Priorities, opportunities as Astros early pitching power rankings are revealed
THAT'S HIGH PRAISE
08 March 2024
The Astros have high hopes for their pitching staff this season. Composite Getty Image.
As spring training is progressing for the Houston Astros in Florida, the pitching staff is starting to take shape. We know Justin Verlander will be on IL to start the season. So it's looking like the rotation will consist of Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Jose Urquidy, JP France, and possibly Ronel Blanco if they opt for a six-man rotation early on.
The Astros are very fortunate that France (shoulder) appears back on track to start the season. He was behind Verlander just a couple of weeks ago.
So what should we expect from the Astros' starters this year? CBS Sports released their rotation rankings recently and have the 'Stros at No. 2 behind the Atlanta Braves. They believe Brown will take a big step forward this season, and expect Javier to have a bounce back year. Not to mention all the depth with Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers expected to come back this summer. And Spencer Arrighetti and Brandon Bielak are waiting in the wings if they need them.
Looking ahead
The schedule will be a big factor for Houston early on as they have some tough opponents. They include the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rangers, Royals, and Braves. The Royals aren't scary, but then again, the Astros couldn't beat them when they were trying to secure a playoff spot at the end of last season. So you never know.
The bullpen is going to be important as well over the first two weeks. If we look at last season, no starting pitcher went more than 5 innings in their first cycle through the rotation. Not to mention, Bryan Abreu is suspended for the first two games. So the club will have to depend on their middle relief guys to be a bridge to Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader.
Plus, how will Framber Valdez adjust to using Pitchcom to call his own pitches?
Be sure to watch the video above for the full conversation!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan every Monday on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. We'll continue to drop more episodes throughout the week.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
