ARMS RACE
Here’s why Astros pitching looks primed for new ways to dominate
Mar 11, 2024, 6:35 pm
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.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.