Ronel Blanco takes on the Rockies in the extra-rarified air of Mexico City
The Astros take on the Rockies this weekend in Mexico City. Hopefully, a change of country and some mountain air will lift the Astros out of their downward spiral and five-game losing streak.
Ronel Blanco goes for the Stros. He pitched in three of the seven games the Astros have won. A bullpen meltdown against Washington robbed him of going 4-0 and adding another W to his current total of two.
Trey Cabbage has been called up and is in left field today. It’s interesting that he gets the call before Joey Loperfido. Cabbage’s OPS with Sugarland is .926 with three homers, compared with Loperfideo’s 1.021 with 12 homers.
Perhaps it’s the plate discipline, the problem for both players. Cabbage seems to have improved, striking out 29 times with 21 walks. Loperfido has K’d 35 with 13 walks. Plus, Cabbage is older. His time is running out. Maybe he’s finally ready for major league pitching.
Nonetheless, the black hole at first base remains, still sucking the offense into oblivion. Supposedly, Loperfido can play some first. There’s no way he could be less productive than Jose Abreu. With every additional loss, the Astros’ chances for a playoff bid drop significantly from their already low odds. Automatic outs anywhere in the lineup are hard for any team to overcome.
Here are the lineups.
