Houston Astros Get Rolling in Spring Training

The Houston Astros have stumbled upon a hot streak in Spring training, winning their last seven games and accomplishing an overall record of 7-4. With four games left this spring, the Astros look to keep the train rolling once the season starts on April 7th against the Angels.

Dusty Baker has the Astros on a roll after a slow start to the spring, with the team winning their last seven games, they are starting to mold into their usual form that we are all accustomed to seeing. Timely hitting and efficient starting pitching have led the way this spring, and if that continues, the Astros success will continue as well.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing performances of the spring was that of Justin Verlander’s start on Tuesday. Verlander, coming off Tommy John surgery, pitched 4 shutout innings, striking out five of the first six hitters that he faced. While the Astros rotation fared well the last two years in his absence, Verlander was greatly missed not only on the field, but in the clubhouse as well. With many young arms on the team, Verlander, along with fellow starter Lance McCullers, look to lead the rotation in 2022 not only with their arms, but with their sharable wisdom as well.

Another player to watch as the preseason comes to a close is potential opening day starting shortstop Jeremy Pena. Pena is the front-runner to take the spot on the field held by former Astros shortstop and 2017 World Series champion Carlos Correa. Correa signed a three year, $105M deal with the Minnesota Twins earlier this month, opening the door for Pena. The young shortstop has performed well this spring, hitting .308 with an OPS of .616 and 3 RBI’s in 13 at bats. With that being said, the 24 year old Pena still has big shoes to fill following the departure of the perennial shortstop Carlos Correa.

With the regular season kicking off in a week, expect the Astros to be ready to start the season off in strong fashion, striving to continue their playoff streak for a sixth year, while winning the AL West four out of the last five seasons resulting in three World Series appearances.