Why Texans first battle of the draft picks means much more than initially thought
TEXANS ON TAP
23 October 2023
Coming off a huge win over the Saints, the Texans went into the off week with some important things to improve on. Sacking the quarterback has to be a main focus against Bryce Young and the Panthers, with Houston currently dead last in sacks with 8.
On offense, the Texans will look to improve their rushing attack, and this is the perfect spot to do it. The Panthers are second to last in rushing yards allowed per game (144 yards) and that makes sense considering the Panthers have also surrendered the second most points allowed per game (31ppg).
It will be interesting to see if Devon Singletary continues to get more touches, or if the team commits to Dameon Pierce in a tantalizing matchup.
What does Vegas think?
Houston is favored by 3 points on the road, so they're expected to come away with a victory in a matchup between the top 2 QBs in the 2023 draft.
One thing to keep in mind, the Panthers' poor numbers on defense are a bit skewed, as they were torched by the Dolphins and Lions (allowing 42 points in both games) before they hit the off week. Either way, the team is 0-6 so, a loss to the Panthers would be a big disappointment to Texans fans.
Be sure to watch the video for the full preview of Texans vs. Panthers!
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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