Astros manager Joe Espada gets GM’s support after Red Sox firing Alex Cora turns up heat

The first manager of the MLB season has been fired. Alex Cora was fired by the Boston Red Sox after a 10-17 start to the season. This has put other managers, whose teams are struggling, on the hot seat.

One of those managers is Astros head man Joe Espada. As the Astros sit at 11-18 on the year, questions about the future of Espada are popping up. Still, GM Dana Brown is giving his manager support, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

“No. Joe is managing through the injuries. We are all watching what’s going on,” Brown said in response to whether Espada’s job was in danger.  “The pitching hasn’t been up to par. We’re walking a ton of guys. I can’t start pointing the finger at Joe because we’re walking a ton of guys and we’re banged up.”

The Astros have been solid on offense. They are fourth in the majors in runs scored, while also sitting fourth in batting average. Further, they are third in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Meanwhile, the pitching has been bad. The Astros are 30th in team ERA and WHIP, while sitting 29th in opponent batting average.

The team has been ravaged by injuries to the pitching staff, such as injuries to Josh Hader, Hunter Brown, and Tatsuya Imai. Overall, fifteen members of the Astors are on the injured list, the most in the majors.

“One of the values of Joe Espada is the calming influence. He’s even-keeled. You’re not going to see him blow up at players and get guys more on edge,” Brown said. “He’s going to quietly lead these guys individually — and he’ll do it as a group if he has to — and get these guys back on the mark. I think players appreciate that. When you’re like that, at the end of the day, players start to pull back and say, ‘OK, let me take it day by day, let me not put too much pressure on myself.’”

After opening the season 6-3, the Astors have gone just 5-15 since. They return to the field on Tuesday for a three-game series visiting the Baltimore Orioles.

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