SPORTSMAP ROUNDTABLE
Here’s why Houston Astros under-the-radar pivot options look so promising
Feb 24, 2023, 4:53 pm
Here’s why Astros under-the-radar pivot options look so promising
The Houston Astros have a ton of depth on their pitching staff, and with Lance McCullers being shutdown from throwing, it looks like they're going to need it early in the season.
The loss of Justin Verlander looks like it might hurt a little more than initially thought, and we discuss if owner Jim Crane is having second thoughts about letting him walk.
Plus, we examine some options the Astros could use this season to soften the blow of Verlander's departure. Hunter Brown, Forrest Whitley, and Brandon Bielak come to mind. But what about Bryan Abreu? Could he start some games and work out of the bullpen, similarly to how Cristian Javier did last season?
The Astros knew Verlander would get his rightful deal, McCullers might take time, but besides rotation Brown, they rejected several serious inquiries for Bryan Abreu, who many from the pitching and international side believe can be a top three starter.
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) February 23, 2023
Peter Gammons thinks it could be a possibility, but we haven't heard anything about it from the Astros at this point.
Be sure to check out the video above as we cover all the angles.
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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.