Why Astros response to bullpen struggles will be telling during crucial stretch

STONE COLD 'STROS

Why Astros response to bullpen struggles will be telling during crucial stretch
Houston's bullpen is not living up to expectations. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros were on the verge of sweeping the Angels over the weekend until their bullpen issues struck again. Ryan Pressly was unable to hold a two-run lead in the eighth inning, allowing the game to be tied 7-7.

Things went from bad to worse in the ninth inning, when Josh Hader allowed a 2-run homer, which won the game for the Angels.

Despite Hader's performance on Sunday, he's been good this season overall, but Pressly is a different story. He's allowed runs in three of his last six outings, and sports a 0-3 record with a 5.40 ERA.

A quick look at the post below shows Pressly already has five blown saves this season. Manager Joe Espada said after the game that Pressly's role would not change. But one has to wonder how much longer the team can continue to run Pressly out there with the game hanging in the balance.

The time is now

The Astros' schedule is very favorable right now. If there was ever a time to dig out of the hole they're in, this is it. They have to find a way to stack wins against the Giants, Tigers, and White Sox. If they don't, it's hard to see them being buyers at the trade deadline, which is their intention according to GM Dana Brown.

Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the Astros' bullpen woes, and examine some options the club could turn to if the issues persist.

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.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

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.

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