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SAN DIEGO ( ROSS ) |
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| 929 | HOUSTON | +145 | Ov 7,-110 | +135 | Ov 6.5,-130 | | 930 | SAN DIEGO | -155 | Un 7,-110 | -145 | Un 6.5,+110 |
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| All Games | 12-7 | +6.7 | 8-10 | 4.2 | 0.229 | 0.308 | 0.392 | 0.699 | 3.6 | 0.222 | 0.275 | 0.347 | 0.622 | | Road Games | 8-2 | +7.8 | 7-3 | 5.8 | 0.268 | 0.336 | 0.457 | 0.792 | 3.9 | 0.224 | 0.287 | 0.312 | 0.600 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 7-5 | +3 | 5-6 | 4.1 | 0.220 | 0.300 | 0.373 | 0.673 | 3.7 | 0.225 | 0.282 | 0.348 | 0.630 | | Past 7 Games | 6-1 | +6.8 | 6-1 | 6.4 | 0.270 | 0.346 | 0.452 | 0.798 | 4.0 | 0.231 | 0.285 | 0.319 | 0.604 | | Grass Games | 12-7 | +6.7 | 8-10 | 4.2 | 0.229 | 0.308 | 0.392 | 0.699 | 3.6 | 0.222 | 0.275 | 0.347 | 0.622 | | Night Games | 7-6 | +2.2 | 5-7 | 3.6 | 0.231 | 0.307 | 0.384 | 0.691 | 3.5 | 0.225 | 0.272 | 0.350 | 0.621 | | Interleague | 1-0 | +1 | 1-0 | 9.0 | 0.270 | 0.357 | 0.595 | 0.952 | 4.0 | 0.270 | 0.270 | 0.324 | 0.595 |
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| All Games | 4.2 | 0.229 | 0.308 | 19 | 651 | 149 | 27 | 2 | 25 | 0.392 | 75 | 74 | 179 | 23 | 135 | 15 | 8 | 13 | 7 | | Road Games | 5.8 | 0.268 | 0.336 | 10 | 381 | 102 | 22 | 1 | 16 | 0.457 | 55 | 39 | 90 | 14 | 79 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | | Righty Starters | 4.1 | 0.220 | 0.300 | 12 | 413 | 91 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 0.373 | 45 | 47 | 113 | 15 | 87 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
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| All Games | 2.42 | 0.869 | 63.3 | 17 | 17 | 40 | 4 | 15 | 64 | 5-1 | 7 | 3 | 70% | | Road Games | 2.67 | 1.010 | 33.7 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 1 | 11 | 31 | 5-0 | 5 | 3 | 62.5% |
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| All Games | 11-10 | +0.8 | 13-8 | 4.8 | 0.268 | 0.315 | 0.428 | 0.743 | 4.1 | 0.241 | 0.312 | 0.415 | 0.728 | | Home Games | 6-5 | -0.1 | 5-6 | 4.0 | 0.261 | 0.313 | 0.418 | 0.732 | 3.8 | 0.226 | 0.293 | 0.386 | 0.679 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 7-9 | -2.7 | 8-8 | 3.8 | 0.239 | 0.287 | 0.396 | 0.683 | 4.2 | 0.247 | 0.322 | 0.424 | 0.747 | | Past 7 Games | 2-5 | -3.2 | 3-4 | 3.9 | 0.241 | 0.299 | 0.409 | 0.708 | 5.3 | 0.267 | 0.333 | 0.517 | 0.851 | | Grass Games | 11-10 | +0.8 | 13-8 | 4.8 | 0.268 | 0.315 | 0.428 | 0.743 | 4.1 | 0.241 | 0.312 | 0.415 | 0.728 | | Night Games | 7-6 | +0.8 | 8-5 | 5.5 | 0.293 | 0.335 | 0.456 | 0.791 | 4.6 | 0.254 | 0.319 | 0.453 | 0.771 | | Interleague | 0-1 | -1.2 | 1-0 | 4.0 | 0.270 | 0.270 | 0.324 | 0.595 | 9.0 | 0.270 | 0.357 | 0.595 | 0.952 |
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| All Games | 4.8 | 0.268 | 0.315 | 21 | 734 | 197 | 42 | 6 | 21 | 0.428 | 97 | 50 | 164 | 11 | 127 | 22 | 16 | 23 | 17 | | Home Games | 4.0 | 0.261 | 0.313 | 11 | 368 | 96 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 0.418 | 42 | 28 | 81 | 6 | 66 | 12 | 7 | 18 | 6 | | Righty Starters | 3.8 | 0.239 | 0.287 | 16 | 545 | 130 | 25 | 5 | 17 | 0.396 | 58 | 37 | 124 | 8 | 91 | 15 | 11 | 21 | 14 |
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| All Games | 4.04 | 1.330 | 64.7 | 31 | 29 | 57 | 9 | 29 | 49 | 4-5 | 7 | 3 | 70% | | Home Games | 4.07 | 1.273 | 35.3 | 17 | 16 | 28 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 2-2 | 4 | 0 | 100% |
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| 4/14/2015 | PEACOCK(R) | OAKLAND | GRAVEMAN(R) | 0-4 | L | -110 | 9 un | U | 8 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 0 | | 4/15/2015 | MCHUGH(R) | OAKLAND | POMERANZ(L) | 6-1 | W | -105 | 7.5 ev | U | 8 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 0 | | 4/17/2015 | HERNANDEZ(R) | LA ANGELS | WEAVER(R) | 3-6 | L | +105 | 9 ov | P | 8 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | | 4/18/2015 | KEUCHEL(L) | LA ANGELS | WILSON(L) | 4-0 | W | -115 | 8.5 ov | U | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | | 4/19/2015 | FELDMAN(R) | LA ANGELS | RICHARDS(R) | 4-3 | W | +105 | 8.5 un | U | 6 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 2 | | 4/20/2015 | WOJCIECHOWSKI(R) | @ SEATTLE | IWAKUMA(R) | 7-5 | W | 187 | 7.5 ev | O | 9 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 1 | | 4/21/2015 | MCHUGH(R) | @ SEATTLE | WALKER(R) | 6-3 | W | 115 | 7 un | O | 9 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 1 | | 4/22/2015 | HERNANDEZ(R) | @ SEATTLE | HAPP(L) | 2-3 | L | 150 | 7.5 ev | U | 10 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | | 4/24/2015 | KEUCHEL(L) | @ OAKLAND | KAZMIR(L) | 5-4 | W | 120 | 7 un | O | 11 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 1 | | 4/25/2015 | FELDMAN(R) | @ OAKLAND | GRAVEMAN(R) | 9-3 | W | 100 | 8.5 un | O | 11 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 2 | | 4/26/2015 | WOJCIECHOWSKI(R) | @ OAKLAND | POMERANZ(L) | 7-6 | W | 150 | 8 un | O | 10 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 1 | | 4/27/2015 | MCHUGH(R) | @ SAN DIEGO | SHIELDS(R) | 9-4 | W | 105 | 6.5 un | O | 10 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 2 | | 4/28/2015 | HERNANDEZ(R) | @ SAN DIEGO | ROSS(R) | | | 4/29/2015 | KEUCHEL(L) | @ SAN DIEGO | CASHNER(R) | | | 4/30/2015 | FELDMAN(R) | SEATTLE | PAXTON(L) | | | 5/1/2015 | | SEATTLE | ELIAS(L) | | | 5/2/2015 | MCHUGH(R) | SEATTLE | WALKER(R) | | | 5/3/2015 | HERNANDEZ(R) | SEATTLE | HAPP(L) | | | 5/4/2015 | KEUCHEL(L) | TEXAS | DETWILER(L) | | | 5/5/2015 | | TEXAS | | |
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| 4/14/2015 | DESPAIGNE(R) | ARIZONA | HELLICKSON(R) | 5-1 | W | -130 | 6.5 un | U | 8 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | | 4/15/2015 | MORROW(R) | ARIZONA | ANDERSON(R) | 3-2 | W | -130 | 6.5 un | U | 9 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 0 | | 4/17/2015 | SHIELDS(R) | @ CHICAGO CUBS | HAMMEL(R) | 5-4 | W | 110 | 7.5 ov | O | 8 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 1 | | 4/18/2015 | ROSS(R) | @ CHICAGO CUBS | HENDRICKS(R) | 6-7 | L | 105 | 7 un | O | 10 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 1 | | 4/19/2015 | CASHNER(R) | @ CHICAGO CUBS | LESTER(L) | 5-2 | W | 110 | 6.5 ov | O | 10 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 0 | | 4/20/2015 | DESPAIGNE(R) | @ COLORADO | DE LA ROSA(L) | 14-3 | W | 135 | 9.5 ov | O | 17 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 1 | | 4/21/2015 | MORROW(R) | @ COLORADO | MATZEK(L) | 7-6 | W | -105 | 10 ev | O | 13 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | | 4/22/2015 | SHIELDS(R) | @ COLORADO | KENDRICK(R) | 4-5 | L | -110 | 10 ev | U | 7 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 0 | | 4/23/2015 | ROSS(R) | @ COLORADO | LYLES(R) | 1-2 | L | 100 | 10 un | U | 7 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 0 | | 4/24/2015 | CASHNER(R) | LA DODGERS | GREINKE(R) | 0-3 | L | +110 | 6.5 un | U | 6 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0 | | 4/25/2015 | KENNEDY(R) | LA DODGERS | MCCARTHY(R) | 8-11 | L | +110 | 6.5 un | O | 8 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | | 4/26/2015 | MORROW(R) | LA DODGERS | BAKER(R) | 3-1 | W | -125 | 7.5 un | U | 5 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | | 4/27/2015 | SHIELDS(R) | HOUSTON | MCHUGH(R) | 4-9 | L | -115 | 6.5 un | O | 10 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 0 | | 4/28/2015 | ROSS(R) | HOUSTON | HERNANDEZ(R) | | | 4/29/2015 | CASHNER(R) | HOUSTON | KEUCHEL(L) | | | 5/1/2015 | KENNEDY(R) | COLORADO | BUTLER(R) | | | 5/2/2015 | MORROW(R) | COLORADO | DE LA ROSA(L) | | | 5/3/2015 | SHIELDS(R) | COLORADO | MATZEK(L) | | | 5/4/2015 | ROSS(R) | @ SAN FRANCISCO | BUMGARNER(L) | | | 5/5/2015 | | @ SAN FRANCISCO | | |
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| |  | HOUSTON: HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Astros moved out of the major league basement last season.
Now the question is whether Jose Altuve and his teammates are ready to contend this year or if they still need a couple of seasons to complete their rebuild and get back to the postseason.
Owner Jim Crane is confident the time is now.
''This is our year,'' he said, adding that their goal is to make the playoffs.
The Astros made a 19-game improvement in 2014 to win 70 games and snap a streak of three straight 100-loss seasons. They beefed up a bullpen that struggled last year and added more pop to a lineup that was fourth in the majors with 163 homers in 2014 in an attempt to take another step in 2015.
''These guys are all professional baseball players and they all want to win,'' general manager Jeff Luhnow said. ''We're not going to set any limitations on them. It's up to them at this point. We've done our work for the offseason.''
The Astros blew 25 saves last season, a statistic that troubled Crane more than any other number associated with his team. His first order of business this offseason was to bring in players to get that number down this year.
To that end, Houston added relievers Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek. Gregerson appeared in 72 games for the Athletics last season and posted a 2.12 ERA and Neshek saw action in 71 games for St. Louis in 2014 with a 1.87 ERA.
A lineup that already had power aplenty with Chris Carter, whose 37 homers tied for second in the majors last season, and George Springer, who hit 20 in just 78 games, now has more sluggers with the addition of Evan Gattis and Colby Rasmus. Gattis has hit 43 homers combined in his first two major league seasons and Rasmus has hit at least 22 home runs in two of the last three years.
That power is what excites first-year manager A.J. Hinch most about his team.
''We have a chance to be a dangerous lineup,'' Hinch said with a smile.
Some things to know about the 2015 Astros:
EXPECTATIONS FOR ALTUVE: Altuve became the first Astros player to win a batting title by hitting .341 last season. He set a team record with 225 hits, was third in the majors with 47 doubles, had 59 RBIs and tied for second in the league with 56 stolen bases.
So what does Luhnow expect the 24-year-old second baseman to do for an encore?
''He's going to be a .300 career hitter, which are few and far between,'' Luhnow said. ''So there's going to be years like with most of these great hitters where they hit .340 and years that they hit .305. In my mind Altuve is an elite major league hitter and we're going to see it year in and year out.''
SPRINGER'S SECOND YEAR: Springer, the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft, hit .231 with 20 homers and 51 RBIs in 78 games as a rookie. He injured his left quadriceps on July 20 and he didn't play again. The Astros are eager to see what the right fielder can do in a full season.
''He's got a ton of potential,'' Hinch said. ''He's a dynamic player. He can do a lot of different things in a lot of different ways. Everybody sort of sits up in their seats when he comes up to bat. I think there's a chance for him to have impact in all (areas) of the game, which is hard to come by.''
CAN ROTATION BE CONSISTENT?: Dallas Keuchel (12-9, 2.93 ERA) and Collin McHugh (11-9, 2.73) had breakout seasons in 2014, but can they perform at that level in a second year to lead the rotation? Keuchel posted ERAs of over 5.00 in both of his first two seasons before being chosen this year's opening day starter with his work last year, and McHugh had ERAs of 7.59 and 10.04 in his first two years before his success in 2014.
ANOTHER NEW SKIPPER: Counting interim managers, Hinch is the seventh manager the Astros have had since 2009. He was hired just after last season following the firing of Bo Porter, who was let go near the end of his second season.
This is the second time the 40-year-old Hinch has led a team after he managed Arizona from May 2009 until July 2010, when he was fired after 31-48 start. He was the vice president of professional scouting for San Diego from 2010 until August. | | SAN DIEGO: San Diego Padres manager Bud Black turned the corner to meet the press on the first day of spring training and was taken aback at the throng of reporters waiting.
''What are we, the Yankees?'' Black asked.
No, but they're no longer the anonymous Padres, the light-hitting, star-less team planted near the bottom of the NL West.
Thanks to first-year general manager A.J. Preller's wild offseason, the Padres have been remade. There's suddenly star power. And expectations, too.
''The organization, from top on down, there's a different vibe,'' Black said.
A new ace in James Shields joins an already strong rotation. Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers make for a brand new power-hitting outfield. Derek Norris is now catching. Newcomers Yangervis Solarte and Will Middlebrooks have had great springs as they compete at third base.
''I'm impressed,'' Kemp said. ''We've got a lot of great players in this clubhouse. We have a really good chance of winning some games.''
It's been a long time since people have been saying that about the Padres. They were last in the postseason in 2006. They haven't had a winning season since 2010 and last year finished 18 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
A lost season included a shake-up at the top. Preller, a former assistant GM with Texas, replaced the fired Josh Byrnes in August. Preller was then the clear star of baseball's hot stove season.
Kemp, who acknowledged he was shocked the Dodgers traded him, thinks the Padres now have the best outfield in the game.
Shields, who helped get Kansas City to the World Series last season, was the last piece. He signed in February.
''Shields wanted to be here. Kemp, Upton, Norris, those guys are happy to be here,'' Black said. ''They're happy to be in San Diego. They're happy to be a Padre. That's a good thing.''
Now it will be up to Black, lauded for squeezing as much as he can out of bad rosters, to make them winners. The Padres expect to contend for at least a wild card spot.
''I've been in San Diego for 40 years. That energy is back,'' Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler said. ''People are talking baseball and it's fun to be a Padre right now.''
ROTATION WORKHORSES: Adding Shields gives the Padres baseball's most durable pitcher on a staff already known for eating innings. The right-hander has tossed 1,785 2/3 innings since 2007. No pitcher has thrown more. Tyson Ross (195 2/3) and Ian Kennedy (201) were workhorses in 2014. Right-hander Andrew Cashner was the exception, but last year's opening-day starter has looked dominant as he returns from arm issues. Brandon Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne are contending for the fifth spot. And Josh Johnson, coming back from elbow surgery, could be ready by June. ''The one thing we do have is pitching depth,'' Shields said. ''And you can never have too much.'' The one issue: no left-handers.
CAN THEY FIELD?: The new outfield packs power, but can they cover spacious Petco Park? Kemp's arthritic hips were made public during trade discussions and he no longer has the speed for center. Myers has only played there in the minors. ''They read the noise that we're not going to play defense,'' Black said. ''Players have a lot of pride.'' Veteran Wil Nieves, a non-roster invite, is the likely backup catcher with Tim Federowicz sidelined following knee surgery.
WHO PLAYS THIRD?: Solarte, acquired last summer from the Yankees, has impressed at the plate and can also play second and first. Middlebrooks, coming off a poor, injury-plagued 2014 in Boston, has hit well and looked smooth in the field. ''I'm not too worried about it. I know I'm a good player,'' Middlebrooks said. ''He's a good player as well. We're both going to be on the field at some point.''
WHAT HAPPENS TO QUENTIN?: Preller's next task is to figure out what to do with all his spare outfielders. That includes Carlos Quentin, the oft-injured two-time All-Star. ''Everyone knows there's a DH in the American League,'' said Quentin, who is open to a trade. Will Venable and Cameron Maybin also face uncertain futures.
PRESSURE ON BLACK: Black found a way to win 77 games last year with a roster that scored 535 runs, 38 fewer than any other team. But Preller declined to extend his contract in the offseason. ''We're both in the last year before we're free agents,'' Kennedy said, grinning. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (HOUSTON-SAN DIEGO) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Astros-Padres Preview* =======================
By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer
Houston (12-7) at San Diego (11-10), 10:10 p.m. EDT
Jose Altuve and Jake Marisnick may be the Houston Astros' top hitters, but it may be time to add Colby Rasmus to that list.
Rasmus looks to continue his hot hitting and help the Astros to a ninth win in 10 games Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres.
Houston (12-7) is unexpectedly atop the AL West, but Altuve's success at the plate isn't a surprise since he led the majors with a career-best .341 average last year.
The All-Star second baseman is batting .325 in 2015, going 11 for 29 (.379) with eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
While Altuve is expected to produce in the leadoff spot, Marisnick is providing the Astros with some offense at the bottom of the order. The center fielder is hitting .362, 118 points above his career average.
Rasmus has heated up after a slow start, going 10 for 29 (.345) with two homers, two doubles and five RBIs in seven games. The left fielder has two hits in each of the last three games, connecting for a two-run homer and an RBI single in Monday's 9-4 series-opening win.
"Rasmus had the separation home run, and that's sort of who we are," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We lay in the weeds and then we do it. It's an interesting offense."
Roberto Hernandez (0-2, 3.57) will try to pitch the Astros to their fifth straight win following his best outing of the season. The right-hander allowed three runs over the first four innings before completing seven in a 3-2 loss at Seattle on Wednesday.
"In the first few innings the ball was kind of flat, but I was able to keep the ball down and started moving more and got comfortable," Hernandez said through an interpreter.
Hernandez is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the Padres, losing both last season while surrendering nine runs in eight innings.
He'll be facing a San Diego (11-10) team that's batting .219 and averaging 3.3 runs while dropping five of six games after winning nine of the previous 11 behind a .304 average and 6.0 runs.
Yonder Alonso is a major culprit, going 1 for 14 in four games after hitting .400 through the first 16.
Tyson Ross (1-1, 3.97) starts for the Padres seeking better command. The right-hander has walked nine in his last two starts and needed 106 pitches to complete five innings in a 2-1 loss at Colorado on Thursday. He loaded the bases and walked in a run in the opening inning before settling down and allowing one run over the next four innings.
"He threw some pitches that I thought from the side looked real close," manager Bud Black said. "Some real borderline pitches that didn't go his way. But at the end of the day he gave us a chance to win, even though he wasn't at the top of his game."
A change of venue could be just what Ross needs in his first meeting with Houston. He's 6-0 with a 1.55 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 46 1-3 innings over his last seven home starts, and they've all ended in Padres victories.
Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie homered Monday before leaving in the eighth inning after injuring his right thumb on a slide. He will return to Houston on Tuesday and have an MRI.
"It's swollen. It doesn't feel good," he said.
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| | Last Updated: 4/25/2024 2:09:26 PM EST. |
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