JV has this. They aren’t squaring him up. It’s just a matter of how long can he pitch. It’s looking like 7 max right now, unless he gets a quick inning or two. That Rendon AB totally ****ed up his pitch count.
We just need to get Stras to work here. That last inning for JV was really bad for his pitch count...really really really bad.
I think Verlander's pitch count will depend on who is batting for pitches over 105. If it's the bottom half of the Nationals' order, then he'll stay out there. If it's Rendon-Soto-Kendricks, then I'd put in Will Harris.
I get that but that inning was not helpful at all. Especially if we can’t put more men on base and work SS, he seems to be heating up since that first inning which is not a good sign.
Guys, this is not a game of pitch counts. The Astros need to swing at the right pitches, not try to outlast their starter, a tactic which failed miserably in Game 1. JV will be in for exactly as long Hinch feels confident in him, and then our entire pitching staff sans Cole and Greinke will be used to hammer the nail into the coffin. And Reddick, there, is exactly why you don't try to play around with the count against good pitchers. Took a meatball right down the center for the first pitch and ended up striking out pathetically.
