How Houston Astros going unorthodox is one of their best immediate answers
STONE COLD 'STROS
08 August
The Astros need to maximize their weapons! Composite Getty Image.
The Astros secured a huge series win over the Rangers this week, as the offense was finally able to get going in the final two games.
In the series finale, manager Joe Espada started both Victor Caratini and Yainer Diaz. Which led to the most runs (6) the Astros have scored since July 27.
Caratini and Diaz combined for five hits in the contest, which definitely helped elevate a slumping offense. With Kyle Tucker still sidelined for the foreseeable future, should the Astros consider starting both Diaz and Caratini on a regular basis?
At this point, it seems like they have no other choice. Caratini has hit more consistently than Chas McCormick, Jon Singleton, Aledmys Diaz, and Pedro Leon. There's no debating that.
And the Astros will need every ounce of offense they can muster as they battle with the Mariners for first place in the AL West.
However, there is a ripple effect that takes place when they roll with this lineup. Yordan Alvarez will have to play left field if the DH spot is already being used for either Caratini or Diaz.
It also means the club might consider calling up Cesar Salazar just to have an extra catcher on the roster in case an injury were to take place.
Which isn't the worst idea in the world. Salazar has a .318 batting average with the big league club this year in his limited at-bats (22). Would the Astros really miss Aledmys Diaz if it allowed them to start their best offensive lineup on a regular basis?
What about the pitching?
Astros GM Dana Brown recently discussed the outlook for Luis Garcia this season. Brown said they want to be careful with him as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery. The club doesn't want to push him and cause another setback. Garcia being a healthy part of the 2025 starting rotation appears to be the team's top priority.
This update got us thinking, we know Lance McCullers won't pitch in 2024, and it's becoming more likely that Garcia won't either. And if we look back on Justin Verlander's Tommy John surgery, he didn't pitch the following season either.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise if Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy don't pitch in 2025. And at this point, do we ever expect to see McCullers pitch again?
Also, JP France will be working his way back from shoulder surgery, so it's hard to count on him.
Verlander's return in 2025 looks uncertain as well, since he in all likelihood won't pitch enough innings (140) in 2024 for his contract to vest for next season. (He currently has 57 innings pitched).
Which means the 2025 rotation could look like this:
Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia, and Spencer Arrighetti.
If Yusei Kikuchi continues to pitch well for Houston, you have to wonder if they'll try to re-sign him.
Another option could be elevating AJ Blubaugh from Sugar Land. He currently has a 4.20 ERA, so he's not exactly killing it in the minors.
There's so much more to get to, make sure you watch the video above for the full discussion!
*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.
How new wrinkles in Astros playoff aspirations open up opportunities, challenges
Sep 9, 2024, 5:01 pm
With 19 games left in the regular season, the Astros sit 4 1/2 games up on the Mariners as they get ready to host the Athletics on Tuesday.
One factor that's stayed consistent for the Astros in recent years, is their ability to step up their game against tough competition, and to play down to lesser teams like the Reds, who swept them last week.
Which is why we're not ready to say the 'Stros have punched their playoff ticket. Missing the postseason however would require a both a surge from the Mariners and a collapse from Houston.
But based on how the Astros have been pitching over the last month (Top 3 in ERA), you have to like their chances to finish strong and secure the division once again.
One of the big news items from the Diamondback series was the return of Kyle Tucker. Tucker didn't do a whole lot in the two games he played in, but having him back does give the Astros lineup a different feel.
With Tucker and Bregman both in the lineup, the Astros have a formidable Top 5. It will be interesting to see how Joe Espada juggles the lineup moving forward, and if he drops Tucker to the five spot in games they are facing a left-handed starter.
Speaking of Tucker and Bregman, we've had countless discussions about whether they will sign extensions with the Astros. In Bregman's case, the new contract Matt Chapman signed with the Giants will likely serve as a measuring stick (6-year, $151 million) for Bregman's next deal.
Don't miss the video above as we preview the playoff push, breakdown Tucker's return, and weigh the pros and cons of signing Bregman to a deal comparable to Chapman's.
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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