I'm genuinely terrified of what the results of a Brad Peacock drug test would bring. Where is this coming from?
I was going to say bringing Harris is in, but then I remembered that he's on the DL, which makes me remember that so is Keuchel, McHugh, Correa and then I get a bit bummed. Thanks @mick fry
I agree, but I'd like to try and keep extending Peacock. I'd love to see if he could get through a clean 6th.
Good Lord, if we end up tied or losing because of that one run, I may have to call in sick tomorrow due to critically-dangerous salt levels.
I wasn't saying he should be pulled right away - only that we can expect him to start giving up hits at a much faster clip now that fatigue is setting in. Martes is actually quite dependable for 25 pitches or so (opposing BA of .179 in his first 25 pitches) so that probably gets him through 1.2 or even 2.0 innings. I also trust Hoyt for about the same amount of work. He hasn't given up an earned run since June 30 and his xFIP number suggests that he his inflated ERA is largely a result of bad luck in June. Overall, if I try to put myself in Hinch's shoes right now, I'd be thinking that I can squeeze 3 and possibly 4 good innings out of Martes and Hoyt. If they falter, there are Feliz, Guduan, and Gregerson to go based on matchups.
If it were up to me, I'd let Peacock pitch the 6th so long as he doesn't allow the tying run to come to the plate. If he allows a couple of baserunners, it's time for Hoyt or Martes. I'd probably go with Hoyt first because he is such a strikeout pitcher. Martes actually gets more strikeouts the deeper he goes into games - I wouldn't expect him to get quick K's when he first enters the game. But K's are nice if there are already men on base.
Guduan has really dominated left-handed batters in his limited time with the Stros. It's the righties I would be concerned about with him.
Anyone else think after seeing that graphic "Well if we average 8.5 runs a game here in July, surely Gattis is going to get us closer to that number?"
Bigger takeaway; Morton throws the single best pitch for swings and misses in all of baseball. Christ, once our rotation is healthy with Keuchel, McHugh, McCullers, Peacock, Morton (Fiers?!) we are going to run roughshod all over these teams.
