The end of April was pretty awful for the Astros with tough back to back losses. But on Sunday, they started a new month and so far one game into May it's treated them quite well with a 2-1 win over the Athletics.
The pitching during the series has looked pretty good, but the bats and offense has continued to plague them. They were able to stave off a sweep thanks to a really great performance by Dough Fister.
Below are three takeaways from the Athletics series.
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez absence from today's lineup not related to base running gaffe. Left rib cage soreness. Expected out a couple days.— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) April 30, 2016
Regardless the case, it was clear Carlos Gomez needed a little time off. If anything just to clear his mind and maybe reset his brain. He's trying no doubt, but it also looked like he was trying to do way to much. Taking bad hacks at pitches, trying to snag extra bases, etc.
Because the Astros sent Jake Marisnick down about a week ago, he hasn't been allowed to be recalled. If Gomez ends up needing more time Marisnick might be recalled in a few days after the 10-day waiting period is over.
Starting pitching
Mike Fiers, Chris Devenski, and Doug Fister managed to pitch 18.2 innings only allowing 5 earned runs. You'll take that production every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Game one the Astros lost because the bullpen could not keep the lead Fiers gave them. Game two Devenski did a hell of a job and so did Scott Feldman they just got zero offense. Game three Fister pitched a great game and the bullpen was able to maintain the one-run lead as he handed it over to them.
"This is a tough ballpark for us to end games in recent history," A.J. Hinch said, "to be able to have the guys come in and do their job, Sipp comes in and gets two big outs over the course of two innings, and then Will Harris and then Luke Gregerson has a calm ninth, it was a well-pitched game all the way through."
A fresh start?
As you saw in the series the pitching is doing alright, the Astros should win every game where they only allow three runs. Ken Giles no longer pitching in the eighth inning might help the Astros bridge a lead into a win.
Expect to see Will Harris handle the bulk of the 8th-inning work for the Astros while Ken Giles works through his struggles.— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) May 1, 2016
The offense does need to start kicking into gear and Sunday it was not a masterful showing but they got enough. The team does seem to be a little more patient of late but they need to start cashing in baserunners.
It's a brand new month, hopefully, the Astros can put the awful April behind them. May is the time they need to start to kick it into gear, a couple more bad weeks and they can kiss playoffs goodbye.
In April, the Astros went 7-17 and never won back to back games, so far in May, 1-0 baby! The Twins face the Astros at home and it could be a nice "get right" series.
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