Houston Astros much-needed dramatic turnaround must start with this
FIRST THINGS FIRST
26 September 2023
FIRST THINGS FIRST
The Houston Astros got everything they needed from Justin Verlander on Monday night, as the team was able to secure a critical win over the Mariners.
Starting pitching has been the biggest issue of late for Houston, with Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown both getting lit up by the Royals over the weekend.
Hopefully, Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez can follow the blueprint JV provided and give the team a legit chance to win their next two games in Seattle.
As we look ahead to the next series, JP France seems like the likely starter on Friday, but after that things get murky. If Saturday is a must-win game for Houston, Verlander seems like the most logical choice on 4 days rest. Then they must decide if they want to use Valdez on short rest, or go all hands on deck with a bullpen game.
At this point, it's hard to imagine Hunter Brown making another start this season. Brown has surrendered 6 earned runs or more in 3 of his last 4 starts. His ERA for the season is now over 5.
But it's not just Brown and, to a much lesser extent, JP France causing concern for the Astros rotation. There's no way around it, all these guys have regressed.
Verlander (2022 ERA 1.75, 2023 ERA 3.32)
Javier (2022 ERA 2.54, 2023 ERA 4.64)
And Framber's ERA has gone up about 1/2 a run (2.82-3.39).
But it's not all on the pitching. The defense has taken a step back this year, and what about the coaching? Shouldn't the coaches be accountable for some of this?
If not, then why do they them?
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion.
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Juan Soto hit his first homer with the New York Mets, helping his new team beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Friday night.
With two out in the third inning, Soto drove a 1-2 pitch from Hunter Brown deep to right for a solo shot that lifted New York to a 3-0 lead.
Soto's 390-foot shot came a day after he struck out on a full-count slider from closer Josh Hader with two on and two out in a 3-1 opening-day loss.
Before that, Soto singled and walked twice Thursday in his Mets debut. The slugger signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract as a free agent in December.
New York starter Tylor Megill (1-0) pitched five-plus innings of one-run ball. He allowed three hits, struck out six and walked one.
Edwin Díaz struck out one in a perfect ninth for his first save, finishing a three-hitter.
Brown (0-1) struck out seven in six innings. He allowed four hits and walked three.
Mark Vientos hit an RBI double for New York in the second and scored on a single by Jesse Winker.
Houston scored its only run in the fourth on Yordan Alvarez's sacrifice fly.
The Astros had a runner on first with one out in the eighth when Luisangel Acuña made a diving stop on Alvarez's grounder to second, popped up and threw to first for the out.
Houston was 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.
The Astros loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Reed Garrett struck out Alvarez before retiring Yainer Diaz on a fly ball to right-center.
The Mets have won the last seven games started by Megill dating to Aug. 30.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti opposes Griffin Canning when the series wraps up Saturday night. Arrighetti looks to build on a strong rookie season when his 171 strikeouts were the third-most by a rookie in franchise history.