SHAKING THINGS UP
New Astros skipper hints at exciting philosophical shakeup for new-look lineup
Feb 26, 2024, 7:01 pm
New Astros skipper hints at EXCITING philosophical shakeup for new-look lineup
The Houston Astros only have a few games under their belt in spring training, but that hasn't kept new manager Joe Espada from already putting his stamp on the ball club.
Right out of the gate, Espada named Josh Hader his closer for the 2024 season, and said he would like to see the team more aggressive on the bases this season.
He also has a different approach for Jeremy Pena, who struggled last season after an incredible rookie campaign in which he won both ALCS and World Series MVP.
Espada is departing from Dusty Baker's management style and said he wants Pena to know where he's going to hit in the lineup every day he comes to the ballpark.
He also turned some heads recently when he said he plans on batting Yordan Alvarez second in the lineup. Which likely means Jose Altuve will leadoff, with Yordan, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker finishing out the top four respectively.
Be sure to watch the video above as we react to the Astros new lineup, discuss what the rest of the order will look like, weigh the pros and cons of moving up Alvarez, and much more.
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange and Josh Jordan every Monday on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. We'll continue to drop new videos throughout the week.
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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.