All series talk goes in here. Non series talk goes somewhere else. No PBP, that can be found from other sources if you need it. All games are broadcast on AT&T Sports SW unless otherwise noted. 8-4 Cristian Javier (R) vs. Madison Bumgarner (L) 8:10 ATTSW alternate channel 8-5 Lance McCullers Jr. (R) vs. Robbie Ray (L) 8:10 MLBN (out-of-market only) 8-6 Zack Greinke (R) vs. Zac Gallen (R) 6:07 FOX
I would have liked to see Gallen vs Javier. Gallen throws his other pitches more, but has a 4S with rise at about same MPH as Javier. Pitch tracking shows Gallen pounds the bottom of the zone with his while Javier goes upstairs.
Dusty Baker said that Roberto Osuna's injury "doesn't look real good ... The reality is it's probably not really good news." Dusty Baker: "Some people say 'Why don't you bunt?' Well some of these guys have never bunted. It's not as easy as it sounds."
Michael Brantley has a quad injury, according to Dusty Baker. He is day to day. Brantley may not play tomorrow, either, Baker said. Dusty Baker said he's not against bunting, but guys just don't do it much anymore. He said it depends on player, opposing pitcher, who's hitting behind, home and road, etc. Dusty Baker provided no new update on Forrest Whitley, who was shut down from throwing at the alternate training site this weekend. Whitley is seeing a doctor, according to Baker, and the team is awaiting word. Jose Urquidy is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in Corpus Christi "in a couple days," but Dusty Baker said he is "not anywhere close, still a couple weeks off." When asked if the team was considering replacing the two players called up from taxi squad: "You’ve got to have somebody to replace them with. We’re kind of taxiing on top of taxiing. "
Why "wow"? Angels made three bunt attempts this weekend and all three just gave the Astros free strikes. They did get lucky and got a single on a guy swinging away on an 0-2 count after two feeble bunt attempts.
Some people will never understand bunting a major league pitch isn’t as easy as bunting a batting practice pitch Bunting is a skill, it cracks me up when people just assume it’s so easy anyone can do it
Would rather see Straw in the lineup, put him 9th with his on base percentage and speed in front of the top of the lineup Have really liked what Dusty does so far though
I will say LHBs with problems with pulling grounders should put in time to learn to bunt against the shift. And by this, I mean Tucker.
dusty seems to be the kind of steady hand we need . I hope he eventually tries altuve leadoff and springer 2nd at some point tho. I like springer more when he cuts down his approach , which he seems to do more often with runners on
