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New York Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Brice Matthews' timeline, draft pick compensation and ‘dudes just doing it': Astros takeaways
HOUSTON — Spring training is a time to ponder all possibilities, every permutation of how the ensuing seven months of a baseball season may unfold. Clubs consider everything and eliminate nothing, the byproduct of playing a sport renowned for its randomness. Still, anyone inside the Houston Astros' infrastructure is kidding if they claim to have predicted this. A team crippled by injuries and held together by castoffs continues to win, ascending to a place it always seems to be. Advertisement More than half of Houston's starting rotation is on the injured list, its home run leader has a bad hamstring and its best hitter hasn't appeared in a game since May 2. The Astros are somehow 41-30 and trail the Detroit Tigers by four games for the American League's best record. 'The history of the Astros, dudes just do it,' closer Josh Hader said. 'This organization finds a way to do it.' Hader holding the Minnesota Twins scoreless in the 10th inning is perhaps the only predictable outcome from Sunday afternoon. A backup catcher in a 3-for-32 funk hit cleanup while two journeymen on minor-league deals batted seventh and ninth. Houston struck four singles as a result. 'We know how to win,' said Mauricio Dubón, who collected the last one, walking off the Twins in the 10th inning. 'We don't stop fighting. We come in the ninth inning and try to make it happen. That's the mentality we have over here.' All-Star Energy. #VoteDubi x — Houston Astros (@astros) June 15, 2025 Dubón delivered Houston's ninth win this season in its final at-bat. The team already has 20 come-from-behind wins in its first 71 games. It had 35 total last season. The Astros have won 13 one-run games after winning just 18 last year. Fortune is involved, yes, but premier pitching is propelling it. No staff in the sport has struck out more batters than Houston's, even with three members of the rotation sitting on the injured list. On Sunday, a left-hander named Brandon Walter, in the second year of a minor-league deal he signed last August, allowed one run across 6 2/3 innings. His ERA is 1.53 after three starts as an Astro. 'You just know they're going to pitch good here, because it's how it is,' Walter said. 'It's contagious.' Vibes are contagious for a club that's won five straight and 10 of its past 14 with a skeleton crew. Somewhere between spent and scintillated sits its manager, who plopped down for Sunday's postgame news conference and let out an exhale. 'Speechless,' he said. A slew of injuries in their outfield allowed the Astros to summon prospect Jacob Melton for what was supposed to be an extended runway of playing time. Melton sprained his ankle Friday, spoiling the plan. When Melton did, another path for a prospect opened. The Astros did not seize it, bypassing infielder Brice Matthews in favor of journeymen veterans Cooper Hummel and Luis Guillorme. Advertisement Logic suggested the Astros could've moved Dubón into a primary outfield role during Melton's absence, allowing Matthews close to everyday playing time at second base. That Matthews entered Sunday slashing .307/.408/.604 across his past 120 plate appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land only furthered some thought that the former first-round pick could be on the precipice of a call-up. Matthews' lack of consistent contact prevented it, general manager Dana Brown said Sunday. After posting a 67.2 percent contact rate last year, Matthews is making contact just 67.3 percent of the time at Triple A this season. Only three qualified major-league hitters entered Sunday with a lower contact rate. Strikeouts and swing decisions have long been Matthews' biggest enemies, though this season he has slashed his strikeout rate from 31.4 percent to 28.5 percent. He is chasing outside the strike zone just 20.2 percent of the time, too — 8 percent below major-league average. 'It's a combination of swing decisions and sometimes he chases a little bit,' Brown told the team's pregame radio show Sunday. 'He's swinging the bat well, and he's starting to make more contact, and if it continues to trend in that direction, it could get interesting. Maybe he'll force our hand. It's really good to see that he's swinging the bat well in Triple A.' Without prompt, Brown also mentioned Matthews' success on the road, which is crucial in analyzing any of the Astros' performers at Triple-A Sugar Land. The Pacific Coast League is regarded as a hitter's paradise, especially in atmospheres like those in Albuquerque, El Paso or Reno. Matthews entered Sunday's game at Reno slugging .672 with a 1.117 OPS in 146 road plate appearances. In 93 plate appearances at Constellation Field — a ballpark that isn't nearly as hitter-friendly as others in its league — Matthews is slashing .171/.323/.197. He has 35 strikeouts in 76 home at-bats and 33 across his 119 on the road. Advertisement Brown has been prone to promoting prospects at a breakneck pace, especially those he's acquired or drafted during his tenure. He selected Matthews with his first draft pick as Houston's general manager and has made it clear he holds the 23-year-old infielder in high regard. Matthews is viewed as Houston's heir apparent at second base in the wake of Jose Altuve's switch to left field. Only 10 major-league teams entered Sunday extracting a lower OPS from their second basemen than the Astros, who could seek to upgrade the position during next month's trade deadline. Perhaps by then, Matthews is making enough contact to make that pursuit moot. Saturday's 3-2 win accentuated two of the Astros' most promising young players. Hunter Brown struck out a career-high 12 batters across seven stellar innings before Cam Smith collected the first walk-off hit of his major-league career. Brown's ERA is 1.88 after his first 14 starts of the season. According to Baseball-Reference, Smith is worth 1.1 wins above replacement. Only three Astros position players have accumulated more. That present production could also benefit Houston's future. Both Brown and Smith are eligible for Major League Baseball's prospect promotion incentive, adopted during the most recent collective bargaining agreement in an effort to discourage service time manipulation. Smith's eligibility had at least some influence on Houston's decision to put him on the Opening Day roster. Brown is eligible after debuting in September 2022, retaining his rookie status and then accruing a full year of service time in 2023. Though Major League Baseball's official website says 'there is a limit of one PPI pick per organization,' two league sources confirmed this week that language is somewhat unclear. Players themselves can only give their team one PPI pick in their careers, but if both Smith and Brown accomplish the feat this season, Houston will receive two extra picks after the first round of the 2026 draft. Advertisement Doing so would inject life into a farm system that needs it, though accomplishing it feels arduous. Brown needs to finish in the top three of American League Cy Young voting — a path that appears far more realistic than Smith's. Brown owns the American League's lowest ERA, fourth-lowest WHIP and is holding opponents to a .182 batting average. Only Carlos Rodón has been harder to hit among American League starters. Even if Tarik Skubal remains the favorite to repeat as the American League Cy Young winner, it is easy to envision a world where Brown finishes within the top three of voting — all that's needed to get a draft pick. Brown must maintain his dominance while monitoring the progress of Skubal, Max Fried, Garrett Crochet, Kris Bubic and Jacob deGrom. For Smith to secure a pick, he must either win American League Rookie of the Year or finish in the top three of MVP voting. If the season ended today, Smith wouldn't factor in. Jacob Wilson, Carlos Narváez, Chase Meidroth, Shane Smith and Will Warren all entered Sunday worth more WAR than Smith among American League rookies. Ground must be made up, but Smith has the runway to accomplish it. (Photo of Brice Matthews during spring training: Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
CBS News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Astros sweep 3-game series against Twins after 2-1 victory
Victor Caratini tied it with a sacrifice fly in the ninth and Mauricio Dubón hit a walk-off single in the 10th on Sunday to help the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 to sweep the three-game series. Jake Meyers started at second base in the 10th and scored on Dubón's two-out single to left field. Astros starter Brandon Walter gave up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa and Josh Hader (4-0) combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Walter has allowed three earned runs across 17 2/3 innings in three starts this season. Minnesota's Brooks Lee led off the third inning with a home run. Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh but Caratini grounded into a 4-6-3 double play before Meyers grounded out. Cole Sands (3-3) took the loss. Jeremy Peña drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and stole second. Peña moved to third when Altuve singled and then scored on Caratini's sacrifice fly off Jhoan Duran to make it 1-1 and force extra innings. The Astros, who beat the Twins 3-2 on Cam Smith's walk-off single in the ninth on Saturday, have won five in a row and 16 of their last 22 to take a five-game lead over second-place Seattle in the AL West. Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 4.91 ERA) takes the mound Monday to open a four-game series with the Athletics, who have not announced a starter. Minnesota is off until Tuesday when David Festa (1-1, 4.76) is scheduled to start against Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.87) to open a three-game set.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Twins walked off for second straight day in Houston
HOUSTON — There was a decent chance that Joe Ryan and Hunter Brown, Saturday's starters, would provide a pitcher's duel. But Brandon Walter, making just his third-career start and Simeon Woods Richardson, recently recalled from Triple-A? Well, that was a little less predictable. Advertisement That exactly what happened on Sunday, with Woods Richardson turning in a strong five-inning start in his hometown and yet, for the second straight day, a solid start went for naught as the Astros rallied back in the ninth inning to tie the game and in the 10th inning, Mauricio Dubón sent a ball out to left that Willi Castro got a glove on but could not grab, scoring Jake Meyers and sending the Astros to a walk-off 2-1 win at Daikin Park. Limited to just two hits through the first eight innings of the game, the Astros got to closer Jhoan Duran for the second straight day. Duran started his outing by issuing a four-pitch walk to Jeremy Peña. The Astros shortstop would come around to score the game-tying run on a Victor Caratini sacrifice fly. An inning later, the Astros did what the Twins could not, scoring their automatic runner. It sent the Twins to their second-straight walk-off loss and it came as part of a game that they had led since the second inning. For the second straight day, Brooks Lee sent a ball out to the Crawford Boxes. His home run in the third inning, one of three hits on the day for him, was the only blemish on Walter's day, which lasted 6 2/3 innings. Though the Twins threatened throughout the game, they ended up leaving a pair of runners on in the third, fifth and seventh innings. The Twins also couldn't cash in on a leadoff double in the eighth inning as Willi Castro was quickly wiped off the bases. And in the 10th, they couldn't advance their automatic runner past second base against all-star closer Josh Hader. Advertisement All told, they finished the day 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight on. But while they had their opportunities that they couldn't take advantage of, their pitchers gave Houston very few of them for much of the day. Woods Richardson was stellar, beginning his outing by retiring the first 13 batters he faced. The first and only hit he gave up came in the fifth inning. It preceded a walk, but he locked in and then retired the next two batters in order to end the Astros' threat. In his second start since returning to the majors, Woods Richardson was pulled at just 53 pitches rather than getting a chance to face the Astros' order a third time through. Advertisement The Twins then turned the game over to the bullpen, getting a combined three scoreless innings from Brock Stewart, who struck out two of the three batters he faced, and Louie Varland, who threw two innings for the first time this season before Duran gave up the lead in the ninth. Related Articles
Al Arabiya
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Mauricio Dubón's Walk-Off Single Lifts Astros Over Twins 2-1, Sweep 3-Game Series
Victor Caratini tied it with a sacrifice fly in the ninth, and Mauricio Dubón hit a walk-off single in the 10th on Sunday to help the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2–1 to sweep the three-game series. Jake Meyers started at second base in the 10th and scored on Dubón's two-out single to left field. Astros starter Brandon Walter gave up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa, and Josh Hader (4–0) combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Walter has allowed three earned runs across 17 2/3 innings in three starts this season. Minnesota's Brooks Lee led off the third inning with a home run. Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh, but Caratini grounded into a 4–6–3 double play before Meyers grounded out. Cole Sands (3–3) took the loss. Key moment: Jeremy Peña drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and stole second. Peña moved to third when Altuve singled and then scored on Caratini's sacrifice fly off Jhoan Duran to make it 1–1 and force extra innings. Key stat: The Astros, who beat the Twins 3–2 on Cam Smith's walk-off single in the ninth on Saturday, have won five in a row and 16 of their last 22 to take a five-game lead over second-place Seattle in the AL West. Up next: Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (1–2, 4.91 ERA) takes the mound Monday to open a four-game series with the Athletics, who have not announced a starter. Minnesota is off until Tuesday when David Festa (1–1, 4.76) is scheduled to start against Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott (6–1, 1.87) to open a three-game set.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mauricio Dubón's walk-off single lifts Astros over Twins 2-1, sweep 3-game series
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, walks with Jose Altuve after Altuve was hit by a pitch thrown by Minnesota Twins pitcher Louis Varland during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón hits a game-winning RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Dubin (66) reaches to tag out Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña, right, dives toward home plate to score as Minnesota Twins catcher Christian Vázquez waits for the throw during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón celebrates after hitting a game-winning RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón celebrates after hitting a game-winning RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, walks with Jose Altuve after Altuve was hit by a pitch thrown by Minnesota Twins pitcher Louis Varland during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón hits a game-winning RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Dubin (66) reaches to tag out Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña, right, dives toward home plate to score as Minnesota Twins catcher Christian Vázquez waits for the throw during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón celebrates after hitting a game-winning RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) HOUSTON (AP) — Victor Caratini tied it with a sacrifice fly in the ninth and Mauricio Dubón hit a walk-off single in the 10th on Sunday to help the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 to sweep the three-game series. Jake Meyers started at second base in the 10th and scored on Dubón's two-out single to left field. Advertisement Astros starter Brandon Walter gave up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa and Josh Hader (4-0) combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Walter has allowed three earned runs across 17 2/3 innings in three starts this season. Minnesota's Brooks Lee led off the third inning with a home run. Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh but Caratini grounded into a 4-6-3 double play before Meyers grounded out. Cole Sands (3-3) took the loss. Key moment Jeremy Peña drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and stole second. Peña moved to third when Altuve singled and then scored on Caratini's sacrifice fly off Jhoan Duran to make it 1-1 and force extra innings. Advertisement Key stat The Astros, who beat the Twins 3-2 on Cam Smith's walk-off single in the ninth on Saturday, have won five in a row and 16 of their last 22 to take a five-game lead over second-place Seattle in the AL West. Up next Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 4.91 ERA) takes the mound Monday to open a four-game series with the Athletics, who have not announced a starter. Minnesota is off until Tuesday when David Festa (1-1, 4.76) is scheduled to start against Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.87) to open a three-game set. ___ AP MLB:
