Houston Astros much-needed dramatic turnaround must start with this
FIRST THINGS FIRST
26 September 2023
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.
Don't miss Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) every Monday on SportsMap Houston'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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