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Astros turn to Framber Valdez to snap losing streak and avoid sweep
Jul 31, 2024, 2:58 pm
The Astros have lost three straight games. Composite Getty Image.
Pittsburgh Pirates (55-52, second in the NL Central) vs. Houston Astros (55-52, second in the AL West)
Houston; Wednesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Jake Woodford (0-2, 10.80 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, seven strikeouts); Astros: Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 98 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -213, Pirates +178; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros take on the Pittsburgh Pirates after Yainer Diaz had four hits against the Pirates on Tuesday.
Houston has a 55-52 record overall and a 30-24 record at home. The Astros have the eighth-ranked team ERA in the AL at 4.03.
Pittsburgh has a 29-26 record on the road and a 55-52 record overall. The Pirates have gone 35-7 in games when they scored five or more runs.
The teams meet Wednesday for the third time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Altuve has 21 doubles, 14 home runs and 47 RBI while hitting .309 for the Astros. Diaz is 15-for-39 with two doubles, a triple and three home runs over the last 10 games.
Bryan Reynolds has 20 doubles, three triples and 18 home runs while hitting .287 for the Pirates. Oneil Cruz is 9-for-39 with three doubles, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 4-6, .266 batting average, 4.34 ERA, outscored by seven runs
Pirates: 6-4, .227 batting average, 2.73 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs
INJURIES: Astros: Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Pirates: Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 10-Day IL (knee), Daulton Jefferies: 60-Day IL (elbow), Carmen Mlodzinski: 15-Day IL (undisclosed), Joshua Palacios: day-to-day (hamstring), Ji-Hwan Bae: day-to-day (knee), Nick Gonzales: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Jared Jones: 15-Day IL (lat), Ryan Borucki: 60-Day IL (tricep), Dauri Moreta: 60-Day IL (elbow), Endy Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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How Houston Astros look to address major red flags in critical positions
Mar 20, 2025, 4:18 pm
To say the Houston Texans have been busy this week would be a colossal understatement. The team agreed to a massive contract extension with All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr, restructured lineman Tytus Howard's contract, and signed free agent left tackle Cam Robinson to a one-year deal.
The #Texans and Danielle Hunter have agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension that makes him the NFL’s second-highest paid defensive end, per sources.
Hunter will make $32M this season — a $12.5M raise — and $55.1M ($54.1M fully guaranteed) over the next two… pic.twitter.com/SR0UbySLse
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
Texans GM Nick Caserio is definitely earning his paycheck this week, as there is now another extension to discuss. According to multiple reports, pass rusher Danielle Hunter has agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million extension.
Tom Pelissero is reporting in the post above that “Hunter will make $32M this season — a $12.5M raise — and $55.1M ($54.1M fully guaranteed) over the next two seasons.”
Good work if you can get it.
The Texans are making a strong push to equip QB C.J. Stroud with top talent over the next two years. This is the ideal window to invest before they face a hefty commitment to his second contract.
With fewer pressing needs, Houston can now approach the draft with flexibility, prioritizing the best players available.