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.
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How Rockets aim to cool off red-hot Bucks in crucial clash
Feb 24, 2025, 2:17 pm
The Houston Rockets (35-22) welcome the surging Milwaukee Bucks (32-24) on Tuesday night as they look to snap the Bucks' four-game winning streak and defend their strong home record.
The Rockets have been solid at Toyota Center, boasting an 18-9 home record, but they’ll need a sharper shooting performance to keep pace with Milwaukee. Houston ranks last in the Western Conference in three-point percentage (34.3%) and will have to find offensive efficiency against a Bucks team that allows 45.2% shooting to opponents.
Milwaukee, led by Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, has struggled on the road (12-15) but remains dangerous when controlling possessions. The Bucks are 15-7 when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents, averaging just 13.1 per game.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Jalen Green vs. Milwaukee’s defense: Green leads Houston with 21.5 points per game but will need efficiency against the Bucks’ perimeter defense.
- Alperen Sengun’s recent form: Averaging 14.8 points over his last 10 games, Sengun will play a pivotal role inside against Lopez and Milwaukee’s frontcourt.
- Bucks’ offensive edge: Milwaukee averages 5.2 more points per game than Houston allows, making defensive execution critical for the Rockets.
With both teams sitting fifth in their respective conferences, this matchup could serve as a measuring stick as they push toward playoff positioning. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. EST in Houston.
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