STONE COLD 'STROS
These spring training standout performances are putting pressure on Astros starting lineup
Mar 19, 2024, 6:17 pm
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.
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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.