Sweeping a series feels good, doesn’t it? Even if it is the Athletics! The Astros won Thursday night’s game 8-1 on the back of a solid pitching performance from Cristian Javier and great hitting throughout the lineup.
Javier started the game strong in the first, striking out two and allowing zero baserunners. This would be a portent of things to come.
Javier’s fastball is not what it was in 2022. The fastball is almost 2 mph slower, and its downward vertical movement has increased by a half inch. The pitch doesn’t have the speed or deception it did in years past.