As if tonight wasn't frustrating enough... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariners?src=hash">#Mariners</a> win, so do the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash">#Rangers</a>, who improve to an MLB-best 14-4 in 1-run games.</p>— Aaron Goldsmith (@aaronmgoldsmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/aaronmgoldsmith/status/744017601261625344">June 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> ****ing Rangers. Seriously
tough loss. pat had been almost perfect. it happens. Just win today and tomorrow. what can't happen is that your clean up hitter and DH can't put the ball in play with bases loaded 1 out. That was the game.
Find the bat first, defense secondary, worst comes to worst he's the new DH. They need actual MLB hitters first. Replacement level hitters would be an upgrade. Also, the increased fatigue from catching has probably sufficiently affected Gattis' bat.
Data for last 5 years: Baserunners/Swing% 0-0-0 4.9% 1-0-0 7.9% 0-2-0 4.8% 0-0-3 6.0% 1-2-0 10.5% 1-0-3 13.0% 0-2-3 3.4% 1-2-3 6.3%
Batting averages increase by about 50 points on 3-0 counts, however, they have not lead to increased doubles, triples, or home runs. mostly increased singles. So while one could advocate for swinging, the results have not significantly impacted games. Additionally, 3-1 counts have yielded similar results with regard to increase batting average. So taking the pitch still leaves you in an advantageous situation. Personally, given the data, I would just take the walk and stay risk adverse.
Also, should be noted that 95% of pitches on 3-0 are right down the middle and 95% of those pitches are fastballs, cutter or sinker, and average 90 mph.
The Astros problem is that they have a lot of guys who I'm fine with individually, but collectively they create an issue. Rasmus, Valbuena and Gattis are capable MLB starters, but if they are expected to be your 4-5 hitters, your lineup isn't good. Gomez if he can return to his 13-14 levels, is a legit 4/5 hitter. If he returns to his 2012/2015 level, he offensively falls into the same group as the other 3. We need one more great hitter, then everybody falls into place. As is, there is just far too much swing and miss, low OBP from 4-7 for this to be a consistently good lineup. When Correa or Springer are in a funk, it becomes an outright bad lineup.
And I should add this was very forseeable issue in the offseason. I, and pretty much everybody else, though we needed to add some consistent contact in the middle of the lineup. The team chose no to address it. I thought Gomez and Rasmus would be better overall than they've been, so I didn't think it would be as big an issue as it has been, but it was still likely to be an issue. Ben Zobrist at 1B/3B/LF would have look awfully f**king nice right now.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash">#Reds</a> - Saturday<br><br>Gonzalez at 1B...Worth at 3B...Marisnick in LF <a href="https://t.co/LGqjWE9HiR">pic.twitter.com/LGqjWE9HiR</a></p>— Angel Verdejo Jr. (@ahverdejo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahverdejo/status/744200027187249153">June 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clutch City. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash">#Reds</a><a href="https://t.co/OUM1fsfDeA">https://t.co/OUM1fsfDeA</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/744174444898181120">June 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> How cute
I'm ok with the lineup, but man Castro and his .396 OPS vs LHP in there again. I know they probably would prefer Gattis to not catch back to back games, but would have rather seen Gattis catch last night and tomorrow, instead of Castro vs two LHP. I also know there aren't any other "good" options to DH vs a lefty if Gattis caught, but .396 for Castro, he just doesn't have a clue vs LHP
Gomez .866 OPS in June is second on the team only behind Altuve. Also hitting .283 with a .365 on base during the month. No idea if he will keep it up obviously, but I do like that Hinch moved him back up in the lineup today.
