Inside the Astros

Texans Superstar Throws Out First Pitch For Houston Astros

A Houston Texans star threw out the first pitch for the Houston Astros on Monday.
Tyler Maher|
Apr 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws out the first pitch.
Apr 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws out the first pitch. | Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

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Heading into play on Monday, the Houston Astros were in desperate need of a spark. Not only were they 6-11 and in last place in the AL West, but they were also getting ready to host the dominant Atlanta Braves for a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Looking to give their team a boost, the Astros brought in another local sports legend known for his arm -- Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud -- to throw out the first pitch.

Stroud has quickly become a fan favorite in Houston since being drafted by the Texans second overall 12 months ago. He immediately turned the franchise around under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans, helping Houston go from 3-13-1 and last place in 2022 to 10-7 and first place in 2023.

Stroud didn't stop there, either, leading the Texans to a dominant 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wild Card Round -- Houston's first playoff victory in four years.

While Stroud and Co. came up short against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, it was still an immensely promising first season for Stroud, who earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He led the NFL in passing yards per game (273.9) while posting the league's lowest interception rate (1.0%), combining volume with accuracy.

Given the depleted state of the Astros' pitching staff, they could use an arm like Stroud's, especially after watching him throw a perfect strike before the game. Unfortunately, Stroud's presence wasn't able to give Houston a lift as the Braves rolled to a 6-1 victory in the series opener.

The Astros are so bad right now, not even Stroud can save them.

Published
Tyler Maher
TYLER MAHER

Tyler grew up in Massachusetts and is a huge Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox. He went to Tufts University and played club baseball for the Jumbos. Since graduating, he has worked for MLB.com, The Game Day, FanDuel and Forbes. When he's not writing about baseball, he enjoys running, traveling, and playing fetch with his golden retriever.

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