Astros manager puts latest stamp on Houston's lineup with another intelligent tweak
MOVING ON UP!
26 March 2024
MOVING ON UP!
Over the weekend, the Astros wrapped up spring training and are now back in Houston preparing to play against the Yankees on Opening Day.
And when we see that Opening Day batter order from manager Joe Espada, don't be surprised if we notice some changes from last season. Espada already revealed that he plans on batting Yordan Alvarez second, but over the last few days another adjustment was unveiled.
Espada is exploring the possibility of hitting Kyle Tucker third, and pushing Bregman to the cleanup spot. With Tucker hitting third, the club can better utilize his speed and give Bregman more opportunities to hit with runners in scoring position.
Clearly, Espada is not afraid to try some new things and put his stamp on the team. Which is a different approach than former manager Dusty Baker. Baker preferred to split up his left-handed hitters in the lineup.
So based on the Astros recent lineup cards, we expect on most days the batting order to be:
Jose Altuve
Yordan Alvarez
Kyle Tucker
Alex Bregman
Jose Abreu
Chas McCormick
Yainer Diaz
Jeremy Pena
Jake Meyers
Don't miss the video above as we share some updates from the weekend, discuss the Astros new-look batting order, and much more!
Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/xZ9dvfZYTs
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
3-run Yainer Bomb!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/4zku17xsR0
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.
Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston’s lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.
Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.
Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.
Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.
Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.
Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.
Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.
Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.