Roughnecks on the road homecoming week
XFL Week 3 preview: Roughnecks at Vipers
Feb 19, 2020, 9:59 am
Photo by Getty Images.
I would start with QB talk but similar to the NFL, the XFL lacks QBs in the city of Tampa. Taylor Cornelius and Quinton Flowers are the guys you may or… well, probably may NOT want to pull up film on. Highlights? Cornelius threw a PICK… Not a TD on his last play of their game. That a boy!
Run Game: Yeah, kind of. Better than week one.
Summary: The Vipers have managed to put up nine more points than the LA Rams did in the Super Bowl. If you're not good at math, that's a total of 12 points on the season. This team has really struggled to get the offense rolling. Meanwhile, the Houston Roughnecks defense ranks second just behind the DC Defenders.
In his first two games, PJ Walker is 43 of 69 passing for 442 yards. He leads the league with seven touchdowns and only one interception.
Tampa's defense allowed the NY Guardians to put up 23 points in week 1 and Seattle 17 last week. In my opinion, those are two of the more weak teams. Are you getting what I'm throwing out here?
Someone referred to the Vipers as being the team you play during homecoming week in school. I'd say I have to agree. Houston fans sit back and get ready. I expect a huge game from the Roughnecks this week.
Basically, the only entertainment you'll get out of Tampa will be found on CultureMap where I'm sure our dear friend Eric Sandler has a great list of food spots to try!
Tune into ABC at 1 p.m. this Saturday to support your Houston Roughnecks during their on the road "home coming week" against the Tampa Bay Vipers.
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The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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