[Official] Astros @ Athletics

WTF are you talking about?

 

It happens often when I see the line up posted. But not every time.

 

I'm still mad about making us open the roof. HOUSTON paid for it, MLB didn't.

 

But what does that have to do with Valdez, him pitching on Thursday and the All-Star game?

 

Well, as I stated previously, the Astros don’t look too hard at hitting with catchers. He is projected to be elite defensively and they want him to have a rapport with the pitchers kinda like with Maldy. So while maybe not above average at hitting, he is above average in what the Astros value. Defense and calling the game. Being a leader. That sorta thing.

 

Or Manfred, for that matter.

 

Well the Astros have won 1 World Series game at home in their last 7 home games. The roof was open during that win. The impacts of the roof are overrated.

 

Are you seriously suggesting that Manfred told the Astros how to adjust their pitching rotation for the next 3 games?

 

Probably not, and assuredly not just the Astros, but I could see the commissioners office asking teams to make sure their all stars are available if at all possible. I remember one year it seemed like 10 of the guys went the Sunday before the break and nobody was available. Could see them wanting to avoid that. But probably not. It is plausible I guess.

 

Forgot to add, he totally threw out Bolt but the throw ended up hitting the runner/Pena flubbed it.

 

But, wouldn't it make more sense for Verlander to pitch Wednesday or Thursday for a JV-Kershaw match up? OR is the grand plan that he make the Astros have JV unavailable for the ASG so they can have a Kershaw or Gonsolun-Ohtani match up (I assume Ohtani will pitch Wednesday)

 

1 of their last 7. That is just painful. Still.

 

3 of 12 overall.

 

Hopefully Luhnow got the Lee pick right. Sometimes when a guy moves up a level it takes him awhile to get adjusted. Hopefully this is the case with Lee. It's not like he would have to tear the cover off of the ball to be a better hitter than Castro or Maldonado for that matter.

 

Verlander is 39, and this is his first year back from a major surgery. Why the f would you want to risk him getting hurt in a meaningless exhibition game? I expect he pitches Friday, and then doesn't take the mound again until Thursday for Game 1 of the DH vs NYY.

 

Whatcha talking bout Willis? JV will be available for the all star game. He goes like a Wednesday. He will be on 5 or 6 days rest for the all star game. I assume he’s going to start for the AL.

 

Ignore my first response. Misread the probables. Thought JV was going Wednesday. He’s getting skipped. Hmmmmmm

 

So...what you're saying is, Astros should leave it half open? Best of both worlds?

 

Glad to see the bottom half of the lineup stepping up at their batting.

 

He's pitched great. Probably a SP2 on most teams. Even though he's in a walk year he's definitely got trade value. I don't know that I would trade him to say the Blue Jays or Red Sox for instance. That could come back to bite the Stros in the butt.