Tag: Houston Astros

Report: Bryce Boettcher to focus on football, not report to Houston Astros spring training

Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher will reportedly skip Houston Astros spring training and instead focus on the 2025 football season.

Oregon Ducks fans got the news they were hoping for late Tuesday night when senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher announced that he would be returning to Eugene for the 2025 season.

While Boettcher, a two-sport star, has run out of eligibility in baseball, he only played three seasons of football and was granted a waiver by the NCAA to have one more year of eligibility. As the leading tackler for the Ducks in 2024, Boettcher’s return brings massive upside to the defense.

Once the announcement was made, though, the question about Boettcher’s immediate future came up. After being selected by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the MLB draft last year, Boettcher originally planned to join the team for spring training and start his professional baseball career after this season.

That doesn’t appear to be the case anymore, though.

According to Chandler Rome, who covers the Astros for The Athletic, Boettcher is planning to pass on spring training this year and focus on preparing for the upcoming football season. Rome also says that Boettcher is going to re-evaluate his options following the 2025 season, as there is a good chance that he has a future in the NFL as well thanks to his recent rise.

“According to the team, Boettcher was given the option of reporting to the Astros in 2025 and then returning to Oregon in time for the start of the 2025 football season, ‘but decided to focus on preparing for the upcoming football season,'” Rome reported.

This past season, Boettcher led the Ducks with 94 total tackles including eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception. As a former walk-on special teams player from South Eugene High School, Boettcher has been one of the best stories for Oregon all season long, working to become one of the top players and top leaders on the team.

Now we know that he will be with the team for one more season, and after that, he will decide whether he wants to continue his football or baseball career professionally.

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Kyle Tucker trade grades: Who won the Astros and Cubs deal?

Who won this deal?

It’s been quite a Friday for MLB trades, and this one involves a true star.

Kyle Tucker, the Houston Astros outfielder coming off of a shorter year due to injury, is off to the Chicago Cubs, who get an elite, young left-handed bat. The Cubs might think they’re contenders in the NL Central given this move between a pretty good rotation and a bolstered lineup.

As for the Astros? They got a decent return, but if they lose Tucker and free agent star Alex Bregman, it’s going to be a really rough offseason.

So who won or lost this trade? As we do all the time, we’re handing out grades for each side:

Astros and Cubs trade details

Astros get: 3B Isaac Paredes, SP Hayden Wesneski, 3B Cam Smith

Cubs get: OF Kyle Tucker

Astros grade

So here’s the thing: Kyle Tucker is on his way to getting PAID next year. And if you’re the Astros and you’re not sure if you can retain a young slugger like Tucker and you just saw Juan Soto sign with a new team, you might not love to lose him for nothing.

That’s why they’re acting now. Paredes has knocked in runs in his young career even if his batting average isn’t great. Wesneski has shown some effectiveness on the mound. And Smith is a top-10 prospect in the Cubs’ organization.

But … could they have done better elsewhere? Is this really the best deal for a name like Tucker? It doesn’t feel like the greatest of returns, even though their leverage was capped by Tucker’s impending free agency.

GRADE: B-minus

Cubs grade

WOW. If the Cubs think they’re contenders in 2025 with this move, then it’s intriguing. Or if they’re grabbing Tucker thinking they could sign him long term, then it’s also intriguing.

That said, I’m not sure Chicago is good enough to do either. But when a superstar of this caliber is available and you don’t have to give up THAT much, you roll the dice.

GRADE: B-plus

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Alex Bregman’s reported openness to position change is huge for his MLB free agency

The third baseman could move positions, which could cause a bidding war.

Alex Bregman is one of the more intriguing names on the MLB free agency market, but if you’ve got third base sewn up, you don’t necessarily need a two-time All-Star who consistently drives in runs.

But what if you needed a second baseman who could do that? And that’s where the latest report makes a difference.

Per USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale: “Bregman has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros, has received interest from several teams asking whether he’d be willing to move to second base, which he’s amenable to doing.”

That might drive up his value to teams clamoring to outbid the Houston Astros, who would most certainly want to bring back one of the cornerstones of the franchise. If a team like, say, the New York Yankees don’t re-sign Juan Soto, they can hand Bregman a chunk of change to play second.

Smart.

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Why Justin Verlander isn’t on the Astros’ Wild Card playoff roster

Here’s the answer.

If you’re looking for Justin Verlander on the mound for the Houston Astros in their Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers in 2024, you won’t find him.

But why is the future Hall of Fame pitcher not on the bump for the franchise he’s won a World Series with?

Good question. Here’s the answer: Verlander was left off the Wild Card roster after having a pretty terrible season in which he had a 5.48 ERA. He also missed a couple of months with a shoulder issue.

But given the depth the Astros have on the mound with guys like Yusei Kikuchi, Framber Valdez and Ronel Blanco, they may not need him.

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How to buy Houston Astros vs. Detroit Tigers 2024 AL Wild Card playoff tickets

Want to watch the Houston Astros take on the Detroit Tigers in person to begin the 2024 postseason? Limited Wild Card tickets still remain.

This story was updated to add new information.

The 2024 MLB postseason gets underway on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and the American League Wild Card matchups are set.

The Detroit Tigers, the team of destiny, the team that on Aug. 2 had a .2% chance of making the playoffs, are headed back to the postseason for the first time in 10 years.

The Tigers’ reward, an opponent with the most playoff success of any team in all of baseball during that same decade, the Houston Astros.

After a mediocre start to the season, the Astros are back in the playoffs and looking to make at least the American League Championship Series for the eighth-consecutive season.

Tickets still remain, and at a shockingly affordable price for the playoffs, for all three games in Houston.

Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers MLB playoff tickets

As of publication here are the cheapest ticket prices for each Wild Card game in Houston.

AL Wild Card Game 1 tickets: From $14

AL Wild Card Game 2 tickets: From $13

AL Wild Card Game 3 tickets: From $22

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Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers Wild Card game times, playoff schedule

The Wild Card round begins on Tuesday, October 1 and would be played each subsequent day until one of the two teams wins the series and advances to the American League Division Series

Wild Card Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2:32 p.m. EDT

Wild Card Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2:32 p.m. EDT

Wild Card Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2:32 p.m. EDT (subject to change)

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2024 MLB playoff schedule

According to the MLB’s website, here is the tentative 2024 postseason schedule:

AL Wild Card schedule

Wild Card Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2:32 p.m. EDT

Wild Card Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2:32 p.m. EDT

Wild Card Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2:32 p.m. EDT (if necessary)

2024 ALDS schedule

ALDS Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5, time TBA

ALDS Game 2: Monday, Oct. 7, time TBA

ALDS Game 3: Wednesday, Oct 9, time TBA

ALDS Game 4: Thursday, Oct 10, time TBA (if necessary)

ALDS Game 5: Saturday, Oct 12, time TBA (if necessary)

2024 ALCS schedule

The ALCS is tentatively set to begin on Monday, Oct. 14. Conditional tickets are available, and you can buy Houston Astros ALCS tickets or Detroit Tigers ALCS tickets now. If the team advances to the ALCS, you’re in. If they are eliminated prior to the ALCS, you will receive a refund.

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Jose Altuve seriously got ejected for exposing his bare foot to an umpire

This seriously happened.

I bet you’ve never seen THIS happen before in baseball!

Jose Altuve grounded out against the San Diego Padres to end the ninth inning on Tuesday night, but the Houston Astros second baseman alleged that he hit the ball off his foot for a foul ball.

That happens a lot, right? There was a lot of discussion with umpires… and then Altuve took off his cleat on his left foot AND his sock to show where he got hit.

What do you think happened next? Yep. He got thrown out, and it was quite a scene. Sadly, you can’t do that.

Check this out:

https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1836260363395821778

And some photos:

SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros points to his foot after grounding out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 17, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros points to his foot after grounding out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, September 17, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

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The A’s amazingly scored 2 runs on 3 bunts in 4 pitches during an extra innings win vs. the Astros

Some fans dig small ball, too.

This late in the season, the Oakland A’s tried a new offensive approach to scoring runs in a baseball game and it actually worked.

Nearly twenty games below .500 with not many games remaining left on their schedule, now is as perfect of a time as any to experiment with the mere concept of how the sport is supposed to look and feel.

The game against the divisional rival Astros finished regulation with a tied score. In the top of the 12th inning, per MLB rules, Oakland started with a runner on second base. Then, the inning got a little off the rails.

Oakland outfielder Daz Cameron laid down a successful bunt, advancing runner Zack Gelof to third base.

Suddenly, the A’s had runners on first and third base as Max Schuemann came up to the plate. He, too, executed a perfect bunt that scored Gelof from home. Cameron found his way to third base and once again, Oakland had two runners on first and third.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: Nick Allen came to the plate with no outs. Allen, to no surprise, also laid down a bunt that led to a fielder’s choice at second. In this play, though, Cameron scored.

This meant that on four pitches, the A’s officially scored two runs on three successful bunts. They went on to win the game. AMAZING.

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José Altuve alertly stole home after noticing Bryce Harper’s casual handling of a pickoff attempt at first

Elite baseball IQ was on display.

There aren’t many plays in baseball that are more satisfying to watch than seeing a player put his baseball IQ on display. And we got just that with José Altuve’s heads-up base running against the Phillies on Wednesday.

With the game scoreless in the first inning and the Astros threatening with runners at the corners and two outs, Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker tried to catch Jeremy Peña at first base with a pick-off attempt. Of course, Walker shouldn’t have even been worried about the runner at first with two outs (and a runner on third!). But Bryce Harper certainly didn’t help matters with how he handled the play.

Harper applied the tag on Peña — who slid in safely — but was lackadaisical with the ball as he returned to his feet. Altuve noticed that Harper wasn’t paying attention at all to him at third base, so he just took off for home.

By the time Harper fired off a throw home, Altuve was sliding in safely. It was an unconventional way to steal home, but it counts all the same.

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Jose Altuve scorched a ground-rule double THROUGH the Astros’ scoreboard

What a hit.

Houston Astros hitters are doing some serious damage of scoreboards as of late.

You had Yordan Alvarez smash a ball into the Tropicana Field scoreboard during batting practice that broke it. And on Friday night, Jose Altuve took a Garrett Crochet fastball and smashed it into the Astros’ old-school style scoreboard at Minute Maid Park, hitting it so hard that it knocked out one of the panels showing the New York Yankees’ score.

That’s a ground rule double, of course, and a funny trend for a team that looks like a contender yet again.

Here’s that moment from Friday night:

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Astros’ Yordan Álvarez accidentally broke the Tropicana Field scoreboard during batting practice

Oh no! Not the scoreboard!

Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Álvarez made himself known at Tropicana Field during batting practice before Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Álvarez apparently hit a ball so hard during Tuesday’s batting practice that he broke the Tropicana Field scoreboard in an absolutely hilarious snafu, per MLB.com Astros reporter Brian McTaggart.

This apparently isn’t the first time the Astros slugger has broken a scoreboard. He accidentally damaged part of the Minute Maid Park scoreboard in Houston during batting practice in 2019.

The Astros have to love Álvarez’s range and power at the plate when he’s up to bat, but we’re sure they’d love it if he’d quite literally go easy on the scoreboards from here on out.

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