JULY 7, 2022 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM
HOUSTON ASTROS 88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
The remarkable Justin Verlander gets his MLB-leading 11th win as Astros down Royals - The Boston Globe Verlander lowered his ERA to 2.00 in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Verlander earns 11th win, leading Astros past Royals 5-2
Justin Verlander got his 11th win, Yordan Alvarez hit his 26th homer and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 to take the series 3-1JULY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jeremy Peña - Scratched due to COVID-19 protocols Pena was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Royals due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle report...
Impact The team notably hasn't placed Pena on the COVID-19-related injured list or indicated that he tested positive for the virus. He was presumably pulled from the lineup as a matter of precaution, likely due to him dealing with an illness or being viewed as a close contact of an infected person. Mauricio Dubon will pick up a start at shortstop in place of Pena.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jeremy Peña - Late scratch from lineup Pena was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's game with the Royals due to an unspecified reason, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact The Astros haven't provided an immediate explanation behind Pena's removal from the lineup, but he's presumably dealing with an injury. Just one week ago, Pena missed a game after suffering a mouth laceration in a collision with teammate Yordan Alvarez, but he cleared the concussion protocol and proceeded to start each of the past six games, going 7-for-29 with three home runs over that stretch. Mauricio Dubon will fill in for Pena at shortstop in Thursday's series finale.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Witt Jr. Out of Lineup for Second Straight Game vs. Astros The Royals’ star rookie misses his second game in a row following a hand injury on Tuesday night.
JULY 7, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Yuli Gurriel - Sitting again Thursday Gurriel is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Royals, likely due to an undisclosed injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact Gurriel will be on the bench for a second straight contest, and though the Astros haven't provided an explanation behind the back-to-back absences, the 38-year-old is presumably dealing with a physical concern. J.J. Matijevic gets the start at first base in Gurriel's stead and bats sixth in the series finale.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Tucker - Exits lineup in rest day Tucker is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.
Impact Tucker, who went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI in Wednesday's 7-4 loss, looks to be receiving some maintenance with the Astros and Royals facing a quick turnaround for Thursday's series finale, which begins at 2:10 p.m. ET. Chas McCormick will pick up a start in right field in place of Tucker, who had started in every game for Houston dating back to June 1.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jake Meyers - Drives in pair Meyers went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Royals.
Impact Meyers delivered an RBI double in the second inning and grounded out to drive in his second run in the fourth frame. He has started all but one game since returning from the injured list June 24 and has maintained a .300 average with 10 RBI and four runs scored across 41 plate appearances.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Aledmys Díaz - Goes yard again Diaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Royals.
Impact Diaz took Brad Keller yard in the sixth inning to record his fifth homer of the season and second in as many games. He's been in the lineup for three of Houston's last four games, primarily at the expense of Chas McCormick. Despite the nice stretch, Diaz is hitting only .227/.275/.347 across 160 plate appearances on the season.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Astros face the Royals with 2-1 series lead
The Houston Astros lead 2-1 in a four-game series with the Kansas City RoyalsJULY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Javier struggles as winning streak halts at 8 HOUSTON -- “"El Reptil” (Cristian Javier’s nickname) was neutralized by the Royals. Javier was on a historic stretch in his two previous out...
JULY 7, 2022 • MLB.COM
Cristian Javier - Serves up three homers in loss Javier (6-4) took the loss against Kansas City on Wednesday, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.
Impact The Royals got to Javier early in the contest, belting three long balls and scoring four runs over the first two innings. The righty hurler gave up only one more run the rest of his outing, but the damage was too much for Houston's offense to overcome. Javier had allowed only five homers over 69.2 innings entering the contest, and he hadn't given up more than one in any of his 15 outings. He's had a few poor starts but has been very good overall, posting a 3.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 102:27 K:BB.
JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Royals hit 3 HRs off Javier, end Astros' 8-game win streak
Whit Merrifield, Hunter Dozier and Emmanuel Rivera all homered as the Kansas City Royals roughed up Cristian Javier early and held on for a 7-4 win over the Houston AstrosJULY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
This time, no comeback for Astros as Royals end winning streak at eight games The third time was the charm for Kansas City's bullpen as the Royals were able to hold a...
JULY 7, 2022 • HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM
LEADING OFF: Verlander, Gonsolin go for 11th; Cole at Fenway
Justin Verlander looks to become the first 11-game winner in the majors when Houston hosts the last-place Royals in the finale of a four-game series Thursday afternoonJULY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yuli Gurriel - On bench Wednesday Gurriel isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Royals.
Impact Gurriel logged hits in four of the last five matchups and went 4-for-17 with a homer, a double, four runs and three RBI during that time. Aledmys Diaz is starting at first base and batting sixth Wednesday.
JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jose Altuve - Takes seat Wednesday Altuve isn't starting Wednesday against the Royals.
Impact Altuve has recorded hits in each of the last five games and has slashed .429/.500/.667 with a homer, two doubles, four runs, three RBI and a stolen base during that time. However, he'll get a day off while Mauricio Dubon starts at second base and leads off.
JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Astros host the Royals, aim to extend home win streak
The Houston Astros host the Kansas City Royals trying to extend a nine-game home winning streakJULY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
'M-V-P!' Yordan shows off cannon, then homers HOUSTON -- Some scant “M-V-P!” chants made their way around Minute Maid Park on Tuesday night when Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez came to the...
JULY 6, 2022 • MLB.COM
Lance McCullers Jr. - Nearing rehab assignment McCullers (forearm) threw 32 pitches against live batters Tuesday and is closing in on a minor-league rehab assignment, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact McCullers' fastball velocity continues to sit in the low 90s, and he's able to mix in all of his pitch types. The 28-year-old will need to progress to simulated games before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment, so he seems unlikely to be available immediately after the All-Star break July 21, though a return by the end of the month appears possible.
JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Aledmys Díaz - Homers in three-hit effort Diaz went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Royals.
Impact Diaz's playing time has predictably dropped off since Jeremy Pena (thumb) returned from the injured list. Tuesday saw Diaz hit his first homer and post his first three-hit game since June 3. The utility man is up to a .226/.276/.329 slash line with four homers, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored and three doubles through 156 plate appearances. He should continue to see semi-regular playing time whenever the Astros' main infielders need a breather.
JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jeremy Peña - Pops long ball Tuesday Pena went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Royals.
Impact Pena tied the game at 4-4 with his fifth-inning blast. He's hit safely in seven of eight games since returning from the injured list due to a thumb injury, going 10-for-37 (.270) in that span. The rookie shortstop continues to look solid in a near-everyday role, slashing .276/.327/.482 with 12 homers, 31 RBI, 36 runs scored and six stolen bases through 62 contests.
JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
