The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While Astros’ Blanco stars, Central divisions solid so far
Ronel Blanco’s brilliant start to the season is about the only thing going right for the Houston Astros.
Blanco threw 2024′s first no-hitter last Monday against Toronto, then made it to the sixth against Texas on Sunday before allowing a hit. The problem for the Astros is what’s happened on days Blanco didn’t pitch: They have one victory aside from his two starts.
Houston has made seven consecutive AL Championship Series appearances and is considered a World Series contender again this season. And the Astros’ record of 3-7 isn’t worth panicking about. They’ve had a tough schedule, facing the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rangers, and their run differential of minus-4 isn’t awful.
Houston has been without Justin Verlander, currently on a rehab assignment working his way back from shoulder issues. Injuries to Verlander and José Urquidy helped Blanco get a spot in the rotation, and he’s certainly made a positive contribution so far. Christian Javier also has made two scoreless starts, and Framber Valdez has been solid.
The bullpen is a different story: Houston relievers are 0-5 with 6.89 ERA, with new closer Josh Hader — signed to a five-year, $95 million deal in the offseason — taking two of the losses.
Central surprises
It’s easy to overlook the Central Division in both leagues, but Pittsburgh is tied for the best record in baseball at 8-2. The Pirates started 20-8 last year, then quickly sank back below .500 and finished 10 games under. So some skepticism is warranted, and the schedule was favorable early with series against Miami and Washington.
But Pittsburgh then took two of three from Baltimore, with both wins coming in walk-off fashion. Rookie Jared Jones has struck out 17 in 11⅔ innings for the Pirates in two starts.
Just behind the Pirates at 6-2 are the Brewers, whose starters are 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA after the team traded ace Corbin Burnes in the offseason.
In the AL, Cleveland (7-2) is averaging nearly six runs a game. Kansas City (6-4) has allowed only 25 in 10 games. And Detroit (6-3) is right there near the top of the division as well.
Trivia time
When is the last time the Pirates won a postseason series?
Comeback of the week
Spencer Strider’s troublesome elbow is a big concern for the Braves, but on the field, they’re the only team above .500 in the NL East. They also have the best run differential in the league.
Saturday, Atlanta allowed six runs in the top of the first inning, and when Arizona took an 8-2 lead in the fifth, the Braves had just a 2.2% chance to win according to Baseball Savant.
Atlanta cut the lead in half on Marcell Ozuna’s threerun homer in the bottom of the fifth. The Braves then scored twice in the seventh and twice in the eighth to win 9-8.
Line of the week
Blanco’s no-hitter was the earliest in major league history by date, beating the previous record of April 4 by three days. He struck out seven and walked two in his eighth career start. It’s the lone complete game in the big leagues so far this season.
Trivia answer
Pittsburgh beat Baltimore in seven games in the 1979 World Series, the Pirates’ second championship of the decade. Since then, they’ve lost in the NL Championship Series in 1990, ’91 and ’92 and in a Division Series in 2013. They did win a one-game wild card round in 2013.