How the odds tell a very interesting story about Houston Astros 2023 campaign
THE STAKES ARE HIGH!
29 March 2023
The Houston Astros get their season started against the Chicago White Sox this Thursday night at Minute Maid Park.
So how will the Astros fare this season? Bovada already has some player props set for the season, so let's start with the ones that really caught our attention.
Framber Valdez's win total is set for 14.5. He recorded 17 wins last season for reference. Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia's win totals are 11.5. Taking the over on Javier seems like money in the bank.
What about the offense? Vegas clearly thinks Yordan Alvarez is poised for another big year with his home run total at 36.5. Hopefully his hand issues are a thing of the past.
Another number that really stood out involves new Astros first baseman Jose Abreu.
Abreu's home run total fell off a bit last year, with him only hitting 15. He's hit 30 home runs or more 5 times over the course of his career. Will playing at Minute Maid Park increase his power numbers this year?
Vegas believes that to be the case, as his home run total is at 23.5. A nice jump from last year for the new Astro.
At the end of the day, what is Vegas telling us? Most of the numbers set for the Astros are eerily similar to the stats Houston put up last year.
Does this mean the Astros are more likely than not to have another huge season statistically?
Check out the video above to find out!
And listen to The Bench with John and Lance weekday mornings from 7-10AM on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube, so you don't miss our latest content!
How Astros surging ace raises key questions about Houston's short, long-term rotation moves
Jul 25, 2024, 5:39 pm
It's no secret to Astros fans that the ascension of Hunter Brown is one of the primary reasons the team was able to rebound from a disastrous start to the season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has seen enough from Brown to start throwing around the word “ace” when talking about him.
Joe Espada on Hunter Brown: "He's having that ace feeling to him. We are expecting him to go out there and deliver what he just did. We knew all along that is in him and now he's starting to turn the corner. He's starting to have that swag where he knows 'my team needs a win.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 24, 2024
And it appears the biggest key to Brown's turnaround was mixing in a two-seam fastball to keep right-handed hitters honest. Brown needed a pitch that could command the inside of the plate, which allows his other pitches to be more effective.
We learned just recently, from Chandler Rome of The Athletic, that Alex Bregman was the one that suggested the addition of the two-seam fastball to Brown's arsenal.
Come to find out, Bregman often shares advice on how to attack hitters. Or he'll ask pitchers why they chose a certain pitch in a specific situation.
This just goes to show that veteran leadership can make a big difference. Especially on a team with so many young pitchers and catchers. Bregman was able to help Brown when no pitching coach could.
For Brown, this small tweak could be the catalyst that changes the course of his career. And the Astros season for that matter.
However, some will say the difference in Brown is more about confidence than anything else. But confidence only builds after repeated success. Nobody knows where Brown would be without the two-seam fastball.
Looking ahead
If the Astros do make the playoffs, where will Espada slot Brown in the playoff rotation? Framber Valdez has the playoff experience, so he'll probably be penciled in as the number one starter.
Justin Verlander (neck) still isn't facing live batters, so it's hard to count on him. Ronel Blanco has been an All-Star level pitcher this season, but he doesn't have any experience pitching playoff games for the Astros.
So it wouldn't be surprising at all if Brown is the team's number two starter. In all likelihood, whoever is pitching the best at the end of the season may get the nod. But it's fun to discuss in the meantime.
Finally, how does Hunter Brown's arrival impact the Astros' plans at the trade deadline? And how could that affect Justin Verlander's future with the club?
Be sure to check out the video above for the full conversation!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
