Three things from the Astros’ 2-1 loss to the A’s

Well, the Astros can’t win all the games. That’s just the reality of baseball.

Nearly all major league baseball teams will win and lose 50 games a piece. It is near universal truth in today’s league. It is what teams do with the remaining 62 games that will determine their season.

While it would’ve been nice to see the Astros extend their win streak to 11 games, I was also expecting a loss sometime in the near future. It is difficult to win in baseball, where a game can be decided on a matter of inches. Houston is still in fine shape to start the season at 12-6, so let’s not complain about one loss in mid-April.

Wade Miley continues to pitch well

The Astros investment in Miley for 2019 admittedly was low risk. A one-year, $4.5 million contract for any player today doesn’t impact most clubs in a negative way nowadays. Houston’s front office was banking on Miley’s 2018 success story carry over into this season. So far, it looks like the Astros’ gamble is paying off thus far as the left-handed starter has posted a 3.32 ERA in 21 2/3 innings. He has also really leaned into his cut fastball, which he is throwing 51.7% of the time in his starts. Although he took the loss, Miley limited the A’s to two runs over six innings. It was a mostly good day at the office for the southpaw.

The strong start continues for Yuli Gurriel

It was no secret last season that Gurriel got off to a slow start. An early five-game suspension stemming from his actions in the 2017 World Series along with a surgery on his left hand kept the Astros’ primary first baseman from reaching his potential for a good portion of the 2018 season. In 2019, though, Gurriel was able to start the season healthy and with no lingering consequences. Thus far, the 34-year old has posted respectable numbers with a .308/.352/.492 slash line and a 134 wRC+ in 17 games. He had two hits last night, which was half of Houston’s hit total against the A’s on Wednesday night.

Run differential on the road

Although the Astros are now 6-6 on the road, the club currently has a +7 run differential, which isn’t shabby. It is an improvement over the club’s initial 2-5 start on the road in Tampa and Arlington.