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Houston Astros: The Miley Chronicles Vol. 4: Where has the beard gone?

By Brett Chancey

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 31: Wade Miley #20 of the Houston Astros throws in the first inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on March 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 31: Wade Miley #20 of the Houston Astros throws in the first inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on March 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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The Astros’ Wade Miley had a Big and Bright night. The Bearded…um, beardless wonder was back at it. He took the mound as his 24-year-old clean shaven self.

Miley didn’t win his last game for the Astros against the Red Sox in Boston, so it only seemed only fitting to square things up against the current World Champions, while squaring off in a pitchers duel with Chris Sale. One of these guys would have a stellar night, the other simply didn’t do enough.

Miley retired the first nine Red Sox hitters in order, striking out three of his first five batters, where he would end up seeing six of the first nine batters he faced go down in strikes. The previous start he had in Beantown saw him get only two K’s. So it was good for him to put it on the Red Sox in dominating fashion at the Juice Box.

He made adjustments from his previous starts. Prior to Friday’s performance on the mound, he was throwing his cutter 50% on average per game. So, as a result, he only threw 25 cutters of his first 63 pitches by the top of the 5th inning.

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Miley needed the help of Jake Marisnick in the top of the 5th inning. With a man on first, Andrew Benintendi stepped up to the plate and crushed a screaming line drive to center field. Marisnick made a diving stab holding the runner and preventing the Red Sox from getting on the board.

Later in the inning, Miley got into a bases loaded situation with a couple of walks before striking out Jackie Bradley Jr. and getting Michael Chavis to line out.

Going into the 6th inning in a scoreless game, Miley gave up a solo HR to Xander Bogaerts, one of the few blemishes of his stellar start. Shortly after he ended the inning striking out Steve Pearce. This gave him eight strikeouts in six innings, a season high for Miley.

dark. Next. The Astros have decisions to make when McHugh and Altuve are healthy

Wade Miley comes through once again for his new club, getting his 6th quality start, setting a season high in strikeouts, and throwing his 8th game of three runs or less in nine qualified starts. It goes without saying that the Miley signing has paid off for the Houston Astros, as they got the 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

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