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Tag: AL West

  • Three Down, Three To Go: Astros Face Mariners in Race for Division Crown

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    Every year it seems remarkable that despite every team playing 162 game, inevitably, there are at least one or two division races that come down to the final week of the season. That is the case for the Astros and Mariners who play their last regular season series at Daikin Park this weekend.

    After a sweep of the Rangers, the Astros all but sealed the fate of their Texas rivals, no only winning the Silver Boot, but likely pushing Arlington Dallas Texas out of the division race and possibly the postseason.

    This week lined up to be the most pivotal of the season and the Astros did what they needed to against the Rangers. Now, Seattle comes to town having just lost their first game after nine in a row, tied with the home team they are about to play in their home building, while sporting the best home run hitter in baseball — possibly the AL MVP. It’s going to be a barn burner.

    Here are some things to watch.

    Pitching vs. Pitching

    The Astros, despite the unrelenting injury issues, are still one of the best pitching squads in baseball. They lead the majors in strikeouts and are top five in WHIP and top 10 in team ERA. Seattle is among the better team pitching staffs in the American League. With the day off on Thursday, the Astros lineup their three best pitchers for the series: Hunter Brown (an AL Cy Young contender), Framber Valdez, and Jason Alexander. The Astros will most certainly see Bryan Woo and could see Logan Gilbert on Sunday, but will miss Luis Castillo who pitched Thursday in Kansas City.

    Astros Run Production

    The Mariners are 10th in baseball in runs while the Astros are 21st. In the last 10 games, the Astros have improved, but Seattle has been the best in the entire league. Finding ways to get runners across the plate has been a struggle for Houston all season. It won’t get any easier against the Mariners pitching. With games likely to be close and decided by small mistakes, the key will be how well the Astros hit with runners in scoring position, something they have steadily improved on throughout the year.

    click to enlarge

    Rookie Zach Cole burst onto the scene this week in Yordan Alvarez’s absence.

    Jack Gorman

    The Long Ball Difference

    Seattle is third in baseball in home runs. When you have two players with 30-plus homers (one with 56), it is no shock that you are near the top in that stat. The Astros have two with more than 20 and a couple more who will probably get to 20 by the end of the season, but they aren’t in the class of the Mariners who have seven double-digit home run hitters. Both teams are susceptible to giving up the long ball, however, and in the confines of Daikin Park, that can mean a lot.

    Will Isaac Paredes return?

    When Yordan Alvarez sprained his ankle (even though the team got some decent news on that front Wednesday), rookie Zach Cole vaulted his way into Astros rookie lore with some dynamic swings at the plate. But another boost might come from Paredes who it was assumed would miss the rest of the season with a bad hamstring injury. Instead, he is likely to be back in the lineup at DH for a team that sorely needs his run production and, maybe more importantly, his ability to draw long plate appearances against opposing pitching.

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    Jeff Balke

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  • The Most Important Week of the Year is Upon the Astros: Four Thoughts

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    The now second place Astros face the most pivotal week of the entire 2025 season this week with series against the Rangers and Mariners, both in Houston. Despite taking two of three in Atlanta, the Astros were overtaken by the Mariners, led by catcher Cal Raleigh, for first place in the AL West. The Rangers are just one game back.

    This week could be the difference between the Astros winning the division or missing the playoffs entirely. Despite a162-game schedule, we are down to the final two weeks of the season to decide who will make the playoffs.

    The offense must produce.

    The Astros remain one of the worst offensive teams in the hunt for the playoffs. They are 23rd in runs scored, 17th in home runs, 22nd in OPS, and 19th in runners left in scoring position per game. It’s not good. Neither Seattle nor Texas are offensive juggernauts, but when the Astros score four or more runs, they are nearly unbeatable. Unfortunately, they don’t do that very often. If they want to win these two series and put themselves in the driver’s seat for the playoffs, they have to score.

    Will starting pitching hold it down?

    Framber Valdez had another rough outing on Sunday and the Astros remain a team absolutely worked over by injuries to their rotation. Yet, they have found a way through Cy Young hopeful Hunter Brown and A’s castoff Jason Alexander among others to keep their starting pitching not just surviving but succeeding against all odds. All three of these teams have gotten effective pitching from their starters but because of the injuries, it is more important to the Astros than anyone. It would help if Valdez managed to pull it together.

    Is Isaac Paredes going to return?

    When the Astros third baseman went down with a hamstring injury, it was assumed he would not be available until 2026. Miraculously, he might return this week. His patience at the plate and solid hitting skills should help bolster a struggling lineup. Where he fits in defensively is another question. Carlos Correa is clearly the better defender at third and, even with his offensive struggles, Christian Walker won’t be dislodged at first. Most likely, Paredes will play some designated hitter and ease his way back into the lineup. Let’s hope it helps.

    Pushing through the injuries.

    It’s been one of the most difficult years for the Astros when it comes to the training room. From Yordan Alvarez and Paredes to Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco, this has been a nightmare year for the Astros training staff. There will legitimately need to be a discussion about what happened, particularly with all the arm injuries to pitchers in the offseason. For now, the Astros hope to limp their way to the finish line.

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    Jeff Balke

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  • Astros Week: Is It Time to Panic?

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    You might have sat home on a very Houston sports Sunday and thought, “Why, Houston sports? Why?” With the Texans meekly exiting a loss in Los Angeles and the Astros turning in a real gem of a stink bomb in Dallas, the vibes were positively awesome around here. For the Astros, however, things are starting to get very real, very fast. With fewer than 20 games left, this is a team that better figure it out and quick or it’s going to be a long, cold winter in Texas.

    Last Week Record: 3-4
    This Week Opponents: at Blue Jays (82-61), at Braves (64-79)
    Current Record: 78-66 (1st in AL West – 2.5 games)

    Losing our way to the top.

    The Astros are 4-6 in their last 10 games, 24-22 since the All-Star break. Way back then (all seven weeks ago), they were leading the division by as many as 7 games and it felt like they were cruising to another AL West title. But, the Mariners got hot, then the Rangers got hot, then everyone starting middling around and we have a dogfight. The Astros still control their own destiny as they like to say, but that only matters if you can actually win series. Lately, not so much.

    Yordan Alvarez is so back.

    The good news is Alvarez is not just back, he’s BACK. Since his return, he is absolutely dismantling pitching and taking walks like he’s steroid-era Barry Bonds. It was exactly the kind of return fans had hoped for. Thus far, it hasn’t changed the Astros fortunes very much as the rest of the lineup has been anemic at best, even with this weekend’s return of Jake Meyers as well. Fortunately, the lineup the Astros hoped to have at the beginning of the year is virtually intact — perhaps even a bit better. Now, they just have to produce.

    The schedule doesn’t favor the Astros.

    Around the All-Star break, the Astros had one of the easiest remaining schedules in baseball. Now, with just about three weeks, it’s the second toughest of the three AL West contenders after Texas. With series against the Blue Jays, Mariners and Rangers, it’s no easy sledding. Their last six games are against the A’s and Angels, but all of those are on the road. Yikes.

    This week is big. Next week is bigger.

    The biggest week of the season is next week when they host the Rangers followed by the Mariners. That six-game stretch will very likely decide the division. All possibilities are on the table from the Astros extending their lead to falling into third place and out of the postseason. If you love September baseball, next week is going to be huge for the AL West.

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    Jeff Balke

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  • Texas Rangers ink free-agent ace Jacob deGrom to 5-year deal

    Texas Rangers ink free-agent ace Jacob deGrom to 5-year deal

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    ARLINGTON, Texas — Free-agent ace Jacob deGrom and the Texas Rangers agreed to a five-year contract Friday.

    The two-time Cy Young Award winner leaves the New York Mets after nine seasons — the past two shortened by injuries.

    After making his first start last season in early August, deGrom went 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA. He helped the Mets reach the playoffs, then opted out of his contract to become a free agent.

    Texas announced the signing Friday night after the 34-year-old deGrom passed his physical.

    ———

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros wins his third American League Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote

    Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros wins his third American League Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote

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    Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros wins his third American League Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote

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  • Astros rookie star Peña delivers again in World Series win

    Astros rookie star Peña delivers again in World Series win

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    PHILADELPHIA — Jeremy Peña trotted around third base, looked toward the Houston dugout and gave the most casual two-handed shrug you’ll ever see on a ballfield.

    Like it was any routine game in May.

    Only this was November. In the World Series. In the biggest game of his life.

    Yep, this Peña postseason just kept getting better and better.

    Showing the polish and poise of a proven veteran, the 25-year-old Peña put on quite an all-around performance Thursday night. He became the first rookie shortstop to homer in the World Series, added two key singles and made a critical leaping catch in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5.

    “Rookie or not rookie, it doesn’t matter,” Peña said. “We’re in the World Series. You just go out and play. Go compete and let the best man win.”

    Having already won the AL Championship Series MVP award and a Gold Glove in the last two weeks, the emerging star from the Dominican Republic helped Houston move one win away from the ultimate prize — the World Series trophy.

    Ahead 3-2 in the matchup with the Phillies, it’s hard to imagine now the Astros started the season with many fans wondering how in the world they would replace All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent.

    “I never saw it as having to fill shoes,” Peña said. “I just had to come in and be myself, play my game. But at the end of the season, once we accomplish our goal, which is to go all the way, then I’ll sit down and reflect on the journey. But there’s still work to do and we’ve got to lock in.”

    Again proving the biggest moments in baseball aren’t too big for him, the expressive and exuberant Peña grounded a hard RBI single up the middle in the first inning, then reached high to spear Nick Castellanos’ liner to thwart a potential rally in the third.

    In the fourth, Peña lofted a go-ahead, solo drive into the left-field seats for a 2-1 lead and chased Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard.

    “It felt good off the bat but I didn’t know if it was enough,” Peña said. “I was running normal and then when the umpire signaled, that’s when I started jogging.”

    Peña pointed his right index finger high as he approached second base and slapped his hands together after crossing the bag. He gave a shrug moments later — shades of Michael Jordan, maybe — and put his hands together to form a heart after touching home plate.

    No wonder manager Dusty Baker and the Astros love him so much.

    “Well, he came into camp as a young player. He had his eyes open. He always paid attention. You could tell he was very attentive and confident, but quiet,” Baker said. “Boy, he’s played remarkably well. Boy, I mean, he’s really carried us for a while here through this postseason, and that’s especially tough for a young player, a young shortstop. And I’m just glad we have him.”

    Peña showed he could play small ball, too, adeptly delivering a hit-and-run single that set up a much-needed insurance run in the eighth.

    The three-hit show made Peña 8 for 21 (.381) with a pair of doubles to go along with the homer in the World Series.

    That’s all come after he was 7 for 16 (.353) with two home runs and two doubles in the four-game sweep of the Yankees in the ALCS.

    “I just go out and enjoy it, have fun, play hard, play my game, and then just trust my preparation,” Peña said. “There’s a lot of preparation that’s gone into this.”

    He credited his Houston teammates for helping him keep his composure under pressure in close games this time of year.

    “They prepare for every single game. It rubs off on you. They have a sense of calmness because they have been here I guess four years out of the last six,” Peña said. “So you just gravitate towards them and just go out and compete and have fun.”

    The Astros thought they saw something special as Peña batted .253 with 22 home runs during the regular season while excelling on defense.

    This October — and November — the Astros and the baseball world have seen just how special.

    “I talked to him earlier in the year about being ready, especially in a clutch situation, and to remain aggressive. And he works at it. He works at his game,” Baker said.

    “Every once in a while these guys come along — not that often. But it just goes to show you, I mean, his future is very, very bright.”

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    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Rangers hire 3-time World Series champion Bochy as manager

    Rangers hire 3-time World Series champion Bochy as manager

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    The Texas Rangers have hired Bruce Bochy as their manager, bringing the three-time World Series champion with 2,003 career victories out of a short retirement to take over a team that has had six consecutive losing seasons.

    Texas made the surprising announcement Friday, just more than two weeks after its season ended. Bochy agreed to a three-year contract.

    The 67-year-old Bochy hasn’t managed since 2019, when he stepped away after 13 seasons and those World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants. The first championship came in five games over Texas in 2010, and the Giants won again in 2012 and 2014.

    Rangers general manager Chris Young was a pitcher for San Diego in 2006, which was Bochy’s final season with the Padres before going to San Francisco.

    “As we went through the interview process, Bruce’s passion and excitement about returning to the dugout was very evident,” Young said. “It became clear he was the ideal individual to lead our club as we continue to build a championship culture here in Arlington.”

    Bochy was 951-975 in 12 seasons with the Padres (1995-2006) and took them to the last World Series in 1998. The former big league catcher had a 1,052-1,054 record in San Francisco from 2007-19.

    The Rangers said they’d hold an introductory news conference on Monday. Bochy said in a statement he was excited to be joining the team after several days of extensive conversations with Young and a meeting with owner Ray Davis.

    “Their vision and commitment to putting together a club that can contend and win year in and year out is impressive, and I became convinced I wanted to be a part of that,” Bochy said. “If I was going to return to managing, it had to be the right situation. I strongly believe that to be the case with the Rangers, and I can’t wait to get started.”

    The Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins have the three remaining manager openings among the 30 teams.

    Fourth-year Rangers manager Chris Woodward was fired Aug. 15, two days before president of baseball operations Jon Daniels was also let go. Texas went on to finish 68-94, eight wins more than 2021 but what Young said after the season “was about half of our internal expectations.” They lost 35 one-run games, a franchise record.

    Texas was 17-31 under interim manager Tony Beasley, the longtime Rangers third base coach who was once Young’s manager in the minor leagues. Several young players got extended looks during that span, and the GM said in August that Beasley wouldn’t be judged solely on win-loss record. Beasley was interviewed for the job two days after the season ended.

    When speaking after the season, Young had declined to comment when asked specifically if the managerial search could proceed without knowing whether Bochy had interest in the job. But he acknowledged then how much he loved playing for Bochy and expressed his respect for the man he considers one of the most successful and respected managers in the major leagues.

    “With a calm and steady presence, he has a remarkable ability to connect and communicate with players, coaches, and staff, and his teams have always played with maximum effort,” Young said Friday. “His knowledge of the game, as well as his integrity is unmatched.”

    Texas last offseason committed a half-billion dollars to free-agent shortstop Corey Seager ($325 million, 10 years) and second baseman Marcus Semien ($175 million, seven years), and also signed right-hander Jon Gray ($56 million, four years) to be their No. 1 starter. Left-hander Martin Perez was an All-Star after returning on a one-year deal before spring training.

    While there were never any expectations that the Rangers would go from 102 losses in 2021 immediately to a title contender after that big spending spree, they never had a winning record at any point this season and peaked at 24-24 at the end of May. The six consecutive losing seasons are the most in the half-century since the franchise moved to Texas in 1972.

    Davis has indicated the team is ready to add to its starting rotation, and potentially sign a middle-of-the-lineup bat.

    “I don’t plan on spending as much money as we did last offseason,” he has said. “But we plan on spending some money.”

    ———

    More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Fan who caught Judge’s 62nd HR unsure what he’ll do with it

    Fan who caught Judge’s 62nd HR unsure what he’ll do with it

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    ARLINGTON, Texas — As he walked through a concourse in the outfield at Globe Life Field, high-fiving with fans and surrounded by a sea of cameras, it was almost as if Cory Youmans had hit a huge home run.

    Instead, he hit the jackpot.

    Youmans made the catch of a lifetime Tuesday night, snagging the ball New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge launched for his American League-record 62nd homer.

    The historic souvenir came sailing into the front row of section 31 in left field, a drive Judge hit to lead off the second game of a day-night doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. Youmans snared it on the fly.

    Youmans, from Dallas, works in the financial world and there’s no telling yet what the ball could be worth. With security personnel around him as he took the ball to be authenticated, he was asked what he planned to do with the prize.

    “Good question. I haven’t thought about it,” he said.

    After the Yankees lost 3-2, Judge said he didn’t have possession of the home-run ball.

    “I don’t know where it’s at,” he said. “We’ll see what happens with that. It would be great to get it back, but that’s a souvenir for a fan. He made a great catch out there, and they’ve got every right to it.”

    Soon after a local TV station posted a brief interview with Youmans in a walkway, Bri Amaranthus tweeted: “THIS IS MY HUSBAND.”

    Amaranthus works in local media and is an alum of ABC’s “The Bachelor.”

    Youmans was among the crowd of 38,832, the largest to watch a baseball game at the 3-year-old ballpark.

    Many fans came clad in Yankees caps, T-shirts and pinstripe jerseys.

    Some came to watch Judge make history. Some came just for the history. Some traveled a long way.

    The latter two categories included Jimmy Bennicaso of Norwalk, Connecticut.

    “I’m a Met fan, actually,” Bennicaso confessed. “Cowboy and Met fan — a rough combo.”

    Bennicaso was home in Connecticut on Monday night having watched Judge fail to homer in the first of four games against the Rangers in three days. He ran an idea past his girlfriend — what if he headed to Texas to take in Judge’s chase in person?

    “She said, ‘Yeah, go for it,’” he said.

    Bennicaso caught a morning flight to Texas. Being self-employed in real estate investments helped, he said.

    Bennicaso stationed himself in the lower deck of the right-field stands in hopes of grabbing an opposite-field homer, certainly a possibility given Judge’s spray chart.

    Instead, Judge pulled a home run that broke the AL record set by Roger Maris in 1961.

    Empty-handed, Bennicaso planned to return home Wednesday morning.

    “It was worth it,” he said. “I gave it my best shot.”

    ———

    More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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