The defensive play of the series opener on Monday undoubtedly came in the third inning when Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey smothered an Isaac Paredes grounder before executing a backhanded flip to shortstop Maikel Garcia to start an inning-ending double play.
On Tuesday, Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. were manning second and shortstop, respectively. The Royals’ defensive versatility was on display in the first two contests of this three-game set, which Houston evened with a 2-1 victory Tuesday.
The teams will meet in the rubber match on Wednesday night.
Garcia has started at five different defensive positions this season, including 26 games at third.
India has made 18 starts in left field and 17 at third; his start at second on Tuesday was his first there.
Salvador Perez has made at least 10 starts at two positions: catcher (19) and first base (10).
“The versatility goes to the selflessness as well. Their No. 1 goal is to win baseball games,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “They don’t care where they’re playing as long as they’re in there and they can help contribute.”
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.57 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Royals on Wednesday.
On Friday, Lorenzen did not factor into the decision against the Boston Red Sox after tossing seven shutout innings and allowing three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in the Royals’ 2-1, 12-inning win. It marked his first scoreless start of at least seven innings since Aug. 21, 2024, against the Los Angeles Angels.
Lorenzen is 0-2 with a 7.90 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) versus the Astros. His last appearance against them came on Sept. 9, 2022, when he allowed one run on three hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings while pitching for the Angels. He did not factor into the decision of a 4-3 road loss.
Left-hander Colton Gordon (4-0, 2.55 ERA with Triple-A Sugar Land) will make his major league debut for the Astros.
Gordon, an eighth-round selection by the Astros in the 2021 draft, was added to the taxi squad on Tuesday. In parts of three seasons with the Space Cowboys in the Pacific Coast League, Gordon is 15-4 with a 3.77 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 200 2/3 innings.
“Strike thrower. Aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Gordon. “He’s tough, which I’ve seen him for the last couple of years. I’m excited about it. He has put himself in this position, and I think he matches up very well against this lineup. I’m looking forward to it.”
The decision to add Gordon to the taxi squad on Tuesday provided him with an opportunity to work out with the club.
Gordon likely will make a spot start for the Astros, who played their fifth game in a stretch of 17 consecutive days with a game. Instead of the customary practice of recalling a pitcher the day he is expected to pitch, the Astros offered Gordon a head start.
“There’s something about the building, the energy,” Espada said of the home series. “Seeing his teammates, guys that he last saw in spring training. Conversations that he’ll have with some pitchers who have seen this team already. There’s a lot of prep that goes into it, so getting him here a few days prior, I think, is an advantage.”
–Field Level Media
