It’s a scary thought, but the Astros might be a better all-around team this year than they were when they won 101 games during the regular season last year. Just something to ponder after Charlie Morton carved up the Orioles for six scoreless innings as part of a 6-1 victory in the team’s home opener on Monday.
The Astros wore some slick gold-themed jerseys for the occasion, which included an emotional pre-game ceremony and a (lengthier-than-intended) banner unveiling. The defending World Series champions are off to a 4-1 start on the year.
Morton held the Baltimore lineup to just three hits and a pair of walks while striking out six batters. He had 17 swings and misses in his 91 pitches, matching a career-high. He topped out at 98.7 mph on his fastball, holding the velocity spike he showed in 2017.
Long considered a potential breakout candidate, Morton has showcased some of the nastiest stuff in the majors since joining Houston. The 34-year-old posted a 3.62 ERA and 163/50 K/BB ratio over 146 2/3 innings during the regular season last year before providing some heroics during the team’s World Series run.
I ranked Morton as my No. 40 fantasy starting pitcher when we did our staff rankings way back in February. I was actually the highest on him among our staff, but he could end up making us all look as silly. You know, sort of like he does with opposing hitters these days.
The Astros have now made it through one turn in the rotation and boy has it been impressive. Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Gerrit Cole, and Morton have combined for a dominant 1.78 ERA and 36/9 K/BB ratio in 30 1/3 innings. Throw in what many believe is the best lineup in the majors and we’re talking about a possible juggernaut here. They really mean that #NeverSettle thing.
Talking About Tyler
Reds right-hander Luis Castillo was a popular name in fantasy drafts this spring. Despite his shaky season debut against the Nationals over the weekend, the enthusiasm is deserved. However, it turns out there’s another exciting young arm to watch in the Cincinnati’s rotation.
Tyler Mahle was impressive in his season debut Monday against the Cubs, allowing just one hit over six scoreless innings as part of a 1-0 victory. Sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball, he struck out seven — two swinging, five looking — while walking a pair and hitting a batter. The 23-year-old induced 10 swings and misses in his 86 pitches, so while he wasn’t blowing people away, he did an excellent job locating his pitches. It was an eye-opening performance against a deep Chicago lineup.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, Mahle put up a strong 2.06 ERA and 138/30 K/BB ratio in 144 1/3 innings over 24 starts last season between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville. He earned his first call-up in late August and posted a 2.70 ERA in four starts down the stretch, though it came with a shaky 14/11 KBB ratio in 20 innings. Still, the control and the command was obviously a strength in the minors. And he showed it off in Monday’s start.
Like with any young pitcher, Mahle has some work to do. He mainly relies on his fastball and slider, so trusting his changeup will be the key to him neutralizing left-handed batters. Those in mixed fantasy leagues could do worse than to pick him up now and track his progress.
Holland Almost Ready
The new Cardinals’ closer is nearing his arrival. Fresh off agreeing to a one-year, $14 million deal with St. Louis on Opening Day, Greg Holland is expected to join the active roster for next Monday’s game against the Brewers.
It took a long time to get resolved, but the Cardinals have looked like the most likely landing spot for quite some time now. The team’s closer situation was an open question for most of the spring. Veteran reliever Luke Gregerson entered camp as the favorite, but he ended up injuring his hamstring. Dominic Leone emerged as the front-runner from there and soon became a popular selection in fantasy drafts, but now he’ll slide into a set-up role. With young Jordan Hicks lighting up radar guns, the Cardinals could have a lethal late-inning crew.
In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, Holland saved 42 games (tied for the most in the NL) for the Rockies in 2017 while compiling a 3.61 ERA and 70/26 K/BB ratio over 57 1/3 innings. His second half wasn’t nearly as good as his first, but he declined a $15 million player option for 2018 and a $17.4 million qualifying offer from the Rockies in hopes of finding a lucrative multi-year deal on the open market. It didn’t happen, but the 32-year-old now hopes to prove his worth and try again next offseason.
NL Quick Hits: Bryce Harper slugged a three-run homer and drew four walks Monday against the Braves … Charlie Blackmon hit his MLB-leading fourth homer Monday against the Padres … Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Justin Turner (wrist) won’t begin swinging a bat until next week … Daniel Murphy (knee) has progressed from treadmill to on-field running … Gregory Polanco doubled and drew four walks Monday versus the Twins … Kenley Jansen blew a save chance Monday after giving up a three-run homer to Chris Owings … Paul DeJong went 3-for-4 and slugged a three-run homer in Monday’s victory over the Brewers … Ian Desmond (knee) homered and knocked in three runs in his return to the Rockies’ lineup Monday … J.T. Realmuto (back) has begun catching drills … Wil Myers hit a homer Monday before leaving the game with a triceps issue, though X-rays showed no structural damage …
The Diamondbacks outrighted outfielder Yasmany Tomas to Triple-A Reno after he cleared waivers unclaimed … Colin Moran slugged a grand slam in Monday’s win over the Twins … The Nationals placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 10-day disabled list with a mild left oblique strain … The Pirates placed right-hander Joe Musgrove on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain … Jedd Gyorko left Monday’s game with a strained right hamstring … The Mets will skip Seth Lugo in the rotation after Monday’s game against the Phillies was postponed due to snow … Steven Souza (pectoral) threw from 90 feet and hit in the cage Monday … Tyler Chatwood tossed six innings of one-run ball in a loss to the Reds on Monday … Austin Hedges was scratched from the Padres’ lineup on Monday due to upper back tightness … Jason Vargas (hand) threw a 65-pitch indoor simulated game on Monday … Jordy Mercer is day-to-day after X-rays were negative on his right pinkie finger … Dinelson Lamet recently underwent an MRI on his right elbow, but the Padres aren’t ready to discuss the results … Scott Schebler was a late scratch from Monday’s lineup with a sore right elbow … The Dodgers signed right-hander Daniel Hudson to a minor league contract …
AL Quick Hits: In what we promise is not a misprint, Edwin Encarnacion hit an inside-the-park home run Monday against the Angels … Carlos Correa is day-to-day after leaving Monday’s game with discomfort in his left big toe … Josh Donaldson (shoulder) hit his first homer of the season Monday against the White Sox and could return to third base duties on Tuesday … Mookie Betts went 2-for-5 with his first homer of the season in Monday’s win over the Marlins … Brian Dozier hit his third homer in his last two games on Monday against the Pirates … The Mariners are still debating whether to place Nelson Cruz (ankle) on the disabled list … Troy Tulowitzki underwent surgery Monday to remove bone spurs in both of his heels and is expected to miss about eight weeks … Michael Brantley (ankle) is scheduled to play in an extended spring training game Tuesday … Jordan Montgomery will start against the Rays on Tuesday after Monday’s scheduled home opener was snowed out … The Astros placed first baseman Yuli Gurriel on the 10-day disabled list with a left hand injury … Wellington Castillo socked two solo homers Monday against the Blue Jays … Lance Lynn gave up five runs in four innings and tied a career-high with six walks in Monday’s loss to the Pirates … The Orioles signed outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor league contract … Russell Martin hit a go-ahead two-run homer against the White Sox on Monday … Jed Lowrie hit a go-ahead two-run double in Monday’s win over the Rangers … Lucas Duda is considered day-to-day after leaving Monday’s game with right hamstring tightness … Delino DeShields underwent surgery Monday to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left hand … 44-year-old Bartolo Colon tossed six innings of one-run ball in a no-decision against the Athletics on Monday … Francisco Liriano allowed just one run over 6 2/3 innings against the Royals on Monday in his Tigers debut … Andrew Heaney (shoulder) is expected to throw 80-90 pitches in a minor league rehab game on Friday … Tim Lincecum (hand) threw a bullpen session Monday … Brian Johnson spun six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Marlins on Monday … The Rangers sent first baseman Tommy Joseph outright to Double-A Frisco … The Royals claimed outfielder Abraham Almonte off waivers from the Indians … The Angels announced plans to move prospect Jahmai Jones from the outfield to second base …
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