How Astros infield domino effect could pay dividends for revenge tour

BANK ON IT!

The Houston Astros now how their middle infield set for the foreseeable future, with Jose Altuve locked up for six more years and Jeremy Pena under contract through 2027.

Jose Abreu is still under team control for another two seasons, and we all know Alex Bregman could be playing his last year in an Astros uniform.

And let's face it, even if Yainer Diaz doesn't take a step forward this season, there's no way he'll hit worse than Martin Maldonado. So as we examine the infield over the next few years, Jeremy Pena looks like the biggest question mark.

Will he continue to struggle with the bat like last season, or will he bounce back and regain the power he showcased in 2022? Pena is very tough to predict. He went from World Series MVP to a player that had to be pinch hit for in the ALCS last season.

Pena has been working on a new swing this offseason that he's excited to unleash in 2024. Which got us wondering, if he finds his power stroke again, is that enough to say that he had a bounce back season?

When looking at the numbers, the simple answer is yes. He improved his on-base percentage and batting average in 2023. If he can continue to build on that and get back to swatting over 20 homers a season, the Astros infield will be in good shape.

Plus, we all hope Jose Abreu can return to form as well. After a lackluster regular season, Abreu really got things going in the playoffs. Many believe rest was a big part of his postseason success.

If he gets off to a slow start, should the Astros consider platooning him from time to time to get the best version of Abreu?

While many people saw the Astros trade for Trey Cabbage as a left-handed bat that can play the outfield, there's another layer to his game.

Cabbage played over 50 games at first base in the minors last season. So he could be an option with some serious power that could fill in at first.

Finally, if the Astros do move on from Alex Bregman, could Mauricio Dubon be an option to take his place? Certainly he'll never be the hitter Bregman is, or walk nearly as much. But he could be a serviceable option while the Astros look for a permanent Bregman replacement.

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down.

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Astros defeat the Royals, 2-1. Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images.

Isaac Paredes hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the ninth inning to lift the Houston Astros to a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

The game was tied at 1 after a home run by Jeremy Peña in the sixth inning when Paredes led off the bottom of the ninth against John Schreiber (1-2). He sent his second pitch to left-center field for his fifth homer this season, giving Houston the win after Kansas City took the series opener Monday.

Both teams got strong outings from their starters. Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed six hits and a run with seven strikeouts in eight innings. Kris Bubic yielded six hits and a run and tied a career high with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Bryan Abreu (1-1) struck out one in a scoreless ninth for the win.

Hunter Renfroe doubled off the wall in left-center field with one out in the eighth. Valdez plunked Jonathan India on the foot with two outs, but he induced a groundout by Bobby Witt Jr. to end his night.

Maikel Garcia walked to open the fifth before a single by Vinnie Pasquantino sent him to third. The Royals took a 1-0 lead when Freddy Fermin singled on a ground ball to right field that scored Garcia.

Peña’s home run to left field tied it with no outs in the sixth.

Jose Altuve followed with a double on a grounder down the third base line, but Bubic retired the next three batters, with two strikeouts, to leave him stranded.

Jake Meyers singled to start Houston’s seventh, but was out at second when Cam Smith grounded into a force out. Bubic was replaced by Lucas Erceg and he picked off Smith at first before striking out Brendan Rodgers to end the inning.

Key moment

The home run by Paredes.

Key stat

Peña has three homers, four doubles, 24 hits and 13 RBIs in 15 games since moving to the leadoff spot.

Up next

Kansas City RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.57 ERA) opposes LHP Colton Gordon in the series finale Wednesday night. Gordon will be recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to make his major league debut.

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