Mayfield: Feel-good debut
(c) Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle
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The Astros have spoken for years about building depth in their farm system. The next few months might reveal how well they've done.
Despite taking two of three from both the Red Sox and the Cubs, the 37-20 ballclub has a concerned pose as three of their top stars and half their bench have fallen to injuries in the past couple of weeks. While the schedule gets easier in June, a watered-down Houston team may have to work harder to keep up their current pace.
George Springer returned from back soreness only to pull a hamstring. Jose Altuve played some games at Round Rock to test his ailing hamstring only to come up with soreness in his operated knee. Now Carlos Correa is out until probably the All-Star Game with a fractured rib he says he got during a massage at his home.
Utilityman Aledmys Diaz, the replacement for Altuve, is out nursing his own sore hamstring and backup catcher Max Stassi is on the injured list with a sore knee.
Instead of reaching for the two top offensive prospects in the system, the Astros have brought up journeyman infielder Jack Mayfield and catcher Garrett Stubbs, who both responded with impressive big league debuts, and outfielder Derek Fisher.
Splendid pitching from Wade Miley and Brad Peacock, along with the usual outstanding work from Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, have kept the Astros in most of their games. Rookie Corbin Martin, who had a solid big league debut, has regressed a bit more in each outing and may give way shortly to another arm.
Timely hits from remaining regulars Alex Bregman, Michael Brantley, Josh Reddick, Yuli Gurriel and Robinson Chirinos have also kept the ship afloat. Tony Kemp has filled in at second base while Jake Marisnick has thrown his body around all over the outfield.
How long can this hold up?
The first answers will come in Oakland where the 29-27 A's are fresh off a 10-game winning streak which has pulled them to within 7-1/2 games of first. They've cooled off with a pair of losses but they continue to be dangerous, just as they were last year. Houston has taken 4-of-5 from them in earlier matchups.
Peacock (5-2) will pitch the Friday opener for Houston against ex-Astro Mike Fiers (4-3) in a duel of Jeff Luhnow trade acquisitions. Verlander (8-2) takes the ball Saturday night against lefthander Brett Anderson (6-3). Both nights will have 9:07 pm Central starting times. In the Sunday 3:07 pm Central finale, Cole (5-5) squares off against Chris Bassitt (3-1). Cole and Verlander lead the American League in strikeouts as of Thursday.
After this series, the Astros will travel up to Seattle for a four-game weekday set with the slumping Mariners before returning home to face the Baltimore Orioles.
Here's a few leftover notes. I have harped on how often teams have opted to send out lefthanded starters against the Astros. In past years, Houston has struggled against lefty starters. It's been pointed out the Astros are 14-5 so far this year against southpaws.
Top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley has been put on the Injured List with shoulder fatigue. The Top 10 pitching prospect has had a rough time in AAA and he will be rested then sent back to Florida to rehab before he returns to action in Round Rock.
Finally, prayers continue for an infant girl struck in the head Wednesday by a line drive off the bat of Chicago's Albert Almora at Minute Maid Park. As of midday Thursday, her name and condition remained undisclosed after she was hospitalized. The buzz is that she is being watched as a precaution.
While many have touched on the displays of emotion by Almora and players on both sides, some question if more protection is needed beyond the extended netting Major League Baseball demanded a few years ago. I took in a game during the homestand and noticed the swarm of young children around us who were totally disinterested in the game itself.
Every ticket includes a warning about the danger of flying objects going into the stands, nonetheless I wouldn't be surprised to see a lawsuit result from this. Should we see 15-foot hockey boards go up around the stands or should we insist parents select age-appropriate seating for their minor children instead of making them vulnerable to bats and liners while dad is focused on his beer and mom is attached to her phone? I feel sorry for the little girl but not for her parents that put her in harm's way.
- Bob Hulsey
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