Astros AM: Yulieski Gurriel Getting Promoted, To Triple-A Fresno

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Aug 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a triple during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Astros enjoyed a well-deserved day off Monday after playing 15 games in 14 days. If you are trying to do the math there, I included the game that didn’t really happen versus the Minnesota Twins. To put it another way, their last day off was between the Yankees and Tigers on July 28, 2016. As I mentioned in yesterday’s Astros AM, the team seemed to lack the focus in Sunday’s loss to the Blue Jays.

Starting tonight, the Astros will face two playoff contenders in the St. Louis Cardinals (2 games) and Baltimore Orioles (4 games). Houston played great in the last three games versus the Twins but struggled versus the AL East co-leader Toronto Blue Jays. As we talked about on yesterday’s Talking Stros, the Astros struggle against the better teams in baseball.

Contenders or Pretenders?

The Astros are in a critical stretch of the season to determine whether they are contenders or pretenders for 2016. No matter what happens this year, the Astros have a strong team that is going through some growing pains this season. Unfortunately, they could be wasting one of the best seasons in Jose Altuve‘s short career. Should the Astros fall out of contention, it will be harder for him to win the MVP this season.

Brandon on Talking Stros last night said that the Stros need to go 4-2 this week. We talked about if the Astros should start Chris Devenski over Mike Fiers versus the Orioles? Fiers has given up 22 homers this year and will be facing the Orioles who lead the American League in homers. Before we worry about the Orioles, we need to play good baseball versus the Astros old rival Cardinals.

Next: News and Notes From August 15th

News and Notes From August 15th

Aug 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros center fielder Teoscar Hernandez (35) is greeted by shortstop Carlos Correa (1) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after hitting a home run in his major league debut against Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Jose Altuve reach 1,000 hits at home?

Yesterday on Talking Stros, we started comparing Altuve to Craig Biggio. Altuve still has a while to go to approach the overall career that Biggio did, but he could be on the pace to get close to the Hall of Famer’s best season. In 1997, Biggio had a WAR of 9.4. In the midst of his best season, Altuve has a 6.8 WAR in 2016. With 44 games left in the season, can he produce enough to overtake Biggio’s best season?

We will have to wait to see, but one thing is pretty certain, Altuve will reach 1,000 hits faster than any Astros player. Casey Candaele currently is the record holder, but Altuve is looking to pass him soon. During the two games versus the Cardinals at home, Altuve needs three more to reach 1,000. Astros fans would love for it to happen at home. Altuve can’t press because he may not get any hits if he puts pressure on himself.

With how he is hitting this year, I see him getting one hit tonight and then get three hits tomorrow to tie and pass 1,000 hits. He is 26-years-old, if he plays 12 more seasons at least, he should be able to reach 3,000 hits at this pace. Let’s focus on 1,000, the focus on 2,000.

Yulieski Gurriel promoted…to Triple-A.

Instead of being promoted to the Astros, Gurriel instead was promoted to Triple-A despite not earning it. In 17 at-bats with the Hooks, Gurriel had two hits and three runs batted in. He had not shown mastery of Double-A pitching, so why did he get the promotion? My co-host Brandon believed that they promoted him because he was expecting it, but his MLB debut will have to wait.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

While Whataburger Field is not the Astrodome, the Fresno Grizzlies park is very hitter friendly. If Gurriel is to get ready for MLB pitching, maybe facing Triple-A pitching will be better. Gurriel could use a change of scenery. For whatever reason, he never got into a roll in Double-A.

Once Gurriel finds his timing, he will start producing and will be called up to the Astros soon after. Listen to the positive things that Jeremy Booth of Program 15 had to say about Gurriel on last night’s Talking Stros.

Carlos Correa, AL Player of the Week.

Correa is fifth in the AL with 82 runs batted in, but more was expected from the young star in 2016. He has shown some aggressiveness at the plate recently and has become very reliable with runners in scoring position. People are noticing as he won the AL Player of the Week award again. Last week, Correa batted .429 with three homers and 12 RBI’s. He homered in both games of the doubleheader versus the Twins.

Next: Astros AM: Not So Fast, Gurriel Not Expected Tuesday

If you haven’t given Talking Stros a listen, please do so. Good luck to Altuve and the Stros versus the contenders they are facing this week.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***

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