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Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) gets a pat on the head from catcher Martin Maldonado (15) as manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) walks out to pull him after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros designated hitter J.J. Matijevic (13) reacts after striking out against New York Yankees relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) reacts after striking out New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jake Meyers (6) reacts after striking out against New York Yankees relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Rafael Montero (47) reacts after striking out New York Yankees Josh Donaldson during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros shortstop Mauricio Dubon (14) makes the throw to first base as New York Yankees Aaron Judge ground out during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) chaos New York Yankees Giancarlo Stanton's single during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Rafael Montero (47) reacts after striking out New York Yankees Josh Donaldson during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) gets a pat on the head from catcher Martin Maldonado (15) as manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) walks out to pull him after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees Aaron Judge (99) strikes out against Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) reacts after getting pulled by manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryne Stanek (45) reacts after New York Yankees Jose Trevino ground out to end the top of the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) reacts after flying out sharply to New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) reacts after striking out New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) reacts after flying out sharply to New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Astros Kyle Tucker is tagged out by New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (39) as he tried to steal home during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) hits an RBI double off of New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees fans cheer after New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo's home run against Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) makes the throw to first base as Houston Astros Mauricio Dubon ground out to him during the fourth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) gets pulled by manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) reacts after giving up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo (48) during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) takes his pitch com out of his hat to hear the call as Houston Astros Kyle Tucker tried to steal home during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Kyle Tucker (30) flies out to New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) wipes his face after striking out New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo to end the top of the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez in the dugout during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jeremy Pena in the dugout during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) catches New York Yankees Aaron Judge's fly out during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) walks back to the dugout after striking out New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo to end the top of the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jake Meyers (6) points back to the dugout after hitting a double off New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) reacts after walking Houston Astros Kyle Tucker (30) to load the bases during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) reacts after his RBI double off of New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, coached first base, after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors, brings out the lineup to New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza (64) before the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, greets New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors, as he coached first base during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) pitches to New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu (26) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, runs out to first base, after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors, as he coached first base during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches to Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches to Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) pitches to New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu (26) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Hall of Fame Craig Biggio throws out the first pitch before the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jeremy Pena in the dugout during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees Marwin Gonzalez chats with Houston Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron (37) during batting practice before the start of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, in the dugout to coach first base, after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors before the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees Jose Trevino (39) during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Ask around the Astros clubhouse and the answers varied. Some are too guarded and won’t say the quiet part out loud. Others are prideful and perhaps don’t want to offer credit to two opponents they’ll almost surely see again. Still some may perceive the premise as a slight to a team that is still the defending American League champions.
The question still kept arriving across the past 11 days: was this nine-game adventure against New York’s two teams a measuring stick?
“You hope they’re measuring against you,” manager Dusty Baker said before Thursday’s game against the Yankees. “I don’t want to sound cocky or arrogant, but you have to think you’re good or else you’ll get beat to death in this game.”
Four hours later, Baker’s team finished a 2-1 win at Minute Maid Park to complete one of the most impressive stretches of regular-season baseball in recent memory. Houston went 7-2 in nine games against the Mets and Yankees. Both of their losses were walkoffs.
Neither New York team took an at-bat with the lead at any point in the past nine games. The Astros out-scored them 41-21. Houston’s pitching staff allowed two or fewer runs in six of the nine games. Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris and Ryan Pressly threw a combined no-hitter in Yankee Stadium.
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The Astros have made this type of dominance common across their six-year golden era. So few have come against the type of teams New York has to offer. The Yankees entered Thursday’s game 56-20. No team since 1930 had a better record after 76 games. The Mets own the National League’s best record.
Before the week began, they trailed only the Yankees for the best in the sport. The Astros now claim it, a reward after this emphatic statement.
“I don’t think our guys were looking to measure up against anybody,” ace Justin Verlander said on Wednesday. “We know how good we are and I don’t think, by any means, we were looking to see how we stacked up. I think we know how we do.”
Here are three takeaways from the New York nine:
Enough of a sample size is available to make this assertion: the Astros are a pitching-dominant team with a somewhat limited offense. Houston lowered its team ERA to 2.96 on Thursday. Only the Yankees have a lower one.
Houston scored 4.5 runs per game against the two New York teams, but one nine-run showing skews it. The Astros scored three or fewer runs five times, but faced two of the sport’s better pitching staffs. Jeremy Peña and Michael Brantley both spent time on the bench with various injuries.
The way Houston is pitching, its meager offensive outputs may not matter much. Astros pitchers handcuffed both New York teams like few others this season. When the nine-game stretch began, the Yankees’ lineup led the American League with a 123 OPS+. The Mets’ 111 mark topped the National League, too.
Astros starters had a 1.57 ERA in the nine games. They covered 57 ⅓ of a possible 78 ⅔ available innings, allowing Baker to avoid the middle of his bullpen and focus on his four leverage relievers. Aside from Pressly’s one blown save, they excelled.
“They were prepared,” Baker said. “They followed the game plan. Whenever you kind of shut their offense down, that’s one of the best offenses around. The pitching was outstanding. The bullpen was very good.”
Houston’s dominance of the Yankees lineup perhaps offered a blueprint for October. The two teams appear on an American League Championship Series collision course, so few in the Astros’ clubhouse were willing to trade state secrets.
But the Astros’ plan of attacking the strike zone with fastballs seemed apparent. Eighty of Luis Garcia’s 101 pitches on Thursday were either four-seam fastballs or cutters — a type of two-seam fastball. Javier threw 79 four-seam fastballs in his 115-pitch outing during the no-hitter.
Verlander, José Urquidy and Framber Valdez all threw at least 57 percent fastballs, too. The trend is not surprising given their arsenals, but the reliance — and variance — of the fastballs New York saw may have made an impact.
“We have good fastballs,” catcher Martín Maldonado said. “Framber’s two-seamer is elite, Javier’s fastball is elite, JV’s fastball is elite, Luis’ cutter is elite. I don’t think that was the plan by design, but we believe in what our pitchers can do.”
“I wish I could tell you a little bit more, but I know we’re going to face them in the playoffs. It’s about executing pitches.”
Before the Astros’ first game at Citi Field on Tuesday, all of their pitchers gathered near the left-field foul line. They formed a circle around one man who did all the talking. Coaches Josh Miller and Bill Murphy listened with intent.
Maldonado led this entire meeting for around 10 minutes. It seemed normal advanced scouting for the beginning of a series, but underscored the autonomy and authority Maldonado has inside Houston’s clubhouse. His influence on the aforementioned pitching dominance cannot be ignored.
“The pitching coaches and analytics people, they give me the freedom to call whatever I want, whatever I think,” Maldonado said. “Even though I do my scouting reports, they give me their scouting reports. We kind of get together to come up with a better idea of what I see and they see. After that, I feel like I‘ve been blessed that those guys really believe in me from the work I put in.”
These nine games put to rest any speculation Houston could look to move on from Maldonado by the Aug. 2 trade deadline. He remains an offensive liability — an 0-for-3 night on Thursday pared his OPS to .475 — but he is not paid to hit. Houston made it to within two wins of the World Series last year with his nothing bat in the nine-hole.
Maldonado is here to manage a pitching staff carrying this team toward another pennant. That he navigated it through two New York lineups that no other team can seem to stop is evidence enough of his value.
Parting with Maldonado would crater much of the infrastructure in place for this pitching staff. Backup Jason Castro is mired in a miserable offensive season, but is suddenly emerging as one of Verlander’s preferred targets. Baker said it is pure coincidence, but Castro has caught four of Verlander’s last five starts. Verlander has a 0.96 ERA in his seven starts caught by Castro.
“You trust them more than yourself sometimes,” Pressly said of his team’s two catchers. “They’ll call a pitch and you don’t feel comfortable with that pitch and they’ll call it again and you execute it. They just believe in you so much that it sends confidence your way. They do that by the preparation and the stuff that they do off the field. It’s bar none to anybody, man.”
Any doubt about the Astros’ affinity for Jake Meyers should have been squashed this weekend. His return at Yankee Stadium signaled the end of both Jose Siri and Chas McCormick’s major league tenure, though McCormick returned to the team after Brantley injured his shoulder.
Before Meyers’ activation on Friday, the Astros had extracted 1.7 wins above replacement from their center fielders, according to FanGraphs. Nine major league teams got more value out of the position, one the Astros manned with McCormick, Siri and Mauricio Dubón in a timeshare.
After Meyers returned, a thought existed that either McCormick or Siri could occupy a spot on the bench and spell Meyers once or twice a week. The decision to option both men upon Meyers’ return signals the opportunity the Astros are affording him.
Meyers is the team’s everyday center fielder and has a little more than a month to cement himself. If the Astros intend to add another bat ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, center field is one of the few places they could make a meaningful upgrade. Houston’s cushion in the American League West makes it easy to give Meyers more leeway.
Meyers is nowhere near an absolute. He took just 163 major league plate appearances last season. After a torrid beginning, Meyers slumped in September, slashing .200/.309/.371 with 28 strikeouts in 70 plate appearances. The Astros still started him during three of their four games in the American League Division Series.
Judging Meyers on his first six games back is unfair. He has nine strikeouts in his first 21 at-bats, all of which arrived against two of baseball’s best teams.
Meyers’ defense and speed remain elite, both crucial for a team not scoring much more than league average. Meyers bumped into the wall at Yankee Stadium while catching the first ball hit toward him. He dove for another on Wednesday at Citi Field, saving a hit on a sinking liner to earn applause from Verlander.
Meyers must maintain the defense and establish some sort of offensive rhythm to prove he’s the answer into September and October. The Astros will give him every opportunity.
Chandler Rome joined the Houston Chronicle in 2018 to cover the Astros after spending one year in Tuscaloosa covering Alabama football - during which Nick Saban asked if he attended college. He did, at LSU, where he covered the Tigers baseball team for nearly four years. He covered most of the Astros' 2015 playoff run, too, as an intern for MLB.com