It’s game 162 of the year for the Astros. After one of the most tumultuous seasons in franchise history, our guys in orange will be sadly laying down the bats for the final time this year.
It’s a bit of a relief actually, seeing as though we didn’t know how the team would make it through another potential week of baseball with the skeleton crew that they already had going for them.
After injuries to players like Yordan, Jeremy, Isaac, Jake, JP, Spencer, and basically anyone
The team and fanbase is obviously
disappointed that there wasn’t to be October baseball this year, but many lessons were learned and now there’s an opportunity to refresh, refocus, and reevaluate.
Bob Nightengale reported some very interesting nuggets on X regarding the potential immediate future of the team:
“One Astros executive, when asked by USA TODAY Sports whether they could be dismissed – with Brown having a club option that has yet to be picked up – simply said that all departments, on the baseball and business side, are currently being evaluated.“
and then you have:
“Espada’s job security would seem more tenuous than Brown’s.”
Very very interesting for Bob Nightengale to say, especially considering the pulse of the fan base currently and how polarizing the conversation of blame assigning has been. Astros X is a weird place, folks.
Regardless, we have some baseball to cover today involving our favorite ball club. It’s Lance McCullers Jr. (2-5, 6.51 ERA, 61 SO) on the mound today versus Angels left hander Sam Aldegheri (0-1, 6.59 ERA, 12 SO).
Here’s hoping for a strong finish for a tired team.
First Pitch: 12:08 PDT
Mauricio Dubón was advanced to second base after his single and Caratini being HBP. He was then scored via an RBI single to center by Yainer Diaz to make it 1-0 Astros.
Bottom of the 1st Inning:
Mike Trout his 26th home run of the year 443 feet to left center to tie the game 1-1.
Top of the 4th Inning:
For the final time this season, Lance McCullers was pulled and replaced with Colton Gordon after 3 innings.
His final line: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s, 1 HR, 1 ER, and 6.51 ERA
Going into the final year of a 5 year/$85 million contract, the LMJ conversation is going to be an interesting one this Winter. Injuries have ravaged Lance’s career since the end of 2022, and it just seems like he has yet to recover on various fronts.
The fact that he pitched today was an admirable gesture. It remains to be seen what his immediate future may hold.
Top of the 5th Inning:
Yainer Diaz smashed his 20th homer of the season to break the tie and make it 2-1 Astros.
It was Yainer’s 19th as a primary catcher, tying him with Evan Gattis for the franchise record in a season. (This according to SCHN broadcast)
Cam Smith then doubled with two outs to send Ramón Urías to the plate with an opportunity to hit with a runner in scoring position. And that he did, sending a changeup over the left field wall to get his 11th homer of the year and extend the lead to 4-1.
The home run barrage wasn’t over though, as Brice Matthews joined the fun with a gargantuan blast of his own that went 420 feet to left center to make it 5-1. It was his 4th as an Astro.
Top of the 6th Inning:
Victor Caratini added to the home run derby by contributing a 417 foot shot to center field to make it 6-1.
Well I’ll be, seems like the Astros all of a sudden pack a lot of slug in those bats, huh? That was their fourth long ball of the game.
Bottom of the 9th Inning:
Jayden Murray entered the game for Colton Gordon to potentially finish the Angels and their season.
Three singles by Jo Adell, Chris Taylor, and Carter Kieboom gave the Angels another run and made it 6-2.
Murray then allowed the Angels to load the bases after another single by Sebastián Rivero.
Fortunately, Murray got out of the jam by striking out Taylor Ward to end the game and improve the Astros to a final 87-75 on the season with a 6-2 victory.
Ballgame over. Series secured. Season complete. *Exhale*
Looking ahead:
Well, there is no look ahead this time, lol.
There is no starter tomorrow, no next series, no next game.
To quote Ferris Bueller, “”You’re still here? It’s over. Go home. Go.”
In all seriousness, it’s been quite the experiencing finishing up my first go-round with the Crawfish Boxes. It’s been amazing learning from a great team, collaborating with smart baseball minds, and hearing from you the fanbase. It’s been a fun ride!
We all could use a break, don’t you think? As I close out the final postgame recap of their season, I thank you for your patronage and support on this site.
May your future days be filled with peace, love, family, and much barbecue.
Have a blessed time with those close to you, and remember there’s more to life than baseball.
The Astros will be back. Guarantee it!
