Good morning. It appears as though the Astros have their new manager, and will announce Joe Espada as the 20th manager in franchise history at a press conference today at 11am. Espada was hired by A.J. Hinch from the Yankees to be Alex Cora's replacement as bench coach. I got it wrong, I didn't think the Astros would be willing to hire Espada.
Obviously this is going to be good news for Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, Ryan Pressly, and anyone else who has been with the Astros since 2018 because it provides continuity. There's (probably) not going to be this massive change in style and culture, since everyone knows what Espada is about, and he already knows absolutely everybody. If winning is the standard in Houston, Espada already knows what goes into that level of winning. I think it's a great hire, and I'm happy for the previously-perennially-second place Espada.
*Espada will be the second Latino manager in Astros history, first since Preston Gomez in 1974-1975.
*Chandler Rome lists the four main challenges Espada will face as the new Astros manager: Alignment with front office/ownership; first-year pitfalls; reminding the Astros how to do the fundamentals (defense, baserunning, things of that nature); who plays where in the outfield.
*MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is reporting that "4-5 teams" are interested in Martin Maldonado for 2024, which means that Martin Maldonado's agent told Mark Feinsand that 4-5 teams are interested in Martin Maldonado for 2024.
*The deadline to add prospects to the 40-Man Roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm. The Astros have a number of their MLB.com-listed Top 30 Prospects that would need to be added. They include: Colin Barber, Kenedy Corona, Justin Dirden, Miguel Palma, Zach Daniels, Shay Whitcomb, Jaime Melendez, and Misael Tamarez.
*The Astros unveiled their plans for an entertainment district around Minute Maid Park.
*Someone in Florida won $5.5m on a parlay when the Texans beat the Bengals yesterday.
*Texas Monthly: A Texas teen is introducing the pedal steel to a new generation.
I don't care who wins the NLCS, I will be their biggest fan for the next two weeks, despite the fact that I'll likely not watch a minute of the World Series. This is a time for resetting, for reacquaintance, for recharging. More at the end.
To the Links:
*Only two teams in MLB history have lost all four home games in a seven-game series: the 2019 Astros and the 2023 Astros. As much as I hate the Rangers right now, I might hate the Astros just as much.
*Chas McCormick, who got 16 plate appearances in seven games in the ALCS:
I mean, we just didn't play well enough at home. That's what finished our season. We didn't win at home. Game 5, when we came back and won, I was like, 'We have this. We're going back to the World Series.' It's a different taste in the mouth just because I've been in the World Series my first two years in the big leagues, so it's different.
Martin Maldonado, who went 1x7 with runners in scoring position in the ALCS:
It's frustrating, but at the same time, I feel like we accomplished a lot of stuff. It wasn't easy all year. We had a lot of injuries. I'm really proud of this group of guys. We never gave up. Just to make it seven in a row, it's pretty special.
Jeremy Pena, who hit .160/.192/.160 in the ALCS:
I wouldn't consider [this season] a success.
Kyle Tucker, who hit .150/.292/.225 in the 2023 postseason, 0x6 w/RISP in the 2023 ALCS, and .180/.295/.326 in 24 games in the 2022-23 postseasons combined:
We had a good year, a lot of ups and downs throughout the season. And we at least had the opportunity to get there.
There's a whole bunch of stuff you can point to in that ballgame. And so we just got beat. Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason. Sometimes you lose and sometimes you get beat. There's a difference. We got beat.
*Dusty Baker is going to take some time to evaluate his situation for 2024:
I haven't had time to evaluate or think about my future because I'm not that kind of dude. I don't want to steal the spotlight or anything from these guys. You've got to savor what we did. You've got to think about how we can get better. And then I'll evaluate my situation and my life.
*Alex Bregman, who only had four hits in the ALCS but included a triple and two home runs:
I think we fully expected to be here, and we expected to win. We got outplayed, and we'll learn from the mistakes this offseason. We'll get after it and be ready to get back to competing.
Justin Verlander, who allowed 12H/6ER in 12.1IP in the ALCS:
I think moving forward, there's still a good window available. It's a little early to say I'm excited about next year (Ed. note: SAME) I'm still dealing with this, but that was on my mind.
*Career Postseason Home Runs, MLB History:
1. Manny Ramirez: 29
2. Jose Altuve: 27
3. Bernie Williams: 22
4. Derek Jeter / Kyle Schwarber: 20
6. Alex Bregman / Albert Pujols / George Springer: 19
*Yordan Alvarez, 2023 Postseason: .465/.510/.977, 6HR/15RBI. Yordan's 41st career postseason RBI moved him into a tie for 18th all-time with Lance Berkman and Alex Rodriguez. His .949 career postseason OPS is 5th all-time among players with 50 postseason games played.
*I had completely forgotten that The Bastard Chris Young threw 4IP in G1 of the 2015 ALDS for the Royals. I don't think I've ever hated another team's GM more, and I hope his bicycle gets stuck in a cattle grate and skins up his knee real bad.
What To Watch, October 24:
2:00pm Central: Champions League: Arsenal at Sevilla.
6:15pm: New Jersey at Montreal
7:07pm: DiamondBacks at Phillies.
*Please allow me a moment of introspection and vulnerability: 51 days ago I decided to stop drinking, which is my personal longest streak since the day I was born until the day I turned 21. It was enough of a problem that I recognized it as a problem. It was not recommended by a doctor (mainly because I don't go to the doctor), it was a personal choice. The first few days were really hard. There were certain triggers around particular days of the week and work milestones and whatnot that I recognized were particularly difficult. Still, I made it through with the help of my wife, a couple of friends who are various stages of their sobriety journey, and a lot of mineral water. I didn't want me opening a beer to be the soundtrack of my kid's childhood. I didn't want to have anxiety about what time I got home in the evenings based on when I could have a drink. It hasn't been easy. It still isn't easy, but I'm not fragile. This weekend I'll go to the wedding of one of my best friends (who happens to be a Ramger fan despite not being able to name three Ramgers on the active roster) armed with a six pack of HEB Lime Mineral Water, and it'll be fine. I feel better, I eat better, I can actually feel rested after sleeping, and get up and go to the gym. I was emotionally dependent on alcohol, and probably will continue to feel that way for a while, but I'm doing fine. If I can make it through an Astros postseason - especially this absolute pile of dogshit of a postseason - without drinking, I feel like I'm invincible. I don't know why I'm telling any of you this, but if you feel like you're in a similar circumstance or vortex or whatever you want to call it, feel free to reach out. FTR.
Yep, just checked again, last night actually happened. We're one ridiculous Game 2 First Inning away from last night being the Series. Let's check in on the morning after, and the day before. Everything is Cope-acetic up in Aledo.
I don't think anybody is mad about him pimping a homer, it was the biggest homer in his career, quite honestly.
Nathaniel Lowe:
Wearing this jersey, having Adolis be my teammate, it feels pretty intentional. There's a history, obviously, between these two teams. I'm sure Alvarez didn't like the ball high and tight to him either. But in today's game, we throw fastballs up. If you want to get emotional about something like that and take it out on a guy that hit a three-run homer, that's too bad. I don't really stand for it.
That's some mental gymnastics, saying it's okay for Alvarez to get brushed up and in by Aroldis Chapman (who does have a history of hitting people) but not Garcia because Garcia is a hot-head. It's ackshually Alvarez's fault for not getting mad. Hmph. [stomps foot].
When half your bench is running out in a hurry and guys on the injured list want to run their mouth and starters who aren't involved want to get involved, it seems like there are more emotions tied in than gameplay.
*An anonymous Ramger:
One of the best relievers in baseball just suddenly lost command? Maldonado's smart. They got exactly what they wanted, Adolis riled up. Crazy coincidence, isn't it?
Willing to put a small amount of money on the Anonymous Ramger being GM Chris Young. But if Maldonado told Abreu to hit Adolis Garcia to put two men on with nobody out in the bottom of the 8th, down 4-2, just because he knew Adolis Garcia would get pissed off and delay the game for 11 minutes, thus icing Jose LeClerc, who barely ever gives up home runs, so that he would give up a single to Yainer Diaz, who hadn't gotten a hit since September 24, and then walk Jon Singleton, who hadn't received an AB since October 1, thus allowing Jose Altuve to hit a go-ahead three-run home run and take the series back to Houston up 3-2...then Maldonado's new name is Baba Yagaldonado, because that's 18th Dimension Wizard Chess.
What this tells me is that there are various and sundry Rangers who have night terrors and Martin Maldonado is always holding the knife.
That helped us out a little bit, I think, focus a little bit more. It's crazy. The emotions were high. Everyone knew what was going on. It's baseball. It's fun baseball. It set a different fire, I think, inside everybody.
Everybody on their side is going to say it wasn't [on purpose]. Everybody on this side is going to say it was. The only one who really knows was the pitcher.
The Astros got to an early lead, choked it up, and then monstered all the way to a 10-3 win. The ALCS is tied 2-2. Houston has one more opportunity in this series to take advantage of being on the road. But we know that the Astros will be forced to play at least one more game in Houston.
The beauty about this team, there's not an easy out. When you think there's an easy out, something big happens.
*Jose Altuve was 3x4 with a walk and three runs scored. It's the 10th 3-hit postseason game of his career, and the 6th time he's scored three runs in a postseason game. Altuve's last ten plate appearances (Games 3&4): Flyout to the track, home run, flyout to the track, single, out, double, single, walk, out, double.
Jose Altuve home runs, Minute Maid Park, 2023: 5
Jose Altuve home runs, Globe Life Field, 2023: 8
*Only seven players in MLB history have appeared in 100 postseason games:
It's been an honor to be his teammate - a Hall of Fame player and a Hall of Fame person, incredible leader every single day. From Day 1 of Spring Training, he shows up, works his tail off. He always has a smile on his face. He's so nice to everyone that he comes into contact with - players, coaches, staff, people at the stadium, fans. He's an unbelievable human being, and to be able to be his teammate, it's been an honor. Hopefully I can be his teammate forever.
*Yordan Alvarez was 2x4 with 3RBI. Those 3RBI bring his postseason total to 39 in 55 games, tying him for 4th in franchise history with Yuli Gurriel. Postseason RBI, Astros, career:
1. Carlos Correa: 59
2. Alex Bregman: 52
3. Jose Altuve: 51
4. Yordan/Gurriel: 39
6. George Springer: 38
...
13. Jeff Bagwell: 13
16. Craig Biggio: 11
Yordan has three straight postseason games with at least 2+ RBI. It's only the 28th time in MLB history that a player has three straight postseason games with multiple RBI. The last person to do it was Yordan Alvarez, who did it from 2022 World Series G6 to 2023 ALDS G2. The all-time record is four games, set by Giancarlo Stanton (2020) and Reggie Sanders (2005).
*Jose Abreu crushed a crushing three-run home run and stole a base. Thanks to the incredible Sarah Langs, we now know that Abreu is the oldest player since Fred Clarke in 1909 to hit a homer and steal a base in a playoff game. Abreu:
We're the Houston Astros, and we never give up. It was very important to give credit to all these guys here in this organization who never give up. It's up to us to be able to turn this around.
Abreu, Opening Day-June 13: 273 PAs, 3HR
Abreu, 2023 Postseason: 33 PAs, 4HR
*Mauricio Dubon was 2x5 in G4. He has started four postseason games in his career - all in 2023 - and is 8x17 with three runs scored.
*Chas McCormick hit his first postseason homer since 2022 ALCS G3, at New York.
*The Astros were 8x16 w/runners in scoring position, which is approximately nine more hits than they got with runners in scoring position in Games 1 and 2.
*The only Astros player to not get on base a single time (in a game with 10 hits and seven walks): Kyle Tucker, who went 0x5 with a strikeout.
Tucker, since hitting two homers in 2022 World Series G1: 13 games, 55 PAs, .089/.236/.156
*Bullspen Matchup, Game 4:
Ramgers: 8.1IP, 7H/7ER, 8K:6BB
Astros: 6.2IP, 3H/0ER, 5K:1BB
*Phil Maton: 2IP, 1H/0ER, 2K:0BB. It's his first postseason six-out appearance since his second career postseason appearance in 2020 Wild Card G2 against the Yankees.
*Hunter Brown: 3IP, 2H/0ER, 2K:0BB. Stanek, on Brown:
He's grown into knowing what he's supposed to be doing and how to handle himself. He came in last year, didn't have a whole lot of experience under his belt and pitched in the playoffs, did really well and then came into this year, and he's had some trials and tribulations. And he's battled and grown and learned and handled it well. It's a hard job to have, especially being a young kid and being a starter, and then he was out in the bullpen. You've got to do a lot of different things, and he's just handled it really, really well. It's awesome to see.
*Stanek is the third pitcher in baseball history to throw one pitch and get the Win in a postseason game, joining St. Louis' Jeff Fassero (2002 NLDS G2) and Lance Lynn (2011 NLCS G2).
*The Hall of Fame announced eight candidates for the Veterans Committee to consider for induction in 2025: Managers Cito Gaston, Davey Johnson, Jim Leyland, Lou Piniella; executives Hank Peters and Bill White; umpires Ed Montague and [snicker] Joe [guffaw] West.
A quick story, one that I'm not terribly proud of (but proud enough to lead the Hot Links with): I live in Ramger Country. It's gross. I shower four times a day. Anyhow, a co-worker was giving me crap about the Astros being down 2-0. Annoying. So I hollered back, "I've watched the Astros lose more World Series in the last five years than your middle aged ass has ever seen the Rangers play in." Might have ended it with, "Bitch." I'm not sure. I was a little Ragey.
Anyhow, the Astros won 8-5 to make the series 2-1. Michael Brantley:
They eliminated the big inning for the first two games against us. So we had a nice crooked number to put up on the board. But at the same time, it's a great offense over there. We had to keep scoring. We continued to keep pressure on...and we have to continue to do that throughout the entire series.
1st Inning: 100.7mph off the bat, flyout to dead center. A homer in 13/30 parks.
3rd Inning: 104.4mph off the bat, homer. A homer in 30/30 parks.
5th Inning: 102.4mph off the bat, flyout to dead center. A homer in 12/30 parks.
That would have been 3HR in 3PAs if the game was played at Wrigley, Cincinnati, whatever the White Sox call their field, Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Milwaukee, or Oakland.
It was Altuve's 25th postseason home run of his career. He needs four more to tie Manny Ramirez for the most all-time. Altuve:
Down in the series 0-2, it feels like we had no choice but to win tonight.
*Yordan Alvarez: 2x4, 2RBI. He has 10RBI in the 2023 postseason. The Astros have scored 32 runs in the 2023 postseason. It was the third game out of seven in the 2023 postseason that Yordan didn't hit a home run, but...
Alvarez's 6th Inning flyball that was robbed by Leody Taveras had a 1.000 xBA and would have been a home run in 22 out of 30 ballparks.
*Kyle Tucker hit 6th in the order for the first time since June 11, 2022 and went 0x1, 3BB. It was the 7th 3BB game of his career, and just the 3rd multi-BB postseason game of his career. He also got a double, his 3rd hit of the 2023 postseason, and his first XBH since ALDS G1.
*Mauricio Dubon had three hits for the 12th time in his career and the 7th time in 2023. He's 6x12 in the 2023 postseason and got his first career postseason RBI. Dubon:
I was telling somebody today that, yeah, I got smarter, I got a little stronger. But my ability hasn't changed. For me, it was a matter of getting a chance. And the Astros gave me a chance to get out there and show people what I can do.
*Martin Maldonado was 2x4 with 2RBI - the 3rd 2-hit game of his postseason career, and 2nd of the 2023 postseason. It was his first postseason RBI since Game 1 of the 2022 World Series.
He can throw any pitch any count. Because he bounces a slider doesn't mean he doesn't come back with another slider. So I was trying to see something up, just to put a good swing on it.
*Alex Bregman hit a ball in the 9th (stop me if you've heard this before) that Leody Taveras caught against the wall. It would have been a home run in 18 out of 30 ballparks.
*Cristian Javier: 5.2IP, 3H/2ER, 3K:1BB.
Four career postseason starts: 22IP, 5H/2ER, 26K:1BB, 0.82 ERA / 0.27 WHIP.
The Astros have advanced to the ALCS for the 7th straight year, or every single year in which Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Yordan Alvarez, Jose Urquidy, Framber Valdez, and anyone else whose career began with the Astros after 2016 have been in the Majors. This is a dynasty, and anyone who says otherwise deserves to get their teeth knocked into their throat.
*Franchises to make seven straight League Championship Series:
Atlanta: 8 (1991-1999, there were no playoffs in 1994)
Houston: 7 (2017-2023)
*Playoff Wins, 2015-2023 (as of the morning of October 12):
We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the bond that we have and the relationships that we have in this locker room, and we hold each other accountable in a good way. Obviously, this team is built different. These guys are built different. When it's time to step up, we play our best baseball.
*The Astros were held to six hits. Two of them, accounting for all three runs, were home runs. Houston is now 16-32 in postseason games in which they've recorded six or fewer hits.
Houston is also now 1-5 in games where they do not draw a walk.
15 straight Astros were retired until Jose Abreu got a base hit with two outs in the top of the 9th.
*Jose Urquidy: 5.2IP, 3H/2ER, 6K:1BB. 53 of his 82 pitches were for strikes. Three of his 17 starts for the 2023 Astros went 17 outs or longer. Urquidy has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 11 of his 13 career postseason appearances.
We've seen that since his rookie year, winning World Series games for us. We have a lot of confidence every time he goes and takes the mound. We know what we're going to get every single time: a guy who's competing, a guy who's trying to go execute pitches.
*The bullpen of Neris/Abreu/Pressly struck out eight of the last ten Twins batters in G4.
*Bullpens:
Houston: 15IP, 10H/6ER, 26K:4BB (4ER were courtesy of Hector Neris in G1)
Minnesota: 19IP, 16H/8ER, 21K:7BB
*Carlos Correa watched Max Kepler watch Strike Three to end the series from the on-deck circle.
Correa, Games 1/2: 5x8, 3 doubles, 3RBI, 2K:1BB
Correa, Games 3/4: 1x7, 0RBI, 2K:0BB
Correa:
I wanted that at-bat (in the 9th) so bad. I know Pressly very well, and it would've been a fun matchup. It didn't get there, but that's the way it's supposed to be.
Imagine moving Correa down in the order so that Max Kepler can represent the tying run with two outs in the bottom of the 9th and swing twice.
*What a find by GMs Jim Crane/Jeff Bagwell in this Jose Abreu fella. Abreu was 2x4 with the eventual go-ahead 2-run homer. Abreu had 2HR/7RBI in Games 3&4. Abreu:
The only thing I can say is thank you.k The person that's not grateful with what life has given them isn't going to reach many goals. I can't say anything other than thank you. I'm just very grateful to be here.
*Michael Brantley hit his first postseason home run since 2020 ALCS G3 - a span of 22 games. Brantley:
The core guys that have been here the last seven years, they know how to win games. Since I got here five years ago, you can call it pressure, or when our back is against the wall, we play our best baseball. We always have. And it's a testament to those guys.
*Jeremy Pena went hitless for just the second time in 17 career postseason games.
*Bryan Abreu: 1IP, 0H/0ER, 2K:0BB.
Bryan Abreu since July 18: 31IP, 13H/0ER, 41K:13BB
*Ryan Pressly: 1IP, 0H/0ER, 3K:0BB.
Pressly, postseason career (all with Houston): 40.2IP, 30H/11ER, 53K:12BB. 2.43 ERA/1.03 WHIP.
Pressly last gave up an earned run in the postseason in 2021 ALCS G1. In the 17 postseason games since: 18.2IP, 6H/0ER, 28K:5BB. 0.00 ERA / 0.59 WHIP.
He knows what he's doing behind the plate, and he knows every hitter's weaknesses and he's going to try to exploit. He pitches against the xSLG...and we knew it, and still it was hard to make the adjustments, the way he was pitching backwards. Hitters counts, he would go off-speed, and then a count where he would go off-speed regularly, he would go fastballs up.
There's been a culture established here that hasn't faded away. It's still very present, and that's a testament to the guys that were here before and the guys that remain here and the guys that are leaders of this ballclub. They don't allow slacking off, but they do it in a respectful manner. They expect the best of everyone because they're giving their best every single day. What a great way to lead by example. I think our culture is something not tangible. Funny that one (for) one of the most analytic-forward teams in baseball, something that makes this team so special is something that's not measurable.
For seven years - one short of Atlanta's record eight-straight championship series appearances - the Astros have managed to win at least one playoff series. And as dissatisfying as that might be for those who harbor resentment against the organizaiton for its cheating in 2017, anyone who refuses to acknowledge the Astros' exceptional staying power is just willfully ignorant.
*100-win teams (Baltimore, Atlanta, Los Angeles), 2023 postseason: 1-8.
Pretty sweet to watch the Astros clinch the ALDS and then turn it over to watch the Dloldgers get swept by a team that went 5-8 against them in the regular season. The Dodgers are the second team in MLB history to win 100 games in the regular season and never even hold a lead in the postseason. The Bastard Dave Roberts:
There's some things with the format that people can dissect or whatever, but the bottom line is we've gotten outplayed in the postseason.
Read every single word above this section to see why maybe the playoff format isn't the reason.
Fresh off of getting swept by the GDKC Royals, the Astros got a vintage Verlander performance last night in Seattle. Houston is 86-71, 2.5 back of The Colony, 1.5 up on Seattle. There are five games remaining in the regular season.
Keep in mind: The Astros have the tie-breaker against the Rangers. So in order for the Astros to win the Division, they would need to match the Rangers' record. You can safely assume that the Anaheim Possums are going to do exactly that, so the Mariners are going to have to do something in the last series of the season, and the Astros can't afford to...be the 2023 Astros.
Houston is 2.5 back of The Colony. If the Astros just win out, it puts them at 91-71. The Rangers would have to go 4-2 to finish a game ahead of Houston. If the Astros go 4-1, the Rangers would have to go 3-3. It's a tough, uphill battle. Unless! the Astros actually want the Wild Card, in which case they'd get the advantage of not playing at home, but also getting the Twins and not the Rays. Chess, not checkers?
After a 21-6 August, the Mariners are 8-15 in September. They're 5-15 against teams not named "Oakland" in September.
It's one. We got five to go. Hopefully, we come back out tomorrow and do the same thing.
*Houston "improved" to 3-8 against Seattle in 2023. The Astros are 57-33 (.633) all-time at Seattle.
*Houston is 61-22 when scoring first in 2023.
*Verlander did what they brought him back to do: 8IP, 3H/1ER, 8K:1BB. And on only 96 pitches, 65 of which he threw for strikes. It's the 56th time in his career that he's gotten 24 outs and allowed only an earned run (or less) - the 12th time he's done it for the Astros.
Opponents who have gotten shut down to the tune of at least 8IP of 0-1ER baseball by Verlander, career:
Incredible. That's obviously what this team needed. He knew that, and going out there and putting the team in that type of position was great.
*A Full and Complete List of Astros Starting Pitchers to throw 8IP+ in 2023:
Framber Valdez: 4
Justin Verlander: 1
It's the first time an Astros starter has recorded 24 outs since Framber's no-hitter on August 1. Verlander's 79 Game Score is the highest by an Astros starter since Framber's 78 on August 25.
It was Verlander's 256th career win, by far the most by an active pitcher (Zack Greinke's 224 is 2nd). He's tied for 42nd all-time with Former Astros Great Andy Pettitte. 264 wins gets him in the Top 40 all-time.
*Bryan Abreu closed out the 9th with a scoreless inning. That is now 25 straight scoreless outings for Bryan Abreu, dating back to July 15. Only six pitchers have a 25+ game scoreless streak for the Astros:
1. Ryan Pressly: 40 games (Aug 15, 2018-May 20, 2019)
2. Ryne Stanek: 30 games (Apr 29-July 22, 2022)
3. Joe Sambio: 27 games (May 3-July 14, 1979)
4. Will Harris: 26 games (April 9-June 8, 2016)
5. Billy Wagner: 25 games (Aug 13, 1999-April 16, 2000)
5. Bryan Abreu: 25 games (July 18, 2023-present)
It's the longest active streak in the Majors, and only two other pitchers have managed to throw at least 25 consecutive scoreless outings: Cleveland's Sam Hentges, who saw his 25-game scoreless streak end on September 24; and San Diego's Josh Hader, whose 26-game scoreless streak ended on August 29.
*The 107 pitches thrown in a 9-inning game by Verlander/Abreu are the 4th-lowest pitch total by the Astros in 2023.
*It's the 36th time in 2023 that Astros pitchers have held their opponent to 0-1BB. They're 19-17 in those games...somehow.
*Yordan Alvarez was 2x4 with his 30th home run of the season. It's the third season in a row Yordan has hit 30+ homers.
Three or More Consecutive Seasons of 30+ Homers, Astros history:
8: Jeff Bagwell (1996-2003)
3: Yordan Alvarez (2021-2023)
That's it. Kyle Tucker needs one more home run to join this list.
*Alex Bregman was 0x5. He's now gone five straight games without a hit, hitless in seven of his last eight. His five-game hitless streak ties a career-high, set in 2021 and 2016. Since his 3-hit game against Kansas City on September 16, Bregman has one hit in his last 28 Plate Appearances, but with 3K:9BB. The Astros are 28-31 when Bregman does not get a hit.
*Martin Maldonado was 2x3 with a walk - his 15th multi-hit game of the season. He raised his OPS from .601 to .612 last night.
*Mauricio Dubon opened the scoring with a base hit to score Jose Abreu, who ran 270 feet like a big boy. Alvarez, on Dubon's hit:
Very big. Having the runner on third there with nobody out and then having two outs, getting him in, I think, gave the team second wind. So it was very big to get it all started.
Other Stuff
*Ronel Blanco and Will Wagner were named the PCL's Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively.
Yet again the Dumb Ass Houston Astros couldn't do what other teams have done 102 times this season: beat the Kansas City Royals. Houston is 85-69, 39-40 at "home." They're idiots, and I hate them at the moment. They've lost seven of their last ten games. There are a maximum of eight games remaining. Those nuns who fronted Alex Cora need to bring wheelbarrows full of sage.
I do not want the Astros to miss the playoffs out of spite. Dusty has done some incomprehensible things (Dubon batting leadoff, Abreu batting cleanup, scroll down for Maldonado Slander) but I still want him to succeed because that means this God-forsaken team (meaning 2023) succeeds. That said, should the Astros miss the playoffs they have absolutely nobody to blame but themselves. At some point we'll talk about Jim Crane's Jerry Jones Heel Turn last fall, but that's another talk for another time.
*The DAMF Astros have lost 11 of their last 15 home games against Boston, New York, San Diego, Oakland, Baltimore, and Kansas City. Only Baltimore is over .500 for the season.
*These morons have given up 25 runs on this homestand (1-3).
*The Trashstros were 2x13 with runners in scoring position against the Royals last night.
*Framber was a disaster, then he wasn't, then he was again. Framber: 5.1IP, 4H/7R (6ER), 10K:3BB. It was the 10th 10+ K start of his career.
His 6ER allowed match the total number of earned runs he'd allowed in his last five starts combined. Framber also hit two batters - the first time since July 30, 2022 he'd done that. The Astros are 3-5 when Framber hits 2+ batters in a game.
*Bullpen: 4.2IP, 1H/0ER, 4K:1BB.
*Astros pitchers held Kansas City to five hits. Five. The Astros are now 25-10 when allowing five or fewer hits. They've scored 3 or fewer runs in 12 of those 35 games.
*3-5 in the lineup (Yordan, Bregman, Tucker): 2x12, 2K:3BB. 0x4 w/RISP.
No, I don't think anybody's feeling pressure. We understand that this is going to go down to the last game of the season. And talking to some of the guys, tomorrow we're going to have to flip that switch and activate playoff mode.
Not a fan of waiting until Game 154, when you just lost the division lead because you can't beat the worst teams in baseball, to "activate playoff mode."
*Martin Maldonado: 0x3, 2K:0BB, passed ball. It was his league-leading 12th passed ball of the season, his 21 passed balls since the beginning of the 2022 season lead the league, as well!
Martin Maldonado offensive ranks, MLB, min. 350 PAs (232 players):
BA: .189 (231st) - he's tied with Giancarlo Stanton, which kind of blew my mind.
OBP: .258 (230th)
SLG: .343 (221st)
wRC+: 65 (227th)
K%: 34.3% (229th)
fWAR: -1.3 (230th)
So he's one of the worst hitters in the league, but also has the most passed balls in the last two seasons. Tell me exactly why he's playing five days a week?
*The Astros are 14-15 against the AL Central this year, which is almost impossible to fathom, as only one other AL East/AL West team is under .500 against the garbage-ass AL Central (Oakland). Houston vs...
Minnesota: 2-4
Kansas City: 1-3
Chicago: 4-3
Detroit: 3-3
Cleveland: 4-2
*Houston is 2-5 against the only 100-loss teams in MLB in September. They have no one to blame but themselves. And here's the most inane thing about these seven games:
Scoring 5 or fewer runs vs Oakland/Kansas City: 0-4
Scoring 6 or more runs vs Oakland/Kansas City: 2-1
Obviously, it's frustrating losing to teams that you say, 'Come on, we're the Astros, we shouldn't be losing to them. But that's baseball. It's part of the game. It happens....Just because...they've won a couple games against us, doesn't mean that we're going to stop being the Houston Astros. We're still the Houston Astros, we're still the champs, and we're going to continue battling.
*Kyle Tucker hit a triple. Tucker, September: .209/.299/.463.
Kyle Tucker's first 537 Major-League games: 11 triples.
Kyle Tucker's last ten games: four triples.
*Michael Brantley was out with shoulder soreness for the 4th straight game.
*Ryne Stanek is back, and Joel "The Human White Flag" Kuhnel is back in Sugar Land.
*Going to the Arizona Fall League are Zach Dezenzo, Kenedy Corona, Miguel Palma, AJ Blubaugh (lol), Ray Gaither, Tyler Guilfoil, Jaime Melendez, Miguel Ullola
I was unaware the Astros were allowed to win at home. And by God, Cristian Javier was seemingly determined to continue that streak. Anyhow. Astros win. Mariners lose. Rangers and Blue Jays win. Houston is 81-62 and have won one of their last one home games.
*The Astros' seven runs was the most in a home game since beating Boston 7-3 on August 22 - a span of seven games. Games with the following runs scored, Minute Maid Park, 2023 (and their record):
0: 2 (0-2)
1: 13 (0-13)
2: 10 (2-8)
3: 8 (3-5)
4: 5 (4-1)
5: 7 (4-3)
6: 8 (6-2)
7: 7 (6-1)
8: 3 (3-0)
9: 3 (3-0)
10: 2 (2-0)
11: 2 (2-0)
17: 1 (1-0)
Houston is 5-28 when they score three or fewer runs at Minute Maid Park. Ten of Houston's 11 highest run totals in a game have come on the road in 2023. Also note that they have scored three or fewer runs in 33 of the Astros' 71 home games in 2023.
*Yordan Alvarez was 2x3 with a walk, 2RBI, and his 26th home run of the season. He has a 17-game on-base streak, and since going 0x4 on August 19 in a 10-3 loss to Seattle, Yordan: .403/.542/.710, 4 doubles / 5 homers, 6K:17BB.
*Kyle Tucker was 1x4 with a 2-run double, his first extra-base hit since September 1. His 101 RBI on the season are six shy of his career-high of 107, set in 2021. Tucker:
It's cool. Obviously, you can't get there unless guys in front of you are getting on base and giving you opportunities. I think it's more of that happening rather than me driving them in. I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of high on-base guys in front of me and they've been doing a good job of that all year.
Tucker needs four home runs and four stolen bases to join Jeff Bagwell as the franchise's only 30HR/30SB/100RBI members.
He has 26 home runs, 32 doubles, and 101 RBI. It's the 25th such season by 13 Astros hitters. Your 25+ HR, 30+ doubles, 100+ RBI Astros:
Jeff Bagwell: 7 (1994, 1996-2001)
Lance Berkman: 4 (2001, 2002, 2004, 2008)
Alex Bregman: 2 (2018-2019)
Moises Alou: 2 (1998, 2001)
Carlos Lee: 2 (2007, 2009)
Kyle Tucker: 1 (2023)
Yordan Alvarez: 1 (2021)
Yuli Gurriel: 1 (2019)
Morgan Ensberg: 1 (2005)
Jeff Kent: 1 (2004)
Richard Hidalgo: 1 (2000)
Carl Everett: 1 (1999)
Glenn Davis: 1 (1986)
*A back-to-back of Brown and Javier continues to hamstring the bullpen, seeing as how neither of them remembers how to get 15+ outs. Urquidy limited the damage last night, but that's 9.2IP thrown by the bullpen this series already.
*Javier, by outs, 2022:
0 out: .410 OPS-against
1 out: .521 OPS-against
2 outs: .723 OPS-against
Javier, by outs, 2023:
0 out: .728 OPS-against
1 out: .804 OPS-against
2 outs: .731 OPS-against
Javier needed 82 pitches to get 12 outs. He has walked 3+ batters in four straight starts. On June 15 Javier threw six shutout innings against the Nationals - his 14th start of the season.
Javier's last 13 starts, 60.2IP, 64H/49ER, 56K:35BB, 7.27 ERA / 1.63 WHIP.
Javier has been *this* pitcher for as long as he was *that* pitcher in 2023.
*Kendall Graveman: 0.2IP, 3H/1ER, 0K:1BB. Graveman has allowed an earned run in back-to-back outings for the first time since Aug 3/5, 2023...his first two games back with the Astros.
Goodness. The Astros took West Van to the woodshed in a 14-1 drubbing that saw Future Hall of Famer Bruce Bochy pull Corey Seager after two ABs. Houston is 79-61. Seattle lost.
*AL Playoff Picture:
1. Baltimore (87-51)
2. Houston (79-61)
3. Minnesota (73-66)
4. Tampa (84-55)
5. Seattle (77-61)
6. Toronto (77-62)
---
7. West Van (76-62) +0.5
8. Boston (72-67) +5.0
*AL West Division Odds (and change from yesterday):
*The Astros hit six home runs. It's the most home runs ever hit by a team - the Rangers included - at Globe Life Field. The last time the Rangers allowed 6HR in a game was June 16, 2021...at Minute Maid Park...against the Astros.
*It's the 23rd time in MLB history that a team has hit 11 home runs over consecutive road games. The 2023 Astros are also on the list, when they hit 7HR at Oakland on May 28 and then 4HR at Toronto on June 5, their next road game after May 28. So it's just the 20th time in MLB history that it happened on back-to-back days (or in both ends of a doubleheader).
*Days in 1st Place, AL West, 2023:
1. West Van: 150
2. Seattle: 12
3. Houston: 1
*Jose Altuve hit a home run in his first three ABs of the game, the three homers tying a career-high with 2017 ALDS G1. That marked a run of four straight ABs with a home run. Jose Altuve's ABs against the Rangers, September 4-5:
1. Groundout
2. Flyout
3. Single
4. Home Run
5. Single
6. Home Run
7. Home Run
8. Home Run
9. Home Run
10. Groundout
11. Strikeout
The only other player in MLB history to hit four home runs in four innings was Bobby Lowe, you remember, from the 1894 Boston team. They were so old they didn't even have a name. Just "Boston." Altuve has raised his OPS from .899 to .969 in 11 Plate Appearances against the Rangers. Altuve:
It was just one of those days where you feel really good. I was just trying to get my pitch, put a good swing, and it happened...Obviously, this doesn't happen very often. Last month of the season where we are trying to get to first place, stay there, so good timing.
He goes, we go. That's how we've been. Every time he does it, we're not surprised, really, but at the same time, it's unreal what he does.
Altuve is only the 23rd player in MLB history to hit five home runs in two consecutive road games (on back-to-back days, or both ends of a doubleheader). The last to do it? Former White Sox Great Jose Abreu, who did it against the Cubs on August 21-22, 2020.
We're in first place and we want to pad that lead. Tomorrow is very important and when we get back home, we got to start showing some home-field dominance. Trying to figure out why we're hitting so well on the road and not at home. We'll figure it out. Right now, we've got a one-game lead, and we've got to pad it.
*Martin Maldonado hit two home runs last night for the 5th time in his career. It's the first time he's hit two home runs in the same game against the same pitcher since September 4, 2017.
*Yordan Alvarez went 3x6 with a HR and 2RBI. Since coming off the IL on July 26, Yordan is hitting .316/.425/.534 with 20K:22BB and 7HR.
*Framber threw 7IP, 6H/1ER, 4K:4BB. Framber's last three starts: 20IP, 11H/5R (3ER), 15K:9BB.
*Ryne Stanek was placed on the IL with a "right ankle sprain," which is far better than the "right ankle disintegration" I'd predicted. Parker Mushinski was called up.
*After throwing in 56 of the Astros' first 130 games, Ryan Pressly has pitched once since August 25. A nice little break on his arm.
*MLB Network put up a graphic yesterday for Discussion! or Engagement! or whatever, but it highlighted five AL Rookie of the Year candidates with some baseline stats. They had:
*On Monday, September 25-Wednesday, September 27, 2017 the Astros traveled to Arlington to play the series the Rangers didn't want to flip series after Hurricane Harvey out of respect for their own Season Ticket Holders. Houston outscored them 37-7 and out-hit them 46-23. Tonight the Astros need 11 runs on 11 hits to beat that ass even harder.
*What To Watch, September 6:
Blue Jays @ A's: 2:37pm Central
Red Sox @ Rays: 5:40pm
Mariners @ Reds: 5:40pm
Astros @ Rangers: 7:05pm
*BBC: Winless, Elusive, & Under Pressure: Jurgen Klinsmann in South Korea.
Will Hot Links become weekend-only? I'm not sure. But I'm absolutely willing to do this every morning that I can for the time being. That said, the Houston MF Astros beat the Angels 11-3 to improve to 67-50. The Rangers are not allowed to lose, so the Astros are 2.5 back. There are 45 games remaining in the 2023 regular season.
*Since the All-Star Break the Astros are 17-9, third-best record in the AL. The Rangers are 17-8, second-best. The Mariners are 18-8.
*Houston is 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Rangers are 9-1.
*The Astros have scored 7+ runs in four of their last five games, and have 10+ hits in four straight games.
*Houston has hit a home run in nine straight games, and in 23 of 26 games since the All-Star Break.
*7-8-9 in the lineup (Singleton, Pena, Machete): 9x13, 4XBH, 8RBI.
*1-4 in the lineup: 3x15, 3RBI.
*The Astros struck out five times in the game and PH/3B Grae Kessinger had two of them.
*Jon MF Homerton was 3x4 with two home runs, 5RBI, and a walk. It's his first MLB HR since July 29, 2015 against...the Angels. It's the longest stretch between MLB home runs by a position player since Rafael Belliard homered for the Pirates in 1987 and the Braves in 1997.
It was the 4th 3-hit game of his career and the first since August 2, 2014.
There was this moment in time where I wouldn't say I didn't imagine it, but it wasn't even a thought in my mind. But as life went on, things changed and it definitely was a thought in my mind that this could be my life again.
That was a great night. That's a long time between big league homers. The guys were happy for him and wanted him to get another one, but we'll take whatever we can get.
I think somebody as highly touted as him in the baseball world, you hear about. So yes, I knew of him. Really, really happy for him today. Obviously, it's been a long road. Finding himself back in the big leagues and then having a game like today, really special.
*Jeremy Pena was 3x4 with a double, RBI, walk. It was Pena's first extra-base hit since August 1.
*Maldonado was 3x5 with a double and an RBI. It's his second 3-hit game of the season, and you have to go all the way back to August 3 to find the first one.
*Jose Altuve had two hits and two walks. Since coming back from the IL with an oblique (14 games, 65 PAs), Altuve is hitting .411/.492/.661. He has 1,990 career hits.
*Alex Bregman was 0x2 but drew two walks for the 14th time this season.
*Justin Verlander got the win on his 500th career MLB start. He and Zack Greinke are the only active players to have made 500 starts. Verlander has made 104 regular season starts for the Astros. He's thrown a Quality Start in 81 of them.
It was Verlander's 251st win, tying him for 46th all-time with Bob Gibson, CC Sabathia, and Al Spalding, and puts him 27 wins ahead of Zack Greinke for the most by an active pitcher. Next up is Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell, at 253 wins.
*Rafael Montero threw a clean inning in relief. Since the All-Star Break, Montero: 10.2IP, 5H/3ER, 15K:6BB, 2.53 ERA.
*Jose Abreu got an MRI on his lower back. Dusty, on the problem at 1B (before last night's game):
The other guys that are playing first haven't shown that they have earned that yet, either. You can't just give it to them. We're not in the experimenting business. We'll see how that goes before we start talking about timeshare or whatever. You have to figure out who you're sharing time with and how they're doing.
Short one as I might be switching to evening posts this week, because I have to be out of the house at 6:30am every day this week? Why? That is not your business, friend. Kindly move on. The Astros salvaged a split at the home of the AL East Basement-Dwelling New York Yankees with an extremely unattractive 9-7 win. Houston is 64-49, still 2.5 back of Aledo because they aren't allowed to lose anymore.
*Houston struck out 14 times. It's the 5th time this season the Astros have struck out at least 14 times. They're now 1-4 in those games. The last time they struck out 14+ times and won was August 21, 2022 in a 5-4 win against Atlanta.
*Astros pitchers walked 12 batters. And won. They had not walked 10 batters in a game all season. The last time they walked 10+ batters in a game was July 11, 2021 in an 8-7 win against...the Yankees, which was the last time any MLB team walked 12+ batters and still won the game, despite all the dick-stepping. It's only the 3rd time in MLB this season that a team has walked 12+ batters.
*The Astros hit four home runs for the 11th time in 2023, and they're 11-0 in those games.
*Jake Meyers hit two of them hoes for the first time since hitting career home runs 1 & 2 on August 14, 2021. It was the 59th time an Astros batter has recorded 6+ RBI in a game. You have to go all the way back to July 24 to find the last time an Astro had 6RBI (Chas McCormick against Aledo). The Astros are 55-4 when a player has 6+ RBI in a game.
*Martin Maldonado hit a home run, his first extra-base hit since July 25.
*Yordan Alvarez hit his 21st home run. He has 283 PAs in 67 games in 2023. Nobody in MLB with 21+ home runs has done it in as few games as Yordan (though Former Astros Great Jose Siri has 21 home runs in 75 games for Tampa).
I think if he can come up here - and we'll give him a shot - if he can come up here and hit the ball well and have quality at-bats, I think he's a guy that Dusty can say 'I want to get some more reps on.' It will be a Dusty call at the end of the day. If we get him up here and Dusty really likes him, we'll roll with him. If Dusty says 'I'm limited with this guy,' it'll be his call once we get him up here.
The Astros limped into the All-Star Break with a 3-1 loss to Seattle to close out the first half of the season with a 50-41 record, two games behind South Argyle. The Astros have not spent a single day in 1st place this season. Thank God they don't play again until Friday.
*The Astros go into the All-Star Break with a 42.4% chance of winning the division, just south of the 44% that FanGraphs gives the Rangers, the closest that race has been since June 13. Baseball-Reference still gives it to the Rangers, 62.1-33.9.
*After scoring six runs against the Rockies on Wednesday, the Astros were outscored 20-6 in the four-game series against Seattle.
*The Astros managed just 19 hits in their last four games, their fewest in a four-game span since recording 16 hits from July 7-10, 2021, against Oakland and New York.
*Houston is 15-5 against Oakland, Anaheim, and South Argyle, but 2-5 against Seattle in 2023.
If anybody had told me that we'd be two games out with all that has happened, injuries and different things that we had, I'd say I'd be happy to have that. I'm just not happy at the moment.
I think the best days are ahead. The best days have been ahead since we lost all those guys, and the key is to get them back, but to get them back ready. You don't want to get them back when you're not ready...They're on the way, they're real close. We've just got to win some games and stay where we are until we get them back.
*Brandon Bielak was solid: 5IP, 4H/3R (2ER), 5K:1BB. It was his 7th start (out of 11) in which he has allowed two or fewer earned runs, and the 4th in which he walked one batter (or fewer).
*Rafael Montero's last four appearances (dating back to June 29): 7IP, 2H/2R (1ER), 3K:2BB. That said, Montero is the first Astros reliever to post a -0.3 fWAR in the first half of a season since Rhiner Cruz in 2012.
*Ryan Pressly's career with Houston: 257 games, 250.1IP, 173H/67ER, 321K:56BB, 2.41 ERA / 0.92 WHIP. 5.73 K:BB ratio.
Billy Wagner's career with Houston: 464 games, 504.1IP, 333H/142ER, 694K:191BB, 2.53 ERA / 1.04 WHIP. 3.63 K:BB ratio.
*Jake Meyers was 0x3. Since going 4x5 on June 5 against Toronto, Meyers: 69 PAs, .136/.246/.186, 16K:9BB.
*Since going 3x5 with a grand slam on June 29, Alex Bregman's last ten games: .143/.268/.171.
*Martin Maldonado hit a home run in back-to-back games for the first time since September 20-21, 2021.
*Jose Urquidy threw a 40-pitch bullpen while Yordan took some swings and Altuve tracked pitches.
MLB Draft
*The Astros selected Atascocita HS/University of Nebraska's Brice Matthews with the 28th overall pick last night. It's the 7th time in franchise history that the Astros have taken a Cornhusker, the most recents being Scott Schreiber (9th Round - 2018) and Jake Meyers (13th Round - 2017). The slot value for 1-28 is $2,880,700.
Matthews hit .359/.481/.723 for Nebraska in 2023, and is the first player in program history have a 20HR/20SB season.
Scouting Director Kris Gross:
Postseason, we brought him into Minute Maid Park and had a day with him and his family here and he did a workout in the cage down below. Very impressed with the kid, the family. A lot lined up since he was at our Urban Youth Academy. We had a lot of comfort pulling that magnet off the board.
New GM Dana Brown comes from a more traditional scouting background, but this is a pick that aligns with the Astros' number-crunching models of the past decade. But Matthews is more than just a data darling, as all of his tools grade as average or better.
ESPN questioned whether he would stay at SS, or transition to the outfield, but Chandler Rome talked to Gross, who said:
We think he's got the athleticism to cover a lot of ground at shortstop. It's a little bit new for him - he was an outfielder mainly in high school, played second base at Nebraska his freshman year. Only two years at shortstop, but we like the range, he's got the arm strength to do it and we think that's his long-term future.
This one might have taken some by surprise, as Matthews profiled more as a second-round type of talent. But he does have an exciting combination of home run potential and plus speed.
Matt Kawahara: How Matthews went from Atascocita to Nebraska.
*With their second pick of the night, at 2-61, the Astros selected UCLA's Alonzo Tredwell. And all they said was 6'8" he stood, and people thought the pitches that he made were good. Gross:
He's got some frontline potential. His fastball is 90-95, huge extension down the slope. He's got four pitches, he throws a ton of strikes. We thought he really has a high ceiling if he can put it all together. We're excited to get that one in the second round.
Tredwell, who had Tommy John Surgery in 2020, was a closer at UCLA for two years before transitioning to the rotation this year. In 92.1IP in his collegiate career, Tredwell posted a 113K:18BB ratio.
Other Stuff
*USMNT beat Canada in penalties last night to reach the Gold Cup Semifinal.
The Astros beat the Mariners 3-2 to improve to 50-40, snapping a two-game skid. Framber did Framber Things. The Offense did Offense Things. They're the 4th AL team to hit 50 wins. The Astros are two back of the Rangers, and are guaranteed to head into the Break no more than three games back.
Game Number of 50th Win, Astros recent history:
2023: 90
2022: 77
2021: 83
2019: 80
2018: 77
2017: 74
2016: 92
2015: 92
2014: 120
2013: 146
*The Astros improved to 10-10 in 1-run games.
*After scoring six runs in the final game of the Rockies series, the Astros have scored five runs in the last three games.
*Houston won despite only getting four hits, improving to 1-9 when recording four or fewer hits.
*Alex Bregman has an RBI in consecutive games for the first time since June 24-25. He has two extra-base hits in his last 58 PAs.
*Framber: 6IP, 5H/2ER, 6K:2BB. He ends the first half with a 3.2 fWAR, 2.51 ERA. He's one of five pitchers to post at least a 3.0 fWAR in the first half (Gauman, Gallen, Wheeler, and Strider are the others).
We needed it very badly against them. We were 1-4 [vs Seattle] going into today and...we wanted to pick up a game or two this weekend. And the fact Texas lost. I didn't think they had a good chance of losing, but baseball is baseball.
We had them against the ropes and couldn't deliver the knockout punch. On the road, you've got to score and not just, like, get one in that inning. In my mind, I'm hoping we get two or three when you get the bases loaded. Then you look up and [Neris] wiggled his way out of it.
Matt Kawahara notes (first link) that Saturday was Neris' 110th appearance since the beginning of the 2022 season. Provided he doesn't finish 2023 on the IL, the club option for 2024 converts to a player option.
*Ryan Pressly walked a batter for the first time since June 20 - a span of 27 batters between walks. Pressly's last ten games: 11IP, 0H/1R (0ER), 11K:4BB.
*Martin Maldonado hit the go-ahead homer in the bottom of the 8th to provide the game-winning run. It's the latest in a game he has homered since September 21, 2022. Five of his six home runs in 2023 have come with the bases empty.
*Yordan, Bregman, and Tucker all have 55+ RBI, the first time since 2001 that the Astros have had three players with 55+ RBI before the All-Star Break.
*Ronel Blanco was optioned to Sugar Land, and Joel Kuhnel was brought up. Blanco can be optioned two more times this season before being put on outright waivers first.
SETX-area guys in ESPN's projected first 70 picks include Blake Mitchell (Sinton HS) and Kendall George (Atascocita HS). And the Chronicle put together a full list of Houston-area draft prospects.
You've gotta be kidding me. The Astros lost to the St. Louis MF Cardinals 4-2. Houston is 42-37, one game back of Anaheim in 3rd place, six back of East Aledo. They're 10-14 in June and have lost eight of their last eleven games.
*Houston is 6-11 since Yordan Alvarez's oblique injury, hitting .240/.309/.407 as a team. They've scored two or fewer runs in seven of those 17 games.
*Martin Maldonado hit his second home run since May 24. It was his third extra-base hit this month, a June in which he's "hitting" .132/.220/.264.
*Framber's 4ER are the most he's allowed in a start since May 15, which is also the last time he gave up a home run before last night's dong by Cardinals 8-hole hitter Paul DeJong - the first homer hit off of Framber's curve all season.
I feel like they had a good approach, hitting the ball the other way, not chasing much. That was the difference. I think we made some good pitches, and they didn't hit that many ground balls like he normally gets.
*Jose Altuve was out again with a sore heel. He's been limited to playing in 26 of the Astros' first 79 games of 2023. Jose Urquidy threw a 25-pitch bullpen session. He'll have a 30-pitch session on Friday before facing live hitters at MMP on the next home stand.
*Matt Kawahara: What Jose Abreu and Alex Cintron worked on during his reset last week.
Good morning. I got home late, overslept, and got to work late. It's a great day. The Astros beat the Brewers 12-2 to improve to 28-19, winners of eight straight and eleven of their last twelve games. The Rangers lost, so the Astros are just a game back for the Division lead.
*To find a longer winning streak you have to go all the way back to [checks Baseball-Reference] May 2-13, 2022, when the Astros won 11 in a row against the Mariners, Tigers, and Twins.
*The Astros - as a team - have hit .276/.352/.451 in the last twelve games, raising their team OPS from .676 to .709. Houston also hit five home runs last night, an impressive feat considering that they hit five home runs in the previous six games combined (218 PAs).
*The previous 2023 game-high in homers was on April 5, when the Astros hit three against Detroit. It was the 56th time in franchise history that the Astros have hit 5+ homers, and the most since the Astros hit six homers at Fenway in a 13-6 win over the Red Sox on May 17, 2022. God, we've been spoiled. The Astros are 50-6 when hitting five home runs in a game.
*Brewers starting pitcher and 2021 NL Cy Young Winner (a feat about which I had completely forgotten) Corbin Burnes had thrown four straight Quality Starts and entered the game with a 3.48 ERA before getting lit up for 5ER. Prior to last night, Burnes had made 144 appearances (83 starts) and had never given up 4HR in a game before.
*Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs, one a grand slam on the first pitch of the AB. It was his 4th career grand slam and the 14th multi-homer regular season game of his career, both of which feel low. Those were also Yordan's 3rd and 4th career homers against the Brewers, and the 2nd and 3rd at Not Miller Park.
Yordan's homers vs. Milwaukee:
June 11, 2019 at Minute Maid Park vs. Matt Albers (his second career home run).
May 22, 2023 at Not Miller Park vs Corbin Burnes and something called a "Hoby Milner." In the year of our Lord 2023 there are people walking around that answer to the name "Hoby." Of course he's from Fort Worth.
I mean, he's one of the best hitters in the league. I don't care what pitcher we're putting in there. It's a challenge.
*Mauricio Dubon hit a home run before Jose Abreu. Just like we all drew it up in March.
*Martin Maldonado was 2x3 with a homer and a walk. Since April 30 (15 games), Maldonado is hitting - and I swear this is true - .319/.396/.511. Maldonado became the 69th player in MLB history a home run against all 30 MLB teams.
*In his last six games, Jake Meyers is hitting .389/.560/.722.
*Cristian Javier threw 6IP, 4H/1ER, 5K:1BB. In the 54 starts in his career, 23 of them have been Quality Starts. The Astros are 17-6 when Javier goes at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs.
*The Astros need five more wins this season for Dusty Baker to pass Joe McCarthy for 8th on the all-time managerial wins list. 38 more wins put him past Bucky Harris for 7th, 74 will pass Sparky Anderson for 6th.
