat them with the passing game, considering the matchup.
Another narrative out there is that GM Nick Caserio wants to give Green every possible opportunity to succeed because he spent a 1st-round pick on Green, and passed up several Pro Bowl players in doing so.
For me, that argument falls a bit flat. Caserio used a 2nd-round pick on Scruggs, so he has a lot invested in both players. However, Scruggs isn't without criticism. He's been an obvious weakness at guard, though he did play much better against the Jaguars last week. It's the Jags, read into that what you will. But Caserio did admit recently that Scruggs is a better center than guard.
Perhaps the plan is to put Scruggs back at center with Green returning. But that could spell trouble as well. The communication issues on the o-line seem to have improved with Patterson at center.
At the end of the day, the number one job for the o-line has to be protecting Stroud, who has been the second-most sacked QB this season (41).
He's taken a sack in every game this year, and has been sacked four or more times in six of thirteen games. Four of those six games featured Green as the starting guard.
Up next
Houston will get their first test after the bye week as they host the 6–7 Dolphins, who still have something to play for. Despite the Texans' up and down season, they can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Miami, and a loss from the Colts.
