Here’s why imminent change should be near for Astros third act
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
08 August 2023
The Houston Astros are currently sitting three games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West, which has some concerned that the team could be running out of time to win the division.
There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency from manager Dusty Baker, who continues to start players that don't give the Astros the best chance to win on a daily basis. Houston only recording two hits in Justin Verlander's first start back with the team is a prime example.
Choosing to play Martin Maldonado, Mauricio Dubon, AND Grey Kessenger in the same game caught a lot of attention over the weekend. Nobody was surprised that the team failed to get anything going offensively with that lineup in place. Which has many fans and media wondering why Baker is managing this team like he has a 5-game lead in the division.
Also, the Astros may get a shot in the arm with Jon Singleton joining the big league ball club after pummeling Triple A pitching in Sugar Land. While Singleton joining the team could be a good thing, it could also lead to less at-bats for Yainer Diaz.
On the positive side, maybe Singleton's arrival could create more days off for Jose Abreu, who has returned to being one of the worst hitters in MLB. Currently, he has the 8th-worst OPS in baseball (.641).
Don't miss the video above as we discuss John Granato's prediction that the Astros will finish the season with a 6-game lead over the Rangers, how likely that is at this late stage of the season, and much more.
Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
If you like the videos, subscribe to the SportsMapHouston channel on YouTube for our latest content.
Presented by Coors Light.
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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