OK. It's time for a serious talk about Texans, CJ Stroud expectations
REAL TALK
15 November 2023
REAL TALK
Coming off a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Texans currently sit at 5-4, one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. And as we look at how the rest of the schedule plays out, there are several intriguing questions to answer about the possibilities for this team in 2024.
Will CJ Stroud win OROY? If stays healthy, it appears to be a lock.
Will DeMeco Ryans win coach of the year? If the team continues to play well, it will be between him and Lions HC Dan Campbell.
Can the Texans make the playoffs? This will most likely come down to how they play against Jacksonville in two weeks.
Can they win the division? Similar to the question above. Beating the Jags would give the Texans the tie-breaker, should they finish with the same record.
Can they win a playoff game? Considering the Texans have been very good against quality teams this season, beating the Saints (leading their division), Steelers (wild card), Jaguars (leading their division), and Bengals (5-4), winning a playoff game seems reasonable. Plus, they get that game at home if they can win the division.
Can CJ Stroud win MVP? Will the Texans be the best team in Texas? We're going to ask you to watch the video above for the answers to these!
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Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.