The Astros begin another season with a win on opening day

A brief reflection on yesterday’s Astros win on opening day.

Astros center fielder George Springer hit another leadoff home run on opening day! Justin Verlander continues to throw strikes against opposing teams. We saw Verlander shut out the Rangers offense in his six innings of work. The bullpen looked good. Chris Devenski cruised through an inning with two strikeouts. Brad Peacock pitched well in his inning of work. Ken Giles struggled but got the final three outs with the lead.

Springer’s leadoff home run was his second leadoff home run on opening day, hitting them in back to back seasons. The home run was also the one-hundredth of his career. As Geoff Blum mentioned on the broadcast, he and Springer are tied with 100 career homers.

A new opening day starter.

Verlander started in his tenth straight opening day; it was his first with the Astros. Verlander posted six innings pitched, allowing four hits, walked two, and kept the Rangers scoreless.

The bullpen was mostly flawless, highlighted by a very well conditioned Devenski who stuck out two in one inning. Giles looked a little shaky giving up a double to Elvis Andrus, who then scored on a passed ball.

The Astros offense hit two home runs. Altuve hit a sacrifice fly, and Correa had an RBI double scoring Altuve. Despite some missed opportunities including having the bases loaded in the third, the offense looked sharp and ready to destroy opposing pitching through the duration of the season.

Next: Let’s talk about repeating…It’s hard.

Today the Astros look to win two in a row with Dallas Keuchel on the mound. It is very fitting that they beat the Rangers on opening day. Looking ahead to the rest of the games this weekend, it’s hard to imagine the Astros losing. The matchups favor the Astros on the pitching side, but that’s why you play the games. After the conclusion of the series, the World Champs will make their homecoming.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***