In the ALDS? Game was 6-4 with no outs when Carlos made error on that play. That comeback was already well in motion.
A lot of stuff has to go right for a no hitter, but Fiers was almost there. 2 hits allowed -- an infield single, and a bleeder from Pujols with an exit velocity below 70 mph. Great job to give the pen some relief as well.
Never said he didn't. But I'll recognize him stepping up when the rotation and the pen has needed it the most.
Fiers' good stretch is now 3 consecutive and 4 of 5 games... ~2.50 ERA during that span. Broadcasts have reported he's featuring a new style curve-ball. Or perhaps it was the new style of demotion. Great job though lately and a much needed performance tonight. Can't remember a better start from him besides the no-hitter. We'll see how long he maintains this level. Astros have obvious SP problems, but we know why. Real question is... "why is the home offense noticeably subpar compared to away?"
Truly awesome outing by Fiers. For all the crap he has gotten about how terrible he has been, his ERA on the year is now a very respectable 4.29 and the team is 8-4 when he starts. He had been a capable MLB starter prior to this season, and the Astros were patient to see if he could return to that level. At least for now, it looks like that patience is being rewarded. Last 3 outings 20 K's in 18 innings and no HR. We can only hope this is a turnaround and not just a good stretch,
From the game highlights, Fiers' curve was less looping and way more compact. Maybe Lance is rubbing off on him. Would be a big boost to the pitching staff if he can keep this up.
Per Chronicle Fiers issued only two walks and hit a batter against eight strikeouts, five on the curveball he recently refined with the help of rotation mate Lance McCullers, who throws one of the best breaking balls in the sport.
Also a lesson in overreacting from fans who probably would have been happy to release him a month ago.
Letting him go outright was only brought up in the context of landing someone new via trade and/or seeing McHugh return, thus mandating taking someone out of the SP role. That was also before 3 additional SP's landed on the DL. If one uses the criteria of 6 IP, 3ER as a quality start, he has only had 4 out of 12 starts for the year. While I am as happy as anyone he pitched well yesterday, one game doesn't move the needle. If he can string together 3 or more quality starts, then yes. But so far, he hasn't managed even 2 in a row. http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/30773/mike-fiers
Happy he's seizing the opportunity. It's gotta be rough to be in the prime age of your career and get demoted from your job. Hopefully the confidence continues to build.
The quality start may be the most arbitrary stat in baseball, that's a 4.50 ERA. Why not 5 innings 2/3 runs,or 6 innings 2 runs. or 7 innings and 2/3/4 runs? He's had 3 good starts in a row, and 4 of his last 5.
Well sure. So is "Good Start". His performance in KC where he only went 5, 2ER, 7 hits, and had to be pulled with two guys on base in the 6th inning with no outs for Guduan and Hoyt is a stretch to call good. Maybe decent. Still, I acknowledge readily that he has been better lately.
No Correa or McCann and the lineup still "look good". Yes, this is the most talked about theory. I wonder how it's effecting other teams. It seems opponents are hitting better @MM than when we play them at their parks.
Was he cut? He got demoted one spot and it was known he would come back to starting if someone else got hurt. Granted, I would have demoted him a lot sooner as he earned the demotion, and I still don't want him starting if guys were healthy. He's had three great starts after having a historic amount of homers allowed.
