Best-Carlos Correa SS Astros – 3-3 2R 1RBI 2BB 1HR
All the mixed feelings I have for the Astros cannot take away from the stellar play that Carlos Correa has been displaying all season. His performance on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks was perfect. He helped to set the tone for the whole team, launching a HR off of the World Series hero Madison Bumgarner in the 2nd inning. Many people were wondering how the Astros would be playing in the aftermath of their playoff sign calling scandal, but this team is loaded with superstars. Correa has been playing at all-star caliber this season (.389AVG 2HR 6RBI 1.127OPS 4R).
The Astros are going to need their offense more now than in years past, with their big ace Justin Verlander out for an unknown time and their closer Roberto Osuna leaning towards getting Tommy John Surgery. The Astros do not have a shortage of great players, but the sheer number of unknown pitchers they are going to have to use will pressure the offense to lead this team back to the world series. Despite all this, The Astros will be the team to beat in the AL West and be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
Other Notables: German Marquez (SP) Rockies – 7.1IP 2ER 9K 1BB 1W; Eloy Jimenez (OF) White Sox – 3-4 1R 2RBI 1HR; Dustin May (SP) Dodgers – 6IP 2ER 8K 1BB 1W; Stephen Piscotty (OF) Athletics – 2-3 1R 4RBI 1HR (Walk-Off Grand Slam); Pablo Lopez (SP) Marlins – 5IP 0ER 7K 0BB 1W.
Worst – Madison Bumgarner SP Diamondbacks – 4.1IP 7H 7ER 2BB 2K 1L
Madison Bumgarner is a legend in San Francisco and to Giants fans all across the world. But what Diamondbacks are getting from Mad Bum has to be making their organization furious.
Tuesday night, the Houston Astros lineup made Madison Bumgarner say uncle early and often in this contest. Bumgarner’s line was brutal, and if we take a look at his starts for this season, it may be the worst season of his career. This, in turn, will make the Diamondbacks and their playoff aspirations go up in flames. Bumgarner has an ERA of 7.04 for the year, well above his career ERA of 3.14. Last season, Bumgarner saw his worst career ERA at 3.90 but was still able to pitch over 200 innings and have over 200 strikeouts. However, at this pace, there is no way to be sure how much longer the Diamondbacks can let him pitch as a starter.
The Diamondbacks are 3-8 after Bumgarner’s latest bad start, putting him at 0-3, and as this season does not allow teams to wait and see if players will get it going, Bumgarner’s next start will be his make it or break it outing.
Extra Trash: Josh Bell 1B Pirates – 0-5 2K; Joe Musgrove SP Pirates – 3.1IP 5ER 2K 5BB 1L; Yan Gomes C Nationals – 0-4 2K; Steven Matz SP New York Mets – 3IP 5ER 3K 0BB 1L; Trent Grisham OF Padres – 0-3 3K.