HOUSTON – A week ago this time, with the trade deadline still approaching, the possibilities were wide open for the Houston Astros. Even Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton appeared to be on the Astros’ radar, so when the front office acquired Francisco Liriano and nobody else on deadline day, some players weren’t thrilled.
“Disappointment is a little bit of an understatement,” Dallas Keuchel told reporters.
Liriano’s now an important bullpen piece for the Astros, whose only other left-handed reliever is rookie Reymin Guduan now that Tony Sipp‘s on the disabled list. So far, the results have been disappointing, as Liriano has taken the loss in each of his two appearances with Houston, including a loss to his former team Saturday.
The last week has been a whirlwind for Liriano: new team, new city, new role.
“It might be tough for me the first couple of weeks, but I think I’m going to get used to it,” he said of his role change Saturday. “I’ve been there before.”
Liriano hasn’t even had the chance to retrieve all of his belongings from Toronto. That said, the left-hander said he’s excited to be joining a team seemingly destined for the post-season and relieved to know his fate for the remainder of the season.
Ahead of Monday’s trade deadline he was at the Blue Jays team hotel in Chicago awaiting news. Around 1:30, his agent called to tell him he’d been traded.
“I was very surprised and very happy at the same time to be a part of this team,” Liriano said.
With a 71-40 record, the Astros can afford to be patient with Liriano as he adjusts to his new role. Once he settles in, there’s no doubt that he has the stuff to impact games out of the bullpen.
[snippet id=3526033]
ALTUVE ‘EXTREMELY SPECIAL’
For the fourth consecutive season, Jose Altuve leads the American League in hits. For the third time in four years, he leads the AL in batting average. With a .364/.424/.570 slash line, and 5.7 wins above replacement he’s a legitimate MVP candidate.
Marcus Stroman considers Altuve an “extremely special” hitter who’s exceptionally tough to game plan for.
“He’s unbelievable,” Stroman said. “He has zero holes in his swing. He has an extreme amount of plate coverage for someone who’s small. He hits the ball that’s in way off as well as the ball that’s outside way off. His plate coverage is unbelievable. He’s extremely aggressive. He can put the barrel on essentially any pitch, so he’s an extremely tough out, man, you just have to do your best to hope that he hits the ball off the barrel and it’s at somebody.”
[snippet id=3305549]
LEONE IN LEVERAGE
Early in the season, Dominic Leone was primarily a low-leverage reliever, but the Blue Jays turned to the 25-year-old in a big spot Sunday, and he responded with 1.1 scoreless innings against a high-powered Houston offence in the seventh and eighth.
“Shoot, he’s been good all year, he really has,” manager John Gibbons said. “He’s been a workhorse for us, too. He’s been used in the middle innings, but he can really fill any role for you. He’ll throw multiple innings. He’s done a lot of good things.”
Leone, a waiver claim from the Arizona Diamondbacks last November, has now pitched 50 innings on the season while posting a 2.52 ERA. He has recorded more than three outs in 20 of his appearances, providing Gibbons with stability midway through games. Along the way, Leone has allowed just 32 hits and 20 walks while striking out 54.
OFF-DAY PLANS
Josh Donaldson hosts his third annual BaseBOWL fundraiser in support of Jays Care and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto on Monday night. The event is sold out. The Blue Jays open a 10-game homestand Tuesday with the first of three against the New York Yankees.
[relatedlinks]