Houston Astros: Week 22 Round Up: Homecoming Parade

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Astros returned Friday for what was an eventful week 22, to say the very least!

As for the Houston Astros, things started out pretty rough in Week 22. They lost the first two games to the Texas Rangers, who shifted the 3 game set to the Trop in Tampa Bay. The spacemen were able to salvage game 3, but did so with heavy hearts.

Without a doubt, many of them were thinking of their homes and families back on the other side of the gulf. Thankfully, they were able to make it back to H-Town on Friday and do their parts in the relief efforts.

To make matters better, the Astros swept the visiting New York Mets in a homecoming 3 game set. The first two of those wins came by way of the very first doubleheader in Minute Maid Park history. The third came just yesterday afternoon.

With the current 4 game win streak, the Astros will now head back on the road for an extensive west coast trip. They will play 3 out of 4 of their divisional rivals. The first set begins today in Seattle to face the Mariners. Then it’s off to Oakland to take on the Athletics, followed by another road set in Anaheim to take on the Halos.

Here are some of the other highlights from Week 22 for the Houston Astros:

Where the Heart Is

Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicles reported Friday that the Astros utilized their off day Friday to go down to the George R. Brown Convention Center. While there, they met with evacuees and attempted to lift up their spirits in the wake of the disaster.

Additionally, Mayor Sylvester Turner threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Saturday’s doubleheader. Skipper A.J. Hinch, not to be outdone, also gave a rousing speech before game 1, urging the city to “Stay Strong, Be Strong.”

As opposed to the neighbors to the north, the visiting New York Mets were more than just gracious enough to allow the team an off day. They also rolled up there sleeves and got to work to help evacuees. Whether feeding families, or playing games with the kids, so many folks from both team provided much needed distractions for a city still reeling from catastrophe.

Down to the Wire!

Thursday was the waiver wire trade deadline. Any player wanting to be picked up off waivers or traded from another team needed to have deals set by 11:59 pm EST. (10:59 pm CST) If not, said players would either stay with their current teams, be DFA’d, or risk losing postseason eligibility with roster expansions the next day.

For the Astros, Week 22 gave them an early pickup in Cameron Maybin off of waivers from rivals, the Los Angeles Angels. In exchange, the spacemen sent back cash to the Halos. Maybin, while not having the best of seasons offensively, still provides a ton of speed. This is true both in the outfield, as well as the base paths.

However, all eyes were on the coveted six time all star pitcher and Detroit Tigers’ ace, Justin Verlander. After a deal was in the works for the Astros to get him, it fell through with 30 minutes left. Conflicting reports made it appear as if the trade had been nixed by Verlander himself. He does have an NTC with Detroit after all.

Then, with only a minute to spare, it was confirmed by multiple sources that the Astros, indeed, got their man in Verlander right as the wire deadline approached. Since then, fans across social media have expressed the abundance of joy they were all feeling. Myself included!

Quite possibly, these two acquisitions on Thursday may have been just the spark the team needed to get their current 4 game win streak going. Verlander will make his debut for the Astros on Tuesday in Seattle.

Time Heals All Wounds

There are still a number of players on the disabled list. However, Hinch is playing it conservatively with all players, so as not to have anymore setbacks come playoff time. This was true for week 22 as well.

Most recently, Jake Marisnick has been battling a groin injury he sustained while running the bases. Carlos Beltran, meanwhile, is dealing with a foul ball that hit his right shin guard. Yuli Gurriel is still dealing with inflammation in his right knee. All three of these players could play as soon as the upcoming series in Seattle, according to another report from the Chron.

Evan Gattis will begin a rehab assignment with the lower A affiliate, the Quad City River Bandits, starting this week. He will join Michael Feliz and Colin Moran, both of who are rehabbing as well. If all goes as planned, he is eligible to be activated this weekend in Oakland. Fingers crossed for the bear!

Next: Three ways the Astros can be an escape from Hurricane Harvey

The Prodigal Son Returns!

Carlos Correa, who had been sidelined for over a month with a thumb injury, made his return tot he Astros’ lineup on Sunday. Batting in the cleanup spot, he went 1-for-3 with an RBI single and a drawn walk.

Before injury, Correa has been putting up MVP like numbers. Perhaps, he will provide an additional jolt for the team down the stretch!

GO HOUSTON ASTROS!!!! #HoustonStrong

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