Isaac Paredes Finally Breaks Through and the Astros Needed It Badly
Isaac Paredes was due. After limping into Monday hitting .190 with zero homers, the Astros third baseman launched two dingers in a 9-2 win over Cleveland and suddenly, things feel different. Last season's All-Star was slugging just .254 coming into the game. Now? He's got his swagger back.
"A lot of happiness because of what I've been going through," Paredes said after the breakout. "I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on competing."
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That Monday victory snapped a brutal four-game losing streak for the Astros. More importantly, it was the first time they'd plated at least nine runs since April 5. They'd done it five times in their first 10 games, then the bats went ice cold. The timing couldn't be worse either: Houston has dropped 12 of its last 15 games and is sitting in the basement of the AL West after starting strong at 6-3.
Paredes' power surge isn't just good for his confidence. It's exactly what this team needs if it's going to climb out of this hole.
Rookie Messick Is the Real Story in Cleveland
The Guardians counter with Parker Messick on Tuesday, and this kid is unreal. The 25-year-old left-hander came within three outs of a no-hitter against Baltimore on Thursday, finishing with a 4-2 win. He's 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in his last four starts and ranks third in the majors in ERA.
Since winning his rotation spot in spring training, Messick has been a machine. Through 11 career starts dating back to last season, he's 6-1 with a 2.07 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and just 13 walks.
"He's got such good stuff, executes every pitch," Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. "He's got six pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties."
Houston will throw rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75 ERA) in response. Weiss debuted in March and took the mound Thursday against Colorado, allowing two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings.
One more thing: The Astros will be without outfielder Taylor Trammell for a bit after he suffered a left groin injury running the bases Monday. That stings. Trammell was hitting .345 in 10 games since getting called up from Triple-A on April 10.
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