Brian McTaggart
MLB
Houston, TX, United States
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Past articles by Brian:
Is '23 the year Whitley finally breaks through for Astros?
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Is this the year it finally all comes together for Astros prospect Forrest Whitley? No one would like an answer to that question more than Whitley, who’s back in Major League camp this year hoping to re-establish himself as a top prospect. Whitley, the 6-foot-7-inch → Read More
Astros lock in 'core piece,' extend Javier through 2027 season
HOUSTON -- Cristian Javier, the right-hander whose breakout 2022 season saw him dominate in the playoffs while helping lead the Astros to the World Series title, was signed to a five-year contract extension by the club on Friday -- the first major move for new general manager Dana Brown. The → Read More
Astros reach deal with veteran 1B José Abreu (source)
HOUSTON -- Less than a month after winning their second World Series championship in six seasons, the Astros on Monday made a move to bolster their chances of repeating by agreeing to a deal with free-agent first baseman José Abreu, a source told MLB.com. The deal is pending a physical. → Read More
Forrest Whitley to have Tommy John surgery
Astros top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley will undergo Tommy John surgery, manager Dusty Baker announced on Wednesday. Whitley, 23, began experiencing discomfort in his right elbow while throwing live batting practice last week at Astros camp in West Palm Beach, Fla. The No. 41-ranked prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, → Read More
Astros' Whitley facing possible TJ surgery
Astros top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley has been diagnosed with a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the club announced on Sunday. Whitley is seeking a second opinion before he finalizes his plans for treatment, but a UCL sprain typically requires Tommy John surgery. Whitley, 23, → Read More
Whitley closing in on big league opportunity
The sweltering summer heat and coastal humidity of Corpus Christi, Texas, can drive anyone to work harder to escape it. That held true for pitcher Forrest Whitley, who was among a group of about 60 Astros players that spent last summer sweating in the sun with the hopes of being → Read More
Astros name Dusty Baker new manager
Needing a respected and veteran member of the baseball community to guide the team on the field as it tries to put one of the toughest periods in its history in the rearview mirror, the Astros turned to Dusty Baker as their next manager, the team announced on → Read More
Joe Smith on Huntington's disease awareness
Raising HD awareness personal for Smith, wife Couple promoting foundation to combat incurable Huntington's disease that runs in Astros pitcher's family → Read More
Jose Altuve 5-year extension with Astros
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros superstar second baseman Jose Altuve agreed to a five-year extension worth $151 million on top of the two years remaining on his current deal. The deal, the richest in club history, runs through 2024 and locks up one of the most popular players in club history through his age-34 season. Altuve signed a four-year, $12.5 million deal in 2013 that included a $6… → Read More
Astros' Justin Verlander to start Opening Day
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Justin Verlander will start for the Astros on Opening Day, manager A.J. Hinch said Monday while being interviewed during the AT&T Sportsnet Southwest broadcast of the Astros-Marlins Spring Training game. This will be the 10th Opening Day start in the past 11 years for Verlander, who took the ball on Opening Day for the Tigers from 2008-14 and 2016-17. Dallas Keuchel had… → Read More
Astros boast deep lineup, starting rotation
HOUSTON -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch wasn't asked about easing injured players back into action. He wasn't asked if his team could finally beat the Rangers. He wasn't asked about filling innings at the back end of the club's rotation, or holes in the bottom of the lineup. While meeting with the local media during the team's annual pre-Spring Training luncheon Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, Hinch… → Read More
Alex Bregman on offseason, repeating as champs
HOUSTON -- Winning a World Series in his first full season in the Major Leagues won't be as challenging as trying to repeat, something no team has done in nearly 20 years. That's why Astros third baseman Alex Bregman has been grinding in the gym this offseason in preparation for Spring Training, which begins in a month. Bregman's whirlwind offseason, which began with a busy week of interviews… → Read More
Houston to host World Series parade Friday
HOUSTON -- Who doesn't love a parade? Certainly not fans of the Astros, who will gather on the streets in downtown Houston this afternoon for what figures to be one of the biggest parades in the city's history to celebrate the 2017 World Series champions. • Dress like a champion for the parade! Get Astros World Series title gear → Read More
Astros beat Dodgers to win first World Series
LOS ANGELES -- The Astros, just four years removed from the low point in their unprecedented rebuilding project, capped their remarkable turnaround with a franchise-defining victory, beating the Dodgers, 5-1, in Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium to win their first championship. • Dress like a champion! Get Astros World Series title gear → Read More
Dodgers solve Justin Verlander, force Game 7
LOS ANGELES -- The Astros had the Dodgers right where they wanted them in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who'd been unbeatable since Houston acquired him two months earlier to the day, had a one-run lead through five dominant innings, putting the Astros four frames away from winning the World Series. • World Series Gm 7: Wed., 7:30 p.m. ET air… → Read More
Astros beat Dodgers in wild Game 5, go up 3-2
HOUSTON -- They were down but never out. They were bruised but not beaten. The never-say-die Astros -- facing a four-run deficit in a pivotal Game 5 of the World Series with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound -- pulled off the unthinkable in an epic game in an unforgettable Fall Classic. Alex Bregman shot a walk-off single into left field off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the 10th inning… → Read More
Astros rally past Dodgers to even World Series
LOS ANGELES -- The Astros found themselves with no shortage of heroic moments and performances in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night, pushing aside the pressure of October to deliver the biggest win in franchise history. • World Series Gm 3: Fri., 7:30 p.m. ET air time | 8 ET game time on FOX → Read More
Dodgers' homers back Clayton Kershaw in Game 1
LOS ANGELES -- Pitching just like the legend sitting in the second row at Dodger Stadium, Sandy Koufax, left-hander Clayton Kershaw overwhelmed the explosive Astros with 11 strikeouts in seven dazzling innings on Tuesday night, and Justin Turner slugged a tiebreaking two-run homer off Dallas Keuchel for a 3-1 Dodgers win in the opener of the World Series. • World Series Gm 2: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.… → Read More
Yankees even ALCS with late rally vs. Astros
NEW YORK -- There is no quit in these “Baby Bombers,“ and as their youthful exuberance fuels an incredible postseason run, they have summoned the excitement of Bronx Octobers past. The triple decks of Yankee Stadium are being transformed into a deafening, swaying party zone on a nightly basis. Aaron Judge homered and delivered a game-tying hit, while Gary Sanchez crushed the go-ahead double in a… → Read More
Astros eliminate Red Sox, advance to ALCS
BOSTON -- The Astros looked to be in danger of going back to Houston for a winner-take-all Game 5 of this American League Division Series presented by Doosan, but instead they are headed home to prepare for the AL Championship Series. • Dress for October: Shop for Astros postseason gear → Read More