SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • MLB.COM
HOUSTON ASTROS 88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
Verlander K's 9 over 5 no-hit frames in return: 'My stuff was pretty good' HOUSTON -- After missing 18 days due to a right calf injury, Astros ace Justin Verlander didn't miss a step in his return to the bump and qu...
Alvarez hits 3 HRs, Astros beat A's to clinch playoff spot HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez homered in his first three at-bats, Justin Verlander threw five hitless innings in his return from the injured...
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • THESTAR.COM
Alvarez has 3 HRs, Astros down A's to clinch playoff berth
Yordan Alvarez homered in his first three at-bats, Justin Verlander threw five hitless innings in his return from the injured list and the Houston Astros clinched a postseason bert...SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yordan has 3 HRs (!) so far ... can he knock a 4th? Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez is having himself a massive night against Oakland in the form of three home runs in three at-bats ... in just...
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • MLB.COM
Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Box Score - September 17, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at 12:10am UTC on September 17, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, an...
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Chas McCormick - On bench Friday McCormick isn't starting Friday against Oakland.
Impact McCormick went 0-for-6 with a run, two walks and three strikeouts over the last two games and will head to the bench for the third time in the last six matchups. Mauricio Dubon is taking over in center field and batting eighth.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Seth Martinez - Sent down Friday Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact Martinez was called up by the Astros in late August, and he allowed five hits and a walk while striking out seven in six scoreless innings over six relief appearances in the majors. In spite of his effective results, the right-hander will return to Sugar Land after Justin Verlander (calf) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Justin Verlander - Officially activated Friday Verlander (calf) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's start against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact Verlander has been on the injured list with a calf injury since Aug. 30, but he began a throwing program nearly two weeks ago and is ready to return. The right-hander felt good after throwing a bullpen session this week, but it's not yet clear whether he'll face any workload restrictions in the home start against Oakland. Hunter Brown should move to the bullpen now that Verlander is healthy, while Seth Martinez was sent down Friday.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Josh James - Setback during rehab James (lat) was pulled from his rehab assignment due to forearm discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact James was in the process of rehabbing his strained lat before being shut down -- now due to an issue in his forearm. He was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land before the season began and has been on the 60-day injured list since late-June. The specifics and severeness of his forearm injury are not known yet, but he will likely be shut down for the season.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Christian Vázquez - Snaps hitless streak Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Thursday against the Athletics.
Impact Vazquez entered Thursday's start hitless across his last 22 at-bats. However, he snapped out of the slump with an RBI double in the fourth inning, knotting the game at 2-2. Vazquez has been disappointing since joining the Astros at the trade deadline, hitting just .233 with six RBI and five runs scored across 73 at-bats.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Yordan Alvarez - Two hits in return Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Athletics.
Impact Alvarez was held out of the lineup Wednesday, likely due to lingering soreness in his hand or at the very least for maintenance purposes for said hand. However, he appeared healthy in his return to the lineup and delivered an RBI double in the third inning. Alvarez is now riding a six-game hitting streak during which he's hit .450 with three RBI and seven runs scored. For the campaign, he's slashing .295/.403/.598 across 494 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Aledmys Díaz - Smacks 11th homer Diaz went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Thursday against the Athletics.
Impact Diaz entered the lineup with Jose Altuve getting a day of rest, though he doesn't project to have a consistent spot in the lineup for the final few weeks of the season. Nevertheless, Diaz provided the game-winning runs Thursday by hitting his 11th home run of the campaign in the seventh frame. He has drawn two starts since being activated from the injured list Sep. 13, and he's gone 3-for-7 in that limited sample. For the campaign, Diaz has a .256/.306/.419 slash line across 278 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics play in game 2 of series
The Houston Astros lead 1-0 in a four-game series against the Oakland AthleticsSEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rafael Montero - Picks up 13th save Montero earned the save Thursday against Oakland, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 victory.
Impact Following a line out, Montero struck out the final two batters to pick up his 13th save of the season. Ryan Pressly recorded saves on the last two nights and Montero was called upon to close out the game for the first time since Sept. 5. He has not allowed a baserunner in six appearances in September, striking out six in six innings of work. He'll likely continue to receive the occasional save chance as the regular season winds down.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Lance McCullers Jr. - Punches out 11 in no-decision McCullers allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out 11 in six innings in a 5-2 win Thursday over Oakland. He did not factor into the decision.
Impact McCullers navigated some wildness Thursday -- tossing just 59 of his 99 pitches for strikes -- while holding Oakland to only two hits. Both runs against him came in the fourth inning when he allowed four of the first five batters to reach safely. It was the first time he exceeded seven strikeouts in a start this season and his most strikeouts in a game since Game 2 of the 2020 American League Championship Series. His next start will likely be in the middle of next week in Tampa Bay.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Díaz homers in 7th to break tie, Astros beat A's 5-2
Aledmys Díaz hit a two-run homer, Lance McCullers Jr. had a solid start and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-2 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victorySEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Box Score - September 15, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at 11:20pm UTC on September 15, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, an...
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Yordan Alvarez - Back in action Thursday Alvarez (hand) is starting Thursday against the Athletics.
Impact Manager Dusty Baker said Alvarez was held out of the lineup Wednesday due to hand soreness -- though the slugger disputed that notion after the game -- and he'll start in left field and bat third a day later. He's recorded hits in each of his last five games and has posted a 1.069 OPS with two home runs, three doubles, six runs, two RBI, six walks and two strikeouts during that span.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Martín Maldonado - Remains out of lineup Maldonado isn't starting Thursday against Oakland.
Impact Maldonado has hit just .091 with a run, an RBI, a walk and six strikeouts over eight games since the start of September, and he'll take a seat for the third time in the last five matchups. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jose Altuve - On bench Thursday Altuve isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Athletics.
Impact Altuve will receive a rare day off after he hit .364 with five runs, two steals, a walk and five strikeouts over the last five games. Aledmys Diaz will take over at the keystone and bat second Thursday.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Tucker - Stays hot Tucker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Tigers.
Impact Tucker took Joey Wentz deep in the fourth frame to tally his 27th homer of the season. He's been red hot at the dish, racking up five home runs, 12 RBI and nine runs scored across his last 10 games. For the season, Tucker owns a .259/.333/.483 line across 538 plate appearances while also chipping in a career-high 22 stolen bases.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ryan Pressly - Picks up 28th save Pressly allowed a hit and struck out two across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Tigers.
Impact Pressly worked around a two-out single to protect a one-run lead and earned his 28th save of the season. He's been a bit rocky of late, allowing at least one earned run in two of his last four appearances. However, Pressly has pitched a clean frame in each of his last two outings while also maintaining a 3.10 ERA with a 53:9 K:BB across 40.2 frames on the campaign.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Astros play the Athletics in first of 4-game series
The Houston Astros open a four-game series at home against the Oakland Athletics on ThursdaySEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cristian Javier - Shuts down Tigers Javier (9-9) allowed two hits and no walks while striking out eight across six shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Tigers.
Impact Javier dominated the Tigers throughout the start, racking up 14 swinging strikes across 90 total pitches. In 43.1 innings since Aug. 2, Javier has a 2.08 ERA with a 56:11 K:BB. Javier has surpassed his highest workload by over 30 frames, so the Astros could continue to look for a way to limit his pitches prior to the postseason. However, when on the mound, Javier has maintained an excellent 2.87 ERA and 173:46 K:BB across 131.2 innings for the campaign.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
