So, like, I don't understand all the mechanics of contracts and arbitration and "Super 2" and whatever that affects bringing up Alvarez. Is that all past now? I'm completely in favor of the organization leveraging what they can instead of bringing him up prematurely. Here's the thing, though. Can he play first base? I thought first base was always the go-to place to drop a guy who you really didn't have a place for but you wanted in the lineup. I know it's a much harder position than that gives credit for, but it was done all the time in the past. We just have too many damn outfielders. If you could shove Alvarez over at 1st, you can put Yuli at 3rd, Bregs at SS, Kemp at 2nd, Reddick in LF, Straw/Jake in CF, Fisher in RF, and Brantley at DH. I know Brantley doesn't like to DH. Maybe that's affecting his mentality right now. I dunno. Does Brantley want to come play 1st? We have too many damn outfielders. Anyway, Mayfield can go back down, Guduan can go back down and stay down, hopefully McHugh is good soon, and we need a little more fire in the batting lineup to actually get it ignited, so maybe it's Alvarez time. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Just keep winning series, which is what I expect will happen tomorrow. Even great offenses hit slumps and with half of our lineup AAAA all stars, this is going to happen from time to time.
What are all these chances you're talking about? He pitched 3 innings last year. He's pitched 3 innings this year. Prior to today, he'd been in 5 games and gave up runs in 3 of them, with most of the games being blowouts. He was up for a while in 2017 because half the pitching staff was on the DL and we had a whole slew of crappy pitchers up. He's a AAA player that gets called up to eat a couple of innings when the bullpen is exhausted and then sent down. Nothing more.
Well, he has had 3 chances this week (tied for most amongst bullpen pitchers), including getting time the day he was called up.... and he's looked horrible in each and every one. I think the gist is that there are likely better AAA pitchers to fill this role, regardless of lefty/righty.
With 2 days off I see no reason to keep 13 pitchers right now. Send Guduan down for Alvarez. I thought 5-2 should have been the expectation over this very weak stretch and we can meet that goal tomorrow. You can't expect to sweep particularly given our injuries .
It isn't about who you don't have, it is about who you have. Basically, the Astros are in a team wide slump except for Bregman, Chirinos, Kemp, and Straw. Bregman is debatable, too as he's only been great. Bullpen has shown they aren't invincible. Maybe sweeping both the Mariners and Orioles was a little much too much to expect, but this team injured prior to Alvarez was still best in the division.
Disagree. Mayfield goes down because Gurriel can play 3rd and Bregman to short. Not sure they have given up on Straw at short either. White has to stay if Alvarez can’t play first. I think its Mayfield, but it could even be Fisher or Straw.
I agree with you. I think it's Mayfield with Straw becoming the backup SS. Gurriel stays at 3B and White at 1B with Alvarez as the daily DH. Keep seeing comments about Brantley at 1B but that's a lot easier said than done. Unless he's been taking fielding practice at 1B lately, I wouldn't make that move.
It's sort of strange that the Astros are on the leading edge of so many things yet even they won't cut ties with the old way of thinking you need a lefty reliever. I would imagine ten years from now many teams will be without lefty relievers when a great option doesn't exist. There will not be any inherent need for one. Just put the best pitchers out there.
It won't be 10 years, as soon as the 3 pitcher rule comes into play the lefty specialist role is done. As for today's move, i'm thinking it is Guduan with the off days coming up, and if we aren't getting infielders back by the end of next week they can move Mayfield down for a pitcher if needed at that point
I mentioned needing 2 SS, Bregman being one of them naturally. Forgot about Straw at SS, not sure how the Stros feel about him there in anything other than spot duty. They've chosen to play Mayfield at SS about 5 times more than Straw, and I assume they have a reason for that. Would be totally shocked if they sent down Fisher or Straw. Would be a bit surprised if it's Mayfield. Expecting Guduan. I've given up wondering about Tyler White.
That's basically what they've done the past few years. Guduan was the next AAA guy in line when they needed another pen arm, he just happens to be left handed.
