The Astros' Winning Pitching Decisions

The Key Pitching Decisions That Led to the Astros' Series Win Against the Dodgers

The Houston Astros have been on a roll, winning their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in dominant fashion. While their offense played a significant role in their success, it was their pitching decisions that ultimately sealed the deal. Let's take a closer look at two key pitching decisions that led to the Astros' series win.

Framber Valdez's Impressive Performance

In Saturday's game, Astros manager Joe Espada made the bold decision to keep starter Framber Valdez in the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Valdez had just walked Miguel Rojas and had Shohei Ohtani due up, representing the go-ahead run for the Dodgers. Many managers would have pulled their pitcher at this point, but Espada had faith in Valdez's abilities.

And his faith paid off. Valdez went on to strike out Ohtani and keep the Dodgers from taking the lead. This decision not only showed trust in Valdez but also put pressure on the Dodgers' hitter, which ultimately led to their downfall in the game.

Bringing in the Right Relievers

The Astros' bullpen has been a strong point for the team all season, and that was evident in this series. In game three, with the series tied 1-1, manager Joe Espada made an impactful decision to bring in reliever Ryan Pressly in the 8th inning, with the Astros leading by one run. Pressly delivered and shut down the Dodgers' offense, giving the Astros the edge they needed to secure the win.

In game four, with the Astros facing elimination, Espada once again made a crucial decision to bring in closer Roberto Osuna in the 9th inning, with the game tied. Osuna delivered a dominant performance, striking out three batters and keeping the Dodgers from scoring. This decision not only showed confidence in Osuna but also put the Astros in a position to win the game in the bottom of the 9th.

In Conclusion

The Astros' series win against the Dodgers was a true team effort, with contributions from both their offense and pitching staff. However, it was the key pitching decisions made by manager Joe Espada that ultimately helped the Astros secure their victory. These decisions not only showed trust and confidence in their pitchers, but also put pressure on the Dodgers' hitters, leading to their downfall in the series. With their strong pitching decisions, the Astros are proving to be a formidable force in the MLB and will surely be a team to watch in the upcoming playoffs.