REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Here are 2 specific areas Texans should expect bumpy, productive growth
Aug 22, 2023, 3:55 pm
2 specific areas Texans should expect bumpy, productive growth
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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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.