TEXANS NEWS
Texans agree to contract extension with RB, per sources
Jan 7, 2022, 3:04 pm
TEXANS NEWS
According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop, the Texans and running back Rex Burkhead have agreed to a contract extension.
The Texans have signed RB Rex Burkhead to a contract extension through the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) January 7, 2022
Burkhead will be 32 years old next season, so the Texans still need to find a younger long-term option at some point this offseason. The details of the extension are still unknown, but he is currently being paid a little under $1.4 million for this season, per Spotrac. Burkhead has been mentioned favorably by GM Nick Caserio recently, so this extension doesn't come as a surprise.
Rex Burkhead took over as the Texans’ starting running back in Week 11, carrying the ball 103 times in the last seven weeks. Houston’s offensive line hasn’t helped, as he has averaged 3.63 yards per carry in that span.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) January 7, 2022
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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