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Houston Astros: Week 1 Round-Up – From Undefeated to a Sweep-Avoiding Finish!

By James Zeankowski

Apr 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) celebrates his walk off three run game winning home run againts the Seattle Mariners in the 13th inning at Minute Maid Park. Houston Astros won 5 to 3.Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) celebrates his walk off three run game winning home run againts the Seattle Mariners in the 13th inning at Minute Maid Park. Houston Astros won 5 to 3.Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The first full week of the 2017 regular season for the Houston Astros had absolutely everything imaginable. And we’re only 7 games in!

If fans want a glimpse into how much the game of baseball ebbs and flows, they need look no further than these first seven games for the Houston Astros!

A combination of soaring highs and unimaginable lows helped get the spacemen off to a very tumultuous start. 155 more of these games remain until the close of 2017.

Here are some of the key notes from Week 1:

Keuchel Was Key!

Lefty ace, Dallas Keuchel already has two starts under his belt. He was lights out to the Seattle Mariners in the home opener, shutting out the team from the North Pacific with absolutely no earned runs.

The cleverly nicknamed “beard” made his second start on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. Unfortunately, he would end up getting a no-decision, as reliever Luke Gregerson gave up 5 runs to the Blue Crew to give them the 7-2 win that night.

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However, in spite of this, Keuchel himself only gave up one earned run that game. He is finding his spots beautifully so far!

Catcher, Brian McCann also deserves credit for how he has handled the pitching staff, in general. He has been doing his part on BOTH sides of the ball since the season’s start!

Roller Coaster….Of Fun!

Every position player on the Astros bench has been in at least 3 games this past week. This is a big indicator of how skipper A.J. Hinch is using his incredibly deep lineup efficiently.

The few downsides are that the team, as a whole, is averaging just over 3 runs per game, and have a team RISP average of a minuscule .175 (7-for-40). The Astros offense also leads the league in GIDP (grounding into double plays) with 13 of those.  The hope is that the kinks with the bats will be taken care of sooner rather than later.

But while the Royals had them on the ropes all day yesterday, a two-out bases loaded walk by burly slugging catcher/designated hitter, Evan Gattis, helped the team avoid the sweep and finish off the first home stand 4 games to 3. It was the first time in El Oso Blanco’s storybook career so far that he has walked 3 times in one game, OR been on base a total of 5 times!

Next: A Career Comeback For Dallas Keuchel?

McHugh Has Another Setback!

Collin McHugh came out of his first rehab start after only one inning. Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle tweeted out Thursday that the right-handed pitcher gave up 3 runs off of as many hits.

Additionally, Kaplan also reported this past Saturday that an injury in part of his elbow will sideline him for six weeks. He won’t even be able to make another rehab start in AAA Fresno until the start of June. Because of this, the team will have to be extra careful with the current rotation.

The team now heads to Seattle to start another series with the Mariners for 3 games. They then to Oakland to get their first look at the Athletics for 2017. Stay tuned for updates on the team each week for the rest of the season.

GO HOUSTON ASTROS!!!!

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