At this point, stability in the pen (7/8/9) AND a return to some level of dominance from Dallas K would probably let the Astros climb out of the hole they are in and slowly move up in the standings.
I'm not optimistic about Keuchel. He looks exactly like the guy he was 3 years ago. I think he'll bounce back next season, but I don't expect him to be the guy of the last 2 years. I'm hopeful that McCullers and maybe Musgrove can replace what we've lost with Keuchel and McHugh this year.
I was very angry when in the ninth with the blown save. I turned green. I'm glad we were still able to pull it out. I was thinking doomsday for a bit there...pulling the plug. It's just so damn hard sometimes! I'll tell you what made me feel better....the Rangers had a more f-ed up night then we did and they lost! And, they got a new reason to be mad with the Davis guy doing the little basketball brag shot after he slammed one in the ninth to win it.
speaking of...Did you see Roughned Odor? He did his best Pacquiao intertpretation against Bautista. ESPN called it the best baseball punch ever. Sorry to say...Bautista probably deserved it. He was knocked out faster than Spinks vs. Tyson. Bad blood now between those two teams. I didn't hear if Bautista was suspended but Roughned got 8 games so Astros won't see him this week.
I am not overly optimistic either. You and I have discussed before that his margin for error is extremely small velocity wise. If he adds 2-3 MPH to his pitches he goes from a 5 era to a 2 era. His sinker isn't getting the movement it normally is, because his release point speed is down.... his slider isn't nearly as difficult to adjust to when it is 77 mph... also the difference between his change up and fast ball is so low now that it makes both pitches very hittable. I wouldn't be shocked if there is something physically wrong with him.
Maybe it was last years workload? I'd be all for him going on the DL to rest and see if he can't get it fixed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gregerson's last 6 9th's:<br>Tied, allowed 3 R, loss.<br>Up 3, 0 R, Sv<br>Up 1, 1 R-blown Sv<br>Up 1, 0 R, Sv<br>Up 1, 1 R-Blown Sv<br>Up 1, 1 R-Blown Sv</p>— Adam Wexler (@awexlerKPRC) <a href="https://twitter.com/awexlerKPRC/status/732785771673833472">May 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Everything you're saying *could* be strength-related. If you're not strong enough, velocity certainly goes down. But it can also cause you to alter your release point because you know you have to adjust to get velocity/torque on the ball without your strength there. Nothing definitive, but just saying what many of us have said/thought all season and agreeing...it could easily be something physical. But it could be as simple as being worn down / lack of strength or stamina (what was his velocity early on yesterday?) / or potentially an ailment that is creating weakness rather than specific pain, as some upper body muscle injuries can do sometimes. Definitely would like to see him go on the DL and rest for 2-4 weeks right now to see if it helps. Especially with the rotation at 6 guys, assuming McCullers looks good next start. I think it would be a no-brainer if the team wasn't in desperation mode right now, so far below .500 If it is just strength/stamina, I am optimistic for him returning to form in the future with an improved strength/workout regiment and/or reduced workload slightly.
At this point I think shutting Keuchel down for a little while is in everybodies best interest, because he's not helping the team like this. Frankly using the eyeball test he's our 6th or 7th best starter right now. We need him to be good, not merely functional, and he's not even functional much less good at the moment, him bulldogging through it serves no purpose. The slight dip in velocity doesn't concern me too much, but his inability to consistently locate is crippling. It's highly likely that the two are related, so he will either regain both or neither.
vegas has us favored tonight. seems rather strange. 2 guys making mlb debuts (essentially), stros road woes, chi sox 1st in division. i know fister has been solid and latos has fallen off recently, but, none of if really adds up to me.
Has the lineup been released? Don't really know why both would be in for sure? Marwin at 3b, White at 1b would be my preference.
hinch said yesterday that they were both playing today. but it's shocking to me that we are favored regardless of who's in the lineup.
Yeah, this is true. I was in the sportsbook this morning and couldn't believe my eyes. I put money on the White Sox, but Vegas is almost never wrong so something must be up. Very strange!
They've been playing good baseball, never out matched and are always in position to win. I know the negative normas like it for everyone to think this team is a suckie one. But it's not.
Altuve-2nd Springer-RF Correa-SS Rasmus-CF Gattis-DH Valbuena-1st Castro-C Moran-3rd Kemp-LF If I had to guess
