Houston can't complete the comeback

Astros suffer disappointing loss to Orioles in opener

Astros' Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke had an uncharacteristically poor start against Baltimore on Monday. Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images.

Zack Greinke had an uncharacteristically poor start against Baltimore on Monday.

Having split a four-game series against Detroit to end their recent road trip, the Astros returned home for a quick three-game set against the Orioles to try and start a new winning streak. They would be unable to do that, though, instead dropping a disappointing loss to one of the weaker teams in the MLB to start this series.

Final Score: Orioles 9, Astros 7

Astros' Record: 48-31, first in the AL West

Winning Pitcher: Paul Fry (2-2)

Losing Pitcher: Brandon Bielak (2-3)

Greinke surprisingly struggles against Baltimore

After two scoreless innings on both sides, Baltimore would get the best of Zack Greinke in the top of the third to score the game's first run, notching three consecutive two-out singles to go up 1-0. Houston countered with a two-run fourth, sending eight batters to the plate with a sac fly by Kyle Tucker and RBI bases-loaded walk by Jose Altuve to go up 2-1, though leaving the bases loaded to end the frame.

That would prove pivotal, as in the top of the fifth, Baltimore would get a leadoff single that would turn into a go-ahead two-run homer to put them back in front 3-2 off Greinke. He would get the third out but go no further, making his final line 5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 96 P.

Houston's come back comes short in disappointing loss to O's

After Greinke's five innings, Andre Scrubb, recently recalled from AAA and making his first appearance since May 30th, erased a one-out walk for a scoreless inning. Blake Taylor was next out of Houston's bullpen, loading the bases with one out on two singles and a walk before Baltimore would extend their lead to 4-2 on an RBI groundout. Houston was able to load the bases again in the bottom of the seventh with one out, and Kyle Tucker would make it a one-run game with an RBI walk, his second RBI of the night. Myles straw did the same in the next at-bat, tying the game, but the next two batters would strikeout to leave the game tied and all three runners on base, leaving Houston wishing they had done more.

Brandon Bielak kept it a tied game with a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, as Houston as well went down in order in the bottom half. Bielak returned to the mound in the top of the ninth, but after a leadoff single allowed a two-run go-ahead homer to put Baltimore back in front 6-4. He later allowed two more runs on a two-RBI double before Houston would bring in Ralph Garza Jr., who also allowed a run on a two-out RBI double to make it 9-4 before the inning would come to a lengthy close. Houston made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth, getting three runs on RBI singles by Myles Straw, Robel Garcia, and a sac fly by Jose Altuve, but would ultimately come short of the comeback to earn the disappointing loss to the Orioles to start the series.

Up Next: The middle game of this three-game series will be another 7:10 PM Central start on Tuesday. While the Astros have Jose Urquidy (6-3, 3.32 ERA) slated to start, the Orioles have not yet announced their starter.

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The Texans are the class of the division. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

The Houston Texans received a lot of praise for their moves in free agency across various outlets. And for good reason, most people believe the team got significantly better with the additions of Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Denico Autry among others.

But there's another factor to consider this offseason. How much have the other teams in the AFC South improved?

When looking at the PFF grades in free agency, the Colts received a B-minus. Most of the Colts moves this offseason involved spending a lot of money re-signing their own players. Which is great in theory, but it's hard to improve the overall quality of your roster when you're bringing back players that were already there to begin with. A lot will be riding on player development for the Colts to see a big jump this season. A healthy quarterback wouldn't hurt either.

The Jaguars have made some big additions financially this offseason by signing receiver Gabe Davis and defensive tackle Arik Armstead. They also lost the top receiver on the market, Calvin Ridley, to the Titans. Gabe Davis wasn't able to establish himself as a reliable No. 2 receiver with Josh Allen throwing him the ball in Buffalo. So it's hard to believe he'll take the next step in Jacksonville. Their best move of the offseason might have been retaining edge rusher Josh Allen by using the franchise tag on him. So what did PFF think of Jacksonville's offseason? They received a B-minus, just like the Colts.

The Titans have a lot of turnover heading into the 2024 season, and not just on the roster. They have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, who's looking to revamp Tennessee's offense. Early in free agency, they agreed to terms with former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, signing him to a 3-year deal at $8 million per season. Which is more money than the Ravens are paying for Derrick Henry, who left the Titans in free agency. Calvin Ridley was the most notable addition to the squad, he received a 4-year, $92 million deal. And while this could be viewed as an overpay, at least he gives the Titans' offense some upside. Their receiving corps looks a lot more dangerous with Ridley added to DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks.

They also spent big at the center position, adding Lloyd Cushenberry on a 4-year, $50 million contract.

Because the Titans spent a lot of money on some highly coveted players, PFF gave them a B.

Now that brings us to the Texans. The Texans re-signed some of their own players like Dalton Schultz and Noah Brown. But they also made some big splashes with Hunter, Autry, Al-Shaair, and Joe Mixon. But the Texans spent their money in a more conservative way by not handing out many contracts over two years in length.

The Texans managed to add the best pass rusher in free agency with Hunter, but it's only a two-year deal. The overall talent level is going up on this roster, and GM Nick Caserio isn't having to sign players to long contracts that could come back and haunt him.

That's why we're seeing post-free agency power rankings coming out with Houston in the Top 10. And that's also why PFF gave the Texans an A for their moves in free agency.

Be sure to check out the video above as Craig from Sports Talk Extra takes an in-depth look at PFF's grades for the AFC South, and much more!

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