WELL SAID
It's time we had an honest conversation about Astros' Jeremy Pena
Jul 28, 2023, 2:59 pm
It's time we had an honest conversation about Astros' Jeremy Pena
The Astros took a calculated risk when they decided to let Carlos Correa walk in free agency and replace him with rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena. Pena went on to be the ALCS and World Series MVP for the 2022 World Champion Houston Astros. What a start to a career.
This season, Pena has struggled to replicate the way he was swinging the bat in the postseason, hitting just .235 for the 'Stros. Many fans and media members are disappointed with the production, with some looking to include Pena in trade packages with the deadline approaching.
Let's all just take a moment and relax. How quickly we forget. Pena will be just fine, and there's no reason for him to be going anywhere. It's only his second season in the big leagues, he has time to figure things out. His difficulty with hitting sliders has been an ongoing issue, and it's caused him to struggle with fastballs as well.
Pena's performance in the finale of the Rangers series showed us some encouraging signs. He went 2-4 with a double and single off of fastballs. And he's back in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, where he's been most productive.
And just for curiosity’s sake, how is the Astros former shortstop Carlos Correa playing this season? Would you be surprised to learn he has a lower batting average than Pena? Correa is currently hitting .228 for the Twins.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss Pena's underwhelming performance this year, and share our thoughts on why there's no reason to panic about Pena moving forward.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content.
Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
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.