Houston topped Boston 7-6 in a high-stakes duel that keeps the AL West tight, with Seattle right on Houston’s heels. Alex Bregman returned to Houston and delivered two hits, including a homer, providing a spark for the Astros’ offense in a key divisional tilt. The result compounds the drama at the top of the division as the Astros seek to hold off the Mariners and maintain momentum for fantasy managers monitoring lineups and rotations.

Josh Hader exited after reporting shoulder discomfort; tests are pending, leaving the closer role in flux. Hader has 28 saves and a 2.05 ERA across 52.2 innings, with just one blown save—an elite mark that would make any absence costly for fantasy rosters. If he misses time, Bennett Sousa becomes the interim closer, with Enyel De Los Santos handling eighth-inning duties and the late outs as needed.

The bullpen shuffle matters for fantasy: Sousa is the only Astros reliever with more than one save this year (three), while De Los Santos offered two quick outs in the ninth before Sousa closed out the win against Roman Anthony. Astros officials will await test results, but the door is open for immediate bullpen reallocation should Hader be sidelined, preserving Houston’s slim lead in a race that remains wide open.

Josh Hader landed on the injured list with a left shoulder strain, forcing Houston to lean on a bullpen committee in a tight win over Boston. In his absence, Espada deployed Enyel De Los Santos and Bennett Sousa in the ninth, with Sousa earning his fifth career save (and fourth this season) after facing one batter. Hader’s August workload has been light but effective, posting a 2.05 ERA and a 4.75 K:BB across multiple multi-inning appearances, a true closer’s backbone that Houston will miss as it fights to hold the AL West lead.

The Astros are also missing a slew of pieces—Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, Jake Meyers, and pitchers Ronel Blanco, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis García, and Hayden Wesneski—juicing the bullpen workload and widening the gap in a tight division race. Houston sits one game ahead of Seattle as July faded, with the Mariners 9-1 in a recent stretch while Houston has gone 5-5. With Hader out, Espada is likely to keep a committee approach with Abreu, King, and others stepping up in high-leverage spots, testing fantasy rosters that rely on late-inning wins and save opportunities.

The Houston Astros faced a challenging game against the Cleveland Guardians, relying heavily on their bullpen due to the unavailability of key relievers Bryan King and Bryan Abreu. Hunter Brown took the mound and initially thrived, pitching five scoreless innings before struggling in the sixth, where he allowed four runs. Steven Okert, who stepped in to contain the Guardians' lineup, managed to navigate a bases-loaded situation but ultimately gave up a grand slam, highlighting his mixed performance this season.

Shawn Dubin followed, showing resilience after conceding a crucial home run to José Ramírez, allowing the Astros to stay competitive. In the extra innings, the Astros' bullpen showcased its depth, with Bennett Sousa securing a save despite throwing just 18 pitches and demonstrating impressive strikeout potential. The game exemplified the Astros' ability to adapt under pressure while underlining their bullpen’s integral role in maintaining their winning record.

The Houston Astros salvaged a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in an intense 10-inning battle, with key late-game heroics. Trailing 3-1 into the seventh, the Astros' bullpen faltered as José Ramírez hit a game-tying home run, but Houston responded in the 10th. Isaac Paredes delivered a clutch two-run single, marking the Astros' first hit since the sixth inning. Houston's bullpen, shorthanded but effective, managed to secure the win despite a challenging outing from starter Hunter Brown, who walked five batters but still recorded nine strikeouts.

The Guardians struggled offensively, stranding 11 runners while only managing 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Houston's Bennett Sousa earned his first save despite concluding the game under pressure. The Astros' Jeremy Peña extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a crucial infield single. With a series of close calls and tight plays culminating in the Astros' late-game execution, the victory showcased their depth and determination despite a lackluster overall offensive performance.

Bennett Sousa is back in the Houston Astros camp, aiming for a relief role after an injury-ridden 2024 season. The left-handed pitcher was sidelined due to shoulder inflammation that led to surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome just after the season began. After a challenging recovery, including a hospitalization for fluid buildup in his lung, Sousa is reportedly healthy and throwing well. He showcased a notable improvement in velocity, hitting 96 mph while maintaining effectiveness with his slider, which he relied upon heavily during his short late-2023 appearances.

As the Astros prepare for a new season, competition for bullpen spots is expected to be fierce, with several candidates vying for limited roles. Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu are likely locks, but the final spots remain uncertain, leaving an opening for Sousa to potentially secure a place in a bullpen that has seen significant turnover.