STRONG WORDS
Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe drop a bombshell about Texans' CJ Stroud
Jan 8, 2024, 12:34 pm
FIRST TAKE | C.J. Stroud is LEGIT! - Stephen A. Smith & Shannon discuss Texans clinch playoff berth
Monday on First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe discuss CJ Stroud's incredible rookie season with the Houston Texans and list the quarterbacks they would take over Stroud moving forward.
Let's just say it isn't a very long list. Both Smith and Sharpe would only take Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen over Houston's impressive rookie.
And Stephen A. wasn't even sure about Allen over Stroud based on his turnovers. He reluctantly gave Allen the edge over Stroud because of playoff experience.
It's pretty amazing to think the Texans have a legit Top 4 quarterback and he's still a rookie. Imagine how he'll be perceived if he's able to win a playoff game or two. The sky is the limit.
Also, Stephen A. and Shannon discussed which player has a better story to tell this season, Joe Flacco or Stroud? You can watch the video below to hear that conversation.
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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.