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Houston Astros: Week 1 Recap – We Have Lift Off on 2018!

By James Zeankowski

ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 31: Brian McCann #16 looks at Jake Marisnick #6 of the Houston Astros as he celebrates his two run home run in the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 31, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 31: Brian McCann #16 looks at Jake Marisnick #6 of the Houston Astros as he celebrates his two run home run in the second inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 31, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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The reigning World Series Champion Houston Astros picked up right where they left off from last season. Here is the Week 1 recap!

The pitchers for the Houston Astros tallied a plethora of strikeouts. Subsequently, the hitters in the offense kept putting runs on the board. These are just a few things that happened this past week for the reigning world champions. Now, here is the Houston Astros: Week 1 Recap!

Exhibit A for Arlington

The spacemen got the week started by sweeping a two game exhibition of the Milwaukee Brewers. These games took place at Minute Maid Park on Monday and Tuesday, with the Astros winning both.

Then, Opening Day happened on Thursday in Arlington, where the boys opened up a 4 game set versus the in-state divisional rival, Texas Rangers. The Astros took Opening Day 4-1, struggled on Friday losing 5-1, but roaring back the rest of the weekend with 9-3 and 8-2 victories, respectively.

ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 31: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates his home run with Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 31, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 31: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates his home run with Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 31, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

The Middle

Another important part of this Houston Astros: Week 1 Recap centers around our stellar middle infielders!

Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa have tallied 16 hits between the two in this first series for the Astros. Altuve with 9 and Correa for 7. Both have averages well above .400 and OPS’ well above 1.000 to start the season.

Additionally, they have both been making really good plays defensively up the middle infield. Perhaps both will be in contention for American League MVP this  year? They sure are looking like it, as it stands right now!

Cole Mining!

More from House of Houston

Newly acquired pitcher, Gerrit Cole, made his Astros debut in the finale on Easter Sunday against the Rangers. He fanned a whopping 11 batters, while only giving up 2 hits and an earned run off of a Joey Gallo home run.

What makes this even more delicious is that Cole is the 4th starter. You heard correctly! The man who was the ace of the Bus staff is now near the bottom of the order and STILL putting up heaters topping out at 99 mph, according to a team tweet.

Cole is set to start again next weekend at home against the San Diego Padres. More damage is imminent for that series!

Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

But wait, ladies and gentlemen. There is much more to this Houston Astros: Week 1 Recap!

ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 01: Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros hits a Single RBI in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 01: Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros hits a Single RBI in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /

In the same game that Cole pitched in, Evan Gattis served as designated hitter. El Oso Blanco came up with 3 clutch RBI hits. Two of them doubles, one of them a single. This went along with 2 runs that he scored from other batters and a drawn walk. The bear-bull certainly had himself quite the Easter Sunday in the batter’s box!

However, he wasn’t the only one! Youngsters Derek Fisher and Max Stassi came up with clutch RBI hits as well. Proving exactly why they belong in the big leagues. Especially Stassi, who did all of this while guiding Cole behind the dish.

Next: Why the Texans need to get into the 2nd round

All of these good things happened for the spacemen, as we learned just before game time yesterday from skipper A.J. Hinch that Yuli Gurriel is slated to be ready for his first game Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Likely, J.D. Davis will be sent back down to make room, but it won’t be the last we see of him, either.

GO HOUSTON ASTROS! #NeverSettle!

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