This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Cardinals' Nolan Gorman: Swats three-run homer Friday
Rotowire
Gorman went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 9-4 win over the Astros.
After striking out in each of his first three at-bats Friday, Gorman turned on a 96-mph fastball from Bryan Abreu and sent it over the right-field wall for a three-run shot to open the Cardinals' lead to 7-3 in the top of the seventh inning. An all-or-nothing type at the plate, Gorman's unlikely to hit for average or get on base at a high clip. He's slashing .207/.284/.362 with three home runs, 12 RBI, seven runs scored and a 7:22 BB:K across 67 plate appearances.
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Serves up walk-off homer Sunday
Rotowire
Abreu (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Athletics, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk across one-third of an inning.
Abreu came on in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied 9-9 and was able to get the final out to send it to the 10th inning. Houston scored one in the top half of the inning, and Abreu stayed on to try to close out his own win. He walked Tyler Soderstrom before allowing a three-run, walk-off homer to Brent Rooker. Abreu has allowed at least one run in all four of his appearances to open the season and now owns a hideous 23.63 ERA and 6:5 K:BB across 2.2 innings. He's already served up three home runs after allowing four all of last season. With Josh Hader (biceps) still on the injured list, Abreu appears to still be the favorite for saves in Houston, but his hold on the job has got to be loosening after four rough outings.
Abreu earned the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three in the ninth inning.
Abreu got off to an inauspicious start in the ninth inning Wednesday, as he gave up a home run to Roman Anthony to lead off the frame. However, the right-hander rebounded to strike out Boston's subsequent three batters to close out a two-run victory and earn his first save of the year. While Abreu has given up at least one run in all three of his appearances this season, Wednesday's outing certainly looks like a step in the right direction. Notably, his fastball velocity reached 97.4 mph after topping out at just 93.2 mph in his last appearance Sunday versus the Angels. Abreu figures to retain the ninth-inning job in Houston until Josh Hader (biceps) is able to return from the IL.
Abreu allowed one run on two walks in one-third of an inning during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Angels on Sunday.
Abreu was brought in for the top of the ninth inning to protect the Astros' three-run lead. However, he walked two of the first three batters he faced and was replaced by Bryan King, and the former was tagged with a run on an RBI single from Nolan Schanuel. Abreu has yielded four earned runs on four walks and one hit across 1.1 innings to open the season, which isn't a great sign given that he was tabbed as the Astros' interim closer in the absence of Josh Hader (biceps). King could be thrust into closing situations if Abreu's early struggles continue.
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Set for interim closer duties
Rotowire
Abreu is expected to open the season as the Astros' closer while Josh Hader (biceps) recuperates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader is throwing off the mound again and might not miss much time, but manager Joe Espada ruled him out for Opening Day. Abreu has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four regular seasons, posting a 2.30 ERA and 34.3 percent strikeout rate. Hader will get his closer job back, if healthy, but he remains an injury risk, so it's not out of the question that Abreu's stint as closer lasts indefinitely.
0:25
0:30
12:59
9:42
1:33
0:42
10:26
0:49
1:33
1:33
1:57
9:27
0:25
1:14
8:27
0:44
0:39
8:49
10:59
1:18
