Moran is now basking in the glory of being the Astros' OPS leader tonight at 2.250! In all seriousness... or at least, some seriousness, the 3 minor league call-ups this year (Centeno, Fisher, Moran) have really impressed, going a collective 10-for-29 with 5 home runs and a triple. Oh, I might also mention four walks and a stolen base while striking out only 6 times and being caught stealing once. Yes of course, they won't maintain that torrid pace over the long term, and opposing pitchers will gradually build a "book" on how to approach them, but this type of success right out of the gate is not typical for AAA guys coming to the big leagues. Hats off to all three of them (and to Teoscar Hernandez too - sorry that Jose Altuve had to run into you in the outfield). They are setting the bar high for all the old vets like Beltran and Aoki who want to keep a spot on this team.
A big thanks to the Braves, too, for humbling the Dodgers today 12-3. Wood got hit up really badly though former Astro Josh Fields pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief for LAD.
The bullpen was terrible. I wasn't watching the 9th that closely until the Devo HR, but am I to assume that a big reason Hoyt pitched to Machado was there was nobody ready in the pen? After the Kim 2B, Jones 2B'd on the first pitch. I guess the only saving grace was that Devo & Giles only threw 4 pitches each. They had no business in that game if Feliz and Hoyt do their jobs. I wish I could find a replay of Moran getting the cold shoulder in the dugout after his HR.
If DK doesn't get healthy and Lance continues to pitch like his last three outings, then that is a distinct possibility.
Lance will be fine. DK fingers crossed. McCugh...ugh. No expectations but apparently he has looked good in his rehab starts. Fingers crossed he can be 2015 McCugh (Ya know the guy that seemed to give up 4 runs every first inning but would settle down and get 10+ run support every start). If he can be 2014 McCugh I'll run naked through the streets. All jokes aside, McCugh has been a huge part of the starting rotation for the last 3 years. He been exceptionally durable (until this year), and maybe some of us have given up on him a little too soon. I can't wait to see him pitch tonight.
little worried about McHugh's first start. Not gonna lie! Hopefully he comes in strong, full of adrenaline and kicks butt!
IMO, he's got a job to earn. With Peacock and Fiers performing as well as they are, McHugh is going to have to show he belongs in this rotation. I don't think we can use tonight as a great barometer as he's likely to be a little more amp'd up than usual.
I don't see how anyone can presume health for either of these guys when there is no recent history of it.
He made that look pretty easy. The power is real. Been waiting for this! Got a feeling he's gonna be tough to get out of the lineup even after Correa's return. We know Luhnow is definitely a big Moran fan
I'm so excited Mchugh is going tonight. I have felt bad seeing him stuck on the bench for all this great baseball.
