Talk about the series here. Please no PBP in this thread. Unless otherwise noted all games are on CSN-H (for about 40% I guess). 6-25 Jake Westbrook, RHP vs. Lucas Harrell, RHP 7:10 6-26 Lance Lynn, RHP vs. Erik Bedard, LHP 7:10
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Astros lineup: 2B Altuve, DH Wallace, C Castro, LF Carter, 1B Pena, RF Maxwell, SS Cedeno, 3B Dominguez, CF Barnes...P Harrell</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/349629046965014531">June 25, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Medical Update: Justin Maxwell left tonight's game due to a mild concussion.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/349710491263840256">June 26, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
OMG BRETT WALLACE GOT A HIT! BRETT WALLACE GOT A HIT! BRETT WALLACE GOT A HIT! BRETT WALLACE GOT A HIT!
Sucks for him. I assume he'll go on the 7-day disabled list (AKA the Concussion List). Probably means Grossman will be back.
Wallace has gone 8 straight plate appearances without a strikeout (7 ABs). Had struck out 14 times in his first 18 PAs (17 ABs).
Wallace is an interesting guy. When he was hitting in the .300s during that one stint a couple of years back, it seemed like he was spraying line drives in the gaps when he was at his best. For players like Carter, Pena, and Dunn, they can get away with high strikeouts as long as they are hitting the long ball because it really seems like they are prone to long flyouts when the ball is in play and likely an out. For Wallace, the ball being in play means much more. As a line drive hitter (assuming he still is one), him putting the ball in play give him a much higher rate of success. This could be based on the idea that the more often you hit the ball on a rope to the outfield, the more likely a few of them are going to hit the ground. I know this sounds simple and much a do about nothing on paper, but it is what will separate Wallace from being a AAA king and an every day MLB player. Considering that he has averaged less than a strike out per game at AAA (but had 69 Ks in 59 games in his most recent stint), I don't know if it is just that pitchers have figured out that he can't hit pitches high and in or if there is something mechanically different that is causing him to strike out more. Keep in mind that Brett changed his swing during the off season and may still be working out the kinks. Wallace will strike out. Hell, he may even K once a game for his career since his numbers have been trending that way for the past couple of years. The key is keeping it there and him allowing himself the chance to put the ball where they ain't.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bo Porter says Justin Maxwell (mild concussion) will not play tonight. Will see specialist which will determine his status for Friday.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/349999927520268289">June 26, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
