Here’s the case for why the Houston Astros are actually better this year
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
13 April 2023
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
The Houston Astros are off to their typical start to a season, hovering around .500 about two weeks in.
Why some could be in panic mode based on the mediocre start and the amount of injuries the team is dealing with, the Astros' overall depth continues to be something fans and the organization can hang their hats on.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss how Corey Julks, Mauricio Dubon, and Hunter Brown have been a steadying force as the team awaits the returns of Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, and Lance McCullers.
And, in some ways, are outperforming them.
Plus, how much are the Astros really missing George Springer, if Chas McCormick continues to play like this?
And with that in mind, what could all this mean for Kyle Tucker and the enormous contract he's seeking?
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Catch The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekdays from 7-10 AM on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.