How Houston Astros strategically pivot as rotation competition heats up
STONE COLD 'STROS
16 February 2024
Some startling news came out of Astros spring training this week when it was revealed Justin Verlander and JP France are dealing with shoulder issues and may not be able to start the season on time.
On the bright side, Verlander threw a brief bullpen session on Thursday, so that's certainly a good sign. The fact that he and France aren't shutdown from throwing should bode well for their outlook this season.
Victor Caratini and Justin Verlander discuss his brief bullpen session. pic.twitter.com/9OceN4laUa
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 15, 2024
But things could get tricky early on for the 'Stros with 20 games in the first 21 days. Chandler Rome recently reported that Joe Espada was considering a six-man rotation even before the Verlander and France news.
Which means we may see Ronel Blanco and/or Brandon Bielak make some starts in April and May with so many games on the schedule.
The team will also be hoping that Hunter Brown has a breakout season. He really struggled last year, finishing with an ERA over five.
One thing is for sure, if the Astros get bounce-back seasons from Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier, they should be in great shape. Speaking of which, early photos of Valdez at spring training are encouraging. It appears he might be down a few pounds from last season.
And with the pitch clock not going anywhere, it pays to be in good shape with a long season ahead.
Plus, could we see the Astros top pitching Spencer Arrighetti make some starts for the big league club this season?
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss Arrighetti and the all the other pressing rotation questions the Astros will face in 2024.
Watch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel.
Cal Raleigh hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off the right field foul pole and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 5-3 on Friday night.
Raleigh's 17th homer followed Julio Rodríguez's tying RBI double in the seventh inning. Leody Taveras homered among his three hits, and Miles Mastrobuoni also hit a solo home run.
Emerson Hancock (2-2) gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings, striking out three and walking none. Hancock won for the first time in six starts, and Andrés Muñoz got the last three outs for 17th save while maintaining his 0.00 ERA.
Isaac Paredes hit his 11th homer of the season and seventh in the past 10 games for Houston.
Jose Altuve had three hits after hitting two homers Thursday. The former second-baseman easily threw out Raleigh when the Mariners' catcher tried to score from second on Taveras' line-drive single to left in the sixth.
Cam Smith also had three hits for the Astros.
Altuve played his 1,870th career game, tying Jośe Cruz for third-most in Astros history behind Craig Biggio (2,850) and Jeff Bagwell (2,150).
Bryan Abreau (1-2) allowed two runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings, giving up runs for just the second time in 21 appearances. He surrendered three to the Mariners on April 9 for his other loss.
Key moment
Rodríguez, back in the lineup after missing Thursday's game with back tightness, hit Abreu's first pitch for a down the right-field line to score Crawford from first. On the next pitch, Raleigh hit his homer to right.
Key stat
Mastrobuoni’s homer was his first with Seattle, and first in his four-year major league career since 2023 with the Chicago Cubs.
Up next
Seattle's Bryan Woo (5-1, 2.65) pitches against Houston's Framber Valdez (3-4, 3.57) on Saturday.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
