Brian McTaggart: Joe Espada Has 'To Go With The Hot Hand' When Constructing Astros Lineup

The Matt Thomas Show

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show after the Houston Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Wednesday to win their eighth straight Silver Boot Series. The Astros have taken the lead in the AL West as the Seattle Mariners have lost their last three games. "It looks like it's going to be a two-team race," and it's "going to go down the wire," McTaggart said. In his second start as an Astro, Yusei Kikuchi held the Rangers scoreless through five innings before giving up a solo home run in the sixth. The left-handed starter allowed four hits and two runs while striking out eight. "[Kikuchi has] come in and stabilized the rotation a little bit." Despite the series win, the Astros offense has struggled to bring in runners in scoring position. "Until [Kyle] Tucker gets back, [Joe Espada will] just have to get creative" with the lineup. Espada and general manager Dana Brown have even looked to the farm system to add a spark. Zach Dezenzo made his Major League debut Tuesday and went 0-for-4, but improved on Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with one walk and scoring twice while at first base. "[Dezenzo] looked very comfortable at first base." McTaggart also gives an update on Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander, as both are rehabbing from injuries.