NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Manager Joe Espada keeps his word on adjustments to Astros lineup
Mar 28, 2024, 1:06 pm
Opening Day is upon us! Composite Getty Image.
The long wait is finally over. The Astros are back in action on Opening Day against Nestor Cortes and the New York Yankees.
Not only do we have an official roster released by the Astros, but we also know how manager Joe Espada is going to put his stamp on the batting order.
First, let's look at the roster below.
Your Opening Day crew. pic.twitter.com/N8Gm00GARL
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 28, 2024
Grae Kessinger made the club after dealing with a hamstring injury that had his availability in question. He gets the nod over Corey Julks who is heading back to Sugar Land.
Tayler Scott and Parker Mushinski will join the Astros bullpen, and Bennett Sousa is now on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Kessinger, Scott, and Mushinski were the only true wildcards to make the club, as there weren't any real surprises otherwise.
Astros lineup versus the Yankees
Manager Joe Espada recently said he planned on hitting Yordan Alvarez second and was considering batting Kyle Tucker in the three spot. And that's exactly what he did today against the lefty, Cortes. We were wondering if Espada would change his batting order against left-handed pitchers, but he told the media today that would not be the case.
“Tucker will hit behind Alvarez regardless of who the starting pitcher is,” Joe Espada said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 28, 2024
The other big question mark was whether Jake Meyers or Jeremy Pena would bat ninth. Today, Meyers is slotted to hit last.
Here's the batting order with Framber Valdez pitching for Houston.
Let the Games Begin 👊
⚾: 3:10 p.m.
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN | https://t.co/K8ozsBRMFV
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM pic.twitter.com/wckY1ibrbo
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 28, 2024
Getting Alvarez and Tucker more at-bats sounds like a recipe for success to us. And if we're being honest, this is an improvement from last year's lineup on paper. Now the guys have to go prove it on the field.
Let's go beat those Yanks, and go Astros!
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The Astros closed out their latest road trip with a winning record, a feat made more impressive considering the turbulence at the back of the rotation. Brandon Walter and Ryan Gusto both endured rough outings, with Walter in particular getting tagged hard. Still, Houston salvaged the finale, thanks largely to Mauricio Dubón’s breakout performance. The utilityman launched two home runs to power an offense that’s quietly been heating up for weeks.
But even with a solid finish, not everything is trending upward.
Josh Hader, who’s been one of the game’s most reliable closers this season, has begun to show signs of vulnerability. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last six outings. While his overall numbers remain strong, the long ball—a problem that plagued him last year—is starting to creep back into the picture.
As the Astros return home, the schedule offers no breather. They’ll face the Phillies and Cubs before a brief trip to Colorado to take on the struggling Rockies. After that comes a marquee series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. With three of their next four opponents being legitimate World Series threats, the coming stretch looms large.
Can the bats keep pace?
If the last month is any indication, the Astros have reason to feel optimistic. Christian Walker has started to show signs of life after a quiet start to the season, hitting .260 with a .762 OPS and five home runs over the past 30 days. José Altuve has been scorching with a .302 average and .901 OPS in that span, while Jeremy Peña has taken things to another level, batting .384 with a 1.009 OPS.
As a team, the Astros rank 7th in OPS, 5th in runs, 3rd in batting average, and 7th in home runs over the last 30 days. It’s a surge that’s come at the right time—and one they’ll need to sustain.
The injury picture is also starting to shift in Houston’s favor.
Cristian Javier threw a 20-pitch live BP today in West Palm Beach. According to Joe Espada, he was up to 95 mph.
Luis Garcia should throw a live BP next week.
Spencer Arrighetti is still not throwing off a mound yet.
Yordan Alvarez has not resumed hitting.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 20, 2025
Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that Christian Javier recently threw a live batting practice session, touching 95 mph as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. JP France has thrown multiple live BPs and could be ready to help if things continue to progress with his shoulder. Luis Garcia, however, remains further away despite undergoing surgery more than two years ago. He's expected to throw a live BP this week.
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) should be able to return in August, and Lance McCullers has resumed throwing and is currently on the 15-day IL with a foot sprain.
The Astros are winning. The offense is rolling. The reinforcements are on the way. But with a brutal stretch looming, the team’s margin for error is about to be put to the test.
There's so much more to cover! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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