New Astros skipper hints at exciting philosophical shakeup for new-look lineup
SHAKING THINGS UP
27 February 2024
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.
Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss our latest Astros content.
Taylor Walls hit a game-ending sacrifice fly and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Houston Astros 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The Rays trailed 2-0 until Jonathan Aranda's two-run single in the eighth inning tied the score.
Christian Morel then led off the ninth with a walk against Kaleb Ort (1-1) and advanced to third on pinch-hitter Brandon Lowe's double to left-center. After Josh Lowe popped out, Walls hit a fly ball to drive in Morel to give the Rays their 12th win in 30 games at Steinbrenner Field, their temporary home this season.
Manuel Rodriguez (1-2) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win.
Astros left-hander Brandon Walter, making his first major league start, pitched five strong innings in his Houston debut.
Jake keeps raking!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/pEZCtLHHjQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Jake Meyers hit an RBI double in the second for the Astros, and Isaac Paredes had a solo homer in the third against his former team to make it 2-0.
Paredes with a solo shot!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/POW8Pj6wgZ
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Rays starter Zach Littell allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out six.
Key moment
With the Rays trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth, with one out and runners on first and second, Kameron Misner and Jose Caballero pulled off a double steal to set up Aranda's tying single to right field.
Key stat
Starting for the first time after making nine relief appearances for Bostohn in 2023, Walter gave up three hits and struck out five.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (6–2, 1.43 ERA) goes against Rays RHP Taj Bradley (3–3, 4.80 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
