How Ronel Blanco's breakout performance impacts Astros depth outlook, reinforcement needs
LOOKING AHEAD
02 April
Blanco blanks the Blue Jays! Composite Getty Image.
Coming off a four-game sweep courtesy of the Yankees, the Houston Astros were looking to get back on track against the Blue Jays on Monday night.
And boy did they ever. The offense erupted for ten runs and Ronel Blanco tossed his first career no-hitter.
And on top of that, Yainer Diaz proved that the Astros don't need Martin Maldonado to handle the pitching staff and catch no-hitters. He's perfectly capable of doing that himself.
Plus, Diaz blasted two home runs along with Kyle Tucker, which allowed the Astros to take a commanding lead. And without a big lead late in the game, manager Joe Espada may not have allowed Blanco to stay in the game for nine innings. But with a 10 run lead and a pitch count that wasn't out of hand, Espada was able to roll the dice on Blanco to finish the job.
Just another perfect example of when the Astros are down, get ready, because something epic is about to happen. Champions don't stay down for long. Throwing no-hitters to galvanize the team is starting to be a trend for the 'Stros. Cristian Javier's combined no-hit performance in Game 4 of the World Series is another example. The Astros were down two games to one, and Javier helped evened the series with a masterful performance. The Astros won the next two games, and the rest is World Series history.
Help is on the way
In the second part of the video, we discuss some potential reinforcements that Astros can turn to as the season progresses. Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy are working their way back from injury, and JV pitched a three inning simulated game that went well. His next stop could be Corpus Cristy or Sugar Land to make some rehab starts in the minors.
Urquidy is at least playing catch and not shut down from throwing, so hopefully he won't be too far behind Verlander. And with all the starters looking good outside of Framber Valdez, Houston should be able to hold down the fort until Verlander and Urquidy return.
Plus, if the club does need another arm to supplement the bullpen or rotation, Spencer Arrighetti is available to be promoted from Sugar Land.
One to watch
If there's one player that should cause some concern for the team, however, it has to be Jose Abreu. He may have gotten his first hit of the season on Monday night, but he looks outmatched in almost every at-bat.
Jon Singleton doesn't look like the answer at first base either, so Joey Loperfido could get an opportunity sooner rather than later if Abreu continues to struggle.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss expectations from Blanco moving forward, Jeremy Pena's power surge, Tucker and Diaz looking the part, and much more!
Texans ground game gets reinforcements, as rookie QB presents defense with new test
Oct 11, 2024, 12:15 pm
Can Will Anderson and the Texans defense force Drake Maye into rookie mistakes? Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
The New England Patriots are turning things over to Drake Maye, and his first shot will come against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans.
The first-round draft pick is replacing Jacoby Brissett as the starter in the hopes that he can snap the Patriots’ four-game losing streak. But he’ll have to do it against one of the NFL's toughest defenses.
“There’s never a perfect time to make a change,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said this week after announcing the swap. “Every defense that we play ... they all have the ability to rush and get after the quarterback. So, I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time.”
But the Texans (4-1) will pose an especially difficult challenge for Maye and the makeshift New England (1-4) offensive line that has started five different combinations in five games. Houston pressures the quarterback more than any other team in the league – 42% of dropbacks, according to NFL NextGen stats.
“It’s probably going to be a little nervous at the beginning,” Maye said this week. “I think once we settle down, we have a chance to move the football and just have fun out there. ... That’s what this game is about: Don’t make it too big or the spotlight too big. Just go out there with those guys that we’ve been battling for three months since training camp, go out there and try to make some plays.”
After winning the opener and going to overtime in Week 2, the Patriots were blown out by the Jets and 49ers and lost 15-10 to Miami, another of the NFL’s worst teams. In all, Brissett has completed 79 of 135 passes for 696 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said there’s a challenge in facing an unknown such as Maye, who was 4 of 8 for 22 yards in mopup duty against the New York Jets in Week 3.
“What I’ve seen is a young, athletic quarterback who has a live arm, can move around really well in the pocket, can escape the pressures,” Ryans said. “Them, making that move, (they’re) looking for a spark for their offense, and he can provide it.”
Running game help
Houston’s running game could get a boost with the return of Dameon Pierce.
The third-year pro hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in the season opener. But he has been practicing this week and Ryans said he expects him to play Sunday.
Pierce, who ran for 939 yards as a rookie in 2022, should improve a rushing attack which ranks 23rd in the NFL by averaging just 104.2 yards a game.
Stroud is excited to have Pierce back on the field.
“It is really big, I am very happy for DP,” he said. “He has worked really hard to come back.”
KPRC2's Aaron Wilson is reporting that Joe Mixon could return this week as well, he practiced on Thursday and Friday.
#Texans running back Joe Mixon practicing again Friday and is trending toward being available Sunday against Patriots. pic.twitter.com/dUsmfsamq0
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2024
Mixon has been out since injuring his ankle against the Bears in Week 2.
Special teams star
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn earned AFC special teams player of the week honors for the second time this season on Wednesday.
Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Texans to the victory over the Bills.
It was his eighth field goal this season of at least 50 yards, which is the most in NFL history through the first five games of a season. It’s also the most 50-yarders made in a season in franchise history.
“It’s comforting for everyone to know wherever we are, (Ka’imi) can make a play,” Ryans said.
Fairbairn loves being in those high-pressure situations.
“Whatever yardage it is, I really don’t care. I want that shot,” he said. “I think part of being good at this job is ... wanting that opportunity.”
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