With Jeremy Pena delivering from the highest of the batting order, the Houston Astros will search for one other win over the host Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday within the center matchup of a three-game sequence.
After Pena hit sixth, fifth after which fourth for the primary month of the season, supervisor Joe Espada opted to maneuver the 2022 Gold Glove shortstop to the highest of the order on April 27.
That transfer got here on the request of longtime No. 1 hitter Jose Altuve, who primarily is a left fielder this season, although he was again at second base in Houston’s 4-3 series-opening victory over the Rays on Monday.
The end result gave the Astros back-to-back street wins for the primary time all season.
The transfer to leadoff has paid handsomely for Pena. After he did not begin Sunday in Houston’s 4-3 win over the rival Texas Rangers, Pena was again within the lineup Monday and went 3-for-4 to spice up his common to .309.
Hitting simply .247 earlier than being the batting order ascent, he has flourished within the function of setting, going 32-for-84 (.381) with three homers and 15 RBIs in 20 video games.
“He’s actually being one thing greater than I anticipated,” Espada mentioned. “I knew he is bought the potential to be a very thrilling all-around participant, however proper now, what he is doing, it is unimaginable. He isn’t backing down from the second. He is getting pitches to hit, and he is not lacking them.
“The job he is doing is excellent.”
The Astros additionally will hope for an excellent efficiency on Tuesday from a participant making his membership debut.
On the heels of dangerous information relating to the rotation — right-handed starter Hayden Wesneski, a part of the Kyle Tucker commerce with the Chicago Cubs on Dec. 13, will bear Tommy John surgical procedure after simply six begins — Houston will promote Brandon Walter for the beginning.
The left-hander was 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 9 video games (5 begins) from Triple-A Sugar Land this 12 months.
Walter has made simply 9 main league appearances, all in aid with the Boston Purple Sox in 2023, going 0-0 with a 6.26 ERA. He can be making his first look towards Tampa Bay.
Sometimes posting a stellar dwelling report after they have been of their domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Rays have struggled within the New York Yankees’ spring coaching dwelling in Tampa, falling to 11-18 on the Class-A Florida State League facility with the Monday defeat.
“We have got to make some issues go our method,” Rays supervisor Kevin Money mentioned. “I actually do not put an excessive amount of into the house/street splits proper now. … We have got to play higher baseball whatever the venue.”
Tampa Bay is 10-8 on the street.
Following an 0-5 begin by means of his first 5 begins, Zack Littell (3-5, 4.31 ERA) has gained 3 times in 4 begins getting into his begin on Tuesday.
Throughout the current span that featured wins over the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays along with a no-decision towards the Milwaukee Brewers, the right-hander has allowed 9 runs and 22 hits over 25 1/3 innings for a 3.20 ERA.
In three profession begins towards Houston, Littell is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA with a .224 batting common towards.
–Discipline Degree Media
