The Crawfish Boxes - Opening Series: Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians, April 6, 8-9, 2015Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11437/crawfishboxes-fv.gif2015-04-09T17:55:56-05:00http://www.crawfishboxes.com/rss/stream/81358422015-04-09T17:55:56-05:002015-04-09T17:55:56-05:00Tribe spoils Wojo's debut with 1-hitter
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<p>For the second time in 3 seasons, the Astros faced down the barrel of a no-hitter in the first series. For the second time they salvage a bit of dignity.</p> <p>It has been about 3 hours since I posted in one of the comment sections here at TCB that I love a day game after a less than fulfilling night game. The point was that you can stop thinking about the past a bit quicker. Well, this day game didn't help one bit. In fact, now we have to wait over 24 hours to get distracted with a new game. That being said, we should all remain calm. Two game losing streaks happen, right?</p>
<p>So, what happened today. <span>Asher Wojciechowski</span> made his debut, but his spring training good fortune did not follow him into the regular season. Like you might expect from a rookie, he had his good moments, but he also gave up 8 hits, including a leadoff double in each of the first two innings that eventually led to runs. He showed some poise, working around a triple and a walk in the third inning to escape without giving up a run. The wheels started to come off in the fifth. The first three batters got on base, including a leadoff homer to <span>Jason Kipnis</span>. <span>Samuel Deduno</span> came in with 2 on and no outs and got out of the inning, stranding both runners. Deduno was one of the bright spots in the game. He pitched four innings, gave up one run on 2 hits and a walk, and also struck out four.</p>
<p>Now, as far as the offense is concerned, let's just say it isn't good when your entire Twitter feed has some sort of reference to "no hitter". Now don't get confused and think the team didn't have their chances. The <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indians</a> gave up 7 walks. Twice, starting pitcher <span>Trevor Bauer</span> walked 2 batters in the same inning, but the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a> were not able to capitalize on the wildness. Actually the first hard hit ball was in the 8th inning, when <span>Luis Valbuena</span> lined out to right field. <span>Jed Lowrie</span> pulled a trick out of <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span> bag and broke up the no hitter in the 9th by hitting a home run to left center field. (He is always breaking those unwritten rules, right Bo?)</p>
<p>In the end, a totally forgettable game, unless you had Lowrie in a "who hits the Astros first homer" pool. The team packs up this afternoon for the short trip to Arlington to take on the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a> in their home opening series. Lets just all pretend Tuesday and Wednesday never happened, and take it to our northern friends this weekend.</p>
<p><b>FUN FACTS</b></p>
<p>The Astros 3-4-5 hitters were 0-32 with 16 strikeouts and 1 walk in the series. Positive vibes! It can only go up!</p>
<p>The bullpen has now pitched 9 1/3 innings (by my sometimes shaky math) and has this to show for it: 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 home run, 1 walk and 10 Ks. Let's hope this keeps up.</p>
<p><b>TWEET OF THE DAY</b></p>
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<p>On Gattis: Couple bad days at work. We've all had them.</p>
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMoralesRS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuliaMoralesRS/status/586279773892169729">April 9, 2015</a>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/9/8379773/indians-5-astros-1-late-lowrie-heroics-not-enough-to-take-the-victoryerniebreakfast2015-04-09T12:02:11-05:002015-04-09T12:02:11-05:00Game No. 3 Preview: Astros vs. Indians
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<figcaption>Bob Levey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Astros hope to hold serve on a get away game with the Indians.</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" data-ref-index="5">Houston Astros</a> (1-1) vs. <a data-ref-index="6" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> (1-1), 1:10 p.m. (CST)</h4>
<p id="paragraph0"><b>TV:</b> Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV<br><b>Radio: </b>KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><b>Indians SBNation Blog</b>: <a data-ref-index="8" href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
<h4>Pitching matchup</h4>
<p id="paragraph1">RHP <span>Asher Wojciechowski</span> (4-4, 4.74 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in AAA OKC) vs. RHP <span>Trevor Bauer</span> (5-8, 4.18 ERA, 1.38 WHIP)</p>
<h4>Preview</h4>
<p>Asher Wojciechowski takes the ball today for the Astros in his first major league start. Wojciechowski impressed this spring, posting a a record of 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 1.05 WHIP. Wojo earned a spot, but didn't actually get into the major league rotation until <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> and <span>Brad Peacock</span> went down with injury. It will be up to Wojciechowski to make the most of his time in the majors with a plethora of pitchers gunning for the back end of the Astros rotation and Wojo still having minor league options.</p>
<p id="paragraph2">The Astros bats will need to wake up if they hope to give Asher Wojciechowski a win in his major league debut. After going through the lineup one full time against <span>Corey Kluber</span> without a strikeout, the Astros have collected 20 strikeout over the first two games of the season. The 3-4-5 hitters are a collective 0-for-21 with 9 strikeouts.</p>
<p>Trevor Bauer will get his first chance to rewrite the book on him. Basically punted by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>, Bauer starts in the rotation in 2015. This will also be the first time Bauer has chance to test Major League Baseball pace of game rules, Bauer is know as a walking rain-delay on the mound. The key to Bauer's future success will be if can simply his mechanics to allow for more consistent delivery.</p>
<p>In one start against the Astros last season on August 24, Bauer held the Astros scoreless over six innings.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" id="paragraph8">✮✮✮</p>
<p id="paragraph9"><i>Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $125,000 one-day fantasy baseball league today. It's $2 to join and first place wins $10,000. Enter now! </i><a href="http://partners.fanduel.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_6819b_970">Here's the link.</a></p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/9/8377229/game-no-3-preview-houston-astros-vs-cleveland-indiansRyan Dunsmore2015-04-09T01:37:26-05:002015-04-09T01:37:26-05:00Bats quiet as Feldman starts the season strong
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Oh no! We suck again!</p> <p><span>Carlos Carrasco</span> didn't wait long to living up to his new contract with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>. Carrasco held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> scoreless through 6.1 innings and striking out 10 batters in the Indians' 2-0 win on Wednesday.</p>
<p>After two games, the Astros have seven hits and 20 strikeouts. The Astros 3-4-5 hitters are a collective 0-for-21 with nine strikeouts. Houston wasn't able to get a runner past second base on Tuesday four times without success. The few times the Astros were successful on offense was highlighted by a George Springer Double and <span>Jed Lowrie</span> stolen base. But it was all for not.</p>
<p><span>Scott Feldman</span> proved once again that Spring Training stats are useless. The Astros veteran starter allowed just one run through 6.2 innings and struck out 5. The only run given up by Feldman was a solo home run by <span>Carlos Santana</span>.</p>
<p><span>Joe Thatcher</span>, <span>Pat Neshek</span>, and <span>Will Harris</span> saw their first action of the season. Thatcher struck out the one batter he faced, Lonnie Chisnehall. Neshek allowed a solo home run to the first batter he faced, <span>Mike Aviles</span> deposited a 1-1 slider into the Crawford Boxes. The sidewinder would settle down after allowing the next batter, <span>Michael Bourn</span>, to reach on single. Neskek tired the next three batters. Will Harris struck out <span>Brandon Moss</span> as part of a clean ninth inning.</p>
<p>There is only one thing left to say:</p>
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<p>The Astros complete their series with the Indians on Thursday after trading 2-0 games. <span>Asher Wojciechowski</span> makes his major league debut against <span>Trevor Bauer</span>.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/9/8375441/astros-0-indians-2-bats-stay-quiet-as-feldman-starts-the-season-strongRyan Dunsmore2015-04-08T18:00:49-05:002015-04-08T18:00:49-05:00Game No. 2 Preview: Astros vs. Indians
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<figcaption>Bob Levey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Astros looks to take the series with the Indians with Scott Feldman on the mound.</p> <h4>
<a data-ref-index="4" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> (1-0) vs. <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a> (0-1), 7:10 p.m. (CST)</h4>
<p id="paragraph0"><b>TV:</b> Roots Sports SW Alternate channel (<a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/8/8372455/astros-game-to-be-broadcast-on-alertnate-channel-with-the-astros-and">Click here for listings</a>), MLB.TV<br><b>Radio: </b>KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><b>Indians SBNation Blog</b>: <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a></p>
<h4>Pitching matchup</h4>
<p id="paragraph1">RHP <span>Scott Feldman</span> (8-12, 3.74 ERA, 1.30 WHIP in 2014) vs. RHP <span>Carlos Carrasco</span> (8-7, 2.55 ERA, 0.99 WHIP)</p>
<h4>Preview</h4>
<p>The Astros look to repeat their 2014 performance in one aspect, win their first two game of the season. These wins may mean a bit more impressive than last season, as the Astros dispatched of <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> starters <span>CC Sabathia</span> and <span>Hiroki Kuroda</span> in 2014. This time around, they are facing the 2014 Cy Young Award winner <span>Corey Kluber</span> and one of the hottest pitchers in baseball Carlos Carrasco.</p>
<p>The Indians signed both of their frontline pitcher just before the start of the 2015 season. Kluber signed a five-year $38.5 million extension, and Cleveland had enough faith to sign Carrasco to a four-year extension worth $22 million with two club options. The Kluber deal feels like a no-brainer, but the Carrasco signing shows the Indians believe in him. Carrasco had a 5-6 record with a 2.67 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in his 14 starts last season, and had a 1.72 ERA in appearances after the All-Star break (78.2 IP).</p>
<p>Carrasco sports four pitches - four-seam fastball that tops out 96 mph, a slider, curveball, and changeup. The right-hander has worked exclusively out of the stretch since returning to the rotation at the end of 2014 which resulted in major dividends.</p>
<p>Taking a look at the Astros hitters against Carrasco, second baseman <span>Jose Altuve</span> is 2-for-6 against Carrasco in his career with a walk. <span>Jake Marisnick</span> is the only other Astros with a hit against the right hander, he is 1-for-5 in his career.</p>
<p>The 2014 Opening Day starter for the Astros takes the ball on game two the season. Scott Feldman has been the steady rock for the Astros since signing before the 2014 season. He struggled this spring with 0-3 record, 6.87 ERA, and 1.91 WHIP, as he had in previous years in Spring Training (5.40 ERA in 2013, 11.25 ERA in 2012). That hasn't effected Feldman in the month of April, he has averaged a 2.74 ERA over the last three seasons.</p>
<p><span>Brandon Moss</span> and Michael Bourne each have double digit at-bats against Feldman. Moss is batting .235 (4-17) with 3 walks against Feldman, and Bourne is .231 (3-13) with a double and home run. Jason Kipinis (1-7) and <span>Michael Brantley</span> (1-6) have just one hit of Feldman in their careers.</p>
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<p><i>Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $125,000 one-day fantasy baseball league today. It's $2 to join and first place wins $10,000. Enter now! <a target="_blank" href="http://partners.fanduel.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_6819b_970" data-ref-index="13">Here's the link.</a></i></p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/8/8372965/game-no-2-preview-houston-astros-vs-cleveland-indiansRyan Dunsmore2015-04-08T15:00:02-05:002015-04-08T15:00:02-05:00Photo Gallery: 2015 Astros Opening Day
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Photos from the Astros Opening Day win over the Indians.</p> <p>Opening Day is always special. The excitement and hope for the upcoming season was palpable in the stadium. The electricity is even higher with the Astros stacked roster and the returning Astros heroes. On top of the normal poppin circumstance, Hall of Fame broadcast Milo Hamilton rallied up the crowd. Houston was given it's first chance to celebrate their batting champion Jose Altuve and their Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.</p>
<p>The Astros won their third straight Opening Day behind a masterful effort of Dallas Keuchel, out dueling 2014 Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber. Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Jed Lowrie sparked the Astros late rally on offense.</p>
<p><link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3603867/mustreads-compact-only.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
<p>It was a great game all around. Here are some photos from Monday's game.</p>
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<p>Photos courtsey of: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports & Bob Levey/Getty Images</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/8/8371797/photo-gallery-2015-astros-opening-dayRyan Dunsmore2015-04-06T21:45:09-05:002015-04-06T21:45:09-05:00Keuchel and bullpen blank Indians 2-0
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bearded One, along with the bullpen, get the shutout on a night where the offense had just enough.</p> <p>Even though I don't attend many these days, I love Opening Day. I love the announcing of the lineups. I love the pageantry, the giant American flags, the celebrity Star Spangled Banner renditions. They had all of that tonight. They even had newest Hall of Famer Craig Biggio throw out the first pitch to reigning AL batting champ <span>Jose Altuve</span>. (ROOT Sports got in on the act with a nice <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a> history video narrated by Jimmy Wynn. I got some dust in my eye so I missed the end of it.) Today feels different though. This is the first season in quite a while that the Astros fans have real hope going into the first game. Maybe not "we're gonna win it all!" hope, but at least some "we've got a full major league roster and will compete" hope.</p>
<p>As a sign of what was to come, <span>Dallas Keuchel</span> picked up right where he left off last year, getting a ground ball on the first batter of the evening. Keuchel looked really strong through the first four innings, only allowing one hit,and striking out three. He got a bit shaky in the 5th when he allowed a couple of walks, but got a double play to help him out of the inning. In all, he pitched 7 innings, giving up 3 hits and no runs while striking out 4 and walking 3.</p>
<p>As good as Keuchel pitched, <span>Corey Kluber</span> pitched just as good (or better). He held the Astros hitless through 5 2/3 innings, until (who else?) Altuve flared a ball into center field for a single. He then immediately stole 2nd base. <span>George Springer</span> followed with a two-strike single past the diving shortstop to get Altuve home with the first run of the game. If you are going to break up a guy's no hitter, might as well score, I always say. (Believe me, I ALWAYS say that.) Kluber pitched into the 8th, where he ran into another jam. He walked <span>Jed Lowrie</span> in a great at-bat. <span>Colby Rasmus</span> followed with a single into the right field corner, moving Lowrie to third. Kluber came out of the game, and reliever <span>Scott Atchison</span> gave up a sacrifice fly to <span>Jake Marisnick</span> to add an insurance run.</p>
<p><span>Luke Gregerson</span> pitched a perfect 9th inning (matching Tony Sipp's perfect 8th inning) to pick up his first save of the season, and preserve the shutout. All in all, a very successful 2015 debut for the new-look Astros. Due to the odd scheduling at the beginning of the season, the team will have tomorrow off, and pick up the series Wednesday against the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indians</a>. <span>Scott Feldman</span> will start against <span>Carlos Carrasco</span>.</p>
<p><b>FUN FACTS</b></p>
<p>Even though the team didn't collect a lot of hits, the bats were not silent. <span>Chris Carter</span> hit 2 shots to the fence, and Springer hit one. Gattis hit the hardest ball all night, and <span>Michael Brantley</span> didn't even have to move to catch that liner.</p>
<p>I didn't get to see any spring games, so it was nice to see these guys play live in an Astros uniform. <span>Evan Gattis</span> is a man. Rasmus has some sweet throwback rocker hair.</p>
<p>Carter has obviously been seriously working on his first base defense. He could not have looked more smooth and comfortable on every ball hit his way.</p>
<p><b>TWEET OF THE NIGHT</b></p>
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<p>Tough to take a no hitter into the 6th and get hung with the loss, and against the guy who is going to take the Cy Young from you this year…</p>
— Dustin DeBerry (@dkdeberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/dkdeberry/status/585256534730416128">April 7, 2015</a>
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