Game 23 Thread, August 18, 2020, 2:10 CDT. Rockies @ Astros

What an amazing run for the pitching staff these last five days. The opposition has not score more than two runs in any of the last five games, all Astros wins. That with a starting rotation including names like Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Brandon Bielak. Whaaaaat?

And relievers like Andre Scrubb, Enoli Paredes, Blake Taylor. And who’s this Brooks Raley guy? Did you know he’s an Aggie?

Today the guy that started the streak hopes to extend it. Zack Greinke has been beyond mound artiste in his recent mastery, throwing six pitches almost exactly where he wants, how fast he wants, each almost at will. In this, the sub-ninety mph phase of his career, has he become a reincarnated Greg Maddux. Since his first game, Greinke’s pitching has become a thing of beauty, Rembrandt in its attention to detail, Michelangelo in the grandeur of its vision.

His season stats are 1-0, with a 2.53 ERA.

Greinke’s mound opponent is Antonio Senzatela, a 25 year-old Venezuelan, with a 3-0 season record and a 3.91 ERA.

The Astros will likely need another great pitching performance as recent run-production has been pretty sparse. Today the lineup will be without Yordan Alvarez, Michael Brantley, and the resting Carlos Correa. Among regular starters in today’s lineup George Springer, Kyle Tucker, and Jose Altuve are at or below the fabled Mendoza line. Abraham Toro gets the start at DH hitting .129, and Jack Mayfield replaces Correa at shortstop. It’s basically a three man offense, Josh Reddick, Alex Bregman, and Yuli Gurriel, unless someone else steps up today.

Here’s the lineup.

Media Access

Game 2: Tuesday, August 18th @ 2:10 pm CDT

Listen: Rockies - KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM / Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, La Ranchera 101.7 FM/850 AM

Watch: Rockies - ATT SportsNet-RM / Astros - ATT SportsNet-SW+ / MLBN (out-of-market only)