The Astros arrived in the eighth inning on Wednesday with two hits and a beleaguered bullpen. They needed insurance in the worst way and George Springer seemed the perfect person to provide it. Josh Reddick started the frame with a single. Nine-hole hitter Martin Maldonado worked his 18th walk of the season.
Maldonado’s ability to get on base at the bottom of the order has been revolutionary. His on-base percentage now up to .402 — more than 100 points higher than his career average. The Astros laud his offensive improvements. The hitters he brings up are doing nothing to make it actually pay dividends.
Springer strolled to the plate Wednesday with one out and two on. The Astros led by one run. Inconsistent closer Ryan Pressly warmed in the bullpen for the ninth. One swing from Springer would allay many concerns. Pressly could pitch with a bigger lead. The lineup carousel could continue to turn, perhaps augmenting a lead that never felt safe.
Instead, Rangers reliever Joely Rodriguez required three pitches. He pounded Springer on the inner half with a 95 mph sinker and a 90 mph changeup. Springer watched both fall for strikes. He offered a feeble, half swing against the final pitch — another changeup — to strike out. The sequence was ugly, one punctuated by an almost-resigned flip of the bat from a clearly frustrated Springer.
Springer finished Tuesday night 0-for-3. His batting average dipped below .200. His OPS is .718.
Coupled with José Altuve’s continued struggles, the top of Houston’s order is ailing. Without it, survival will be difficult. Maldonado also walked to start the fourth. Springer followed with a first-pitch flyout. Altuve grounded into a fielder’s choice two pitches later.
Altuve dropped a bunt single Wednesday to finish 1-for-4. He collected two singles in Tuesday’s game, too. While Altuve’s snuck his average back up to .218, his power stroke is absent. So is Springer’s.
Springer is 3 for his last 25. In 57 plate appearances since injuring his wrist Aug. 6, Springer has only five extra-base hits. His slugging percentage is .388. Springer’s career mark is .485.
Altuve has a .415 career slugging percentage. This year, it’s just .317. Each of his past six hits have been singles. His last extra-base hit? Aug. 22.
As a team, the Astros are slugging .420. They led the major leagues with a .495 slugging percentage last season. This team will obviously lack power without designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. Alex Bregman is gone, too, but his return should arrive on the road trip.
In their absence, Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker have supplied a lift. Brantley swatted home runs in Tuesday and Wednesday’s games against the Rangers, representing almost all of the damage against Texas pitching. Tucker now has the team’s highest OPS and a league-high six triples.
These two men cannot carry the Astros offense alone. For the team to accomplish its championship goals, Springer and Altuve must discover consistency — and their fading power stroke.
"much" - Google News
September 03, 2020 at 11:44AM
https://ift.tt/32SFIin
Astros insider: Much more needed from José Altuve, George Springer - Houston Chronicle
"much" - Google News
https://ift.tt/37eLLij
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Astros insider: Much more needed from José Altuve, George Springer - Houston Chronicle"
Post a Comment