How Houston Astros last hope could be its most unlikely
HIGH, HIGH HOPES
17 October 2023
HIGH, HIGH HOPES
After another rough start from Framber Valdez, the Astros find themselves heading to Arlington down 2-0 to the Rangers in the ALCS.
They will have to rely on Cristian Javier to get them back on track for Game 3, with Jose Urquidy likely taking the ball in Game 4, and Justin Verlander in Game 5 (if necessary).
Considering Framber's struggles in the second half of the season and the playoffs (11.57 ERA), should Dusty Baker start him if the Astros are able to force a Game 6? Or should JP France take the mound for Houston?
If Dusty doesn't want to go that route, he could start Valdez with France ready to go in the bullpen at the first sign of trouble.
Framber's future
Considering Framber's recent collapse and Cristian Javier's regression this year after getting a contract extension, we also discuss if Houston should hold off from any extension talks with Valdez until further notice.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion.
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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.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
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.