Swing, then miss it: MLB pitchers could bat for final time
Grinning the whole time, Zack Greinke slipped into his Astros warmup jacket, joked with Freddie Freeman and got a friendly pat from the Atlanta star first baseman. Because after Game 5 of the World Series, they could become almost extinct. There’s a good chance Major League Baseball will bring the designated hitter to the National League next year — likely forever.
news.yahoo.comAstros drop Game 1 of the World Series to the Braves
Valdez allowed one run in eight sterling innings of a win over the Red Sox in Game 5 of the ALCS, giving the Astros optimism that he could help stabilize a rotation rocked by the loss of staff ace Lance McCullers Jr. Instead, he permitted a playoff career-high five runs while getting just six outs in a 6-2 loss.
houstonpublicmedia.orgSoler, Braves overcome Morton injury, top Astros in Game 1
Making his first start since testing positive for COVID-19, Jorge Soler became the first player to begin a World Series with a home run and the Atlanta Braves, despite the loss of pitcher Charlie Morton to a broken leg, hushed the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 1.
Astros' edge for home field in playoffs cut with loss to A's
Matt Olson and Chad Pinder each homered and the Oakland Athletics beat Houston 8-6 Friday night, cutting the Astros’ edge for home-field advantage in the AL playoffs. Houston leads the White Sox by one game for home field in their best-of-five Division Series matchup next week. The AL West champion Astros also own the tiebreaker after going 5-2 against AL Central champion Chicago this season.
news.yahoo.comUrquidy solid, Astros belt three HRs in 7-2 win over Rangers
Jake Meyers and Marwin Gonzalez hit consecutive homers in a three-run second inning, Kyle Tucker had a home run among his three hits, and Jose Urquidy allowed one run and two hits in six innings for his seventh win of the season as the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 7-2.
Astros Give McCullers Five-Year $85 Million Extension
^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Support UsVirtually every analysis of the Houston Astros going into the 2021 season described the team in the same way. Despite the loss of George Springer in free agency, this was still a very good team at the plate and in the field. At least one of those can be checked off the list as the Astros reportedly signed McCullers to a five-year extension worth $85 million that begins after the 2021 season. And, at roughly $17 million per season, his salary is not going to break the bank.
houstonpress.comAstros Sign Odorizzi as Rotation Injuries Mount
^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. So, the Astros did what they needed to do and signed free agent Jake Odorizzi reportedly to a two-year deal. And as cautious as the Astros have been about making significant signings in the offseason, they didn't have much choice. If he does, he could eat 130 to 150 innings for the Astros this season and be a quality replacement for Valdez. For now, the Astros will regroup without him and Valdez and hope Odorizzi can stabilize a lineup that has been shaken only a couple weeks into spring training.
houstonpress.comSpringer, Correa Force Game Six with Dramatic Win: Four Thoughts
For the second straight night, the Astros won in an elimination game against Tampa Bay 4-3, this time forcing a Game 6 on Friday after going down 3-1 in this best-of-seven series. Unlike Game 4, however, this one began and ended in dramatic fashion with bookend home runs by two of the team's biggest stars. Sandwiched in between was some incredible pitching by both teams in a game that was driven entirely by the long ball. Well, Houston still isn't good for guys named Nick Anderson and the walk off home run was against Rays reliever Nick Anderson (no relation). The Astros led off the game with a solo shot from George Springer, his nineteenth postseason home run.
houstonpress.comAstros Take 2-0 Lead Over A's in ALDS: Four Thoughts
George Springer had two more dingers in the Astros win over the A's. On Wednesday, the Astros can close it out with a three-game sweep and prepare to meet the winner of the Rays-Yankees matchup. Jim Crane needs to open up his wallet for George Springer. With two home runs, Springer now has the second most postseason home runs in history at Dodger Stadium. With his impending free agency, it seems clearer than ever that the Astros should do whatever they must to retain him.
houstonpress.comAstros Edge Twins in Game One: Four Thoughts
But, in the ninth inning of a pitcher's duel, the Astros came through with a 4-1 win thanks to walks, a fortunate error and timely hitting. In some ways, it was reminiscent of previous Astros teams taking advantage of unforced errors and being disciplined at the plate. With two outs in the ninth, the Astros should have been off the field and headed to the bottom of the inning tied at one. For all the worries over Astros pitching in light of Justin Verlander's injury and the loss of Gerrit Cole in free agency, Valdez is one of the real bright spots in their rotation's future. On Tuesday, he was the reason they won Game 1.
houstonpress.comReddick homers again as Astros beat Mariners 7-4
Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros celebrates with Jose Altuve #27 after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. The victory extends Houston's winning streak over the Mariners to nine games and improves the Astros to 14-1 against them this season. Reddick, who hadn't homered since June 28 before Thursday night's shot, put the Astros on top with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Houston starter Framber Valdez allowed just two hits, but walked a career-high six and gave up three runs in four innings. Lopes singled, stole second base and advanced to third on an error by catcher Martin Maldonado with no outs in the fourth.
Biggio homers, drives in 3 as Blue Jays beat Astros 6-4
TORONTO - Cavan Biggio and Teoscar Hernandez each hit a two-run home run, Clay Buchholz pitched into the sixth inning to win for the first time in more than a year, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Houston Astros 6-4 Saturday. Bo Bichette and Brandon Drury each had two hits as the Blue Jays won for the second time in five games. Former Astros closer Ken Giles struck out George Springer, Altuve and Alex Bregman in the ninth for his 18th save in 19 opportunities. Yuli Gurriel hit a two-run double off Derek Law in the sixth, but Biggio responded with a two-out RBI double off Joe Smith in the bottom half. Blue Jays: RHP Wilmer Font (3-3, 4.35) will open for the Blue Jays Sunday.
Altuve homers in big inning, Astros beat Angels 11-2
Martin Maldonado #12 of the Astros receives a high five from Abraham Toro #13 after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)HOUSTON - Jose Altuve homered to cap a seven-run eighth inning, Framber Valdez grinded through six gritty innings and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 11-2 Sunday. Alex Bregman, Abraham Toro, Josh Reddick and Altuve all drove in runs in the eighth. The Astros hope to increase his activity over the coming days including being able to do batting practice and fielding ground balls. Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.77 ERA) will start the series opener against the Rays on Tuesday after a day off.
Bell, Dickerson lead Pirates to rout of Astros
Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park (Bob Levey/Getty Images). Jung Ho Kang added a two-run homer for Pittsburgh. Kevin Newman had four hits, capped by a two-run homer, to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games - longest in the majors. Bell gave Pittsburgh the early lead with his two-out, two-strike home run to the second deck in right field. The Pirates padded the lead in the second when Elias Daz doubled with no outs and scored on a double by Dickerson.