No Mercy for Angels. Astros Sweep, Take Game Three, 6-4

Blanco Blanks em for six innings

Why are we even talking about Justin Verlander on the playoff roster?

I know….HOF….Three Cy Youngs….Three No-hitters….2017 ALCS….2019 ALDS.

Welcome to 2024.

In his last four games since returning from IL Verlander has a 9.64 ERA and a 6.45 xFIP. His K/9 and BB/9 are identical: 4.08.

Last night he escaped with only two runs but got huge help from some defensive gems. But he only got two Ks, and the pathetic nine swings and misses were a big improvement over the four he got in his previous meltdown.

92.8 was the average velo, way down for Verlander. His xFIP was 5.69, and he didn’t have a K after the 3rd inning against an easy lineup. (credit nickscope27)

Putting Verlander on the roster as a potential starter is especially egregious if it means a lesser role for today’s starter, Ronel Blanco. Blanco’s season ERA of 2.88 is the lowest among Astros starters.

Oh, he’s tired, they say. Yes, he had a mild mid-season slump and a semi-meltdown on August 20th. But after a break and a return to the six-man rotation, in his last 18.2 innings, Blanco has a 0.96 ERA.

Today Blanco allowed only four hits and two walks, with five Ks. He induced 15 swings and misses in 92 pitches.

Supposedly, Blanco has blown through a hypothetical season inning limit. I say, Blanco’s recent performances say “nonsense,” and can only mean a very prominent playoff role for this Cinderella whose unexpected excellence may have saved the Astros’ season.

So let’s talk about Jason Heyward.

Late season waiver pickup Jason Heyward saved the Astros’ offense today on a day when 1-4 in the lineup were hitless. He made a double break-through today. His third inning home run broke through the scoreless tie, and the homer was his first as an Astro. Heyward ended the day with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored.

(Correction. The home run was Heyward’s second as an Astro)

But the Astros as a team broke through in the fourth inning with four runs. It started with a Kyle Tucker walk, who made third base on a Victor Caratini double and scored on a Jeremy Pena single. Caratini scored on a Heyward single and Pena scored on a passed ball. Mauricio made the score 5-0 with an RBI single scoring Heyward.

The Astros added what turned out to be an important insurance run in the eighth on a Jake Meyers RBI single.

Important, because once Blanco disappeared the Angels lineup suddenly got dangerous. Taylor Ward got an eighth inning solo homer off Kaleb Ort, and in the ninth they grabbed three runs off a wild Caleb Ferguson. Unfortunately, by loading the bases, it necessitated an appearance by over-worked closer Josh Hader who promptly gave up an RBI fielder’s choice and a pitiful bloop hit that nonetheless scored two runs. But Hader closed the game with a strikeout, earning the save and securing the sweep.

The Astros take on the Padres tomorrow in San Diego behind Spencer Arrighetti at 8:40 CT.

Box score HERE.