Houston Astros: Week 2 Recap – Home is Where the Heart Is!
The Houston Astros saw many highs and lows during the first home stand of the season. Here is what happened for them in Week 2!
Pennant unveiling, ring ceremonies and pitching gems. Quite the trio of things that transpired for the defending world champs this week. Here now is the Houston Astros Week 2 Recap!
Put a Ring On It!
After the championship pennant was revealed Monday, Tuesday saw the ring presentation taking place at MInute Maid Park. Carlos Beltran even came out of retirement to get the last merit of his illustrious career. Additionally, the rings themselves, created by Jostens, encapsulated everything special about the team and city.
The players weren’t the only ones to get rings. Broadcasters, front office staff, and others received the commemorative piece of jewelry. Owner Jim Crane was so generous, he even gave rings to everyone in the organization that had an impact on the victory. Even Mattress Mack himself, Jim McIngvale, received one.
Crane is even paying the luxury tax himself so that everyone from groundskeepers to ushers and everyone else in between knows just how special of a part they played in the historic championship win from last season.
Of all the things in the Houston Astros Week 2 Recap, THIS has to be the biggest highlight!
Bear Preservation
Brian McTaggart of MLB.com revealed this week that skipper A.J. Hinch is in no rush to start Evan Gattis behind the plate. El Oso Blanco has been in a bit of a slump lately since his 3 RBI, 3 hit outing in Arlington.
So maybe getting him into the field will help get him out of it? Especially, since his OPS between catching and serving as DH are practically night and day.
Nevertheless, Hinch is staying the course. Max Stassi has really been raking it since the start of the season. Not only that, but he has also aided both Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton to a pair of wins to start 2018. The youngster is really showing his stuff.
Regardless, Gattis is still a big part of this team as well. Despite the slump right now, the Bear is not far from getting back to where he once belonged. Hinch and the organization are patient enough with him, and us fans should be as well.
Hurt So Good?
The Houston Astros Week 2 Recap also comes with some minor injury news. All of it will have fans breathing sighs of relief.
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George Springer left Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres early. It left fans and broadcasters scratching their heads as to why this was the case. Hinch provided the answer post game, saying the World Series MVP had some leg soreness. His removal from the game was strictly precautionary.
Meanwhile, Yuli Gurriel started his rehab stint with the AA affiliate, Corpus Christi Hooks on Thursday. Since then, he has gone 6-for-12 (.500 BA) with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and a 1.167 OPS across 3 games. El Pina is very close to coming back. Likely, it will be the next home series against the Texas Rangers next weekend.
Next: Assessing Gerrit Cole's start to 2018
For now, the spacemen head to snowy Minnesota to open up a 3 game series versus the Twins. They’ll need to bundle up, that’s for sure!