Major League Baseball: 2024 Season

[Fezzik]

Yankees rolling along with best record in baseball. Offence is completely transformed in terms of approach, like the old 90s/00s teams with the long grinding at-bats and walks. Covering up some iffy pitching and defence. Big difference is the road record, 8-2 so far. That's much better than recent years, hope they keep it up.

Happy Jackie Robinson Day!

 

[Dolph Drago]

I'm a bit behind with updates on my Redlegs. The Milwaukee series went about as expected. Cincy took game 1, but the Brew Crew continued their dominance against us.

The Reds then took a trip to the south Chicago. The result was Cincinnati's first ever sweep of the woeful Sox. And it wasn't even close. Red pitching dominated:
Game 1: Abbott - 7 innings, 4 hits, 3 K's, 0 BB's, 1 ER. Bullpen - 2 innings, 2 K's, 0's across the board everywhere else.
Game 2: Lodolo (season debut) - 5.2 innings, 1 hit, 10 K's, 1 BB, 0 ER. Bullpen - 3.1 innings, 1 hit, 5 K's, 2 BB's, 0 ER.
Game 3: Ashcraft - 5.2 innings, 5 hits, 8 K's, 2 BB's, 2 runs (1 ER). Bullpen - 3.1 innings, 3 hits, 2 ER.
Reds hitting dominated, scoring 11, 5, and 11 runs throughout the series. Most notable was game 1. Elly hit a bomb off the batter's eye. Next time up he hit an inside-the-parker. What an exciting player to watch. Entering game 3, he had reached base safely at least once in every game this season (14 games), with @JohnBM01's own Jose Altuve being the only other player to match that feat to start the year. That streak ended, but is it every impressive!

Game 1: 11-1 Cincinnati
Game 2: 5-0 Cincinnati
Game 3: 11-4 Cincinnati

The Red Stockings are now up in the northwest visiting Seattle. The game has just started as of this post.

 

[JohnBM01]

A 2021 World Series rematch makes up this new series for the Houston Astros. Their first Interleague match of 2024 is coming up when the Atlanta Braves come to town. Atlanta won the 2021 World Series in the Astros' house in six games. Now it's payback time at home for Houston against the NL East-leading Braves. Last year, we swept the Atlanta Braves in their house. How will things go with the Braves in OUR house? Let's Play Ball with these two Southern teams.

Before I begin... I forgot to mention Dana Brown was the Braves' manager during the time of Atlanta's World Series run in 2021. So he's going against his former team here.

* ATL Braves at HOU Astros (3 games)

[GAME 1] Today is Jackie Robinson Day. It was 4-1, Atlanta Braves in the Top of the 9th when I first saw this game. Bases were loaded with one out. The Braves bang in one run to make it 5-1. A Sacrifice Fly or groundout led to a 6-1 Braves lead for the Astros to try to climb out of in the Bottom of the 9th. The final score was just that- 6-1, Atlanta Braves.

[GAME 2] The Atlanta Braves struck first with a solo homer to left-center in the Top of the 2nd. Atlanta's homer was a little controversial in where the ball landed. Review noted it as a Home Run. So 1-0, Atlanta. Atlanta scored on a bases loaded Sacrifice Fly in the Top of the 7th. Now 2-0 for the 2021 World Series Champs. A bases loaded RBI brought in two Braves for a 4-0 lead, and that was almost where I stopped watching. And by the time I stopped watching, that's when the Astros finally started scoring. Go figure. Anyhow, it was a 6-2 final in favor of the Braves. Astros will try to prevent getting swept tomorrow afternoon.

[GAME 3] In the Houston Astros' attempt to avoid getting swept by Atlanta, it was 4-2, Astros, top of the 7th when I first followed this Wednesday afternoon game. Atlanta scored on an RBI single in the Top of the 8th thanks to an error by the Astros at first base. The Astros' lead is now 4-3. The game was later tied 4-4 on a sacrifice fly by Atlanta the same inning. Nine wasn't enough- extra innings we go after the Braves tied things up. Atlanta got in a run on an RBI single in the Top of the 10th to go up 5-4. A double play turned by Atlanta sinks the Astros and sweeps them in 10 innings.

[IN REVIEW]
GM1: (6-1; Atlanta)
GM2: (6-2; Atlanta)
GM3: (5-4, 10 innings; Atlanta)
RESULT: ATL sweeps HOU 3-0

NEXT: at WAS Nationals (3 games, starting Friday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 6-14 on the season, still last (5th) in the AL West.

Up next... a tour of awesome- Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Mexico City. Three at the Nationals, three at the Cubs, and two against the Rockies in Mexico City. The Astros have stumbled big time to start 2024 and are in a bigger hole than they should be in. There is also very little drive and motivation for a team that won the World Series two years ago and made the ALCS all these successive seasons. These guys got to figure it out and play like the beasts they know they can be. But for now... we're stuck on six wins.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners!

 

[Dolph Drago]

Cincinnati's encore after sweeping the White Sox? How about getting swept themselves in Seattle against a team that was all of 6-10 on the season before they faced off? I don't really care to break down the series, because I didn't catch most of any of the games. Seems like a good thing in this case. I will say, as good as the pitching and hitting looked against Chicago, they were about equally as bad facing the Mariners. Actually, aside from the control issues, the pitching wasn't too horrible in games 2 and 3. It says something, though, when Hunter Greene gets pulled in game 2 after only 4 innings of 1 run ball - he was already at 98 pitches. Not very efficient. And Abbott was decent today, giving up only 2 runs in 6 innings. But bad pitch command led to many, many walks throughout the series. And you know the saying. "Walks will haunt." And that it did. Offensively, there was nothing to speak of. From 27 runs in the Sox series to 4 total runs in this one. The Reds got 1-hit in the finale. Yikes.

Game 1: 9-3 Seattle
Game 2: 3-1 Seattle
Game 3: 5-1 Seattle

Cincinnati is back to even at 9-9. The top three teams in the NL Central are all sitting on 11 wins. Cincy is lounging in 4th, 2.5 games back from Milwaukee and a half game ahead of the basement Cards who have one more loss. Sorry, John. I know seeing one of your AL West foes easily handle the Reds was painful for both of us.

 

[JohnBM01]

Some people are saying this is karma that Astros fans wanted a new manager outside of Dusty Baker, end up getting a new manager, and are doing poorly with this new manager, Joe Espada. A lot of Astros fans are already saying the run of success of late here in Houston is coming to an end. We're almost seeming like the 100+ loss Astros of the mid-2010s. You know... back when we logged three straight 100+ loss seasons and progressively fewer wins each of those seasons. Thankfully, we get some days off after each upcoming series between now and when we return home.

 

[JohnBM01]

The previous series was a 2021 World Series rematch. Now, a 2019 World Series rematch will happen when the Houston Astros meet the Washington Nationals. In the 2019 World Series, every Away team won each game. Could this give the woeful 6-14 Astros a bit of luck as they start their three-city, eight-game road trip? Let's rematch the 2019 World Series with the Astros and Nationals!

* HOU Astros at WAS Nationals (3 games)

[GAME 1] The Houston Astros had Justin Verlander return to the mound for this one. Houston began the scoring with a back-to-back no-out RBI doubles in the Top of the 2nd to take a 2-0 lead. Then an RBI single the same inning with nobody out put Houston up 3-0. The Nationals lit their side of the scoreboard with an RBI single in the Bottom of the . The Astros' lead is now 3-1. It was Chaz McCormick's birthday today, and the birthday boy crossed Home Plate on a Sacrifice Fly in the Top of the 5th with the bases loaded and one out. The Nationals hit a solo jack to left in the Bottom of the 5th to cut the Astros' lead to 4-2. Verlander wasn't vintage, but he didn't seem to miss too many beats. An out was recorded in the Top of the 8th, but not without another Astros crossing home plate. 5-2, Astros. The Nationals got a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit down to 5-3 in the Bottom of the 9th. Washington did no further damage as Houston survives 5-3.

[GAME 2] Alex Bregman hit a deep ball to left that ended up being a Sacrifice Fly to put Houston up 1-0 in the Top of the 1st. The first pitch by Ronel Blanco goes over his head and over the wall to QUICKLY tie the game at 1-1 in the Bottom of the 1st. So if you expected Ronel Blanco to work on a no-hitter or perfect game, forget about it. A sacrifice fly by Washington led to a 2-1 lead for the Nationals in the Bottom of the 4th. The Houston Astros tied the game at 2-2 in the Top of the 7th with nobody out on an RBI double. Houston retook the lead the same inning on an RBI single by Jeremy Peña. It's 3-2 now on JP3's go-ahead RBI. The next inning saw the Astros tack on a run in the Top of the 8th on an RBI single and two outs. Houston takes a 4-2 lead. Washington ties the game at 4-4 in the Bottom of the 9th on a two-run RBI single with nobody out. Regulation solved nothing. Bring on Extra innings. First pitch of the 10th inning, a deep RBI sealed Houston's fate. Nationals win 5-4 thanks to poor closing and three unanswered Nationals runs. Rubber Game tomorrow afternoon.

[GAME 3] Houston scored first in the first two games, but not today. An RBI single put the Nationals ahead 1-0 in the Bottom of the 1st with nobody out. They followed up with two more runs the same inning to give Washington a 3-0 advantage after one inning. With the bases loaded in the Bottom of the 5th with two outs, Washington banged in an RBI single that brought two Nationals home. It's 5-0, Nationals, set to take this series 2 out of 3... unless the Astros can respond proper while doing damage control. Washington blasted a solo shot to left in the Bottom of the 6th, and then I stopped watching as the Nats went up 6-0. That would be the final score- Nationals take the series win as the Astros take their first shutout loss of the season. Nationals WIN- just like the 2019 World Series., only the Away team did not win every game.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (5-3; Houston)
GM2: (5-4, 10 innings; Washington)
GM3: (6-0, Washington)

RESULT: WSH wins series 2-1

NEXT: at CHC Cubs (3 games, starting Tuesday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 7-16 on the season, still last (5th) in the AL West.

Up next is an NL Central reunion for the Astros, when they play at the Chicago Cubs. The Cubbies have some talent and won't make life easier for the struggling Astros. We'll see what this three-game series in the north side of Chicago provides.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners!

 

[JohnBM01]

I always invite people to make assessments of their teams every now and then. With my Astros off today, I'll do my assessment right now.

After dropping their series at the Washington Nationals recently, the 2024 Houston Astros are 7-16. They are dead last in the AL West (5th) and five games behind the AL West-leading Texas Rangers (12-11). A new manager and a new coach (Joe Espada) are anchoring this team. Injuries and inept offense have made the Houston Astros a punching bag. Most of their losses have been relief blunders. Especially Saturday was supposed to be a 4-2 win, but it ended up a 5-4 loss in 10 innings. Someone predicted the Astros would be part of a systematic downfall, and that person seems to be right how this season has gone so far. We all know you can't make the Playoffs or win the World Series in April. However, the panic among Astros fans has loomed large to where they feel this team's run of success is coming to an end. Strength of schedule early on is pretty strong. Maybe things will quiet down to where the Astros can try to move closer to being above .500 on the season.

Catcher Victor Caratini has been a solid hitter since letting go to Martin Maldonaldo. Yordan Alvarez hasn't bombed the ball a lot, but he has delivered some good hits and solid defense. Justin Verlander and Ronel Blanco have been very good pitchers. Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader (all $90 M+ USD) have been iffy closers. Most of our pitching, though, has been on the MASH unit. The general consensus of someone to get rid of on the Astros, hands down, is José Abreu. This guy just doesn't get it and is slumping hard.

The 2024 Houston Astros still have plenty of time to turn around this season. The weirdest story would be if the 2024 Houston Astros turn things around like the NFL's 2023 Houston Texans. I'm hopeful in my beloved MLB team, but this team has a lot of work to do to dig out of the hole they are currently in. Our next series is at the Chicago Cubs.


Elsewhere...

* While my Houston Astros are struggling like mad, at least they aren't St. Louis (currently 9-13), Miami (currently 6-17), Colorado (5-17)... and especially not the currently 3-18 Chicago White Sox. Their 3-18 record currently is one of the worst starts to a season in White Sox history. The White Sox are 12.5 games back of the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians (16-6). Their next series is at the 7-13 Minnesota Twins. Not many teams won too many games when starting with so few wins after 21 games. It's the sad state of affairs in Chicago. At least... the Southside of Chicago.


That's all from me. Tell us about your team right now, if you wish.



[UPDATE] MARTIN Maldonaldo, not Victor. Changes made.

 

[Fezzik]

Yankees review - offence being carried a lot by Soto now Volpe can come down to earth, god help us if Juan goes down. The rest of the lineup has been very hit and miss in terms of results, but at least the approach is good. Defence has been a bit dodgy, especially from the usual suspect - I love you Gleyber but you're a DH.

Starting pitching has held up very well in Cole's absence. Luis Gil has been great filling in, his heater has been borderline unhittable.

Bullpen is all smoke and mirrors, groundball/soft contact merchants who struggle to K anyone, not good with our defence.

Overall they've played pretty well, done enough to win almost every series but I think we're in for a real struggle to beat the Orioles for the division. Need the likes of Judge/Rizzo/Torres to get going asap.

 

[Dolph Drago]

The Reds have been streaky. Swept the White Sox, were then swept themselves by the Mariners in Seattle, then pulled off another sweep - this time at the expense of the Halos.

Much of the pitching and hitting have been both hot and cold depending on the series.

There have been some standouts. De la Cruz, Steer, and Fraley have been mashing. And for the most part, Abbott, Lodolo, and Ashcraft have been solid. Diaz had a rough outing in his first closing appearance but has been strong since. Most everyone else has had their moments but have been inconsistent. It will be nice to get McLain, Friedl, Marte, Montas (who took a comebacker off the arm after all of two outs two nights ago), and Gibault among others back.

Cincy is in the thick of the NL Central at 12-10 in third after last night's loss, 2.5 games behind Milwaukee.

 

[Omnis]

This kid is disgusting. Am I going nuts or are the A's actually doing something this year?

 

[Fezzik]

This kid is disgusting. Am I going nuts or are the A's actually doing something this year?

You're going nuts. He and anyone else of value will be traded by the deadline.
Maybe once the As are up and running in Vegas they might get run like a proper team and have a shot - but it's a big maybe.

 

[JohnBM01]

It is an NL Central reunion as the Houston Astros meet the Chicago Cubs in Chicago. The Astros last played at Wrigley Field back in 2013. The only player on that 2013 team that last played at Wrigley Field that is still on the Astros is José Altuve. The stumbling 2024 Astros will try to generate a spark to get back to winning starting in Chicago against a talented Cubs squad. Find out if they take the series or lose another one.

* HOU Astros at CHC Cubs (3 games)

[GAME 1] The Cubs blasted two homers in the Bottom of the 1st to take a 5-0 advantage. The first was a two-run shot to right, and then they hit one to left for three runs. Early hole for the Astros- which has been the story of this team so far this season. The Astros denied the shutout as one Astro came home on an RBI in the Top of the 4th. Cubs lead is now down to 5-1. Jake Myers had liftoff on a solo jack to truncate the Cubs' lead to 5-2. A bobbled ball on a bases loaded in the Bottom of the 6th prevented a double play from happening. It ended up scoring a Cub to extend the Cubbies' lead to 6-2. I stopped watching after the Cubs hit a solo homer to left in the Bottom of the 8th to go up 7-2. Final score: 7-2, Chicago Cubs.

[GAME 2] The Chicago Cubs started the scoring on a sacrifice fly in the Bottom of the 1st. Cubs up 1-0. Danson Swansby added a three-run homer to put Chicago Cubs up 4-0 the same inning. An error by the Cubbies in the Top of the 3rd brought home Jon Singleton of the Astros. The Astros cut the Cubs deficit to 4-1. Houston picked up another run the same inning to cut it down to 4-2; but this time, on an RBI single. Former Astros pitcher, Hector Neris, came in as closer of this game. José Altuve blasts one to deep left to cut the Cubs' lead to 4-3 in the Top of the 9th. No further Astros damage was done, as they lose yet another game. Cubbies win 4-3.

[GAME 3] It was 3-1, Chicago Cubs in the Bottom of the 8th when I first followed this game. It was a beautifully sunny day in Chicago today for this series finale. Before a pitch was thrown in the ninth inning started, Joe Espada got into a discussion with an official and got ejected. It was his first ejection as an Astros manager. Houston tried to rally in the Top of the 9th after back-to-back walks issued, but no such luck. Cubs sweep Houston with a 3-1 victory.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (7-2; Chicago Cubs)
GM2: (4-3, Chicago Cubs)
GM3: (3-1, Chicago Cubs)

RESULT: CHC wins series 3-0

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: vs. COL Rockies (2 games, starting Saturday in Mexico City, Mexico)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 7-19 on the season, still last (5th) in the AL West, and have lost 7 of the last 8 games.

On paper, the Houston Astros should be able to win against the Colorado Rockies. However, when you are Struggle Bus on the season, even game you should win are not always guaranteed. The Colorado Rockies' poor record doesn't mean this is an easy series for the Astros to take. It will be a quick two-game series in Mexico City before the Astros return to Houston to play on Tuesday. The baseball deities must loathe the Astros this season. It is slowly being the year the Astros finally have their run of success come to an end. At this rate, even the White Sox can overtake the Astros and put Houston in the worst record in baseball.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! Hopefully your team(s) is/are doing better than mine...

 

[JohnBM01]

Houston Astros are dead last in the AL West. Colorado Rockies are dead last in the NL West and have the 2nd worst record in the National League. This is not exactly the Toilet Series, but it is a battle of two floundering teams in a quick series in Mexico. A two-game series in Mexico is coming up.

* HOU Astros vs. COL Rockies (2 games)

[GAME 1] The scoring started by Colorado with a two-run homer to right in the Bottom of the 1st. Early 2-0 hole the Astros got themselves in for this one. Trey Cabbage blasts a deep RBI double to left in the Top of the 2ns for his first MLB hit. Astros cut Colorado's lead to 2-1. Air Yordan bombed a two-run jack to right in classic fashion to right to give the Astros a 3-2 lead in the Top of the 3rd followed by a Kyle Tucker homer afterwards. So it's 4-2, Astros at the Middle of the 3rd. Colorado put in a run on an RBI single to bring the Astros lead down to 4-3 in the Bottom of the 5th... until it was overturned because the Rockies player didn't step on 3rd base. So it's still 4-2, Astros. A bobbled catch by Colorado in the Top of the 6th with the bases loaded led to an RBI single by Houston to go up 5-2. Another Astro crossed home plate the same inning despite a double play ball hit by José Abreu. Yanier Diaz hit a ball in the Top of the 8th that ended up being an RBI triple after COL bobbled it. Astros now lead 7-2, and now seven unansweered by Houston. José Abreu finally cashed in an RBI with a runner in scoring position in the same inning. Astros up 8-2 now. Yordan Alvarez had a strike against him in the Topo of the 9th for not being ready. What does he do? Oh, nothing- bomb a 460-foot homer to center. Yordan Alvarez passed Craig Biggio for most multi home run games in Astros history with 17, as the Astros went up 9-2 on Air Yordan's solo jack. The Astros added some more runs on RBIs. From 9-2, Houston would head into the Middle of the 9th with a 12-2 lead. Colorado FINALLY scores again in the Bottom of the 9th thanks to an RBI single followed by another to cut the lead to 12-4. Colorado could do no further damage as the Astros won 12-4. Houston's five game losing streak over.

[GAME 2] A sacrifice fly and a solo homer put the Houston Astros up 2-0 in the Top of the 1st. Framber Valdez returned to the Houston Astros' pitching staff after enduring injury. Colorado lit up their side of the scoreboard in the Bottom of the 2nd on an RBI single followed by a sacrifice fly of their own. Tied at 2 after two innings. José Altuve had liftoff on a solo jack in theo of the 3rd to left to put Houston back up 3-2. Jeremy Paña blasts a solo homer in the Top of the 4th for Houston to lead 4-2. In the Top of the 8th, the Astros cash in an RBI single, a score on a groundout, and a two-run RBI to go up 8-2. That was the final score- Astros sweep this quick two-game set with an 8-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (12-4; Houston)
GM2: (8-2, Houston)

RESULT: HOU wins series 2-0

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: vs. COL Rockies (3 games, starting Tuesday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 9-19 on the season, somehow still last (5th) in the AL West despite back-to-back wins.

Maybe this quick two-game sweep can help the Astros get them going in trying to win more games. They are still in double digit games south of .500, and a strong showing in the upcoming series hosting the Guardians can help the Astros climb back after a struggling start to the season. Or maybe the Astros will be brought back to reality if they drop this upcoming series. So, yeah... the last-place AL West Astros hosting the first-place AL Central Guardians.


Elsewhere...

* I want to congratulate Pete Alonso of Blitz24's New York Mets on knocking down his 200th home run. He did so hosting the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday. He is the 4th in Mets history to hit 200 homers. However, the Mets lost that game 7-4. And today, the Mets avoided getting swept by the Cardinals with a 4-2 victory in 11 innings.

* I learned "home run" in Spanish is "jonrón."


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! How did your team(s) do in their latest series?


[UPDATE] Forgot to edit the "Result"

 

[JohnBM01]

My Astros are off, so let me talk about games that ended tonight.

(SOURCE: ESPN)


* It was 2-0 in Baltimore as the Orioles knocked off the New York Yankees. G. Rodriguez got the win and a save from D. Columbe. Schmidt was the loser for NYY.

* How did the other New York City team do? You know, Blitz24's Mets? Well, they fell at home 3-1 to the Chicago Cubs. M. Leiter Jr. got the win, former Astro Hector Neris with the Save. E. Diaz was NYM's losing pitcher.

* The Miami Marlins drop another one. This time, a 7-2 defeat to the visiting Washington Nationals. J. Irvin with the WAS win and T. Rodgers with the loss for MIA.

* The Toronto Blue Jays won at home 6-5 over the visiting Kansas City Royals. G. Cabrera was the Toronto winner, and the save went to N. Pearson. For KC, the losing pitcher was J. Bowlan.

* When I saw this game on FS1, the Chicago White Sox were up 2-0 in the Bottom of the 1st. Since? A 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins at home. The Southsiders of Chicago saw G. Jax get the win with a save from C. Theilbar. J. Brebbla was CHW's loser as the White Sox fell to 6-23 on the season.

* In Milwaukee, the Brewers lost at home 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays. R. Pepiot won for TB along with a save by J. Adam. B. Wilson was the losing MIL pitcher.

* STL at DET was postponed.


That's all! I hope to share how my Houston Astros do against the Cleveland Guardians in my next summary.

 

[JohnBM01]

After whacking the Colorado Rockies in their two-game set in Mexico City, Mexico; it's time to face reality again. The Astros will face three teams currently leading each Division in the American League. An already tough season is going to get tougher. Can the Astros handle the visiting Cleveland Guardians? Find out in this summary of mine.

* CLE Guardians at HOU Astros (3 games)

[GAME 1] The Cleveland Guardians have the American League's best record at 19-9 for a reason, and they started off with a three-run bomb to left in the Top of the 1st to go up 3-0 early. I literally said to the TV when Alex Bregman got up in the Bottom of the 3rd... "get yourself a homer." What does he do after I said that? Three-run "Breggy Bomb" to left to tie the game at 3-3. A five-run Bottom of the 4th gave the Houston Astros the lead on on the AL Central-leading Guardians thanks to a bases-loaded two-run RBI followed by a three-run bomb. Cleveland inched closer by hitting a two-run homer to right-center in the Top of the 6th. Astros lead is now 8-5. Poor pitching by Rafael Montero led ultimately to a three-run homer by Cleveland that tied the game at 8-8 the same inning. As Astros run cushion is now gone, again, as the Astros try to outduel the Guardians. Nine innings weren't enough, so bring on extras. Cleveland hit an almost home run that brought in a Guardian to make it 9-8 in the Top of the 10th. Down to their final out, Victor Caratini hit a walk-off, two-run homer to right to sink the Guardians 10-9 in ten innings. Victor Caratini's walk-off homer was just as sweet as Joey Loperfido getting his first MLB hit and RBI in this game. Three wins in a row now for the Houston Astros. It's also the first extra innings win of the season for Houston (was 0-3 heading into tonight). Wow!

[GAME 2] Justin Verlander made his first home start of the 2024 season this Wednesday night as the calendar turns from April to May. Cleveland struck first on a right-center solo home run in the Top of the 5th. Guardians take a 1-0 lead trying to force a Rubber Game tomorrow night after last night's slugfest. They added to the lead on an RBI double to put Cleveland up 2-0 in the same inning. The Astros lit their side of the scoreboard in the Bottom of the 6th on an RBI single by José Altuve. Cleveland's lead got cut to 2-1 at that point. Kyle Tucker bombed a wicked homer to right-center to lead off the Bottom of the 7th to tie the game at 2-2. Could we head to back-to-back extra inning games? Yep. Bring on extras for a second straight night. Cleveland brought in a run with nobody out in the Top of the 10th on an RBI to deep left. The Astros got out of a bases-loaded jam with nobody out, as Cleveland did no further damage in the 10th inning. Cleveland lands a double play that ended the Astros' hopes of a comeback. 3-2, Cleveland; rubber game tomorrow night.

[GAME 3] After the Astros nearly lost on Tuesday and eventually lost on Wednesday, we got ourselves a Rubber Game on a Thursday night. Fast forward to the Top of the 5th, it's 2-1, Cleveland. Cleveland got in two runs in the Top of the 3rd, and the Astros cut it to a 2-1 lead in the Bottom of the 3rd. Jon Singleton hit a ball to right in the Bottom of the 6th that just cleared the fence to give the Astros the lead. Houston takes a 3-2 lead. The Bottom of the 7th is where the Astros took full control of this one with five runs. An RBI, bases loaded hit-by-pitch, two-run RBI, and a sacrifice fly all led to an 8-2 Astros lead over the dangerous AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians. Basically, eight unanswered runs by Houston. This time, a game ends in regulation as the Astros took an 8-2 win and win this series.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (10-9, 10 innings; Houston)
GM2: (3-2, 10 innings; Cleveland)
GM3: (8-2; Houston)

RESULT: HOU wins series 2-1

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: vs. SEA Mariners (3 games, starting Friday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 11-20 on the season, now tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for 4th in the AL West.

Next up is the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners. Houston will welcome the boys from the Emerald City with a three-game set. Even if Houston sweeps this upcoming series, they still will be 4th in the AL West since Oakland is currently 15-17. They can, however, try to take this series and make sure the Angels don't gain any ground on Houston.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you. Offer your recent series summary if you like.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Houston Astros got a statement-making series win by taking down the team with the best record in the AL at the time, the Cleveland Guardians. Now the Astros have some more important business by taking on the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners. Houston has won two straight series. Can they make it three straight series wins when Seattle comes to H-Town? I'll tell you happened in this series... RIGHT NOW!

* SEA Mariners at HOU Astros (3 games)

[GAME 1] It was a 3-1 for Seattle as I first followed this game in the Bottom of the 7th. An error trying to pick off 3rd base on a bases loaded ended up in an Astro stealing home. Seattle's lead truncated to 3-2 right there. A sacrifice fly later that inning tied the game at 3-3. Astros then took the lead on an RBI single. Houston now leads 4-3 thanks to a bunt by José Altuve. José Altuve stole his 300th base as an Astro in this game that same inning. The bases were loaded TWICE for the Astros in the Bottom of the 7th. A bases loaded walk extended the Astros' lead to 5-3. One of the wildest base running moments you'll see ended up being a double play instead of the Mariners cutting the lead to 5-4 on a would-be sacrifice fly. Closer Josh Hader got himself a Save to preserve the Astros' 5-3 win.

[GAME 2] This game was on FOX from Houston. Framber Valdez took the bump for the Astros, and Logan Gilbert counters Valdez for the Mariners. Astros pulled a double play in the Top of the 2nd, but a Mariner crossed home to give Seattle a 1-0 lead. I had to go to a family function, so I didn't see much else. Probably a good thing since the Astros lost this one 5-0. This home stand finale and Rubber Game are tomorrow afternoon.

[GAME 3] The game was a 4-3 lead for the Houston Astros in the Top of the 8th when I first followed this game. Seattle tied the game at 4-4 on an RBI single in the Top of the 8th. Astros killer Cal Raleigh did some damage in the Top of the 9th on a wicked solo home run to left. The AL West-leading Seattle Mariners went ahead 5-4 after that thunderbolt. Houston failed to make up ground after that solo homer by Seattle, so the Astros fell 5-4 and lose this series.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (5-3; Houston)
GM2: (5-0; Seattle)
GM3: (5-4; Seattle)

RESULT: SEA wins series 2-1

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: at NYY Yankees (3 games, starting Tuesday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 12-22 on the season, currently still tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for 4th in the AL West.

Time for another road trip. The New York Yankees will have some upcoming play dates with my Houston Astros. New York Yankees started 2024 sweeping the Astros in a four-game series. Now the already-pummeled Astros want payback. This time- in the Bronx and for three games. This begins a six-game road trip involving three at the Yanks followed by three at Joey D's Detroit Tigers.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you.

 

[JohnBM01]

My Houston Astros will begin a road trip with three at the Yankees and then three at the Tigers. With my Astros off, here is a Standings Update. Here's how this season has progressed so far. Find your favorite team(s):

--- AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS (as of: May 6, 2024) ---
AL EAST: Baltimore (23-11), NYY (23-13), BOS (19-16), TB (17-18), TOR (16-19)
AL CENTRAL: Cleveland (22-12), MIN (19-14), KC (20-15), DET (18-16), CHW (8-26)
AL WEST: Seattle (19-15), TEX (19-16), OAK (17-18), HOU and LAA (12-22 each)
CURRENT AL WILD CARD: NYY and MIN

--- NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS (as of: May 6, 2024) ---
NL EAST: Philadelphia (24-11), ATL (20-12), WAS (17-17), NYM (16-18), MIA (10-26)
NL CENTRAL: Milwaukee (20-13), CHC (21-14), CIN (16-18), PIT (16-19), STL (15-19)
NL WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers (23-13), SD (18-19), ARI and SF (15-20 each), COL (8-26)
CURRENT NL WILD CARD: ATL and CHC

It's May. There is a lot of season to be played. It is too early to predict anything at this point.


I think all of the one-run game talk trickled from Cincinnati to my Astros. I heard yesterday on the "Locked on Astros" Podcast that the Houston Astros are 1-9 in games determined by one run. Houston's latest one-run game was a loss after Seattle bombed a solo homer in the Top of the 9th, tied at 4-4. The relief pitching/bullpen has been trash this season. The offense has been inconsistent. This is basically fall-off from the 2022 World Series winning Astros. I still feel like this is the season the Astros fail to make the playoffs after what has somewhat been the Golden Age of Astros baseball. Then too... I thought the Astros wouldn't make the postseason last season. Look what happened- we not only made the Playoffs, but won the AL West in improbable fashion. The Astros got to get it together and play like the fearful team they can be.


Enjoy the rest of the season!

 

[Dolph Drago]

I've only seen a few innings here and there of the recent Cincy games. And what I've seen hasn't been pretty. The entire offense is in a horrendous slump. They scored all of 2 runs in their three game series sweep at the hands of the Orioles - 1 run each in the bottom of the 9th in games 2 and 3. The majority of the team is under the mendoza line. The only thing going right is they are tied for the lead in stolen bases. They WERE leading by a good margin, but they haven't been able to get on base in this slump. Elly is still leading the Majors with 19, though. Friedl is due back soon, too, so that is one piece that may help.

I don't know what to expect from the pitching. They're hot one game (such as in the 2-1 loss in game 2) and get pummeled the next (giving up 11? yesterday).

Yet, most surprising, is the fact that they are still ahead of the Cards and Buccos in the NL Central despite being 2 games under 500. Even if just a couple of guys can get out of their slumps, we can win some games here and there. Losing 5 of 7 or something like that isn't doing us any good.

 

[JohnBM01]

Have you been following the story involving Shohei Ohtani? The latest news is that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been accused of felony bank fraud and submitting a false tax return. He stole money from Ohtani's account to cover Mizuhara's debt. He is expected to plead guilty to these charges. The maximum sentence he can serve is over 33 years in federal prison and fines of up to $1.25M USD.

I'll tell you how Astros at Yankees went in a later post.

 

[Dolph Drago]

The Reds got swept for the second straight series against the D'backs and have now lost 8 in a row. 3 of the last 6 were 1-run affairs. Cincinnati now sits 4th in the NL Central at 16-21, with one less win than Pittsburgh and one more win than St. Louis. Oof.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Houston Astros will play 29 games in 30 days. Beginning on Tuesday is a trip to the Bronx to meet the Bronx Bombers- the New York Yankees. The Yankees lost the AL East lead recently. However, they are still a team that can do damage. So how did the boys from southeast Texas do up in the bright lights of New York City and the Bronx? Let's play a three-game series and find out together! Oh, and this is an inner-forum rivalry between myself and Fezzik.

* HOU Astros at NYY Yankees (3 games)

[GAME 1] Kyle Tucker blasted one to right to give the Astros a 1-0 lead early in the Top of the 1st. Poor pitching by Justin Verlander led to him giving up a three-run jack to right in the Bottom of the 1st. Yankees took a 3-1 lead thanks to Alex Verdugo's bomb. The Yankees' lead extended to 4-1 in the Bottom of the 3rd on an RBI single by who? Alex Verdugo. J. Verlander was off just about all of tonight. The Yanks bombed a two-run homer in the Bottom of the 4th to make it six unanswered runs by the New York Yankees. The Astros are thankful this isn't a shutout had it not been for Kyle Tucker's 1st inning homer. Once the Yanks got an RBI single to make it 8-1, I stopped watching. Final: 10-3, Yankees.

[GAME 2] Kyle Tucker started tonight like he did last night- a solo jack in the Top of the 1st. Maybe the Astros can WIN this time! This was Kyle Tucker's 11th homer of the season. He leads the AL in homers. Also just like last night (but with a different score), the Yanks respond with a homer of their own in the Bottom of the 1st. This time, a 2-run shot to left-center. I was making dinner, so fast forward to the Bottom of the 8th, leading 8-3 is the New York Yankees. Yanks drive in another run to make it a 9-3 advantage. The Astros tried to knock in as many runs as possible, and they did a little justice with an RBI single to cut the lead to 9-4. No further damage, as the Yanks win AGAIN. This time, 9-4.

[GAME 3] Yankees can sweep the Astros AGAIN this season if they win this game. Same story- Astros pound a solo jack to right in the Top of the 1st inning. So let me guess... we screw up the rest of the game and end up losing, right? Pump your brakes, mates- maybe this time will be different. It was, however, different when the Astros later bombed a two-run homer to right to the upper deck of New Yankees Stadium to go up 3-0 in the same inning. Even Yordan Alvarez, who hit the first homer, was stunned! The Yankees didn't take the lead in the first inning like they did the past two games of this series. The Yankees scored finally in the Bottom of the 3 with a two-run homer to deep right. Houston cashed in an RBI single in the Top of the 5th to go up 4-2. This one ended up being a 4-3 victory for Houston. Sweep (series and season) averted.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (10-3; New York Yankees)
GM2: (9-4; New York Yankees)
GM3: (4-3; Houston)

RESULT: NYY wins series 2-1

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: at DET Tigers (3 games, starting Friday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 13-24 on the season, now dead last in the AL West.

Hey, Joey D... do you mind if my Houston Astros play at your Detroit Tigers for a three-game weekend series? Another inner-forum rivalry series coming up. Detroit's been pretty good. Houston will try to tame the Tigers as best they can.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you.

 

[JohnBM01]

Time for the Houston Astros to pay a visit to Detroit to play with some cats. Them Tigers of MoTown want to go platinum against the Astros. Let's play ball at Comerica Park for a three-game weekend series!

* HOU Astros at DET Tigers (3 games)

[GAME 1] Detroit put on their City Connect uniforms for tonight's contest. They look very cool- black with some dark blue and white "Motor City" lettering. Timely hitting let to a 2-0 lead for Detroit in the Bottom of the 3rd. Framber Valdez's streak of 19 scoreless innings at Comerica Park ended on the two-run RBI double by Detroit. Houston gets on the board thanks to a solo homer to right by Kyle Tucker in the Top of the 6th. King Tuck cuts Detroit's lead to 2-1. Fast forward to the Bottom of the 9th, and Houston leads 5-2. That was the final- Houston takes Game 1 5-2.

[GAME 2] Detroit got on the board first on a bases loaded walk with one out in the Bottom of the 2nd. So that is a 1-0 lead for Detroit, who again wore their black/blue/white City Connect uniforms. Detroit's Mark Canha made Christian Javier pay with a Grand Slam to left put Detroit up 5-0. Then later, a two-run blast to right the same inning extended Detroit's lead to 7-0. So I wake up from a nap to see the Astros go from a scoreless game to being in a 7-0 hole. Just my luck. Rubber Game tomorrow unless the Astros make an epic winning comeback. Alex Bregman drove in an RBI single in the Top of the 4th to help the Astros cut into Detroit's lead. And later, another RBI brought home another Astro the same inning. The Tigers' lead got cut to 7-2. The fun lasted so long until the Tigers hit a solo jack to left in the Bottom of the 4th to make it an 8-2 Tigers lead. Rubber Game tomorrow, and Justin Verlander goes for Houston tomorrow afternoon. Detroit wins 8-2.

[GAME 3] In Justin Verlander's last start, he gave up seven runs. How will things go in his return against his former team on this Mother's Day? Well, mama said "knock you out!", and Justin Verlander did just fine pitching seven scoreless innings and did much better against his former team than in his roughed-up job at the Yankees. I wasn't able to see this game due to bad weather. When I did see the final score, it was 9-3, Houston. Tigers tamed.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (5-2; Houston)
GM2: (8-2; Detroit)
GM3: (9-3; Houston)

RESULT: HOU wins series 2-1

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: vs. OAK Athletics (4 games, starting Monday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 15-25 on the season, now tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for 4th in the AL West. Joey D's Tigers, meanwhile, are now 20-20 on the season, 4th in the AL Central.

Oakland had a sorry and forgettable 2023. The 2024 A's aren't playing like some last-place team. A ten-game home stand is coming up with Oakland (4), Milwaukee (3), and Los Angeles Angels (3) coming up. It would be wild, but if the Astros sweep the next three series, Houston will be right at .500 on the season.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you.


[OMISSION] Justin Verlander had a Perfect Game going through four innings in his start at Detroit. He still delivered seven innings of scoreless ball.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Cincinnati broke their 8 game loss streak with a much needed win in the opener in San Fran. They proceeded to lose game 2 thanks largely to a mistake pitch that went for a grand slam while getting thrown out 3 times trying to stretch singles into doubles on offense. In the finale, they grabbed a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning and held it until Montas lost his way in the 6th inning and gave up 5. The Reds did claw back to tie it but ultimately lost in extras 6-5. They are now 1-8 in 1-run games. Overall, they have lost 10 of 11. Lovely.

 

[JohnBM01]

Here are a few observations on this season so far...

--- OBSERVATIONS (as of: May 13, 2024) ---
WINNING PERCENTAGE...

• BEST: Philadelphia (.683, 28-13 record)
• WORST: Miami (.262, 11-31 record)

HOME/AWAY RECORDS...

• BEST HOME: Philadelphia (15-7 at home)
• BEST AWAY: Milwaukee (14-8 on road)
• WORST HOME: Los Angeles Angels (5-14 at home)
• WORST AWAY: Colorado (3-16 on road)

CURRENT STREAKS:

• LONGEST WINNING STREAK: Colorado (4 straight wins)
• LONGEST LOSING STREAK: Texas (3 straight losses)

LATEST CURRENT 10 RECORD:

• BEST CURRENT TEN: Philadelphia and Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2 each the past 10 games)
• WORST CURRENT TEN: Cincinnati (1-9 the past 10 games)

I'll let you know what happened with OAK at HOU once that four-game series concludes. As for your favorite team(s), enjoy the new series!

 

[Dolph Drago]

The series finale for the Reds against the D'backs just finished up. Same 💩, different day. A quickie recap:

Game 1: A small miracle! Cincy leads 5-4 going into the 9th. In comes All-Star closer Diaz. Plunks Gurriel in the ribs first pitch. Lineout. Walk. Walk. Former Red Kevin Newman hits the game winning 2-run single.
Game 2: Cincinnati was actually down 2-0 after 3 innings. They proceed to put up 2 runs in 3 straight innings and Greene had a pitch efficient effort in 7 innings. The bullpen put up zeroes. Reds win easily, maybe for the first time this season.
Game 3: I turned the game on after getting home from work. It was already the 6th inning. Abbott went 7, 1 run allowed. The game was tied at 1 apiece heading into the 8th. Cruz got 2 outs before giving up back-to-back doubles. Arizona leads. Reds can't respond. 2-1 is the final.

Game 1: 6-5 Arizona
Game 2: 6-2 Cincinnati
Game 3: 2-1 Arizona

Yup, that's two more 1-run losses, putting us at 1-10 in such games this season. Not sure how that is possible, but this team has the formula figured out. The Reds actually outscored their opponent in the series but still lost it. We now sit at 18-25 and have officially hit the bottom of the NL Central 1/2 game behind the Cards, though St. Louis still hasn't played their game against the Angels tonight yet.

Oh, did I mention that Friedl came back for all of 4 games before getting nailed on the wrist by a pitch to start off this series? Fracture. Already back on the IL.

One final note. Cincy now heads to Chavez Ravine to face the Dodgers in a 4 game set. Ugh.

 

[Blitz24]

The series finale for the Reds against the D'backs just finished up. Same 💩, different day. A quickie recap:

Game 1: A small miracle! Cincy leads 5-4 going into the 9th. In comes All-Star closer Diaz. Plunks Gurriel in the ribs first pitch. Lineout. Walk. Walk. Former Red Kevin Newman hits the game winning 2-run single.
Game 2: Cincinnati was actually down 2-0 after 3 innings. They proceed to put up 2 runs in 3 straight innings and Greene had a pitch efficient effort in 7 innings. The bullpen put up zeroes. Reds win easily, maybe for the first time this season.
Game 3: I turned the game on after getting home from work. It was already the 6th inning. Abbott went 7, 1 run allowed. The game was tied at 1 apiece heading into the 8th. Cruz got 2 outs before giving up back-to-back doubles. Arizona leads. Reds can't respond. 2-1 is the final.

Game 1: 6-5 Arizona
Game 2: 6-2 Cincinnati
Game 3: 2-1 Arizona

Yup, that's two more 1-run losses, putting us at 1-10 in such games this season. Not sure how that is possible, but this team has the formula figured out. The Reds actually outscored their opponent in the series but still lost it. We now sit at 18-25 and have officially hit the bottom of the NL Central 1/2 game behind the Cards, though St. Louis still hasn't played their game against the Angels tonight yet.

Oh, did I mention that Friedl came back for all of 4 games before getting nailed on the wrist by a pitch to start off this series? Fracture. Already back on the IL.

One final note. Cincy now heads to Chavez Ravine to face the Dodgers in a 4 game set. Ugh.

The Reds crack under pressure it seems.

 

[JohnBM01]

A series win against the Oakland Athletics will help their season, since the A's are ahead of the Astros at present. A sweep would be even better. The Athletics are actually playing quite well this season so far. They are not as much the doormat people make them out to be. Can the Astros knock them a few pegs, or will they squander this series? Let's play ball in Houston with this AL West showdown!

* OAK Athletics at HOU Astros (4 games)

[GAME 1] I did not see this game at all, as I usually watch pro wrestling on Monday nights and Friday nights. Final score was a big win... for Houston! 9-2 was Houston's hammer job on Oakland. By the way, here's a cool story about this game. This game is the first-ever time two female play-by-play announcers called any MLB game. Both, on opposing sides. Julia Morales, the Astros' reporter, was play-by-play calling for the Houston Astros, and Jenny Cavnar was the play-by-play announcer for this game for the Oakland Athletics.

[GAME 2] Alex Bregman launched a "Breggy Bomb" to left in the Bottom of the 2nd for Houston to strike first in this game. It was a solo shot, so 1-0 Astros at this point. HOU pitcher Ronel Blanco was somehow ejected for something illegal inside his glove or on his fingers. He could face a suspension if he's guilty of using an illegal substance on his fingers. He sweats a lot. So in comes Tayler Scott to take over for Ronel Blanco. José Altuve banged in hit No. 2100 in his career in the Bottom of the 5th. No scoring happened again until the Top of the 8th as Oakland tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI single. This one couldn't be settled in nine innings, so extras for this match. Victor Caratni drove in the walk-off RBI in the Bottom of the 10th to send the Astros fans home happy. Astros win 2-1 over Oakland in Game 2 of this series. Victor Caratni is money in the bank for Houston.

[GAME 3] Before this game began, Ronel Blanco got hit with a 10-game suspension and did not appeal. The suspension is for having rosin on his non-throwing hand. Houston started things off on a Kyle Tucker RBI double followed by a Sacrifice Fly in the Bottom of the 1st to take a 2-0 lead early. A sacrifice fly by Houston leads to a 3-0 extension of their lead in the Bottom of the 4th. Framber Valdez pitched very well along with good pitching by Seth Martinez to secure a 3-0 shutout.

[GAME 4] Inclement weather prevented me from watching parts of tonight's game. When I checked my smartphone and then saw the live score, it was 6-0 Astros in the Bottom of the 4th. A sacrifice fly by Jeremy Peña brought home Kyle Tucker to make it a 7-0 Astros lead the same inning. A balk by Oakland after bringing in a new pitcher brought home another Astro to make it 8-0. Oakland broke up the shutout on an RBI single in the Top of the 7th. So the Astros' lead is now 8-1. That's all Oakland could do as we pick up a 4-game sweep of the A's.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (9-2; Houston)
GM2: (2-1, 10 innings; Houston)
GM3: (3-0; Houston)
GM4: (8-1; Houston)

RESULT: HOU wins series 4-0

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: vs. MIL Brewers (3 games, starting Friday)

After the sweep, the 2024 Houston Astros are now 19-25 on the season, now 3rd in the AL West.

The Milwaukee Brewers are coming on down to H-Town for a little NL Central family reunion. The Houston Astros had their fair share of battles with the Brew Crew, and this will be a fierce Interleague fight between these two coming up this weekend.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you. Have a good one!

 

[Fezzik]

Another series win, another sweep, my Yankees win their 30th game of the year.

Pitching has held up surprisingly well, with the homegrown Gil and Schmidt outperforming the free agent acquisitions. Gerrit Cole is due back by the Allstar break as well.

Offence is doing alright but still a bit streaky. The great Soto has cooled off but Judge looks finally healthy and is bashing 450 foot homers. Biggest surprises are the resurgence of Giancarlo Stanton and the unexpected hitting of our defensive specialist catcher, Jose Trevino.

I very much doubt they can keep up a 108 win pace, and even winning the division will be tough vs the amazing young Orioles, but it's been a great start.

 

[JohnBM01]

Another Interleague series is coming up for the Houston Astros. This time, the Milwaukee Brewers will be at the Houston Astros for a three-game weekend series. It will be an NL Central family reunion. It will also be the reunion of former Brewer, Victor Caratini, to go against his former team.

* MIL Brewers at HOU Astros (4 games)

[GAME 1] Due to bad weather and seeing another show, I was unable to watch most of the game. When I did check into the game, it was a 5-4 Astros lead in the Bottom of the 6th. That was the same score when I saw this game on TV finally, now in the Top of the 9th. The two teams traded leads starting with Milwaukee in the Top of the 2nd and going into the Astros' three-run Bottom of the 5th. Josh Hader, who I didn't know also played for the Brewers, did a good job of closing to preserve the 5-4 victory and a Save. Six straight wins for the Houston Astros Baseball Club.

[GAME 2] A wild pitch and some aggressive base running led to Mauricio Dubon knocking in a run in the Bottom of the 3rd. The RBI single by the "Honduran Hammer" put the Astros up 1-0. A sacrifice fly by Milwaukee with the bases loaded brought home a Brewer in the Top of the 5th and tied the game at 1-1. Then Justin Verlander, at 42 pitches, saw the ball go over his head and to the gas pump in left-center, as the Brewers bombed a three-run jack to end Verlander's night. Brewers go ahead 4-1 in the Top of the 5th. Jake Meyers gave the home crowd hope as he had liftoff on a solo jack to left to cut Milwaukee's lead to 4-2 in the Bottom of the 5th. The damage was already done, though, with the marathon Top of the 5th Justin Verlander endured. Rubber game tomorrow as Milwaukee wins 4-2.

[GAME 3] In the Rubber Game of this series, it was 6-3 Astros in the Top of the 7th when I first followed this game. A four-run Bottom of the 1st was the bulk of Houston's damage in this game. A base hit by Milwaukee later that inning cut the lead down to 6-4. Kyle Tucker, meanwhile, put a further hurting on the Brew Crew with a three-run bomb to left make it 9-4. This was King Tuck's 2nd jack today following a solo homer in the Bottom of the 6th by MLB's home run leader. This series is over as the Astros win the Rubber Game 9-4.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (5-4; Houston)
GM2: (4-2, Milwaukee)
GM3: (9-4; Houston)

RESULT: HOU wins series 2-1

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: vs. LAA Angels (3 games, starting Monday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 21-26 on the season, still 3rd in the AL West.

This home stand for the Astros will conclude with a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Even though the Angels are last in the AL West at 18-29 currently, the Houston Astros still shouldn't take LAA lightly. It is possible the Astros could have the same number of wins as the Texas Rangers right now, especially if the Rangers lose three straight at the Phillies while the Astros sweep the Angels.


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you. Have a good one!

 

[JohnBM01]

Have the Houston Astros finally turned it around? They've won three straight series. They could make it four when they host the last-place AL West Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Allow me to tell you about how the Houston Astros conclude this home stand with a series against the Angels.

* LAA Angels at HOU Astros (3 games)

[GAME 1] The first score I saw was a 9-6 lead for the Angels in the Top of the 8th. Astros end up losing 9-7. So far, so bad this series.

[GAME 2] The score was 4-2, Angels when I first followed this game in the Bottom of the 4th. Astros blast one to center for a two-run jack by Jon Singleton. We're tied at 4-4 in the Bottom of the 6th. Bryan Abreu got taken deep in the Top of the 7th with a solo homer by the Angels. The Angels retook the lead at 5-4. Kyle Tucker put the Astros back up in front on a solo jack to right. Now it is a 5-5 tie in what seems to be a slugfest. Extra Innings would be needed to settle this game. Jeremy Peña knocked in the clutch RBI walk-off to win 6-5 in ten innings. Rubber Game tomorrow afternoon.

[GAME 3] The score as I first tuned into the Rubber Game of this series was 2-1, Angels in the Bottom of the 7th. The two-run bomb by the Angels being the difference in the Astros' latest fail.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1: (9-7; Los Angeles Angels)
GM2: (6-5, 10 innings; Houston)
GM3: (2-1; Los Angeles Angels)

RESULT: LAA wins series 2-1

--- UPCOMING ---
NEXT: at OAK Athletics (3 games, starting Friday)

The 2024 Houston Astros are now 22-28 on the season, still 3rd in the AL West.

Up next after the day off tomorrow is a critical seven-game road trip through the AL West. We're at the Oakland Athletics for three followed by a trip to the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners for four. Late games, baby!


Congratulations to all recent series winners and today's/tonight's winners! If your team split or lost a series, hope the next series goes better for you.