Here’s why Astros pitching looks primed for new ways to dominate
ARMS RACE
11 March 2024
JP France and Cristian Javier have new pitches to play with! Composite Getty Image.
Over the weekend, we got a surprising amount of updates from Houston Astros spring training.
Corey Julks now has two home runs this spring, with Jeremy Pena still sitting a zero. His falloff in power production last season is continuing so far in 2024.
Trey Cabbage, who the Astros traded for in late January, may not make the club and is likely to start the season in Sugar Land. He's gone 3-23 this spring with 10 strikeouts. Jon Singleton appears to be the guy behind Jose Abreu at first base.
What about the pitching?
Justin Verlander is ramping up his intensity in throwing sessions, reaching the low-nineties with his fastball. Verlander won't be ready for Opening Day, but isn't expected to miss too much time. Speaking of which, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is having an MRI on his elbow after dealing with some discomfort and inability to bounce-back after pitching. It wouldn't be surprising if Cole, like Verlander, won't be ready when the two teams face off to start the season.
Cristian Javier is having some success with his changeup, a new pitch he's added to his arsenal this season. Javier is also using a slide step in his delivery, to help keep the run game in check. He was one of the slowest pitchers to the plate last year, and was entirely too easy to steal bases off of. Having a quality third pitch could work wonders against hitters trying to hunt his fastball.
JP France appears on track to start the season on time and is working on a new pitch himself. France is adding a sinker to keep hitters off balance, as it's the only pitch he has that runs in on right-handed hitters. By working this pitch inside to righties, it should keep hitters honest as they won't be able to dive over the plate.
Jose Altuve has been giving France feedback on the new pitch by standing in the batter's box and sharing his observations.
The Astros also made a few moves over the weekend, with pitchers Spencer Arrighetti and Forrest Whitley being sent down to minor-league camp.
Plus, we react to Chandler Rome's roster projections for the 2024 season, and much more!
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion.
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
