Aug 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers (43) speaks with catcher Jason Castro (15) during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
After the Astros made the move from the NL Central to the AL West a few years ago, I never thought I would be able to get used to the switch. I considered the Cardinals and Cubs our rivals and really didn’t care at all about beating the Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners, and Anaheim Angels. I definitely didn’t call the Rangers “rivals” because although I’m not a big fan of anything Dallas-related, there was no animosity there.
Well, that has changed a bit. Now, there’s really only one team in the AL that I like to beat, and that team is the Rangers. So, last night when the Astros lost in Arlington, it felt just as painful as the Rockets losing to the Mavericks or the Texans losing to the dreaded Cowboys. And although I was going through my normal knee-jerk reactions last night, I actually saw a lot of positives from the Astros in Monday night’s loss.
Obviously Lance McCullers wasn’t one of those positives, as he looked like a AA pitcher against the Rangers lineup. He could barely get an out, and the Rangers were hitting the ball with no struggles as he floated a bunch of meat over the plate. I definitely don’t think he’s done in the majors after last night, but A.J.’s move to give him a quick breather in the minors was actually pretty smart.
Let’s get to those positives.
Next: Positive Takeaway #1: Carlos Correa is a BEAST
Carlos Correa‘s home run in 1st inning proves he’s a BEAST
Seriously what can this kid not do??? Correa hit a 2-run shot in the 1st inning off Colby Lewis on a pitch that was actually not all that bad. The pitch was hittable, but the swing was really good. When I first saw it, I thought it was just a lazy foul ball down the left field line and then all of a sudden it slams against the foul pole and the Astros have a 2-0 lead.
The swing almost looked completely effortless, which is why I think it shows how much of a beast Correa really is. If that ball is hit by anyone else on the Astros roster, it’s not a home run (except maybe Chris Carter, but he doesn’t hit the ball when he swings). The pure strength involved in that home run was special, and it should help to remind Astros fans how great of a shortstop Houston has for the future.
Another thing Astros fans should appreciate about Correa, he now has a .375 batting average (6 for 16) against those Texas Rangers with two home runs and six RBIs. Since the All-Star Break, he’s 20 for 58 with six home runs and fifteen RBIs. It’s really unbelievable to watch this kid get better and better with each MLB game he plays, but it’s happening, and Astros fans are loving every minute of it.
Next: Positive Takeaway #2: CHAD QUALLS PITCHED A SCORELESS INNING!!!
May 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Chad Qualls (50) pitches during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Ok, I don’t know how it happened, but Chad Qualls pitched a scoreless inning in a close ball game, and it was awesome. As much as I have ragged on Qualls throughout the past few weeks, I enjoyed watching him pitch last night. Down three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning, Qualls came in and set down the Rangers fairly easily, allowing only one walk in the inning.
Qualls has actually been pitching well recently, giving up only one run in his last nine appearances. It seems that he has had a much better flow out there since his recent stint on the DL, and the time off that he got has paid off for the Astros down the stretch.
While all Astros fans want to take jabs at Qualls constantly (including me), he has been slowly silencing his critics and turning a few naysayers into believers.
Now, with all this being said, I still don’t know if A.J. Hinch should give Qualls the ball every time with a 1-run lead in the 8th or 9th inning. But, if he continues his recent stretch of good outings, I wouldn’t mind handing him the ball in late-game situations down the road in September. It was definitely good to see him get on the mound and take care of business last night instead of putting the game out of reach.
Nothing to throw a party about, but solid improvement is good to watch and should be appreciated by Astros fans.
Next: Positive Takeaway #3: Bottom of the Order Produced
The Bottom of the Astros Lineup Came Through When Called Upon
Aug 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher
(15) runs the bases after hitting a grand slam home run during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
It’s really a luxury for Astros fans to have a lineup that you can be confident in all the way through. The lineup, 1 through 9, contributed to scoring nine runs last night. Usually, when you score nine runs, you win the game. But, this is baseball, and nothing is ever promised.
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Last night, the Astros 7 through 9 hitters, Colby Rasmus, Luis Valbuena, and Jason Castro, contributed 5 out of the 13 total hits for the Astros. The big hit came from Castro when he crushed a GRAND SLAM and cut the Ranger lead in half from 11-3 to 11-7. Castro has been hitting the ball very hard lately and making some great contributions to this offense.
In his last five games, Castro is 8 for 19 (.421 batting average) with a walk-off home run, grand slam, and three doubles. I’d say that’s pretty good. Him and fellow catcher Hank Conger have both been crushing some baseballs, as Conger also hit a grand slam in Saturday night’s win vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. If these two have to compete for a starting job, A.J. Hinch should keep that competition going through the end of the season. Castro has All-Star potential, and it’s really good to see that he’s getting his swing back.
Valbuena and Rasmus had their own great contributions, with Valbuena going 2-3 and Rasmus 1-4 with a monster double in left-center field. Valbuena had a towering home run to right field, and brought his batting average OVER THE MENDOZA LINE!!! It’s at .206 right now, and hopefully there’s no turning back. He’s a guy that has to compete for a starting job as well now with the return of Jed Lowrie. Rasmus had the worst night of the three but his double really turned some momentum in the game and kept the Astros in it until the end.
All in all, a loss is never good. But the Astros can’t win them all and last night had some good signs. Now, let’s watch Dan Straily come up from AAA Fresno and dominate the Rangers to even this series.
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