Let's put the Astros sign-stealing scandal into perspective
SPORTSMAP QUICK HITS
14 November 2019
SPORTSMAP QUICK HITS
The Astros have been a huge topic of converation after an article was published in The Athletic claiming that the Astros were using technology to steal signs in 2017.
Cheating is nothing new in baseball, and players have been trying to get an edge for as long as the game has been around.
ESPN 97.5's Joel Blank, Barry Laminack, and Raheel Ramzanali discuss how this accusation against the Astros compares to other cheating scandals in sports history.
Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez tossed six shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Sunday.
Altuve’s 13th home run of the season broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. It was his first extra base hit in 34 at bats and the Astros' only extra base hit of the game.
ALTUVE FOR THE LEAD!!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/1rX89783yx
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Valdez (9-4) struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks.
Starring The Framchise.#BuiltForThis x @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/sNReaztMjl
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Only one man reached third base against him. He exited with two on and nobody out in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu replaced him and retired Michael Busch, Vidal Bruján and Ian Happ to work out of trouble.
Abreu pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out four of the six men he faced.
Josh Hader retired the side in order in the ninth inning to convert on his franchise record 23rd straight save opportunity to start the season.
Jameson Taillon (7-6) matched zeroes with Valdez until Altuve’s home run on his 107th and final pitch of his outing. He struck out four while giving up five hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.
The bullpen trio of Ryan Brasier, Ryan Pressly and Brad Keller held the Astros to two hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Altuve’s fifth inning, two-run homer to break the scoreless tie.
The Astros are unbeaten in their last 11 series, dating back to May 22, going 9-0-2 in that span.
The Cubs open a three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday with LHP Matthew Boyd (7-3 2.65 ERA) against RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 3.68 ERA).
The Astros open a three-game series at the Rockies on Tuesday with LHP Colton Gordon (3-1 3.98 ERA) against RHP Chase Dollander (2-8 6.06 EA).