These 2 examples of Twitter mob mentality show toxicity towards Astros players
OUT OF LINE
15 June 2023
Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly joined ESPN 97.5 in studio this week and was asked about, among other things, what makes Martin Maldonado so valuable. We published the full length interview on YouTube, and also made a 60-second short for social media.
Some Astros fans on Twitter had an issue with the short-form video and believed the context of the conversation was changed by the edit. Thinking, the video was changed to show Martin Maldonado in a more favorable light. When, in reality, Pressly was just answering a question about Maldy.
Maldonado has become a hot button topic these days, with many fans wanting Yainer Diaz to get more playing time, with Martin struggling at the plate as he typically does.
So we ask you to be the judge of the edit and watch the video above.
Plus, we've noticed a lot of toxic comments about Lance McCullers after news came down about his forearm surgery that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Some Astros fans are even calling for him to be cut, despite Lance being under contract for several more years and nothing can be done about the guaranteed salary.
Others are suggesting he should have had the surgery after the 2021 season, when his post-Tommy John forearm injury first popped up. Had he done so, he probably wouldn't have pitched at all last year. And even though he wasn't good in the World Series, he was a big contributor who got them there, and the team won two out of the three playoff games he pitched in. He also started 8 games in the regular season, just for context.
Finally, we also discuss the hypocrisy around fans being upset at Justin Verlander for not pushing through and coming back to pitch in the playoffs in 2021, but those same people criticize McCullers for battling through the injury to help secure another World Series for Houston.
So what's with all the hate for Maldonado and McCullers? Check out the video above as we react!
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Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
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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