These spring training standout performances are putting pressure on Astros starting lineup
STONE COLD 'STROS
19 March 2024
STONE COLD 'STROS
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!
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Christian Walker homered among his three hits and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Wednesday night.
ALL-STAR SMASH.#VoteWalker ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/DDzNOvnsXt
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Jose Altuve added two hits to give him 2,300 in his career, joining Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,342) as the only active players with at least 2,300.
The GOAT with another milestone.
Congrats to Altuve on 2,300 career hits! #VoteAltuve ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHRkGz pic.twitter.com/gtaLqdegqM
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Altuve got things going with an RBI double in the first. There were two outs in the inning when Walker homered to left field off Sean Burke (3-7) to make it 3-0.
Houston starter Ryan Gusto (4-3) allowed seven hits and two runs with a season-best seven strikeouts in a season-high six innings.
Josh Rojas had two hits for the White Sox, who fell to 7-27 on the road.
Altuve singled with two outs in the third before Yainer Diaz walked. Walker then smacked a line drive to center field for a double to score them both and push the lead to 5-0.
There was one out in the fourth when Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jeremy Peña doubled on a ball that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 6-0. Isaac Paredes followed with another RBI double to chase Burke, who yielded eight hits and seven runs — both career highs — in 3 2/3 innings.
Rojas singled in the fifth and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Vinny Capra. Rojas scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman to cut it to 7-1. Miguel Vargas hit an RBI single to make it 7-2.
Paredes had three hits and two RBIs to help the Astros snap a two-game skid.
Walker’s home run that put Houston up 3-0 early.
He talked about his big night following the game.
Christian Walker’s four RBIs were a season-high pic.twitter.com/V2cQWk6pRC
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 12, 2025
Walker had just two RBIs in his previous six games.
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) opposes RHP Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62) when the series concludes Thursday night.