I went to bed so didn't see your reply. No, I wouldn't use Harris at all with a 5 run lead, but he's the closer. Not really his role...(does this really need to be explained?) My point is that most managers would tell you that they don't often manage for tomorrow. They do what they have to do to get a win today. Feliz gave him a good option to win the game last night and it saved 1 extra pitcher from being used, so I don't see any harm in that. Plus he pitched well even with traffic on the bases. It's a win-win to me.
Finally made it to the end last night, but I'm feeling it this morning. So glad today is a day game.... Not counting games against the rangers, the Astros are 40-28. Not counting games against the Astros, the rangers are 42-26. Hell, if we just go .500 against them, we're only 6 back (with a 10 game homestand coming up). Good news (depending on how you look at it) is that we play them 9 more times - 6 of them at home.
I didn't make it to the end either but i did the night before. Imagine the east coast fans having to stay up til 1:30 when their teams get their rare visit. It sucks it is the norm for us. I have used the power nap after work to prep a few times.
??? Mayber out of context, but managers are consistently managing for tomorrow in regards to resting guys, using starters as long as they can so they can rest the pen for when needed, and bullpen usage regarding high leverage vs low leverage guys.
Fair enough. I wasn't very clear. Using last night's situation specifically, I'm sure the goal was to try to keep the bullpen on somewhat of a normal schedule. Feldman with the spot start and using Feliz 2 innings equates to 7 innings from Hinch's "starter" for the night. Feliz was pitching well so I see no need to pull him just in case he would be needed today. Hinch used him to win the game last night and he faced their toughest hitters. That's probably more key that he used him in a high leverage situation, even though the score didn't necessarily dictate "high leverage". I'm no Hinch apologist, but I see nothing wrong with how he handled the pitchers last night.
Day game following a night game. Gattis would be catching today unless he was hurt. Amazing how someone can complain so much when the team is winning by 5 runs.
True Astros fans didn't whine about it when we were in the NL West. Personally, I like it. I might not make it to the end of every game but I get to watch without kids bugging me.
I'm just going to pretend that no one is at all complaining about how this series is going. Here's to hoping AJ gets his first hit today, but most importantly we pull out the W.
Everyone can follow my lead that I took last night. Anytime you see something inane posted, rather than reply directly to it, take a minute and do some planks, or sit-ups or pushups. You'll get some exercise, the thread won't get cluttered with how the Astros got 'Hinched' and we can track how we do.
Do the Angels need to trade Mike Trout? That team is going nowhere with him, reminds me of the A-Rod situation in Texas. Continued losing and Trout will get tired of being there and demand a trade anyway.
I'm on the east coast. I'm ready for bed by the time the games start. Made it through the 6th inning for game 1, and the 5th for game 2. Heck, making it through central time zone games can be hard for me.
I certainly would if I were them. They really have nothing positive in the organization except him. On top of adding big prospects, getting him off the team will help you lose. That mofo is so good he's gonna at least keep them somewhat competitive, despite absolute crap around him. He would net an absolute kings ransom, maybe the biggest package ever. Best player in the game, one of the best ever, just entering his prime years under control for 4 more seasons(not all cheap years, but in the grand scheme an extremely good contract)
The Pujols contract is a total albatross (2017:$26M, 18:$27M, 19:$28M, 20:$29M, 21:$30M) but they do get $40M off the books this offseason with Wilson and Weaver. They desperately need pitching, but this is possibly the worst free agent crop of starting pitching in decades. Their farm system is a disaster, I'm not sure they'd trade the 2 AA/AAA starters they gave up for Andrelton Simmons if they had a do-over.
I think he is too valuable to the franchise. You don't want to be the team that traded away the greatest player of all-time (something he very well could be as he is Barry Bonds without the steroid cloud). They still have a few more years to rebuild around Trout. They should have money to spend with Wilson & Weaver coming off the books, and only 1 year left of Hamilton. If Garrett Richards & Andrew Heaney get healthy, that would help them big time, unfortunately for them they will probably end up having Tommy John surgeries (Heaney might as well just give in and do it) and at this point missing 2017.
I'm a little surprised he used Devenski, as I thought Devenski would be the long man today if Keuchel gets roughed up. Not sure who that would be, as I assume Feldman and Feliz won't be pitching today.
Devenski threw 12 low pressure pitches. He has had back to back appearances of 2 innings earlier this season. He'll be fine for an inning or 2. If things get out of hand early, Keuchel can bite the bullet and take one for the team.
Kole Calhoun and Matt Shoemaker are both valuable players, who they can either keep or trade for solid returns. They probably will get something back for Escobar, just won't be big. I think they should also bring back Tropeano (reality is, he'd be their 2nd best starter) and see what he can do and then shop him. Trading an average player with plenty of club control left can bring back a nice ransom. Of course Tropeano needs to prove he is a player, but he has pretty decent career numbers so far.
