Here are 2 specific areas Texans should expect bumpy, productive growth
REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
22 August 2023
The Houston Texans head to New Orleans this weekend to play their final game of the preseason. With DeMeco Ryans in the fold, many believe they will see a quick turnaround for the defense, but the team's ability to stop the run still looks like an issue based on the results of last week's game.
While the defense has better players and an improved scheme, it's fair to assume the team will have some stinkers along the way back to respectability on defense.
On the offensive side of the ball, CJ Stroud made some good throws and took an important step forward against Miami, playing the entire first half. But the big question heading into the weekend is how much the rookie quarterback will play this Sunday.
Should the Texans start him one more time to get him as much experience as possible before the opener against Baltimore in two weeks? Or have we seen enough from Stroud, and the rest of the starters? DeMeco did say the team is banged up this week and canceled joint practices with the Saints. Is this a sign the team is going to rest their starters and try to have them fresh in two weeks.
Finally, if the Texans' starting offensive line is held out on Sunday, should that preclude them from playing Stroud?
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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