Game 2 Thread, July 25, 2020. 3:10 CDT, Mariners @ Astros

In a shortened season, every game has almost triple the importance of a game during a regular length season. So let’s take triple pleasure in last night’s 8-2 win over the lowly Mariner’s. One down, 59 to go.

Justin Verlander’s performance was eerily familiar (in a good way): two runs in six innings pitched, seven K’s, two solo home runs. He got his third straight opening day victory as an Astro.

But let’s not forget the bullpen, the team’s weakest link going into 2020. Chris Devenski, and rookies Blake Taylor and Enoli Paredes (in their first major league appearances, obviously), held the M’s scoreless for the last three innings. We’ll need some young arms to step up like that if the Astros expect to take another championship.

Today it’s Mr Nasty, Lance McCullers, starting on the mound. He looked great in Monday’s warm-up game against KC, but today it’s for real. Is Lance the answer for the Astros’ losing Gerrit Cole? Is this the year, with a surgically repaired arm, that he finally reaches the high expectations we all had for him when he was drafted with Carlos Correa back in 2012?

All eyes on Lance McCullers today, a key to success for the 2020 Astros.

Here’s the Astros’ lineup.

Go Stros.

Media Access

Game 2: Saturday, July 25th @ 3:10 pm CDT

Listen: Mariners - 710 ESPN, Mariners Radio Network / Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, La Ranchera 101.7 FM/850 AM

Watch: Mariners - ROOTNW / Astros - ATT SportsNet-SW