How national media's biggest oversight of Astros plays into their favor
FACTS NOT NOISE
17 March
FACTS NOT NOISE
The Houston Astros enter the 2025 season with plenty of question marks, but their starting rotation may quietly be one of the team’s biggest strengths. Despite finishing sixth in team ERA last season, Houston’s pitching staff isn’t getting much love from national outlets. MLB’s official rankings of the top 10 rotations didn’t include the Astros, though division rival Texas claimed the No. 9 spot.
But Houston’s rotation is in a far better position than it was this time last year. Injuries to Justin Verlander and JP France complicated things in spring training, and Ronel Blanco was still an unproven starter. This season, the Astros' rotation is already set, with reinforcements on the way. Lance McCullers Jr. could be ready to return in the coming weeks, and Luis Garcia may not be far behind him.
While the national media focuses on the losses of Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, they aren’t paying as much attention to key additions like Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker. Former MLB GM Jim Bowden predicts a third-place finish for Houston, but the roster still has plenty of firepower.
The Astros’ talent is undeniable. Baseball America ranked eight Astros players in its top 100 list for 2025, tied with the Dodgers for second-most in baseball, trailing only the Braves. MLB Network also placed eight Astros in its top 100, tied for the most with the Mets. Despite these rankings, the Astros continue to fly under the radar.
One of the biggest questions heading into Opening Day is whether Cam Smith or Zach Dezenzo will make the roster. Manager Joe Espada may have tipped his hand, stating he’s “looking beyond the stats” when evaluating Chas McCormick, who is struggling this spring with a .167 average. If McCormick starts in right field and falters, Dezenzo, Smith, and Ben Gamel will be waiting for their shot.
With a solid rotation, key offensive additions, and young talent pushing for playing time, Houston may be far better than some are predicting.
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Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.