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.
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.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
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.
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