Astros by the numbers: Pay attention to Evan Gattis on Friday night

The Astros play their in-state rivals, the Rangers, this Friday night. Or tonight if you are reading this post before the game. Or tomorrow if you’ve already watched it.

If you didn’t watch the Astros take on Cole Hamels and the Rangers on Thursday night, that’s fine. But you did miss Evan Gattis taking Hamels deep in the top of the fourth inning.

Here is video proof around the 0:55 mark.

I think Hamels has historically been a good to very good pitcher for his career. But anytime an Astro batter takes him deep in a game, I can’t help but slightly grin. It may or may not be due to Hamels usage of his no-trade clause back in the summer of 2015. Honestly though, it is due to that fact. If you want a blast from the past, check out CTH’s own Eric Huysman and his break down of the then-rumor here.

Gattis now has four home runs and a .335/.371/.735 slash line against Hamels. Of course, they go back a bit further than their recent battles as Gattis originally came up with the Braves and Hamels with the Phillies. Regardless of their professional origins, Gattis has had Hamels’ number. Literally, a 1.107 OPS. Out of all of the current Astros’ position players, this is the best OPS on the roster.

Gattis versus Hamels is old news for now. Well, at least until their next meeting. At this point, I am not sure if Gattis is in the lineup for Houston on Friday night in Arlington. He should, probably will, be in the lineup since there is a history of success against another Rangers’ starting pitcher, and former teammate, Doug Fister.

In 12 at-bats against the one-time Astro, Gattis has five hits, which includes a double and a home run. This production equates a 1.212 OPS. Sure, 12 at-bats is not really much of a sample. But it beats not having any at-bats.

Next: Astros Minor League Spotlight: Josh James

As I delved deeper into Gattis’ numbers against the Rangers, I noticed he currently has a 1.057 OPS in 36 at-bats when he faces a pitcher with Texas on the front of their uniform. In fact, he has had solid production against the Rangers for his career with eight home runs and a .779 OPS. That is solid. Keep Gattis in the lineup. His 1.064 OPS over the past 28 days may have already dictated the notion.

**Statistics and information courtesy of Baseball Reference, ESPN, and MLB.com**