Isaac Paredes Just Launched Two Homers and Houston's Basement Team Suddenly Has a Pulse

Isaac Paredes walked out of Progressive Field Monday night with his confidence back. After hitting .190 with zero homers to start the season, the former All-Star launched two long balls in the Astros' 9-2 win over Cleveland, and he's not hiding how much he needed it.

"A lot of happiness because of what I've been going through," Paredes said after the game. "I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing."

This wasn't just a feel-good moment for one guy. Houston snapped a four-game losing streak and scored at least nine runs for the first time since April 5. That matters because the Astros have lost 12 of their last 15 games after starting 6-3, and right now they're sitting dead last in the AL West. One win doesn't fix that, but it's the first sign of life in weeks.

Paredes Needs to Keep Rolling, and Fast

Last season, Paredes was an All-Star who mashed 20 homers. This season? He came into Monday's game hitting .190 with a .254 slugging percentage. That's a brutal start for a guy who was supposed to anchor the middle of Houston's lineup. But two homers in one night can change the vibe, and Paredes is banking on momentum carrying into Tuesday when the series continues.

The problem for Houston: the Guardians are throwing Parker Messick at them, and this kid is the real deal. Messick is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA, and he nearly threw a no-hitter last Thursday against Baltimore before running out of gas with three outs to go. He's the franchise's most dominant arm since Len Barker's perfect game in 1981.

On the Houston side, the Astros counter with Ryan Weiss, a 29-year-old right-hander making just his second MLB start after debuting in March. Weiss allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings against Colorado on Thursday in a no-decision. Yeah, not exactly the guy you want facing a pitcher having the kind of month Messick is having.

Houston's Depth Gets Tested

The Astros also took a hit in the Monday win. Outfielder Taylor Trammell, who has been absolutely raking at .345 over 10 games since being called up on April 10, suffered a left groin injury running the bases. Manager Joe Espada said he'll be out "for a little bit." That's the last thing Houston needs when they're trying to climb out of the division basement.

Paredes gets another shot at it Tuesday. If those two homers Monday were the start of something and not just a one-game blip, the Astros might finally have a chance to string together wins instead of losses.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.