These spring training standout performances are putting pressure on Astros starting lineup
STONE COLD 'STROS
19 March 2024
These Astros are raking in the Grapefruit League! Composite Getty Image.
A lot was made of GM Dana Brown's comments about his expectations for center fielder Jake Meyers this offseason. Brown expressed his desire to give Meyers every opportunity to win the job.
Which not only caught some fans by surprise, but also brought back concerns that Chas McCormick wouldn't be in the lineup regularly.
Manager Joe Espada said he would like to use the DH spot to give guys like Jose Altuve or Jose Abreu the day off, without having to take their bat out of the lineup. How often Espada decides to that is a bit of an unknown at this point.
But who knows, maybe this could work out perfectly. Meyers is CRUSHING the ball in the Grapefruit League this spring, and so is Mauricio Dubon, and McCormick.
If this continues into the regular season, this could be a great problem for the Astros to have. The 'Stros love Meyers' defense, and if he can hit well enough to justify playing regularly, Houston could have the best of both worlds.
Most days, Yordan Alvarez and McCormick could split the left field and DH duties, allowing Chas to be in the lineup frequently without having to be the team's starting center fielder.
If Meyers struggles, then the Astros can turn to Dubon or McCormick in center.
Which brings us to Jeremy Pena. Pena is off to a slow start this spring, and he's still working on his new swing. Pena's power disappeared in early July last season, and he hasn't hit a home run in a game since.
And while Pena is a terrific defensive short stop, if he continues to struggle at the plate, Dubon is right there waiting in the wings should the club need him.
Don't look now, but Dubon could once again be a critical piece to this team like he was in 2023.
Be sure to check out the video above for the full discussion!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) every Monday on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. We'll continue to drop videos throughout the week.
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.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
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.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
