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Astros: Three takeaways from this past weekend

By Kenny Van Doren |
Apr 4, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick (6) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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With every article from the past weekend, we have to discuss how explosive the Houston Astros‘ offensive was, as they demolished the Oakland Athletics. There are a few things to discuss on how the Astros are still a top team in the American League from the lineup to the pitching staff. As they open the year with a needed sweep, they are starting to shut some people up.

As the rotation is finding its place this season, the pitching staff has a lot to look to as Jake Odorizzi, Framber Valdez, Andre Scrubb, Josh James, Pedro Baez and Austin Pruitt are making their way back to the 26-man roster on their respected timetables. While there is no need to make amends with anyone in the league, all the Astros need to do is continue their dominance.

Here are three takeaways from the Astros’ 4-0 start:

1. The offense is bouncing back in a big way.

With a 2020 season haunted by poor performances, it makes the most sense that the bats are looking to be hot early in the season. From one to nine, only three hitters are looking at early slumps with Carlos Correa, Myles Straw and Martin Maldonado not hitting to their potential just yet. This isn’t something to worry about, as the season is just getting started.

While Correa and Straw are making good contact, Maldonado is dealing with a strikeout issue that could lead to a few more starts from Jason Castro. But this comes down to which catcher is preferred by an Astros’ pitcher. As the defense has been great all around, a few players are knocking off the rust, but they are making it up at the plate like Yuli Gurriel and Alex Bregman. As these corner infielders both have an OPS north of 1.000, the offense is starting to look alive again like in 2019 and the 2020 postseason.

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With hot starts from Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley, the core of the lineup is being aggressive at the plate, and as Yordan Alvarez is picking up where he left off, we can expect more high scoring games in the near future. It is early, but this is the best thing to hear from a team that was getting over injuries and personal battles in 2020.

Apr 4, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Brandon Bielak (64) celebrates with catcher Jason Castro (18) after the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Brandon Bielak (64) celebrates with catcher Jason Castro (18) after the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The bullpen is showing its depth.

While the starters peaked at six innings this past weekend, the bullpen stood up even with keys arms having delayed starts. Offseason pickup Ryne Stanek stood out with five strikeouts across three innings of work, as control was a slight issue across both outings. The right-hander doesn’t have a full arsenal of pitches but has been good with outs by contact, as he had a three pitch inning.

Brandon Bielak and Bryan Abreu combined for seven innings of long relief, that consisted of five strikeouts and only two base runners. While these two are destined to see some minor league time in 2021, it is a good sign that the prospect pitching is coming around after a rough 2020.

Once the pitching staff is fully healthy, there is a good chance that they thin out to only major league pitchers. There is a lot to be excited for in these young arms, as they will be needed down the stretch like they have been used now.

Apr 3, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Chas McCormick (6) slides to score a run during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Chas McCormick (6) slides to score a run during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Chas McCormick is the needed outfield help.

While Michael Brantley took a pitch off his right hand on Saturday, rookie Chas McCormick stood up in a tough situation. As everyone around him has been looking like All-Star talent to hitting home runs, the right-hander fit in perfectly at the plate and in the field.

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This has to be one of the major takeaways for the Opening Series, as the battle for the fourth outfielding spot came down to only prospect players. As the fifth outfielder on the 40-man roster, it made the most sense for McCormick, while the team added him to the postseason roster in 2020.

Through seven at bats, the right-hander has shot two balls to left field; one off the top of the wall and the other over it. Almost like hitting the weight room over the night, McCormick got better through the series and made a splash in his debut. As a younger guy, pitchers might to start to figure out how to pitch to him, leading to his biggest battle of adjusting.

Kyle Tucker has seen this before, as he had a hot start in 2020, the left-hander was being attacked on the outside corner. His adjustments came around and has been a strong RBI-guy to start the 2021 season.

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