For most of the opening month of the season, the Houston Astros have had little production from their outfield, with the exception of right fielder Kyle Tucker, who is reaching MVP level so far. On Sunday, while winning the rubber match of their three-game interleague series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Astros showed how valuable their outfield is offensively. Houston improved to 6-1 on a 10-game homestand that continues Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels after the Astros beat the Brewers 9-4 on Sunday. Tucker maintained his blistering pace by hitting two homers, his 14th and 15th of the season, while driving in four runs to increase his season total to 33 RBIs, and rookie left fielder Joey Loperfido finished 2 for 3 in the series. finals and has an .817 OPS in 13 games since his debut on April 30. Center fielder Jake Meyers recorded his second straight game with three hits by going 3-for-5 with a two-run double and is hitting .380 with seven extra-base hits and 10 RBIs over his last 15 games . The sudden glut of production on the field is giving Astros manager Joe Espada the type of problem that all managers welcome. “These guys get the job done, and it’s hard to write that (roster card) every day because they’re all producing,” Espada said. “For them to continue to produce, they have to play. My number one job is to communicate with them that they will have an opportunity. “There are ways to help our team win. But right now, all these guys are doing a wonderful job. » Left-hander Framber Valdez (3-1, 2.95 ERA) is expected to start for the Astros on Monday. two walks in seven scoreless innings Wednesday in a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics. It was his second straight start longer than seven innings, with Houston improving to 3-1 in four starts since Valdez was reinstated from the injured list (left elbow soreness) on April 27. Valdez is 9-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 18 career appearances (14 starts) against the Angels, including 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 21 1/ 3 rounds in three starts last. season. His nine wins against the Angels are his most against a single opponent. Valdez has two 13-strikeout performances against them, which is his single-game record. Left-hander Reid Detmers (3-4, 5.19 ERA) has the starting assignment. for the Angels in the first game of the series. He sat out the decision in his final start after allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in five innings in a 7-6 loss to St. Louis. Cardinals Tuesday. Detmers is 1-3 with a 6.42 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros. He finished 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in three starts against them last season, allowing 15 runs in 13 1/3 innings. Behind right-hander Jose Soriano, whose 7 2/3 innings were the most by a starter this season, the Angels won the rubber match of their three-game road series against the Texas Rangers with a victory of 4-1 Sunday. It was only the third series victory this season for the Angels. “A win against anyone is a confidence boost, especially for us,” Los Angeles manager Ron Washington said. “We came in here and played extremely well. All we want to do is continue to play good baseball, and if we can do that, we’ll be fine every day we play.” –Field level media
