MLB The Show: Steelerfan's Houston Astros Franchise

[steelerfan]

The Astros were 8-2 losers to the Rangers on Saturday, falling to 2-3 on the season.

The big news, however, followed the game when the club announced that they have traded outfield prospect Tim Belliard, 20, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran left-handed reliever JP Howell, 31.

Howell (75, C) will move into a setup role for the Astros and will give Manager Bo Porter a much-needed third lefty in his bullpen. Howell made 2 appearances for LA this season, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings despite allowing opponents to hit .357 against him. He has no record this season but is 33-31 with 22 saves and a 4.01 ERA in just over 8 seasons of service time in his career.

To make room on the big league roster for Howell, Houston has optioned reliever Josh D. Fields to AAA Fresno. Fields pitched 3 scoreless innings for the Astros this season and the 29 year old righty (72, C) is 2-5 with 5 saves and a 4.71 ERA in his career.

Belliard (62, C) will join the Dodgers AAA affiliate in Oklahoma City.

[steelerfan]

Following the acquisition of JP Howell from the Dodgers, Houston was forced to make room for him on their 40-man roster as well. To do so, the club placed 24 year old reliever Bruce Rondon (currently with AA Corpus Christi) on outright waivers.

Rondon can be claimed by any other club in the next 48 hours. If he is unclaimed, Rondon will remain with the Astros. Rondon (65, B) was originally acquired with Jeff Locke from Pittsburgh in exchange for SPs Scott Feldman and Colin McHugh during the Spring.

[steelerfan]

Jason Castro was the star, going 2 for 4 with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, in the series finale in Arlington as Houston rallied from a 3-0 deficit to hand Texas their first loss of 2015 on Sunday, 10-5.

Jarred Cosart improved to 2-0 despite a very ordinary outing. Cosart went 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with 5 Ks and 2 walks. Luis Cruz pitched the final 3 innings to earn the first save of his Major League career.

In game two, a 8-2 loss, Alex White had a rough day on the mound going just 3.1 innings allowing 8 runs on 9 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.

In the opener, Houston lost 6-5 despite 6 doubles and homers from Dexter Fowler and Jason Castro. Jeff Locke struggled in his Astros debut, allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits in 6 innings. Locke did register 8 punch outs to go with a pair of walks.

HOU 5-14-1
TEX 6-7-1

HOU 2-4-0
TEX 8-12-0

HOU 10-10-0
TEX 5-7-2

The Astros will return home for 6 games beginning on Monday when they face the Oakland A's in the first of three games. After taking Thursday off, the Astros will host the Angels in a weekend series before hitting the road again.

[steelerfan]

Oakland Athletics (1-6) at Houston Astros (3-3)
April 13-15, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas

Probable Starters:

Game One - 7:10 PM Monday
AJ Griffin (0-1, 3.00) vs Brett Oberholtzer (0-1, 16.88)

Game Two - 7:10 PM Tuesday
Scott Kazmir (0-1, 4.05) vs Asher Wojciechowski (0-0, 4.50)

Game Three - 1:10 PM Wednesday
Jesse Chavez (1-0, 3.18) vs Jeff Locke (0-0, 4.50)

[steelerfan]

AL West Standings through Sunday, April 12, 2015

Rangers 6-1
Angels 3-3
Mariners 3-3
Astros 3-3
Athletics 1-6

[steelerfan]

In the second game of the series with Oakland, second baseman Jose Altuve suffered a finger contusion sliding into third base in the first inning. Altuve is expected to miss 2 to 3 weeks while the finger heals and, as a result, Houston has placed Altuve on the 15-day DL.

To replace Altuve, the Astros recalled infielder Marwin Gonzalez from AAA Fresno. Gonzalez (70, C), 25, is a career .229 hitter with 12 home runs and 60 RBI in 785 AB. Last season Gonzalez hit .231 with 6 homers and 34 RBI in 376 AB with the Astros.

In related organizational news, reliever Bruce Rondon has cleared waivers and been sent outright AA Corpus Christi after being removed from the 40-man roster following Houston's acquisition of reliever JP Howell from the Dodgers.

[steelerfan]

The Astros took 2 of 3 from the Oakland Athletics as both clubs hit better than .300 (.302 and. 306 respectively) in a high scoring offensive barrage.

The Astros took game one with a walk-off single by Jose Altuve, 8-7. Brett Oberholtzer allowed 5 runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and Scott Atchison ultimately earned his first win for Houston out of the bullpen. George Springer (2), Carlos Correa (2) and Alex Presley (3) were the stars at the plate for Houston as each drove in multiple runs and each hit one out.

In game two, the Astros fell 7-4 despite a huge day from CF Dexter Fowler. Fowler, who missed most of 2014 with a torn MCL, went 3 for 5 with a double, a triple and 4 RBI. Rookie Asher Wojciechowski took his first loss in the Majors, despite a quality start. Asher went 6 innings allowing 5 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits with 4 punch outs and 3 walks. Wojciechowski was the victim of 3 errors by the Houston defense.

Houston bounced back in a big way on Wednesday afternoon, taking the rubber match 13-2. Lefty Jeff Locke, acquired from Pittsburgh in the Spring, earned his first win as an Astro allowing 2 runs on 7 hits with 4 Ks and 4 walks in 6 innings of work. 4 Astros hitters drove in multiple runs including rookie Charlie Barbour who hit a 3-run homer, the first of his career, in his only at-bat.

OAK 7-12-1
HOU 8-10-0

OAK 7-11-1
HOU 4-9-3

OAK 2-10-1
HOU 13-13-0

The Astros have Thursday off before the Los Angeles Angels visit for a 3 game weekend series.

AL West Standings through Thursday, April 16, 2015

Angels 6-3
Rangers 6-4
Astros 5-4
Mariners 4-5
Athletics 2-8

[steelerfan]

Los Angeles Angels (6-3) at Houston Astros (5-4)
April 17-19, 2015
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas

Probable Starters:

Game One - Friday 7:10 PM
Tyler Skaggs (1-0, 2.16) vs Alex White (0-1, 21.60)

Game Two - Saturday 1:10 PM
Jered Weaver (0-1, 4.76) vs Jarred Cosart (2-0, 2.63)

Game Three - Sunday 1:10 PM
CJ Wilson (0-1, 3.09) vs Brett Oberholtzer (0-1, 11.74)

[steelerfan]

Here's a look at the Astros Team Statistics through the first 10 games of the season (beat the Angels 5-2 in the opener of that series). I'm posting these for no other reason than to track the validity of the numbers, with respect to my sliders.

(MLB Rank in Parenthesis)

Batting .257 (16)
Runs 55 (T-4)
Doubles 21 (T-10)
Triples 3 (T-4)
Home Runs 11 (T-11)
RBI 52 (5)
Stolen Bases 4 (T-16)
SB% .800 (T-13)
BB 31 (T-17)
K 84 (T-21)
Slugging .435 (8)
On-base% .319 (17)
GIDP 4 (T-3)

Assists 104 (4)
Put Outs 266 (22)
Fielding% .987 (15)
ERA 4.36 (21)
Saves 4 (T-5)
Blown Saves 1 (T-8)
Hits Allowed 99 (22)
Runs Allowed 48 (20)
Earned Runs 43 (20)
Home Runs Allowed 12 (T-22)
BB Allowed 26 (T-4)
Strikeouts 68 (T-28)

There's a few things that I need to keep an eye on but it's most important that I'm not the runaway best or the clear worst at anything. I'm not. It's a small sample though.

I'll try to keep posting these every 10 games.

[steelerfan]

In an important early season weekend series, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Angels.

In game one on Friday night, Houston rode the pitching of Alex White who went 7 innings allowing just 1 run on 9 hits with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk to earn his first win of 2015. Jesse Crain notched his 3rd save, closing the 5-2 win.

On Saturday, newly called up infielder Marwin Gonzalez fueled a comeback from a 6-3 deficit with an 8th inning grand slam providing 4 of his 5 RBIs with a single swing of the bat. Scott Atchison recorded his 2nd win for the Astros and Jesse Crain earned his 4th save in an 8-6 victory.

Houston lost game 3 in 11 innings, but got a nice Orting from starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer who allowed just 3 runs on 4 hits and recorded 7 Ks to go with 4 walks in 7 innings of work. Mike Foltynewicz was tagged with the loss in the 4-3 game.

LAA 2-13-1
HOU 5-8-0

LAA 6-10-1
HOU 8-14-1

LAA 4-10-2 F/11
HOU 3-12-0

The Astros will play the first of 9 straight on the road on Monday night in Seattle. After 3 with the Mariners, Houston will take Thursday off before playing 3 each in Oakland and San Diego.

[steelerfan]

AL West Standings through Sunday, April 19, 2015

Astros 7-5
Angels 7-5
Rangers 7-6
Mariners 6-6
Athletics 3-10

[steelerfan]

Houston Astros (7-5) at Seattle Mariners (6-6)
April 20-22, 2015
Safeco Field - Seattle, Washington

Probable Starters:

Game One - Monday 7:10 PM
Asher Wojciechowski (0-1, 3.75) vs Taijuan Walker (1-1, 5.11)

Game Two - Tuesday 7:10 PM
Jeff Locke (1-0, 3.75) vs Erasmo Ramirez (0-1, 4.91)

Game Three - Wednesday 1:10 PM
Alex White (1-1, 7.84) vs Adrian Laker (0-0, 1.42)

[steelerfan]

The Astros limped out of Safeco Field with a Game Three win that kept them from being swept by the Mariners.

Houston lost the first game, 8-6, as Asher Wojciechowski left after 5.2 innings. The rookie allowed 5 runs on 8 hits with 4 Ks and no walks and was credited with a no-decision.

In game two, the Astros took a 3-2 loss despite the best efforts of Jeff Locke who fell to 1-1. Locke went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and struck out 2.

The Astros exploded for 9 runs in game three, starting with 4 in the first inning. Ronald Torreyes had 3 hits, including his first big league long ball and Alex White (2-1) Earned his second win of the season despite an average outing. White allowed 3 runs on 9 hits with a walk and 4 strikeouts in 5 innings of work.

HOU 6-15-0
SEA 8-15-1

HOU 2-6-0
SEA 3-8-0

HOU 9-13-0
SEA 5-14-1

The Astros will take Thursday off before playing 3 in Oakland beginning Friday.

Note: I've started to make some slider tweaks, slowly. Too many runs and hits for both sides.

AL West Standings through Thursday, April 23, 2015

Mariners 8-7
Rangers 8-7
Astros 8-7
Angels 8-8
Athletics 6-11

[steelerfan]

Houston Astros (8-7) at Oakland Athletics (6-11)
April 24-26, 2015
O.co Coliseum - Oakland, California

Probable Starters:

Game One - Friday 7:05 PM
Jarred Cosart (2-0, 3.60) vs AJ Griffin (0-2, 8.79)

Game Two - Saturday 12:35 PM
Brett Oberholtzer (0-1, 7.98) vs Scott Kazmir (2-1, 3.48)

Game Three - Sunday 12:35 PM
Asher Wojciechowski (0-1, 5.09) vs Jesse Chavez (2-1, 2.41)

[jaymo76]

When do you have the Blue Jays on your schedule? Wouldn't mind checking them out.

[steelerfan]

When do you have the Blue Jays on your schedule? Wouldn't mind checking them out.

I'm going to play in about 2 hours. When I do, I'll look at the schedule and let you know, buddy.

[steelerfan]

Here's the rundown, jaymo, of when I play Toronto this season (current date is April 24):

-4 games in Houston, beginning May 14

-3 games in Toronto beginning June 5

I'm sure we can work something out to either let you watch via Twitch or Share Play. We'll keep in communication as those days approach.

[jaymo76]

Here's the rundown, jaymo, of when I play Toronto this season (current date is April 24):

-4 games in Houston, beginning May 14

-3 games in Toronto beginning June 5

I'm sure we can work something out to either let you watch via Twitch or Share Play. We'll keep in communication as those days approach.

Sounds good bud!

[jaymo76]

Hey I just just thinking that you will need to give an update on Jerome Williams later on this season. I had to look it up but he went to TB as a free agent. Don't recall if he left for the money or if you didn't want to re-sign him though...

[steelerfan]

Hey I just just thinking that you will need to give an update on Jerome Williams later on this season. I had to look it up but he went to TB as a free agent. Don't recall if he left for the money or if you didn't want to re-sign him though...

Yeah. Good point. I have kept my eye on Scott Feldman in Pittsburgh (he was part of the Jeff Locke deal). I played against Humberto Quintero (former Astro now with Seattle) recently and it reminded me of Carlos Corporan (my backup catcher last year). I let Corporan walk and he is still a Free Agent (he's with the Rangers in real life this year).

I need to pick over my roster from last season and keep a running list on paper of former players and give updates as you suggested.