How mounting evidence suggests something significant for Astros' Ronel Blanco
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
26 June 2024
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
Is it time to consider whether Ronel Blanco is a legitimate Cy Young candidate, and not just an All-Star in 2024?
ESPN Houston's Jeremy Branham lays out all the numbers to make his case.
Here's where Blanco stands in the American League:
War: 7th
ERA: 2nd
Wins: Tied for 4th
Opponent Batting Average: Tied for 1st
WHIP: 6th
And let's not forget the no-hitter!
Don't miss the video above for the full conversation!
Cam Smith hit two of Houston's five home runs and finished with four hits as the Astros routed the Athletics 13-3 on Tuesday night to halt their four-game winning streak.
CAM SOLO SHOT!#VoteCam ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/7rrvEtpEm0
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 18, 2025
Jason Alexander, claimed off waivers from the Athletics last month, pitched six shutout innings for Houston before tiring in the seventh. Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker and Cooper Hummel also homered for the Astros.
Smith and Dubón went back-to-back in the fourth.
AIRCRAFT. CARRIER. #VoteCam pic.twitter.com/UcXm8NVs60
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 18, 2025
Smith connected for leadoff shots in the second and fourth. He drove in three runs and scored three times. The 22-year-old rookie has five major league homers — and two multihomer games.
Dubón followed Smith's second home run with his second this season for a 5-0 lead against A's starter JP Sears, who walked the bases loaded in the first before giving up a two-run single to Jake Meyers.
Smith finished off his first four-hit game with an RBI double in the eighth.
Alexander (1-0) threw a season-high 95 pitches in his 12th career start and first since Sept. 18, 2022, with Milwaukee. He allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits.