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.
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Presented by Coors Light.
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
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.
Key moment
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.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
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.
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