Tag Archives: Astros

Starter Spotlight: The Gambler Framber

6-5-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X After trading ‘3-0’ games, the Pirates will look for the series win against the Astros today facing their lefty ace, Framber Valdez, who is 5-4 with a 3.12 ERA through 12 starts this season but his reliance on pitch-to-contact is certainly a risky one at times. In hisContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: The Gambler Framber”

Starter Spotlight: Once More With Gusto

6-4-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following yet another shutout performance by the anemic offense, the Pirates will look to fill their sails tonight against rookie Ryan Gusto, who has a 3-2 record and 4.62 ERA through his first 39 MLB innings. Gusto has been thrust into a starting role due to injury woesContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Once More With Gusto”

Starter Spotlight: Culling McCullers

6-3-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Back home in Pittsburgh after a solid road trip as the Pirates welcome the Astros and veteran starter Lance McCullers Jr., who is looking to get back to normal after missing more than two full seasons. Injuries have plagued the Houston starter who had Tommy John Surgery inContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Culling McCullers”

Series Preview: Houston Astros (32-27) at Pittsburgh Pirates (22-38)

6-3-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X While the Pirates and Astros don’t face off nearly as often as they did when Houston was still part of the National League Central Division, there’s still the undertones of rivalry among the two teams who have faced off 715 times previously with the Pirates claiming victory inContinue reading “Series Preview: Houston Astros (32-27) at Pittsburgh Pirates (22-38)”

Starter Spotlight: Elevate Valdez

7-31-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Pittsburgh looks for a potential sweep today in Houston but the pitching matchup is going to be a challenge as Bucs send out recent call-up Jake Woodford to go up against Astros ace, Framber Valdez. Valdez is a workhorse for the Houston rotation over the past few seasons,Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Elevate Valdez”

Starter Spotlight: Take Down Brown

7-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Astros surprised the Pirates with a bullpen game after yesterday’s announced starter, Jake Bloss, was traded to the Blue Jays earlier in the afternoon. It seems far less likely that happens again today as the Astros will send out surging second-year starter, Hunter Brown. After a disastrous rookieContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Take Down Brown”

Starter Spotlight: Put the Loss in Bloss

7-29-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates may have squeaked out a win in the finale of the Diamondbacks series but the road to the playoffs doesn’t get easier as they head to Houston to face the Astros. While the Bucs send 2023 first overall pick Paul Skenes to the bump, the AstrosContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Put the Loss in Bloss”

Defending Champion Houston Astros Trounce Bucs in Series Opener: (6-4)

4/10/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter Reeling from losing Oneil Cruz on Sunday, the Pirates scuffled on Monday night, dropping the opening game of the Astros series 8-2. It was announced earlier in the day that Cruz had surgery to repair his fractured left ankle and would be out for 4 months. RoansyContinue reading “Defending Champion Houston Astros Trounce Bucs in Series Opener: (6-4)”