IT'S HAPPENING
Latest news gives Houston Astros a big boost with A's coming to town
May 19, 2023, 11:55 am
He's baaack! Composite Getty Image.
brantley-altuve-mccormick
The Houston Astros host the Oakland Athletics this weekend at Minute Maid Park, and it looks like there will be a big reason to celebrate for Astros fans.
Tonight, Jose Altuve returns. pic.twitter.com/H95PEmcyD5
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 19, 2023
Jose Altuve has been activated and will play for the first time this season after fracturing his thumb in the World Baseball Classic.
Jose Altuve will make his season debut tonight at @MinuteMaidPark.
🎟️: https://t.co/JKVVoyRky2 pic.twitter.com/ofVDjUiLUF
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 19, 2023
Brandon Bielak (0-1, 3.29 ERA, 10 SO) will be on the mound for the Astros and Altuve will make his debut against LHP Ken Waldichuk (1-2, 7.02 ERA, 36 SO).
The Astros are still waiting for Michael Brantley and Lance McCullers to play this season. After being shutdown, Michael Brantley is feeling better. He's dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder. A target date for his return has yet to be determined.
McCullers is making good progress and seeing his velocity improve, but there is still no timeline for his return.
It will be interesting to see what the Astros do with Mauricio Dubon, who has done a fantastic job in Altuve's absence. He currently leads the team in hits, runs, and doubles.
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Clutch hitting continues to be an issue for Astros, fall to Braves 6-2
Apr 17, 2024, 10:10 am
When the Astros signed Josh Hader to anchor the back of the bullpen with Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu, we thought the club might have the best 'pen in MLB.
But at this early stage in the season, nobody is confusing these guys with Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, and Billy Wager.
Heading into the ninth inning on Monday night, the Astros handed the ball to Hader trailing the Braves 2-1. Instead of keeping the game close and giving the Astros' offense one more chance, the Braves teed off on the closer putting the game out of reach and ultimately winning 6-1.
Hader has one save on the season with an ERA over nine. Which has us wondering, do the Astros have a Hader problem?
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein weigh in!