{Official} Astros @ Athletics

Looks good. I’d throw García somewhere in the mix as well.

 

Good enough for division contention. Too many question marks for WS contention.

 

I would be vindicated at last if they won the WS (which they will, obviously!). I don't feel great about that rotation, but it would be good enough to win at least a series perhaps or two. My worry with Valdez and Javier is that both guys are young players and neither has significantly been battle tested in the playoffs. We don't have a choice, but still. Hell, as we've seen too even with our aces like Verlander... there's no guarantee aces rise to the occasion and pitch well consistently either. It's a real crapshoot this year. I hope we can make the playoffs and just honestly pray for the best. As far as a championship window and it closing or not, I don't know. I think it's too early to say on that yet. If Verlander needs TJ though, it's probably near closed though just because I doubt we go sign a pair of aces in the offseason or have the players to trade for them. I feel like Cole was a tough loss as well to state the obvious. In theory, McCullers I thought could step into that role a bit and make a big 3... but well not so much right now.

 

The shortened season didn't make Valdez, Taylor, Tucker, Paredes, and Javier better players.

 

If it is good enough for division contention, it is good enough for WS contention.

 

Astros are really high on Pedro Leon. Once they get him they expect him to move through the system rapidly and fill one of the outfield spots.

 

Wish they could have gotten him over to the States this year and get acclimated, but...well, you know.

 

You'd think some people might have learned that by watching last year's WS

 

True, but it gave them the opportunity to break in while also not going through a physically taxing full season, with its adjustments (by both sides) and ups&downs.

eta: also, I've been out for 5 hours or so, anything bad happen? Treadmill decapitation? Tucker concussion while shagging flies? Correa fall down the stairs carrying a chicken carcass? Sparks blow out his vocal chords trying to tear the media guide in half?

2020's got me ready for anything.

 

Urquidy and Javier are both at 44 and 41 IP (I think, or something very close). Once they get to 50 they're no longer prospects. Both will graduate this month, going to be interesting to see who takes their spots on MLB's Top 30.

 

Everyone's a prospect until next year.

Or a suspect.

 

6 pitch inning followed by a 5 pitch inning.

I get it, Stros, I'm losing patience too.

 

True, but I was referring to
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/astros

Interested in which 2 guys MLB thinks are the next 2 on. Of course all that matters is how they perform in the Majors (if they get there) but I find it fun to watch and track. Alex McKenna might make it. Had a good 2018, then injuries set him back last year, but he's doing well in the CCC this year.

 

I know, just a joke.

 

And next year, everyone is still a prospect. Astros have had 7 rookies pitch better so far this season than their ace and Cy Young winner from the previous season. Tucker has more homers than Alvarez, Bregman, Altuve, and Brantley combined. Okay, that last sentence was a lie (but not by that much).

 

Is there a song called "Orange Haze " out there?

EDIT: They're actually three out there!

 

I deducted two homers from Tucker last night after that ill-advised "hero" play!

 

I'll ask again. Will this team ever start hitting em' where they're NOT again??

 

Yep, that was my point. Hope springs eternal.

 

I would point out that Manaea is at 32 pitches through 4 innings.

Getaway Day Mode is in full effect.

eta: they made him throw 12 in the 5th, so that's progress