McCullers, Jr. Returns, Astros Fade, Jose Fleury Sighting

Losing 2 of 3 in Chicago saps the joy out of seeing Lance on a MLB mound

The happiness of seeing Lance McCullers, Jr. return to a Major League mound faded quickly, as the Astros lost a 4-0 lead, the game and the series to the lowly Chicago White Sox.

While we and almost everyone who follows baseball have praised the bullpen, this was one case where they failed.

The three unearned runs were a big part of it, sure. But even with those, you remained ahead needing just three or six outs against a putrid White Sox batting order.

The bullpen has been a bright spot through the first 33 games, but there are going to be games like this, especially with the number of young, untested and unproven relievers the Astros employ.

Batter and Pitcher Projections

Who’s Hot

What a week for Jake, though he still projects to just a 99 OPS+ on the season.

Yainer also showing signs of life.

Who’s Not

Tough week for Yordan and while the averages by Dubon and Rodgers weren’t bad, the wRC+ and wOBA were subpar.

I’ve seen Jose Altuve swing at some bad pitches, but he looked horrible on Sunday.

Astros xWins

Projected AL West Standings

Scouting Fleury

I spent Friday evening at Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio watching the Corpus Christi Hooks and San Antonio Missions play and more importantly, Jose Fleury pitch for the Hooks.

The 23-year-old Fleury is the Astros’ No. 9 prospect per MLB.com with a 2026 ETA.

I’m certainly no scout, but there was no overpowering stuff from Fleury on this night, with the board never registering a pitch over 91 MPH and the eyeball test matching those results.

The scouting report indicates, “90-92 mph and topping out at 94.”, but all we saw was the lower end of that range, on a cool, drizzly evening.

There is something to be said for results, though and on this evening Fleury held the Missions to 1 run and 4 hits over 6 innings while striking out 6 and walking 0.

On the season, Fleury has a 0.96 ERA with 10.0 strikeouts and 1.6 walks per 9.

Perhaps most important is the walks column, where Fleury struggled last season, walking 3.8 per 9, but has walked just 5 in his first 28 innings of 2025.

The scouting report is mostly average on Fleury with the one plus pitch being his changeup (65 grade) and that will be needed as he moves through the system, because his fastball looked average at best.

The next minor league game we have on the schedule is June 7 in Sugar Land.

As always, thanks for reading.