HOUSTON – The Houston Astros got their 2024 campaign rolling on Thursday, hosting the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park.
They built a 4-0 lead over the first two innings, parlaying consistent contact at the plate with sharp defensive plays.
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After that though, the script flipped completely.
The floodgates opened for the Yankees’ offense, and a ninth-inning offensive push couldn’t save Houston from dropping its opening matchup, 5-4.
Losing in choking fashion is always a tough scene, but there’s still plenty of time to salvage this opening series. The ‘Stros still have three more games against the Yanks today, tomorrow and Easter Sunday.
If they want to win this series outright, they’re going to need to take care of business today.
Today’s first pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. CT, and the temperature is expected to be in the low 70s. There could be some cloud coverage, but we won’t need to worry about any rain delays.
Right-hander Cristian Javier is expected to make his 2024 debut on the mound. The 27-year-old is in his fifth season with the team and has been a solid option aside for some struggles with surrendering runs last year. Bryan Abreu won’t be available, as he is serving the second and final game of a suspension for hitting Adolis Garcia in last year’s ALCS. Even so, the Astros have several solid arms in the bullpen. Chief among them is the team’s new closer, Josh Hader. He came in the ninth inning yesterday and quickly retired the Yankees’ batters with three straight strikeouts.
On offense, Yainer Diaz led the team with three hits in his four plate appearances. Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez also recorded multiple hits, collecting two apiece. Jake Meyers only had two at-bats, but he made them count. He hit the first home run of the Astros’ season, sending a left-field bomb into the Crawford Boxes.
For the Yankees, 10th-year pitcher Carlos Rodon is expected to start on the bump Friday. This is his second season in New York, after finishing last year with a 3-8 record and a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts last season.
Saying New York has a potent offense would be an understatement. They boast two of the best hitters in baseball in Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, as well as other solid sluggers like Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Volpe. Their lineup gave the Astros trouble on Opening Day, loading the bases with one fewer outs on multiple occasions.