Had the game on mute, so I had to back it up. That's a "get me the **** out of here" voice if I've ever heard one.
What is the Astros record against the Mariners this season? We haven't beaten them much. Of course the A's are killing the Angels.
Clearly a game the team basically mailed in, but a couple of concerning takeaways - - Maldonado's defense continues to disappoint. He really struggles to apply tags on plays at the plate and really struggles to protect the plate on low pitches that most good catchers would keep in front of them. He's great at throwing out baserunners, but there's more to defense at Catcher than that and this has been happening too consistently. Thankfully, McCann seems healthy and is battle tested. Hopefully McCann more PT than Martin in the postseason. - Keuchel continues to struggle not only in first innings but against good teams. He's been shelled by stronger offenses this season like Seattle, Oakland, NY and Boston. Allowed 4-5 runs in most of his starts against these teams. He had a stinker against the Indians in May. Keuchel has allowed 6 runs in 11 innings against the Indians this season. Keuchel starting a game in the postseason is scary.
I'd guess McCann is the primary and mostly only catcher used unless one of the pitchers demands Maldanado or if McCann is pinch hit/run for (which would be very likely in a close and late situation). Keuchel is going to start but will be on a short leash. He'll be the game 4 starter in Cleveland but would be on a short leash. I'm thinking Josh James makes the roster to be the long man and could combine with McHugh if Keuchel falters early.
Agree with what everybody has been saying, and what Blummer mentioned last night. Maybe, Keuchel needs an opener. I'd like Hinch to try it next time he pitches in the regular season (he'll have one more I believe, worth looking at, though the "politics" of this will likely prevent it).
The Astros monumental struggles with the Mariners and the Athletics suggest to me that the likelyhood of a repeat is only moderate, certainly not high. They don't have a fully heathly lineup, they seldom look sharp, something is missing. I will cheer them to the end of the season which could come sooner than later.
Monumental? You guys are hilarious after any loss. This will be the first 100 win team in baseball history that “seldom looks sharp”.
I was thinking about James being the long guy as well when Dallas starts. The issue with keeping Keuchel on a short leash is that his issues are always early on. It’s going to put a lot of pressure on our hitters and the long man if keuchel spots the Indians 3 runs in the first inning. Keuchels first inning era is 6.50 this season. Like the Correa production issue, the 4th starter for the Astros is a problem without an easy solution. Were mccullers healthy keuchel wouldn’t be starting.
It's ridiculous right? Team has been winning 70% of their games all year except for a stretch where half the lineup was out, and have the best run differential in baseball. Yet every loss is some omen of a team that just isn't impressive. I don't think I could exist on a Yankees fan site, because I imagine they have to deal with stupid s**t like this every year.
Astros won the season series against the A's, and basically split the season series with the Mariners. How on earth is that MONUMENTAL struggling?
The "monumental struggles" equate to 12-7 vs Oakland, 4-3 vs Boston, 4-3 vs Cleveland, and my god the horror 9-10 against Seattle (who we still outscored despite last nights ass kicking).
While I don't agree with his reasons, the likelihood of a repeat is still only moderate because repeating is hard. I still take the Astros over any one other team.
of course it's difficult but as it stands the odds atm of the astros winning again are better than every team and just as good as Boston. this "moderate" chance is nothing more than a overly dramatic take in reality
The Astros are 12-7 against the A's. The A's have the 4th best record in baseball and will likely win 96-97 games. So I wouldn't say the Astros struggled against the A's. A lot of the games were close and at times frustrating, but the Astros won like 64% of the games against them.
This. The Astros likely have the best chance in baseball, but you are still only talking about a 25-33% chance. Lucky plays a large part in it. Hell there is like a 40% chance that the Indians beat the Astros in the 1st round....
I don't put any special stock into our chances of winning the 2018 WS due to the fact that it would be a back-to-back win. I just think even the best team entering the MLB post-season only has like a 25% of winning so the odds are we will not.
astros make me appreciate the 2000 Rockets! Seriously though you can never count the astros out. They've played the Red sox, Yanks, A's. Closer problems in the first half of the season vs the yanks and sox and muffed up calls from NY against the A's. The pitching hasn't gone anywhere it's just a long season. feels like yesterday I made that same post ^ and posted this same video v
Expecting to win it all back-to-back is a great expectation to have but how many times has it actually happened? Without checking, I assume NYY has done it a few times in modern times because they spend a lot and attract good players but have other teams done it since like 1980?
