We’re 4 1/2 games from being bounced out of making the playoffs. I think it’s fair to be concerned, yes.
not that worried. This clubhouse has earned the benefit of doubt the last several years, that they can bounce back well. All teams in the mlb go through tough stretches. oakland has their series vs the cws, sf, nyy,, toronto coming up all in the next couple of weeks. lets see what happens, but I really doubt they get out of all of those sitting pretty
Here’s the 2021-to-date wRC+ of the healthy lineup: 2B 134 LF 142 3B 120 DH 143 SS 135 RF 135 1B 145 CF 115 C 72 Bench: IF 125, C 90, OF 79 Keep in mind, 100 is an average hitter, 120+ is an elite hitter, and anything over 130 is a star/MVP caliber hitter. Here’s the xFIP for the healthy pitching staff: Rotation: 4.15, 3.62, 3.80, 3.65, 4.70 Bullpen: 2.48, 0.63, 3.30, 3.13, 3.69, 4.25, 4.75, 6.00 (Maton), -.— (Baez) The real weakness of this roster is the lack of an intimidating ace. Otherwise the roster is stacked and sacrificing top prospects to add a star level player to the bench in some kind of morbid anticipation of one of your star players getting hurt is a bad idea.
I'm honestly more worried about the long term, and whether James Click has the DNA to be a GM of a team that's trying to win the WS on a yearly basis. But yes, in the short term, there are a few things to be concerned with. Inconsistencies in the starting pitching rotation and lack of situational hitting are the two that stand out the most right now.
Dusty has throughout his career, shown an ability to mismanage all star lineups during crucial series. It's why he has never won the big one. And he's had the talent.
I think the Astros have the easiest remaining strength of schedule out of all the AL teams? Last time I checked they did with 50 games remaining. But even then I don't think it matters that much. The Astros have some terrible losses against teams they were supposed to beat.
For the Astros, easiest SOS might not be a great thing. Agreed. They seem to play down to awful teams.
This! Dusty is really a horrible in game manager. AJ wasn't perfect but his bets panned out more often than not. I honestly don't know what Dusty does other than put really bad pitcher in high leverage situations to watch them fail. His love affair for Straw was weird AF also. Again I thought Straw was serviceable and was a terrific last guy in the lineup but Chas showed that he deserved more playing time and has proven since the trade to be a better overall player with more potential than straw. I'm now convinced that Click was forced to move Straw to get Chas and Meyers a chance.
From a casual fan's perspective I think the Twins series was a letdown but it shouldn't make us hit the panic button. The team went through a crazy trade deadline, traded away one of their regulars in Straw, went through an intense series against the Dodgers and had to come immediately back home to play a 4 game series. There's 20 games left this month and if they go .500 on those remaining games, I would probably worry.
They are playing to their ability... when Dusty thinks he can bench half the lineup when playing those teams and bat low OPS batters on top of the lineup. Can't blame the 'stars' in those cases...
Get Yuli/Bregs back and the lineup will look much better. The starters are going through a dead arm period. Hopefully they will be back in peak form by the playoffs. Look back at the 2017 pitching staff as a reference. Now that there's a pennant race there should be very few off days for the regulars and hopefully Dusty learns how to manage the bullpen better.
As long as they make the playoffs, it's pretty much about getting hot at the right time. They're in a position to be there.
The Astros have the 3rd easiest remaining schedule.... Considering this season they have been swept in series by the Rangers, Orioles, Tigers, and Rockies...... And they just lost 3 of 4 versus the Twins... I'm a bit worried how they play down to the competition. 2 game lead over the As now..... That lead evaporated quickly. Gotta make the playoffs... Once there, we know how they play against the better teams.... But they can't be over confident and let up against these shitty teams. And dusty can not give everyone a rest at the same time and field AAAA lineups out there...
Agreed. We have two all-star caliber players hopefully returning to the lineup which will allow Diaz to rotate back to the bench. They had one weakness on the team in the bullpen that they addressed and made it into a strength. My main worry is if Framber will be able to regain his control before the playoffs. If not he'll have a short leash and can get yanked early for Javier. Also what's the plan for Luis Garcia and his pitch limit? If they are expecting to have him go as a starter in the playoffs I believe they will have to take him out of the starting rotation until they get closer.
