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Astros topple Kluber, Indians on Opening Day: Grades, notes

By Stanford Crissey

Sep 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Game notes and grades as the Houston Astros top the Cleveland Indians 2-0 on Opening Day.

It’s Opening Day, the most wonderful day of them all! Baseball returned to Houston as the Astros hosted the Indians to start the season. The game turned into a pitchers’ duel, and in the end it was Houston who emerged victorious, 2-0.

A national television audience finally learned how to pronounce Dallas Keuchel’s name as the Astros’ left-hander shut out the Indians lineup and out dueled defending Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.

The two teams combined for six hits, including just one hit in the first five innings combined, as the game became a showcase for Keuchel and Kluber. Kluber struck out seven and may have started to silence some doubters who thought his out-of-nowhere Cy Young season was just a fluke, taking a no-hitter into the sixth.

Game notes:

  • Kluber actually signed his new five-year contract extension in the locker room prior to the game.
  • These two teams could become the poster children for MLB’s efforts at creating a faster game, as the game was completed in just over two hours.
  • Some odd lineup decisions for Houston: light-hitting Luis Valbuena actually hit third for the Astros, ahead of superior hitters like Chris Carter, Jason Castro, Jed Lowrie, and Colby Rasmus.

Grades

. INDIANS HITTING. D+. The Indians couldn’t get much done against Keuchel, mustering only three hits while taking the occasional bad swing (ahem, Michael Bourn). Jason Kipnis particularly stood out, seeing only nine pitches in his four at-bats and going hitless. The mantra of Opening Day, though, is “it’s only one game,” and that goes double when you turn in a performance like this. One big hit could have changed the whole game, and they just didn’t get it..

A. Kluber looked every bit like a Cy Young award winner, and from the looks of it (again, it’s only one game), he should continue to excel this year. Astros hitters were chasing things out of the zone and rarely got good hits in against Kluber.. . . INDIANS PITCHING

ASTROS HITTING. C. The Astros didn’t fare much better than the Indians at the plate, getting only three hits, but they got the good breaks when it counted. New additions like Evan Gattis and Colby Rasmus should be helpful in lifting this offense toward respectability, and George Springer’s power remains scary.. .

A+. What more can you ask for than a three-hit shutout? Keuchel, the Astros’ breakout star from a year ago, did not disappoint, looking every bit like an ace in shutting down the Indians’ lineup, which is no pushover group.. . . ASTROS PITCHING

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