Astros try to beat Reds for first time since 2016
Through their eight-year run of dominance, the Houston Astros have had a kryptonite of sorts.
The Cincinnati Reds have defeated the Astros seven straight times. Houston hasn’t beaten Cincinnati since 2016, the year before the first of its two World Series titles.
That includes Monday’s 5-3 Cincinnati victory in the opener of a three-game series in Cincinnati. Following an unusual scheduled off-day Tuesday, the series resumes Wednesday.
Cincinnati swept the Astros in 2019 at Great American Ball Park and then again last season in Houston. The Reds are 11-2 in the last 13 meetings with the Astros.
Before Monday’s win, the Reds hadn’t pulled off consecutive victories this season since Aug. 11-14, when they won four straight.
Leading the way for the Reds has been Santiago Espinal, the infielder acquired just before the season to account for the loss of Matt McLain to left shoulder surgery. No one is hotter in all of baseball than the Reds’ versatile infielder.
Since July 8, Espinal is batting a major league-best .419 (44-for-105) to raise his average to .270 entering Wednesday’s game. The 2022 All-Star with Toronto had the tiebreaking two-run single in Monday’s win.
“I’m glad they gave me an opportunity here,” Espinal said. “I’m taking advantage. I feel like it comes from my preparation. Being ready to play, that’s all it is.”
Kyle Tucker could finally be ready to rejoin the Astros after he and the team confirmed that he suffered a small fracture after fouling a ball off his right shin on June 3.
