Matt Kawahara

Sacramento

Sports Writer at Houston Chronicle

Astros for the Houston Chronicle. Prev: San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee. Email: [email protected].

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Articles

Astros' Jeremy Peña made changes in batting stance. How they've helped

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS — The changes Jeremy Peña made to his batting stance last year were significant. The Houston Astros’ shortstop ditched his bat waggle. He quieted the lift of his front foot. Another subtle adjustment made this spring may be helping to augment their effect. Partway through spring training, Peña moved to a more open stance, one he has carried into the early weeks of the season. Last season, Peña stood nearly square to the plate, with his average stance just 3 degrees open, per Baseball Savant.
Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals: How to watch, lineups

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

Ronel Blanco looks to follow up Hunter Brown's strong start as the Houston Astros wrap up a three-game series in St. Louis with an afternoon start. Left-hander Steven Matz pitches for St. Louis. Follow us here for pregame updates and postgame reports.
'So what, next pitch': How Astros' Hunter Brown shut down Cardinals in win

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS — The ball floated off Brendan Donovan’s bat at 73.6 miles per hour, poorly struck but perfectly placed. Three Houston Astros defenders ran toward it. Cam Smith slid to his knees in shallow right-center as it fell in front of him. Donovan pulled into second base. His leadoff double in a scoreless game presented another baserunner for Hunter Brown to navigate in the early innings Tuesday evening. Astros manager Joe Espada noted his right-hander’s reaction.
Ryan Gusto set to take next turn in Houston Astros' starting rotation

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS — Ryan Gusto will remain in the Houston Astros starting rotation for at least one more turn, manager Joe Espada said Tuesday. Gusto will start the series opener against the San Diego Padres on Friday at Daikin Park, Espada said. Houston will stay on turn for the series, with Hayden Wesneski and Framber Valdez starting the next games. Gusto made his first major-league start Saturday against the Angels, throwing four innings and 72 pitches.
Astros' Jose Altuve, Jeremy Peña meet with Houston teen 'DJ' Daniel

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS — While on the road Tuesday at Busch Stadium, a couple of Houston Astros stars met a young special guest from back home. Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, the 13-year-old Houstonian who is battling cancer and has been sworn in as an honorary member by hundreds of law enforcement agencies, took in batting practice on the field prior to the Astros-Cardinals game and met with Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña near their dugout.
Astros call up UH alum Nick Hernandez from AAA Sugar Land in bullpen shuffle

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS — The Astros added a fresh arm to their bullpen before Tuesday’s game against the Cardinals, calling up right-hander Nick Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land and optioning Luis Contreras to the Space Cowboys. Contreras threw two innings and 35 pitches in Houston’s 8-3 loss to St. Louis in Monday’s series opener. It is the first call-up this season for Hernandez, the 30-year-old University of Houston product.
Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals: How to watch

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

By Matt Kawahara Hunter Brown pitches for the Houston Astros today as they try to bounce back from an 8-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the second of a three-game series in St. Louis. Erick Freddie starts for the Cardinals. Check back here for pregame lineups and postgame results. How to watch, listen When: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Busch Stadium, St. LouisTV: Space City Home NetworkRadio: 790 AM, 93.3 FMPrevious coverage
Astros' Framber Valdez has plenty of trouble with the curve in loss to Cardinals

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS - The at-bat stretched on and an asset remained absent. Nolan Arenado fell behind 1-2 against Framber Valdez in the fifth inning Monday and commenced a 10-pitch struggle. Three of its first seven pitches were sinkers. Three others were changeups. One was a slider, one of three sliders Valdez threw all night. Not until pitch eight did Valdez spin a curveball. It was perhaps telling. Valdez's curveball was stupendous over his first three starts.
Forrest Whitley working toward return to Astros' bullpen from injured list

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS - Reliever Forrest Whitley appears close to rejoining the Houston Astros from a knee injury. Whitley, who began the season on the injured list recovering from a left knee bone bruise, pitched in back-to-back games for Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend. He is scheduled to pitch again Wednesday, working more than one inning, Astros manager Joe Espada said. "If that goes well, Whitley should be close to joining our club," Espada said Monday at Busch Stadium.
How Astros' Hayden Wesneski is returning to form with pitch usage

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Matt Kawahara

ST. LOUIS - A glance at Hayden Wesneski's pitch usage in his first three starts with the Houston Astros might suggest a pivot. Wesneski wielded his sweeping slider more than any other pitch in his three seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He threw it more than 40% of the time last season, when it and his four-seam fastball comprised 76.7% of the total pitches he threw as a swingman. Through three outings for Houston, Wesneski has used the sweeper 25.5% of the time.