Despite their recent hot streak, the Houston Astros’ 18-1 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers raised eyebrows, especially from Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser.
The blowout, which marked the worst loss in Dodger Stadium history, prompted Hershiser to question the Astros given their controversial past.
Houston has now won nine of its last 11 games, and while the Dodgers came in red-hot, they were clearly unprepared for the storm the Astros brought to town.
Hershiser Alludes to the Astros Cheating During Broadcast
All it took was a three-run lead for the former Dodgers pitcher to question the team’s ways. No one can take away the fact that the Astros have been on an absolute tear, but Hershiser knows their past.
He wondered if they were winning again due to questionable decisions, “I don’t want to open an old wound, but in some ways, they’re swinging at these breaking balls like they know what is coming.”
“I don’t want to open an old wound. But in some ways, they’re swinging at these breaking balls like they know what is coming.”
Orel Hershiser on the Astros during a big inning against the Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/15HeqcRLkc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 5, 2025
Ben Casparius made his third start of the season for the Dodgers but struggled mightily. The 26-year-old lasted just three innings, surrendering nine hits and six earned runs. The Astros went deep three times, tagging Casparius with his second straight loss.
While he managed to record three strikeouts, Houston seemed to barrel up nearly everything, finishing the game with a staggering 20 hits.
The Astros’ dominant performance reignited memories of their controversial past. Their 2017 World Series title remains tainted by the infamous sign-stealing scandal, a complex system involving a center-field camera used to decode opposing catchers’ signals, which were then relayed to hitters via trash can bangs. Odd as it was, the method proved effective, ultimately helping Houston capture a championship.
Once MLB uncovered the scheme, the league swiftly handed down penalties. The Astros were fined $5 million, lost first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021, and saw both manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow suspended for the 2020 season.
The organization has since moved on, with Hinch now managing the Detroit Tigers, who currently boast the league’s second-best winning percentage.
While the faces may have changed, the scandal continues to cast a shadow over the Astros. Orel Hershiser’s recent criticism of the team may lack hard evidence this time around, but it reflected his frustration with the Dodgers’ collapse, particularly during a rough third inning.
Things only got worse from there, as one who knows the final score wouldn’t have expected that quote to come from just the third inning.
Great click-bait!
Everybody knows herscheiser’s past as well. Got any spit left?
This reads as an overtly biased article.