How Astros World Series aspirations just got a lot more interesting
POSTSEASON EVOLUTION
21 August 2024
Justin Verlander returns to the mound on Wednesday! Composite Getty Image.
One bit of positive news we received this week involves Justin Verlander and his return to game action against the Red Sox on Wednesday.
We're still waiting for Alex Bregman to return to the lineup, and who knows when we'll finally see Kyle Tucker. But we do expect them to be back at some point.
When that time arrives, what should we expect?
Bregman was finally getting hot, like he does every August. Will he pick right up where he left off?
And what about Verlander and Tucker? What version of them should we expect?
For Verlander, you have to think he's 100% ready to come back. If he needed another couple of weeks, there's plenty of season left to take more time.
He last pitched on June 9th before going on the injured list, so he should be ready to go on August 21. Two months off from a sore neck should be plenty of time.
In Tucker's case, the Astros have been so offensively challenged in the outfield that 70% of Tucker should be an upgrade.
The Astros are on a roll!
Considering how well the Astros have been playing without some of their best players, it is possible for them to win it all without them?
Plus, the Astros have 20 of 36 games remaining against elite teams once the 'Stros head to Baltimore. As for the Mariners, they only have 11 games left against top quality teams.
So even with a 5 game lead over Seattle, the race for the division isn't over yet!
Be sure to watch the video above to hear the full discussion!
*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.
Christian Walker's walkoff 2-run homer lifts Astros over Mariners
May 26, 2025, 3:11 pm
Christian Walker hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the Houston Astros to a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
WALK(ER) - OFF.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/n6sZvAux3Y
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 25, 2025
The game was tied at 3 when Jose Altuve singled with no outs in the ninth. Walker, who had three hits, then sent a fastball from Casey Legumina (4-2) into the seats in left field to give the Astros the walkoff victory and 3-1 series win over the AL West leaders.
Walker's big game came after the struggling first baseman had just three hits combined in his previous seven games.
Bryan King (3-0) struck out Randy Arozarena to end Seattle’s ninth and manager Dan Wilson was ejected for the first time in his career for arguing with home plate umpire Laz Diaz after the call.
Seattle had runners on first and third with one out in the eighth when Ben Williamson hit a grounder to second baseman Mauricio Dubón. He threw home in time to get J.P. Crawford out at the plate before Leo Rivas grounded out for the third out.
The Astros loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but Isaac Paredes grounded out to leave everyone stranded. That came after they loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but came away empty after Seattle turned a double play.
Jake Meyers was on first with two outs in the sixth when Cam Smith laced an RBI double down the right field line to tie it at 3.
Seattle starter Luis Castillo allowed nine hits and three runs with six strikeouts in six innings. Castillo threw 114 pitches Sunday to tie Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene for most pitches thrown in a game this season.
Houston’s Colton Gordon allowed seven hits and three runs in five innings in his third major league start.
Julio Rodríguez had three hits and Mitch Garver drove in two runs for the Mariners.
Rodríguez and Arozarena hit consecutive singles with two outs in the first before Garver made it 2-0 on his double to center.
There were two outs in the third with Rodríguez on third when Donovan Solano singled on a grounder to left field to extend the lead to 3-0.
Houston cut it to 3-1 on an RBI single by Walker with one out in the bottom of the third. A sacrifice fly by Caratini that Leody Taveras jumped to catch on the warning track scored Altuve to make it 3-2.
Key moment
Walker's walkoff home run gave him three RBIs, tying a season high.
Key stat
The teams combined to go 4 for 22 with runners in scoring position.
Up next
Both teams are off Monday before Houston opens a series with the Athletics and Seattle gets a visit from Washington on Tuesday night.
