Altuve, Tucker begin on bench
CLEVELAND — With no game Monday, the Astros gave Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel the day off for Sunday’s series finale against the Guardians as Kyle Tucker remained out of the lineup because of illness.
Sunday concluded a stretch of 19 games played in 18 consecutive days by the Astros since July 21, including a doubleheader sweep of the Yankees. After Monday’s scheduled off day, the Astros enter a stretch of 13 consecutive games, beginning Tuesday with a six-game homestand against division foes Texas and Oakland.
“(Manager) Dusty (Baker) really targeted this day to give those guys multiple off days with the one tomorrow, trying to get them through this tough 19-game stretch,” acting manager Joe Espada said. “So that’s just a part of the plan.”
Tucker and Altuve were used as pinch hitters in Sunday’s eighth inning. Tucker drew a walk, and Altuve grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Aledmys Díaz filled in for Altuve at second base and batted second in Gurriel’s place, while shortstop Jeremy Peña moved into Altuve’s spot atop the batting order. Trey Mancini started for Gurriel at first base and batted fifth.
Chas McCormick started in right field for the fourth consecutive game instead of Tucker, who did not start any of the games in Cleveland while sick. Because Tucker found it difficult to keep food down at various points during the weekend, the Astros chose to be cautious with him.
“This is the time of the year where we all kind of have to fight through it,” Espada said. “We’ve been through this stretch before, and these guys just kind of know how to go about it. We’re just always thinking long term, trying to get these guys to rest and recover. August and September are very important months, though. Again, they’ve been through it. Just trying to be smart about how we put this lineup together.”
Odds and ends
Baker, who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Friday’s game, did not fly back to Houston with the team Sunday. Espada said Baker will hopefully travel home later this week. … In a pregame radio interview, general manager James Click was asked if Michael Brantley (injured shoulder) will play again this season. “We hope so,” Click said. “But with every passing day, you have to kind of take an honest look at it.” Brantley has been on the injured list since June 27.