Yes it was. They got the crap kicked out of them the first 8 games. They've done a good job of turning that around.
We're 9-2 in blowouts. They're 4-8. We're 4-5 in 1 run games. They're 10-4. They play more close and blowout games excelling in the close ones. We play fewer, but excel in the blowouts. For the statheads: Other 11-10 89 RS 90 RA They're 11-5 76 RS 60 RA So we're outperforming on Other the way they're outperforming on close.
In their 13 game win streak (2 vs us, 11 vs Az/Det/Min/Bal) they were +45. They're 11-10 since the streak. But none of this matters. We just have to beat em.
Let's see what happens when WE do that? Take out the 1-9 streak which includes COVID protocals and the series immediately preceding them and: We're 23-8 190 RS 102 RA with a +88 Run Differential.
The Astros are second in runs per game, first in BA, 3rd in OBP, 2nd in SLUG, 2nd in OPS, first in OPS+, 2nd least strikeouts, 3rd in doubles, 1st in RBIs, 2nd in total bases, first in grounding into double plays, 8th in runners left on base, 20th in batters hit!! Clearly they are back to their CHEATING WAYS and AREN'T BEING PUNISHED FOR IT WITH BEAN BALLS!!!!
One of my favorites things to do is watch the post-game from the Rangers feed after we whoop up on them. The dejection on all the broadcasters faces is just so satisfying. They have to reluctantly give the Astros legitimate props or face admitting that their own team sucks really bad.
I was simply pointing out how Oakland is 25-17 with a -8 RD. There are almost always examples of good teams having good or bad streaks that skew the RD. Since Oakland's came the first week of the season it has made their numbers more pronounced.
Urquidy, Valdez and Odorizzi are all on track for may/June returns or at least availability. We'll need them with few off days after next week until the All Star Break. If all these are available, would you consider a six man rotation? McCullers 3-1 2.70 ERA Javier 3-1 3.08 ERA Greinke 3-1 4.18 ERA *Urquidy 3-2 3.22 ERA Garcia 1-3 3.34 ERA *Odorizzi 0-2 10.13 ERA *Valdez (2020 5-3 3.57 ERA)
I understand. I also understand how stats can be manipulated to indicate almost anything you want them to say. Good stats are well designed to discover the answer to a legitimate question and useful when NOT manipulated by design or result oriented purpose of deception. But I promised to stay away from politics.
RD is more often more predictive of future performance than record such that the bad and cold streaks are more often skewing one's perception of a good team (i.e., record) than they skew RD. Momentum doesn't exist unless it is measuring a change in skill (i.e., players are hurt, traded, etc.).
Right... like 1 run game records. Generally a team will regress (or progress) towards the mean in 1 run games. Was it Oakland 2-3 years ago that won an inordinate number of one run games?
If we had a good bullpen, possibly? I can't wait for three of these guys to join the pen. But I'm guessing Garcia will go to AAA to remain stretched out as a starter. Javier will go to the pen.
Assuming actual injuries don't sort it out (which it usually does), I'm guessing they will do a combination of tandem/brief dl stints/and 6 man rotations. Aside from Greinke all of our current starters have fairly low career highs in IP, so a limiting of innings is gonna have to happen one way or the other. I really, really hope we don't try some service time BS.
