Why everything you thought you knew about Astros' Jeremy Pena is probably wrong
DON'T LOOK NOW!
31 August 2023
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena had some huge expectations placed on him in his second big league season after taking home the hardware for ALCS and World Series MVP as a rookie.
And while Pena hasn't taken a big step forward in 2023, several of his stats have improved this season, including his on base percentage and batting average. He's also posted a .330 batting average over his last 30 games and has a slugging percentage over .500 in his last 15 games.
It appears Pena is getting hot at just the right time, with only about a month left in the regular season.
Plus, we can't help but compare Pena to former Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. You might be surprised to learn that Pena currently has a higher OPS and batting average than Correa, and that comes at a fraction of the cost.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss Pena's offensive surge over the last month and what we should reasonably expect from him 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.
Jake Bauers hit a two-run homer as the Milwaukee Brewers got all their runs in the first inning of a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.
The Brewers produced that big first-inning outburst against Hayden Wesneski, who hadn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his previous five starts this season.
Rhys Hoskins opened the scoring with a two-out, two-run double off the center-field wall. Bauers followed that up by clearing that center-field wall as he connected on a 1-2 pitch and delivered a 416-foot drive.
Wesneski (1-3) didn’t allow any more runs but only lasted four innings. He struck out three while allowing five hits and two walks.
Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick (2-3) worked a career-high 6 2/3 innings and carried a one-hit shutout into the seventh before the Astros got to him.
After Yainer Diaz and Jake Meyers hit consecutive one-out singles, Brendan Rodgers hit a three-run homer with two outs to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 4-3. Rodgers’ drive to right field was his first homer of the season.
Rodgers with his first Astros HR!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/hvR07Tbxbt
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Astros had runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Nick Mears came out of the bullpen and got Diaz to hit an inning-ending grounder to shortstop Joey Ortiz. Mears had gotten the Brewers out of a two-on, one-out jam in a 5-1 victory over the Astros a night earlier.
Trevor Megill retired the side in order in the ninth for his fourth save in five opportunities. Meyers led off the inning with a deep fly that Jackson Chourio caught at the center-field warning track.
Key moment
Houston trailed 4-3 with one out in the eighth when Brewers catcher William Contreras threw out Jose Altuve, who was attempting to advance to second on a pitch in the dirt. Isaac Paredes walked and Christian Walker singled immediately after that second out, but the Astros couldn't capitalize.
Key stat
Patrick, a 26-year-old rookie, hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts.
Up next
Left-hander Framber Valdez (1-4, 4.39 ERA) pitches for Houston and right-hander Quinn Priester (1-0, 5.79) starts for Milwaukee as the Brewers attempt to complete the sweep Wednesday afternoon.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
