STONE COLD 'STROS
Why Houston Astros answer at first base may be the most brutal
Apr 9, 2024, 2:23 pm
Jose Abreu is off to another slow start. Composite Getty Image.
Coming into the season, one of the areas of the club the Astros were hoping would improve was the play at first base. Jose Abreu finished the 2023 regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball among qualified players.
However, he did play well in the postseason. So fans were holding out hope we would see that version of Abreu in 2024.
Unfortunately, with three series already in the books, Abreu has done little to make people believe he'll be any better this season. He's currently hitting .067 (2-30) with an OPS of .219.
If Abreu had enough at-bats to qualify, he would have the worst OPS in baseball. Certainly the stats are concerning, as they show a trend that is continuing from last season. But the eye test is what really stands out with Abreu. He looks overmatched even by fastballs in the low-nineties, and his frustration was noticeable after poor at-bats in the Rangers series.
But what can the Astros do? Manager Joe Espada has already moved him down to the seven spot in the lineup, and his backup Jon Singleton isn't hitting much better.
The 'Stros don't really have any minor league first basemen ready to make the jump to the big leagues. Joey Loperfido is crushing dingers at Triple-A, but he's also striking out at an alarming rate.
Many fans are clamoring for Mauricio Dubon to get some starts at first base, be he doesn't have much experience at the position, and he doesn't provide the power numbers of a typical first baseman. But at this point, something has to be better than nothing.
As it stands today, the Astros might have to roll with the most brutal option, starting Abreu and hoping he somehow pulls out of his yearlong funk.
Don't miss the video above as we address Abreu's disappointing start to the season, and discuss some other options the Astros may turn to if his struggles continue.
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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.