WHAT'S THE DEAL?
This unexplainable Astros x-factor looms large for the postseason
Sep 12, 2023, 3:22 pm
This unexplainable Astros x-factor looms large for the postseason
The Astros are in the middle of another exciting playoff push and as the regular season is coming to a close, we're seeing the offense climb up the rankings as the season progresses.
In fact, while most of the season Houston's offense has been middle of the pack, going into Monday's game against the A's, the Astros were Top 5 in team OPS.
But one thing that has been an ongoing issue for the club, is how they perform at home. Currently, the 'Stros are 37-36 at home, while being substantially better on the road (45-27).
If the Astros are able to continue their winning ways and make the postseason once again, should there be any concern about their struggles at home?
This is a team that lost every game of the World Series at home and won every game on the road in 2019. Does home-field advantage really matter that much to the Astros who are clearly better on the road?
And what is causing the team to hit so much better outside Minute Maid? Chandler Rome of The Athletic wrote a piece about Jose Abreu's issues with the batter's eye at the Juice Box.
If this something the team might look to change during the offseason?
Check out the video above for the full conversation!
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.