Major League Baseball: 2023 Season

[JohnBM01]

MoTown meets H-Town. Let's get it.

* DET Tigers at HOU Astros - 3 games

[GAME 1] I first followed around the Bottom of the 5th, as the Astros scored four runs to tie the game at 4-4. When I saw the game proper, Houston was down 5-4 in the Bottom of the 9th, down to their final strike. A deep RBI landed to tie the game at 5-5. The game went into Extra Innings afterwards. In the Top of the 11th with one out, the Tigers hit a two-run homer to right-center field to go up 7-5. The Astros were able to get in one run in the Bottom of the 11th, but that was all they could do. Astros fall 7-6 in Game 1 in 11 innings.

[GAME 2] The Detroit Tigers went up first 1-0 on an RBI in the Top of the 1st. The Houston Astros tied things up at 1-1 with an RBI of their own in the Bottom of the 1st. King Tuck bombed a solo jack to right to put Astros up 2-1 in the Bottom of the 4th. The Top of the 5th saw Detroit tie things again with an RBI. We're 2-2 at this point. Detroit banged in another run in the Top of the 6th to make it a 3-2 Detroit lead. In the Top of the 8th, Detroit belted a moonshot homer to left-center that brought home two Tigers off of Ryne Stanek. The game ended in a 6-3 victory for the Tigers. Detroit can sweep the defending Champions if they win on Wednesday.

[GAME 3] The first update I followed on this Wednesday afternoon saw that the Houston Astros led 2-1 after three innings. The Astros scored two in the Bottom of the 2nd to get the early advantage. Chas McCormick bombs a two-run homer to get the party started. Detroit answered with a run of their own. Two more runs were scored by the Astros in the Bottom of the 4th. The Astros knocked in another couple of runs to go up 6-1 in the Bottom of the 4th One of those scores that inning was a Kyle Tucker solo homer. The Tigers tried to roar back with an RBI to make it 6-2 in the Top of the 8th. However, that's all the scoring they could muster as Jeremy Peña touched the sky with a two-run blast to make it 8-2. Ryan Pressly's clutch closing pitching helped ensure the Astros avoided getting swept. It was 8-2, Astros on this rainy Wednesday in Houston.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (7-6, 11 innings; Detroit)
GM2: (6-3; Detroit)
GM3: (8-2; Houston)

UP NEXT: at MIN Twins - 3 games, starting FRI

So after two series and after losing this series, the 2023 Houston Astros are now 4-3 on the season so far after. The Astros will face their first road test of the season in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA against the Twins. The Twins are likely going to be in an enthralling battle against the Cleveland Guardians for whomever wins the AL Central. You can bet the Twins are going to try to make an early statement when the Astros come to town.

I'm starting to like Corey Julks on the Astros. He's a University of Houston product and a local player who is slowly getting better. C. Julks almost hit a homer on Wednesday, but just not enough charge and trajectory to get it out of the park. I can really see him becoming a dependable player to help the Astros win some games in clutch situations.


Congratulations to all series winners! How did your Boys of Summer do?

 

[JohnBM01]

...and TWIIIIINS! The 2023 Houston Astros took on their first road series of the season recently, and my summary is as follows.

* HOU Astros at MIN Twins - 3 games

[GAME 1] On a game that was slated for Thursday, this first game of the series was played on Friday afternoon. A cool Friday afternoon under beautifully blue skies saw the Astros and Twins square off. In the Top of the 3rd, the Astros struck first on a deep right RBI by Alex Bregman. Houston took a 1-0 lead there after Breggy's base knock. The Twins were feisty all game long, and it showed when they finally tied the game 1-1 in the Bottom of the 6th with two outs on an RBI. We couldn't settle our business in nine innings, so we had to do extras. Mauricio Dubon knocked in a run in the Top of the 10 to put Houston back up 2-1. The Twins tied this one on an RBI single to make it 2-2 in the Bottom of the 10th. Kyle Farmer walks off the Astros with an RBI single to win 3-2.

[GAME 2] The Astros pulled a Grand Slam in the game. It was 4-4 after three. Then the Twins ended up winning this game 9-6, capped off with a three-run jack in the Bottom of the 8th. Astros made it interesting down 9-4, but not even Jeremy Pena's two-run dinger in the Top of the 9th could save the Astros. They ended up falling 9-6.

[GAME 3] It was 2-0, Houston Astros after three innings. The game would later be a 4-1 lead for the Astros heading into the Middle of the 6th. The Astros would bring in another run in the Top of the 8th to go up 5-1 on an RBI. Ryan Pressly closed out the game nicely for the Astros to avoid getting swept again.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (3-2, 10 innings; Minnesota)
GM2: (9-6; Minnesota)
GM3: (5-1; Houston)

UP NEXT: at PIT Pirates - 3 games, starting MON

The Houston Astros are now - on the 2023 season. A split and back-to-back series losses have defined the season so far for Houston. Our first NL opponent is coming up in our next series. The Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome my Astros to their beautiful ballpark for a three-game set. Pittsburgh isn't a laughing stock this season so far, so the Astros are going to have to learn to assert themselves and hopefully win their first series of the 2023 season.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[JohnBM01]

After three American League opponents, the Houston Astros met their first National League opponent. It's a family reunion of sorts when the Astros used to play in the NL Central. So how about we play three games at beautiful PNC Park in the Steel City? Let's get it, y'all...

* HOU Astros at PIT Pirates - 3 games

[GAME 1] After a walk and a hit-by-pitch, Kyle Tucker banged in an RBI to send home Alex Bregman in the Top of the 1st. Yordan was thinking of extending the Top of the 1st, but he was called out trying to take 3rd to retire the side. It's 1-0, Astros in the Middle of the 1st. Mauricio Dubon knocks in an RBI in the Top of the 2nd with one out to put Houston up 2-0 in the Top of the 2nd. Yordan Alvarez brought home two Astros with the bases loaded and two outs in the Top of the 2nd on an RBI single. "Air Yordan" gives the Astros a 4-0 lead at this point. Pittsburgh got on the board in the Bottom of the 2nd on a solo homer. No further damage was done by the Pirates, but it was now a 4-1 Astros lead after two innings. Fast forward, and the Astros were leading 7-2 after four innings. Early and often was the key to this game as the Astros won 8-2 on Monday.

[GAME 2] The Houston Astros hit a solo homer in the Top of the 1st to go up 1-0 early. Alex Bregman hit a "Breggy Bomb" to set the table for Houston. The Top of the 2nd saw Kyle Tucker bomb one to put the Astros up 2-0. The Pittsburgh Pirates struck back in the Bottom of the 2nd with a two-run bomb to tie the game 2-2. Later in the game, the score was 4-2 in favor of the Pirates after six innings. Late game magic by the Houston Astros made them tie the game at 4-4 in the Top of the 9th. Chas McCormick hit a two-run RBI double to level the score. The Pittsburgh Pirates smash a three-run homer to walk off the Astros and make Wednesday's game the Rubber Game. Pirates win Game 2 by a score of 7-4.

[GAME 3] I did not follow this game at all. I was taking my midday nap and got the results of Game 3 from my smartphone. Houston ended up winning 7-0 thanks to a "Breggy Bomb" by Alex Bregman and Corey Julks hitting his first career homer. We finally win a series despite this slow start to the season.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (8-2; Houston)
GM2: (7-4; Pittsburgh)
GM3: (7-0; Houston)

UP NEXT: vs. TEX Rangers - 3 games, starting FRI

The Houston Astros are now 6-7 on the 2023 season. We are 3rd in the AL West, but our first division opponent is waiting for us back home. The Battle for the Silver Boot is on starting on Friday with a three-game set with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are re-tooled and currently lead the AL West. The Astros and Rangers will battle valiantly to determine who rules Major League Baseball in the state of Texas.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[Dolph Drago]

The Reds are 4-6. The 1 run losses are already getting annoying. Anytime we tie it up or get the lead late in a game, it gets evaporated immediately. Monday night against Atlanta was extra frustrating. Knot the score up after scoring 2 in the 9th, take a 1 run lead in the 10th, then lose the game ONE pitch into the bottom of the inning thanks to a long ball (and the now year-old rule of the runner on 2nd base).

 

[Joey D]

I didn't have Salt Lake City being in the running for an MLB team on my BINGO card, but I'm here for it. It'd at least give me something to look forward to when I have to travel back there for work.

Salt Lake City joins push for expansion MLB team

Big League Utah, a group headed by longtime Jazz owner Gail Miller, has thrown Salt Lake City into the mix of cities hoping to land an expansion MLB franchise, people involved with the project told ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[JohnBM01]

MLB musings coming up...

* Here are all of the teams that are undefeated right now:

Tampa Bay (13-0)

...that's it, that's the list! Tampa Bay has always fielded such competitive teams. I even remember when the Houston Astros have matched wits with Tampa Bay trying to have the best record in the AL or the best record overall. The latter explains Tampa Bay right now. I think it's been since 1987 that a team started a season 13-0. Their next series is a three-game set at the Toronto Blue Jays starting Friday, and then they'll have a three-game set at Dolph Drago's Cincinnati Reds starting Monday.

* Elsewhere, I thought the Oakland Athletics have the worst record in the league so far. Currently, it's actually Joey D's Detroit Tigers with the worst record in the league and the AL at 2-9. Their only wins so far were at my Houston Astros. The Tigers will wrap up a three-game set at the Toronto Blue Jays (got to love a Detroit-Toronto rivalry) tonight. The Tigers' next series will be hosting the San Francisco Giants in a three-game weekend set after their Toronto series.

* So how's Blitz24's Mets doing? Well, they're currently 2nd in the NL East with a 7-6 record. Atlanta currently leads the division with a 9-4 record. Their next series will be at the Oakland Athletics starting tomorrow night. That's right- late games, baby!

* The other NYC team, the New York Yankees, are 8-4 on the season and in 3rd in the AL East. The Bronx Bombers will host the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins starting tonight for a four-game weekend series.

* Salt Lake City with an MLB team? That would be interesting. I once saw a video about what cities would make for some good MLB markets. Salt Lake City is (for lack of a better term) way out of left field. We all know lovely Salt Lake City as the home of the Utah Jazz of the NBA as well as college athletics at the University of Utah. However, seeing MLB in Salt Lake City would further enhance this otherwise NBA market. If it were up to me, I'd maybe move the Colorado Rockies and/or Arizona Diamondbacks to the AL and perhaps try to fit in the Astros and Rangers to be in the AL Central so we don't play as many late games. But at the same time, I heard of maybe a four-division AL and four-division NL for better regional pairings. Good luck to Salt Lake City if they become the 31st team to the league, or if an existing team relocates to Salt Lake City. If I were to pick out future MLB cities, I thought about these cities: Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Portland (OR), maybe Montreal, and maybe even Vancouver.

* The pace of MLB this season is much different now. I notice the game seems faster. About half an hour has been reduced of the length of games with the new rules. Pitch clocks and such are drastically changing the game. The game feels different and a bit more exciting.


Hopefully your beloved teams are doing well. Again, my Houston Astros will host the Texas Rangers for three starting tomorrow night. Texas and the Los Angeles Angels are currently tied for the AL West lead as of the time of this post.


[UPDATE] I accidentally had the Yankees in the AL WEST! Oops! Changes made.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Tampa Bay (13-0)...and then they'll have a three-game set at Dolph Drago's Cincinnati Reds starting Monday.

Oh, I can't wait. Meanwhile the Braves finished off their sweep of Cincy last night with - you guessed it - a 1 run win. Yep, all three games were decided by 1 run, all going to Atlanta. 5-4, 7-6, 5-4.

 

[JohnBM01]

Texas state pride is on the line. Astros and Rangers play for the Silver Boot.

* TEX Rangers at HOU Astros - 3 games

[GAME 1] When I first saw the game, it was 5-2, Rangers in the Bottom of the 6th. The Rangers landed one more score in the Top of the 9th to further sink the Astros. The Houston Astros fell 6-2 to the Texas Rangers.

[GAME 2] Saturday was Jackie Robinson Day, so everyone wore No. 42 in his honor. The scrappy Texas Rangers were feisty just about all series, and they struck first on an RBI single in the Top of the 3rd. The Rangers took a 1-0 lead. The Astros couldn't contain the Rangers the same inning, giving up a base hit that scored another Ranger. It's 2-0 now for the Rangers' lead. Yordan Alvarez missed out on a go-ahead three-run homer in the Bottom of the 3rd, but he did hit a deep RBI to bring home two Astros to tie the game at 2-2. The Astros took the lead on an RBI in the Bottom of the to make it 3-2. With the bases loaded and one out, the Rangers walked Yordan Alvarez in the Bottom of the 7th to make it 4-2. The same inning in the same situation saw the Astros get an RBI that brought in two Astros to up 6-2. Jeremy Peña brought home two more Astros on an RBI. Astros now lead 8-2 after seven innings. That would be the final score on the last out- 8-2, Astros. Rubber Game in prime time tomorrow night.

[GAME 3] ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" wanted to show the Rubber Game of this series, so the nation gets to see the Silver Boot series for one game. There were six innings of scoreless baseball in Game 3 until the Rangers scored on a bases loaded walk in the Top of the 7th. Nobody was out in the inning. Rangers took a 1-0 lead. The next pitch sees an RBI single to make the Rangers lead 2-0. The Rangers later hit a Grand Slam to go up 6-0, basically sinking the Astros and more than likely taking the series. Now the Astros need an epic rally to MAYBE win this one. The Astros brought in a run on an RBI to cut the Rangers' lead to 6-1. That was the only run Houston would get, as the Texas Rangers took the series with a 9-1 victory over the Houston Astros. Astros now 0-2 on televised games this season on ESPN/ABC... the "Always Hate Houston" network. Or at least... "Always Jinx Houston" network.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (6-2; Texas)
GM2: (8-2; Houston)
GM3: (9-1; Texas)

UP NEXT: vs. TOR Blue Jays - 3 games, starting MON

The Houston Astros are now 7-9(?) on the 2023 season. The Astros just lack any real firepower building off of their 2022 World Series triumph. Maybe most of us shouldn't expect the Astros to just have an easy run to another Championship after last season. Right now, it is looking like the Astros may be at best, an AL Wild Card contender. It could be a long 2023 unless the Astros start getting hot and regaining their beast form.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[Dolph Drago]

The Reds split their series with Philadelphia. And surprisingly none of the games were decided by 1 run. In fact, not even close. Cincy took game 1 by a score of 6-2, then lost 8-3 in game 2. They then annihilated the Phils 13-0 on Saturday, only to get humiliated in return 14-3 - Cessa giving up 9 runs in the first inning alone - in the finale yesterday. Weird series.

I actually don't think this team will be quite that horrible this season. They certainly won't finish with 100 losses like last year (famous last words). The offense has been oddly strong. Jonathan India, Spencer Steer, and TJ Friedl are all batting over .300. Jake Fraley isn't too far off with a .282. Tyler Stephenson had a fantastic hitting streak to start the season, only to hit a wall. He's down to .275, which still isn't bad, but isn't quite Stephenson-like. Wil Myers has been the complete opposite. He couldn't hit out of a paper bag for the first two weeks (he was at a whopping .175 on April 12th), only to go off and raise his average to .259 (was .269, but he went 0-2 yesterday). That included a 4-5, 2 homer, double, and 5 RBI performance in the 13 run game. Jason Vosler went bananas in the first week of the season filling in for Votto, only to go on a 1-27? streak. Nick Senzel is finally back, but he's clearly rusty. Votto will be back within a few days. Sadly, I honestly don't expect much of him. Father time has caught up to him. His performance has been very mediocre by his standards for a few seasons now while also being injury prone.

I will say the defense has been flashing the leather and fun to watch.

As for the pitching, we've got 3 very strong starters in Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and Hunter Greene. Lodolo's sporting a 2.12 ERA and is 5th in the Majors with 27 K's. Greene's had a couple rough outings, but he's still throwing heat and has 23 strikeouts of his own. But Ashcraft has the best ERA of the bunch right now, at a 1.42, tied for 9th with ex-Red Anthony DeSclafini. Actually, the more I look at the stats, the more nauseous I get seeing all the former Red starters at or near the top of the MLB in ERA. Sonny Gray is leading everyone with a miniscule 0.53 with Luis Castillo sitting 3rd at 0.73. And Wade Miley is 13th with his 1.50 ERA. Good lord. Anyway...the bullpen has been hit and miss. I mean VERY hit and miss. They'll put up 5 innings of no-run ball, only to give up 8 the next game.

If the relievers can get it sorted out, one of the bottom two of the starting rotation can get something going, and the offense holds up, this team has potential. Of course, if they do start to improve and look like legitimate contenders in a year or two, I'm sure the Castellinis will trade them all away for kicks, pissing off the fans per usual. It's so fun being a Reds fan.

 

[meganinja]

MLB has been really giving some value to youtube on last few years
The highlights on their channel are really great

 

[Dolph Drago]

I can't explain the Reds. Cincy took the first game against the the Major League best Rays quite easily 8-1, Tampa's first loss on U.S. soil this season. But just like the series before against Philly, the favor was returned the following game, a 10-0 drubbing by the boys from St. Pete. I missed all of today's game due to it being a day affair, but the final was 8-0 Rays.

That means the last five games have finished the following:
13-0 Reds
14-3 Phillies
8-1 Reds
10-0 Rays
8-0 Rays

I've never seen so many lopsided games in a row, especially considering the fact the Reds have (or maybe had now) the most games decided by a single run.

On a side note, despite exiting Sunday's game after taking a comebacker to the shin in the 3rd inning, Hunter Greene and Cincinnati today signed a 6 year, $52 million extension.

 

[JohnBM01]

America's team- the Houston Astros. Canada's team- the Toronto Blue Jays. Let's see who gets the win in this "International Friendly"...

* TOR Blue Jays at HOU Astros - 3 games

[GAME 1] The Houston Astros donned their "Spacy City" City Connect uniforms for this game. When I first looked at the game status, the Toronto Blue Jays hit a homer in the Top of the 7th, but the Houston Astros led 9-2 at the Middle of the 9th. The Astros had a seven-run 1st inning that set the table to ground the Blue Jays. Jake Meyers was responsible for a three-run jack that was part of that seven-run first inning. The final score was 9-2, Astros.

[GAME 2] The first three innings of Game 2 was scoreless baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays bombed two solo homers off of José Urquidy to go up 2-0 in the Top of the 4th. One more Blue Jay crossed home plate in the Top of the 5th on a no outs RBI. Toronto 3-0 at this point. Another base knock brought in another Toronto run and put Urquidy to get changed. Toronto now leads 4-0. The Houston Astros averted a shutout thanks to an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez. Yordan, though, was a bit hurt in scoring that RBI. It's now 4-1, Toronto. Kyle Tucked fouled off a pitch that hit his knee and brought him down, but then drives in a run on the very next pitch on an RBI single to make it 4-2, Blue Jays. No further damage was done by either team, as this game ended 4-2 in favor of Toronto. Rubber Game is on ESPN tomorrow night. Yay...

[GAME 3] It was 2-0, Houston Astros when I first followed the game around the Middle of the 3rd inning. Two RBIs by the Astros in the Bottom of the 2nd led to the first scores of the game. Like Houston last night, Toronto finally lit up the scoreboard in the 8th inning. Two nicely hit balls by Toronto led to the Blue Jays cutting the Astros lead to 2-1 in the Top of the 8th. The Astros were fortunate they went from Bases Loaded with no outs to Bryan Abreu pitching himself out of a serious jam, limiting the damage to just one run. The Astros loaded 'em up in the Bottom of the 8th with two outs, and José Abreu came up big with a base knock that brought home two Astros. Houston now leads 4-1. "King Tuck" (Kyle Tucker) banged in an RBI single to bring home Yordan Alvarez to make it 5-1. The Astros then saw Jeremy Peña bomb a three-run jack to really take charge of this game. All of this scoring in the Bottom of the 8th- from a 2-1 lead to an 8-1 lead after eight innigs!

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (9-2; Houston)
GM2: (4-2; Toronto)
GM3: (8-1; Houston)

UP NEXT: at ATL Braves - 3 games, starting FRI

The Houston Astros are now 9-10 on the 2023 season, 3rd in the AL West. Houston now faces their 2021 World Series opponent- the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta felt like Hell to the Astros when the 2021 World Series moved over to Atlanta. The Braves have a chance to further compound the slow-starting Astros' woes; or maybe, the Houston Astros will get payback on the Braves. We'll see how this next series goes. This road trip consists of three at Atlanta, then three at the previously unbeaten Tampa Bay Rays.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[BKGlover]

Reading that the city of Oakland and the A's are done. Oakland has ended negotiating with the team on Howard Terminal, and there are plans for a new baseball stadium not of Allegiant in Vegas. I feel for any Oakland fans who's stuck with it to the end, but it's all but confirmed the light at the end of the tunnel is a train.

Re-read edit: What's worse is that the potential Vegas build was announced before it the negotiation falling through. This looks bad enough, I could see the A's playing in front of a literal empty stadium.

 

[JohnBM01]

In the 2021 World Series, the Atlanta Braves won the Championship in six games over the Houston Astros, winning it at the Astros. It's revenge time for the Houston Astros in this Grudge Match. Let's get it...

* HOU Astros at ATL Braves - 3 games

[GAME 1] AppleTV+ wanted to show this game, so I have no way to follow this game unless listening to the radio. This game ended up going in favor of the Houston Astros, 6-4 over the Atlanta Braves. This is the 10th win for the Astros to even their record at 10-10.

[GAME 2] I missed a good amount of Game 2 because of getting a new router. So no Internet for me or any online TV for some time. While I was awaiting the service to come back on, it was 4-3, Astros after seven innings. Corey Julks cashed in on an RBI to put the Astros up 5-3 in the Top of the 8th with two outs. Maurico Dubon extended his hitting streak to 16 games, and he was brought home on an RBI single in the Top of the 9th to make it 6-3, Astros. That was the final score as the Astros finally got above the .500 mark.

[GAME 3] It was 2-0, Atlanta Braves in the Top of the 8th when I first saw this game. The Houston Astros loaded the bags with Yordan Alvarez up to bat, and "Air Yordan" hit a deep RBI that tied the game at 2-2. The Astros then hung three on the Braves to go ahead 5-2 in the Top of the 9th. The Astros took down the Braves for their first sweep of the season by that same score: 5-2. Five unanswered runs by the Astros was the difference in this one.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (6-4; Houston)
GM2: (6-3; Houston)
GM3: (5-2; Houston)

UP NEXT: at TB Rays - 3 games, starting MON

The Houston Astros are now 12-10 on the 2023 season, 2nd in the AL West. It is great the Astros finally sweep a series after taming the hot Atlanta Braves. The Rays are now 13-0 at home. The Astros will pay the Rays a visit for a three-game tilt starting tomorrow. This will be not an easy series for Houston.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[Dolph Drago]

Sweep! That's what Pittsburgh did against Cincy...I think I got a little bit too excited about the offense a week ago. We've done nothing since. After the odd blowouts during the previous two series', every game was close with the Buccos. Of course we failed each time. Pitching kept us in each game, though always giving up an extra run that would prove costly. You can tack on two more 1-run losses, and an additional two games decided by 2 for the season.

Game 1: 4-3 Pirates
Game 2: 4-2 Pirates
Game 3: 2-1 Pirates
Game 4: 2-0 Pirates

That's 6 straight losses for the Redlegs, bringing the record to 7-15. No homers in that stretch. And an alarmingly large number of strikeouts is not helping the situation.

 

[JohnBM01]

I found out Jose Altuve's recovery is going better than expected. Sadly, we won't have Yordan Alvarez for the at Tampa Bay series. I'll let you know how the series goes in my next series summary.

Meanwhile... Dolph Drago's Cincinnati Reds will try to entertain the Texas Rangers at home and the Detroit Tigers will have a little rival state battle at the Milwaukee Brewers. Blitz24's Mets are off tonight, but they will host the Washington Nationals in their next series.


[UPDATE] CIN at home vs. TEX, not road.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Tampa Bay Rays are 13-0 at home so far this season. Let's see if the Astros can best the Rays in their house. They have three chances to do so.

* HOU Astros at TB rays - 3 games

[GAME 1] The Houston Astros hit the ground running on the very first pitch as Mauricio Dubon hit a deep ball that ended up being a triple. A sacrifice fly brought home Dubon to make it 1-0 early in the Top of the 1st. Then, Alex Bregman followed up with a solo homer to left to make it 2-0 for the Astros. Tampa Bay brought in an RBI in the Bottom of the first to make it 2-1 in the Bottom of the 1st. Fast forward to the Top of the 4th, and it is now 6-3, Tampa Bay. The game ended up being 8-3 in favor of Tampa Bay. A strong start by Houston led to a weak finish. Bye bye, four-game winning streak for the Astros.

[GAME 2] The only scoring was done in Game 2 was in the 5th, and it was all done by the Houston Astros. The Rays' home undefeated streak went down in flames by the boys from H-Town. 5-0 was the final in this one.

[GAME 3] It was the Houston Astros who struck first in the Top of the 1st on an RBI to make it a 1-0 score. That was the final score- 1-0. The Rays didn't even jack a home run in this series.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (8-3; Tampa Bay)
GM2: (5-0; Houston)
GM3: (1-0; Houston)

UP NEXT: vs. PHI Phillies - 3 games, starting FRI

The Houston Astros are now 14-11 on the 2023 season, 2nd in the AL West. This was an incredible job by the Astros without José Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, or Michael Brantley. The Tampa Bay Rays are still the best team in baseball right now, and we came in and handed them their first two losses at home as well as take a series from them at home. It is a feel-good story for the Astros overcoming such odds in this series. Our previous series was at out 2021 World Series opponents. Now, we take on our 2022 World Series opponents here in Houston for three games for our next series- the Philadelphia Phillies.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners! How did your boys do recently?

 

[JohnBM01]

Say WHAT? The Cincinnati Reds swept the Texas Rangers? Wow...

 

[Dolph Drago]

Yeah, of course I only saw the first game. It was pretty exciting to see Cincy get their first walk-off of the season. And against a top team no less. To know they came from way back in game 2 to win again was crazy. Then to find out they came from behind and walked it off AGAIN in the finale seems unreal. The Rangers' bullpen was supposedly pretty good coming into the series. I'm stunned the Reds got to them all three games.

On to Oakland! I didn't realize how horrible the A's' record was until I looked at it (5-21?? That's 2022 Reds bad!). That said, it wouldn't at all surprise me to see another sweep. Only the A's handling the broom this time. It doesn't matter how good Cincinnati is, they can't ever win on the west coast.

 

[Blitz24]

Yeah, of course I only saw the first game. It was pretty exciting to see Cincy get their first walk-off of the season. And against a top team no less. To know they came from way back in game 2 to win again was crazy. Then to find out they came from behind and walked it off AGAIN in the finale seems unreal. The Rangers' bullpen was supposedly pretty good coming into the series. I'm stunned the Reds got to them all three games.

On to Oakland! I didn't realize how horrible the A's' record was until I looked at it (5-21?? That's 2022 Reds bad!). That said, it wouldn't at all surprise me to see another sweep. Only the A's handling the broom this time. It doesn't matter how good Cincinnati is, they can't ever win on the west coast.

Cincinnati should pretend it is the East Coast then!

 

[Dolph Drago]

Cincinnati should pretend it is the East Coast then!

If only.

 

[JohnBM01]

"...this game... is turned upside down!" "...this time, they finish the job! The Houston Astros- WORLD CHAMPIONS!" For about five months, the Philadelphia Phillies have lamented not being able to take down the Houston Astros. Maybe they'll do something about it when they come to Houston for a three-game series. This series is the 2022 World Series grudge match. The Astros defeated the Phillies in the last regular season series at home 2 out of 3. Let's see how this series goes:

* PHI Phillies at HOU Astros - 3 games

[GAME 1] AppleTV+ had this game, so I did not follow this game in any real capacity. Philadelphia ended up winning 3-1.

[GAME 2] Yordan Alvarez returned after having some neck issues. Philadelphia went up early 1-0 with a solo jack in the Top of the 4th. They'd follow up with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 the same inning. A two-run bomb by the Phillies put the Fightin' Phils up 4-0 in the Top of the 6th. But wait- MORE Phillies offense! Two RBIs were cashed in by the Phillies in the Top of the 8th to put the Phillies up 6-0. Jeremy Peña prevented the shutout with a solo jack to left. Now it's 6-1, Philadelphia. That would be the final score as Philadelphia knocks off the Astros again, 6-1.

[GAME 3] This game was televised on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. With the bases loaded and nobody out, José Abreu grounded into a double play that brought in a run on an RBI. The Houston Astros led 1-0 in the Bottom of the 1st at that point. JT Realmuto bombed a homer to left to level the game at 1-1 in the Top of the 2nd. Houston re-took the lead on a deep RBI double from Martin Maldonaldo in the Bottom of the 2nd. The 2nd inning ended 2-1 in favor of the Astros. Jake Meyers straight BOMBS a homer to left to put Houston up 3-1 in the Bottom of the 4th. Kody Clemens (yes- as in Roger Clemens' son) bombed a solo jack to left in the Top of the 5th to cut the Astros' lead to 3-2. An RBI was scored on a nicely-placed ball to left by the Astros in the Bottom of the 5th to go up 4-2. No further scoring happened until the Top of the 8th, then Philadelphia hit an RBI to bring home a Phillie. Astros lead now down to 4-3 at this point. The Houston Astros averted the sweep with a 4-3 victory.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (3-1; Philadelphia)
GM2: (6-1; Philadelphia)
GM3: (4-3; Houston)

UP NEXT: vs. SF Giants - 3 games, starting MON

The Houston Astros are now 15-13 on the 2023 season, 2nd in the AL West behind now 17-11 Texas. Philadelphia probably wished this was the World Series, but I'm sure they'll take this series win. The San Francisco Giants are the next opponent of the Houston Astros. These two will set it off for a three-game series starting on Monday. I missed the Houston Astros in the National League when we'd play at the Giants at times at their beautiful Oracle Park. Anyhow, the Giants will come to Houston to conclude this home stand for us. So the Astros swept their 2021 World Series opponent, but they fail to take the series against their 2022 World Series opponent.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[JohnBM01]

I will offer up this first Standings Update of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. Find your favorite team(s) here to see how they are doing at the time of this post:

--- AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS (as of: May 2, 2023) ---
AL EAST: Tampa Bay (23-6), BAL (19-9), TOR (18-11), BOS (16-14), NYY (15-15)
AL CENTRAL: Minnesota (17-12), CLE (14-15), DET (10-17), KC (7-22)
AL WEST: Texas (17-11), HOU (16-13), LAA (15-14), SEA (12-16), OAK 6-23)
CURRENT AL WILD CARD: Baltimore (19-9), Toronto (18-11)

--- NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS (as of: May 2, 2023) ---
NL EAST: Atlanta (19-10), NYM and MIA (16-13 each), PHI (15-15), WAS (10-16)
NL CENTRAL: Pittsburgh (20-9), MIL (18-10), CHC (15-13), CIN (12-17), STL (10-19)
NL WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers (17-13), ARI (16-13), SD (16-14), SF (11-17), COL (9-20)
CURRENT NL WILD CARD: Milwaukee (18-10), New York Mets and Miami (16-13 each)

It is VERY early. You can't win the World Series in April. Nobody has been eliminated from postseason contention yet. So keep playing hard to get the chance to play for the Championship. Still lots to play for.


Enjoy the next series!

 

[Dolph Drago]

NL CENTRAL: Pittsburgh (20-9), MIL (18-10), CHC (15-13), CIN (12-17), STL (10-19)

This just looks so...odd.

 

[JohnBM01]

This just looks so...odd.

Well, Dolph Drago, you could say the same for the New York Yankees. It goes to show how competitive the AL East is with no team south of .500 so far this season. But it is rather strange to see the St. Louis Cardinals deep in the standings. This, considering their 11 Championship reigns.

That's baseball...

 

[Dolph Drago]

Well, Dolph Drago, you could say the same for the New York Yankees. It goes to show how competitive the AL East is with no team south of .500 so far this season. But it is rather strange to see the St. Louis Cardinals deep in the standings. This, considering their 11 Championship reigns.

That's baseball...

It's not just the Cards being at the bottom, but seeing Pittsburgh at the top at the same time. Crazy.

 

[JohnBM01]

When the Houston Astros were in the National League, I would love when they played at the San Francisco Giants. Though, I keep having nightmares of that Perfect Game pitched by the Giants where the Astros lost 10-0 at San Francisco. The San Francisco Giants visit Houston for some Interleague action. Let's see how this goes...

* SF Giants at HOU Astros - 3 games

[GAME 1] The Houston Astros won 7-3, but the win was bittersweet. Luis Garcia suffered some elbow discomfort that sidelined him for the rest of the game against the San Francisco Giants. Ryne Stanek got the win for the Astros.

[GAME 2] The Houston Astros took on former Reds pitcher, Anthony Desclafini, for Game 2 of this series. It was the San Francisco Giants who went out in front 1-0 in the Top of the 1st on an RBI. Houston became the first team to hit 300 strikeouts in this game after retiring the side in the Top of the 2nd. A deep RBI that was almost a home run to right gave the Giants a 2-0 lead in the Top of the 4th. The Astros struggled to find outfit, and so they ended up falling 2-0. The Rubber Game of this series is tomorrow afternoon.

[GAME 3] The only time I checked into this game, the San Francisco Giants led 4-2 in the middle of the 9th. That would be the final score as the 4th-place NL West Giants took down 2nd-place AL West.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (7-3; Houston)
GM2: (2-0; San Francisco)
GM3: (4-2; San Francisco)

UP NEXT: at SEA Mariners - 3 games, starting FRI

The Houston Astros are now 16-15 on the 2023 season, 3rd in the AL West behind the Texas Rangers (currently 18-11) and the Los Angeles angels of Anaheim (currently 16-14). At the time of this post, the Texas Rangers are trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-7 in the Top of the 8th. Maybe people shouldn't expect the 2023 Houston Astros to run away with the season. So far, the Astros possibly could be either a Wild Card team or wait until the last few weeks to contend for the AL West crown. Now, we begin a three-city, nine-game road trip: Seattle (3), Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim (3), and Chicago White Sox (3). This is a trying season for sure for Houston. "Ready 2 Reign" is more like "getting rained on" so far this season. And yes- LATE GAMES!


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[JohnBM01]

Sleepless in Seattle. Astros ready for some LATE GAMES against divisional opponents. The last time the Astros played at Seattle, they played 17 innings of scoreless baseball until Jeremy Peña hit a solo homer in the Top of the 18th that would be the go-ahead and winning run. How will this series go for the Astros? Let's find out...

* HOU Astros at SEA Mariners - 3 games

[GAME 1] Before I mention Game 1, some sad news for Astros fans- Luis Garcia will undergo Tommy John surgery and is out for the season. Now on to the game. It was bombs away as Yordan Alvarez hit a three-run homer in the Top of the 3rd. The Astros took a 3-0 lead off the bat of "Air Yotdan." Jeremy Peña was tagged out in the Top of the 4th, but Kyle Tucker stole home from 3rd base to make it a 4-0 Astros lead. Esattle finally lights up their side of the scoreboard in the Bottom of the 5th on a one-out bases loaded RBI. Three runs scored to cut the Astros lead to 4-3. The Mariners leveled the game at 4-4 in the Bottom of the 8th on an RBI single. "King Tuck" (Kyle Tucker) bombs a two-run jack to put the Astros ahead 6-4 in the Top of the 9th with nobody out.

[GAME 2] J.P. France made his Major League Baseball debut pitching for Houston. The Astros did the first scoring with a sacrifice fly in the Top of the 4th to make it 1-0. Then a base hit brought in another Astro to make it 2-0 in the same inning. Yordan Alvarez banged in an RBI to make it 3-0 in the Top of the 5th. The Mariners thought they took out Mauricio Dubon to retire the side, but they instead call a Blocking violation on Seattle; it was later overturned when the Seattle Mariners challenged the call. So 3-0, Astros, middle of the 5th. Seattle got on the scoreboard on an RBI that brought home three Mariners with the bases loaded and two outs in the Bottom of the 8th. These two are now at 3-3. They would take the lead on a deep RBI to make it 5-3, Seattle. Five unanswered Seattle runs scored in the Bottom of the 8th. Another RBI made it 6-3, so make it six unanswered now. I stopped watching afterwards. The game ended up 7-5, Seattle. Rubber Game tomorrow afternoon.

[GAME 3] It was 2-0, Seattle when I first followed this game in the Bottom of the 4th. Things got chippy between these AL West rivals at that point. A balk was called on the Astros in the Bottom of the 5th, and that brought home a Mariner to make it a 3-0 Mariners lead after five innings. Astros averted a shutout by driving in a run on an RBI in the Top of the 7th to cut the Mariners' lead to 3-1. That was the final score- 3-1.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (6-4; Houston)
GM2: (7-5; Seattle)
GM3: (3-1; Seattle)

UP NEXT: at LAA Angels - 3 games, starting MON

We are now 17-17(?) on the 2023 season, tied for 3rd in the AL West with Seattle, and we're still behind the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Speaking of the Angels, we get them next. We get Shohei Ohtani pitching against the Astros on Tuesday. The Astros are just trying to wade their way through a sluggish start.

Encouraging Astros news is that José Altuve and Michael Brantley are showing some decent progress in their recoveries. It my pose a "good problem" to decide how to fit in Altuve and/or Brantley into the lineup and who to send down to AAA Sugar Land or something. I certainly would drop down David Hensley. I'm keeping Corey Julks because he's been a solid rookie.

Elsewhere... what the heck is up with the St. Louis Cardinals? And how are the Pittsburgh Pirates still leading the NL Central while on a seven-game losing streak? I'd say the NL Central is the weirdest division this season.


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!

 

[Dolph Drago]

Elsewhere... what the heck is up with the St. Louis Cardinals? And how are the Pittsburgh Pirates still leading the NL Central while on a seven-game losing streak? I'd say the NL Central is the weirdest division this season.

It's a weird division for sure. Just this series against the White Sox, the Reds AGAIN lost by 1 run in the first game. We did take game 2 by two runs but then got hammered 17-4 in the finale today. There's no in-between with this team. Either the game is close (usually a loss) or a blowout that goes either way.

 

[JohnBM01]

Seattle didn't do any favors for Houston. Now, they got to deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Let's play ball for this three-game set.

* HOU Astros at LAA Angels - 3 games

[GAME 1] The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels were tied at 3-3 in the Top of the 5th. David Hensley hammers a solo jack to left for his first homer of the year. The Astros went ahead 4-3 at that point off of Hensley's 412-foot thunderbolt. Shohei Ohtani hits an almost homer in the Bottom of the 5th to right to level the game at 4-4 on an RBI double. The Angels hit another almost home run to center that helped the Angels take the lead in the Bottom of the 8th. They later hit a sacrifice fly for LAA to go up 6-4 the same inning. Three sraight Astros losses now, as the Angels won this one 6-4.

[GAME 2] It was Framber Valdez vs. Shohei Ohtani the pitching match tonight. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim saw Chris Neto bomb a homer off of Framber Valdez to put the Halos up 1-0 in the Bottom of the 3rd. Martin Maldonaldo bangs a two-run bomb in the Top of the 5th to put the Astros up 2-1. An RBI the same inning put the Astros up 3-1. Can the Astros finally break out of their funk? YES! Valdez rang up 12 batters in this game to end their 3-game losing streak. Astros take this game 3-1.

[GAME 3] The Rubber Game of this series saw the Astros go in front 1-0 on a Yordan Alvarez solo homer in the Top of the 1st. The Los Angeles Angels promptly responded in the Bottom of the 2nd with a two-run bomb to left. Angels led 2-1 at that point. Yanier Diaz wasout on a sacrifice fly, but an Astro scored to make tie the game again, this time at 2-2. The Astros beat out a throw in the Top of the 4th to go ahead 3-2 after being initially called out. Jeremy Peña lit up the Astros' side of the scoreboard with a two-run RBI still in the Top of the 4th. Astros are now up 5-2 amid a comedy of errors by the Angels on defense. Shohei Ohtani gave the Angels hope with a two-run homer in the Bottom of the 9th. It was now a 5-4 Astros lead at that point. However, that bit of hope wasn't enough for the Angels to walk off the Astros. Astros take the series with a 5-4 victory today.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (6-4; Los Angeles Angels)
GM2: (3-1; Houston)
GM3: (5-4; Houston)

UP NEXT: at CHW White Sox - 3 games, starting FRI

We are now 19-18(?) on the 2023 season, 3rd in the AL West with Seattle, and we're still behind the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. On paper, the Astros should go into the South Side of Chicago and easily take the series at this series. Astros split their four-game set back in Houston with the White Sox to start the 2023 season. So we'll see how this weekend series goes as the final leg of this road trip. This is a brief series with the White Sox in Chicago, then back home to host the other Chicago team (the Chicago Cubs).


Congratulations to all series winners and all recent game winners!