CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

Examining Astros outfield hierarchy and where Chas McCormick fits in

Examining Astros outfield hierarchy and where Chas McCormick fits in
Chas McCormick is off to a hot start. Composite image by Jack Brame.
How the Astros most challenging offseason obstacle is a matter of philosophy

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick’s spot in center field has not been guaranteed to begin the 2023 regular season.

While McCormick will forever live in the memories of fans for his heroic catch in Game Five of the 2022 World Series, this year has seen his time split with fellow outfielder Jake Meyers for the starting spot in center field.

Through seven games, McCormick has started in four and Meyers has started in three outings for the Astros. McCormick’s slashes are .286/.444/.571 and Meyers’ are .200/.273/.200 through those games.

While wins and losses are not directly correlated, the Astros are 2-2 with McCormick as the starter and 1-2 with Meyers.

Houston’s win against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday to avoid a series sweep saw McCormick hit a home run and also get a double in the bottom of the fourth inning that moved David Hensley to third. Hensley came around to score in the next at-bat.

While it is only a small sample size for both players, McCormick has showcased he is ahead of Meyers in terms of consistent production in center field. When it comes to who should get the bulk of play at any position, production should be the top priority.

Since the Astros lost George Springer to the Blue Jays in 2021, Houston has been seeking a stabilizing presence in center. McCormick and Meyers have been on the roster since 2021 jockeying for that position.

Only Dusty Baker knows his reasoning behind splitting the two outfielders relatively evenly this season. Perhaps it is a form of load management, perhaps he believes Meyers needs the at-bats and reps to potentially have a breakthrough.

Whatever the case, when it comes to the two outfielders for the Astros, McCormick is trending in the upward direction while Meyers is trending downward. If it continues, the Pennsylvania native could make it to where he leaves no choice but for him to become a consistent starter.

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The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-1. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.

Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.

Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!

Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.

Key moment

Smith’s RBI.

Key stat

Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.

Up next

The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.

The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).

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