The Houston Astros are doing their part when it comes to pitching, but the offense could stand some improvement if the team wants to catch the red-hot Texas Rangers.
One player that could give the team a boost in that department is Yainer Diaz. Catcher Martin Maldonado is having another poor year at the plate, and Diaz taking some bats from him would provide the team with more offense.
Manager Dusty Baker has been reluctant to play Yainer on a regular basis early in the season, and GM Dana Brown was expecting Diaz to get about 300 at-bats this season.
Diaz can not only catch, he's played some first base this year, and he could certainly be used as a designated hitter. But he was rarely used as a DH even when the team was carrying three catchers.
Currently Diaz is on pace for around 220 at-bats and it looks like Dusty Baker is not seeing eye-to-eye with his GM once again when it comes to Martin Maldonado and his playing time. Just ask former GM James Click.
Be sure to watch the video above as the guys discuss the first public disagreement between Brown and Baker, and what it means moving forward.
Listen to The Killer B's weekdays from Noon-3 PM on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
Astros turn to reinforcements as they eye another key win
May 20, 2025, 4:43 pm
The Houston Astros will aim to lock up a series victory Tuesday night as they face the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of a three-game set. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Houston (25–22) took the opener 4–3 on Monday and has now won five of its last ten games, continuing a recent surge that has pulled them back above .500 and into second place in the AL West. Tampa Bay (21–26) sits fourth in the AL East and has struggled to find consistency, especially at home where they are now just 11–18.
The Astros will turn to left-hander Brandon Walter, who is set to make his season debut. Walter, a depth option from the Astros' system, gets the nod with the club working through recent rotation injuries.
The Rays counter with right-hander Zack Littell (3–5, 4.31 ERA), who has been solid but not dominant across his first nine starts. He’s struck out 32 batters in 54.1 innings with a strong 1.12 WHIP.
Team trends
Houston holds the AL’s fifth-best team on-base percentage (.318) and has gone 6–4 over its last 10 games, posting a .252 batting average and a 3.78 team ERA in that span. Tampa Bay is 5–5 over its last 10, hitting .236 while their pitching staff has combined for a 4.34 ERA.
Players to watch
- Jake Meyers continues to provide timely power for Houston, while Isaac Paredes has been one of Houston's steadiest hitters, going 11-for-37 with three home runs over his last 10 games.
- Jonathan Aranda leads the Rays with a .309 batting average and has been a consistent bat in the middle of their lineup.
- Chandler Simpson, a recent spark plug for Tampa, is hitting .364 over his last 10 games.
Betting line
According to BetMGM, the Astros are slight road favorites at -114, with the Rays at -105. The over/under is set at 9.5 runs, signaling expectations for a potentially high-scoring matchup.
With the series opener in their pocket and Walter making his first appearance of the year, the Astros will look to keep momentum rolling in Tampa and inch closer to the top of the AL West standings.
Here's a look at Tuesday's night's lineup:
Game 2 in the sunshine state.
⚾️: 6:05pm CT | 7:05pm ET
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/5IXQCbyGsE
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2025
Yainer Diaz gets the night off, with Victor Caratini catching Walter in his big league debut. Chas McCormick is in the lineup again playing left field, and Zach Dezenzo gets the nod in the DH spot.
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