EVERY-THING SPORTS
Let's debate the 3 most surprising bright spots for the Astros
Apr 28, 2021, 2:56 pm
EVERY-THING SPORTS
The Astros are hovering around the .500 mark after a really hot start. Some of the usual suspects are producing and helping the team get back on track. Zack Greinke is the ace of the staff so far. In five games started, he has a 2-1 record, 22 strikeouts, a 2.76 ERA, and has pitched 32.2 innings in those five starts. While he hasn't played in as many games to get as many at bats, Jose Altuve has returned to form with a .347 batting average so far this season. Manager Dusty Baker has been toying with the lineup. Altuve has been moved around, but has still found a way to become one of the better hitters in the game again.
Those guys are expected to produce and help this team bounce back from a down year in a pandemic-shortened season. Sure they made the ALCS, but they were under .500 when the season ended and barely made the playoffs. They went on a nice run, but eventually flamed out. So who are the guys that are responsible for their uptick in production lately?
One guy that comes to mind via recency bias is Kent Emmanuel. Jake Odorizzi left his last start with what was described as forearm tightness after pitching only 1/3 of an inning. Emmanuel came in and threw 8 2/3 innings against the division rival Angels holding them to two runs as the bats woke up and pummeled the opposing pitching staff for 16 runs. Emmanuel is a 28-year-old rookie who toiled in the minors until now. He got his shot and made the most of it. I'm looking forward to seeing if this was a one off performance, or a sign of things to come. I'm sure Brent Strom will be able to get the most out of him.
A few years ago, Yuli Gurriel was considered one of this team's best hitters. After last season, and getting a year older at age 36 now soon to be 37, no one really expected "La Pina" to be leading the team in batting average, RBI, on base percentage, hits, walks and tied for second in homers. If aged like wine were an Astro, it would be Yuli. I've been pleasantly surprised at how disciplined he's been at the plate this year. He used to be a free swinger that was good with making contact. Now he seems to be keyed in on the strike zone and what pitches he can/can't swing on. This has translated to him being at his career best so far this year.
Cristian Javier is another guy I've been surprised by. He's 2-0 in three starts with a 1.32 ERA and averaging a healthy 13.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Javier is 24 years old and has good stuff. He needs to improve his stamina and pitch selection so he lasts longer in games. He's only averaging 4-5 innings per start so far. It could be Dusty holding off on him since it's early in the season, or it could be that Javier is still developing. Either way, I see this kid as being a potential long term member of the starting staff.
Ultimately, Yuli has been the most surprising to me. I thought he was showing signs of being washed up last year and would show more decline this season. He's not only proved those thoughts wrong, but he's managed to be the team's best offensive threat. If he keeps this up, he's definitely giving me Julio Franco vibes. Mind you, Franco played at the major league level until he was 49! Will Yuli be able to do the same? I doubt it. But he's managed to have a resurgence this year that has helped this team stay competitive and I'm all for it.
Michael Wacha scattered four hits over six innings, Vinnie Pasquantino homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 2-0 for the second straight night Saturday to run their winning streak to six.
Wacha (1-3) once again received little run support, but the veteran right-hander made the meager production stand up on chilly evening at Kauffman Stadium. He struck out six while walking two and never allowed a runner past second base.
Steven Cruz worked the seventh for Kansas City, his seventh appearance this season without allowing a run. John Schreiber left runners on the corners in the eighth, and Carlos Estévez had a perfect ninth for his seventh save.
Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and scored in the first inning for the Royals, extending his career-best hitting streak to 18 games.
Framber Valdez (1-3) gave up a sacrifice fly to Mark Canha in the first inning and Pasquantino's shot down the right-field line in the fifth. Otherwise, the Astros left-hander kept Kansas City in check, allowing three hits and two walks over eight innings.
Valdez had tossed seven shutout innings against the Royals last August in a 3-2 victory.
The Astros, who have lost five straight at the K, have managed just nine hits while getting shut out over the first two games of the series. They had rolled into Kansas City having won three straight and five of their last six games.
Isaac Parades hit a two-out double and Jeremy Peña followed with a single to give Houston runners on the corners in the eighth inning. Schreiber bounced back to strike out Christian Walker with a four-seam fastball to end the threat.
The Royals have only scored seven runs in the 32 innings that Wacha has pitched this season.
RHP Hunter Brown (3-1, 1.16) tries to extend a 24-inning scoreless streak for Houston in the series finale Sunday. LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 1.45) gets the start for Kansas City after tossing seven shutout innings against the Rockies his last time out.