A's broadcast has been quite good tonight. They love the Astros, you can feel the "Why don't I get to watch this team ~162 times a year?"
Stanek with a 1.10 ERA. Feels like Astros could use him more in high leverage situations. Pecking order seems to be Pressly - Neris - Montero - Stanek - or is that the best order ?
He pitches in the 7-8th innings almost exclusively. Those 3 behind Pressly are damn near interchangeable depending on who is available, how this changes in the postseason I have no idea. More matchup based appearances I'll assume, since everyone will be more available than in the regular season. eta: oh, yeah, and add Abreu in there in there too
Astros win!!!!!!! Verlander is 17-3, wins game #243 in his career. Officially clinched a playoff berth!
He was the primary setup man last year before they traded for Graveman. I think he’s better this year in the slightly lower leverage role. honestly there’s not a lot of bad options in the pen. Montero, Neris, Stanek and Abreu are all solid 7/8th inning choices. Pressly is clearly closer. By leverage Montero is the primary setup man and Neris/Stanek get similar secondary setup man chances. But as I said on any given day Stanek and Abreu can easily fill the roles Montero and Neris do.
That's right. Really I don't see why J.V. would want to go anywhere else. We would have to offer an insult for him to leave.
**** that, how about "Make the Astros better?" You keep JV if he helps the team at the money he wants. This is not a Biggio #3000 hit charity drive anymore.
I don't get it either, he can get to 300 in an Astros uniform and he knows it. 4 more seasons is all, averaging 14 wins, maybe even 13 1/2 (to age 43). He's the Nolan Ryan of his generation. Getting to 300 would be legacy altering and in a very big way. No pitcher that started their career in the 90s has 300 wins, much less someone in the 2000 decade, and he started in 06. Pretty incredible it would be to say the least.