I don't have the stat to back it up, but it seems like this is the latest in the season we've been in 3rd place in our division in many years. I still have hope, but like someone else here said a while back...I'm getting 2018 vibes about this season. I'm starting to think the so-called World Series hangover is a real thing. That being said, the rangers are starting to cool off, so anything is possible. We just need a 12-game series with the A's to get back in this thing!
Remains to be seen if that's a 2021-esque "down" year in the midst of the championship run, or if it's the bookend to 2016 and means the end of the era. I'm still optimistic, for 2 reasons. First, the reasons this team hasn't won more games are largely related to luck and poor game management, not a lack of talent on the roster. Second, I think Jim Crane is extremely competitive and will not tolerate the team falling into mediocrity for long. He will spend the money to dig out of this if that can be done.
I find it interesting that the heavy favorites—LAD, NYY, HOU, SDP, NYM—going into the season, are all struggling (relatively speaking and in light of expectations). I think that reality should help quell those freaking out right now about the Stros recent slide. Hell, look at how much the Mets and Padres owners have invested the past 2 years and look at where they are. As Beard alluded to, the rule changes have inadvertently helped parity…so be it. We’re in a good spot all things considered, looking forward to seeing this team fight back!
Sucks Astros are sliding but this parity has been great for baseball. Other fanbases in long droughts are finally reaping the benefits of developing their farm systems. Should make for an explosive deadline.
If Astros had been healthy all years they be 20 games over and pulling away. Hard to maintain things when three of your top 6 staters are down, you miss out on your MVP for the first month of the season and now have your other MVP candidate out for an extended period.
I think a simple proclamation that “it’s over” is a little premature. Even basing projections on how the players have done and are expected to do this season, next season and the following season have potential to be the most talented, deepest teams they’ve ever fielded. Again, this season’s shortcomings are due to bad luck (injuries, slumps) and poor game management (lineup construction, stretching BoR SP too far) than a lack of talent or decline in talent. I think another aspect that is being ignored is the rise of parity; there are more good teams than there were from 2017-2021, especially in the AL West. I would put the o/u on Astros wins from 2024-2026 at 97. Unless they are unlucky or stupid, they will be very very good at least until then and likely beyond.
Get the band back together, Jimmy... Murphy can be relegated back to the BP coach, McCann can be brought in as a hitting/player consultant (hell if he's been able to produce hits out of a slumper over the matter of a night.... no telling). Cintron / Pettis bench coach-- but damn, GP needs to be at 3rd cranking up that windmill. Send Dusty / Joffrey on a cross-country, globetrotting scouting trip to complete no earlier than or last no later than mid/late Oct. They're great for PR... (sometimes)... but thats about it.
I don’t see the team overcoming poor game management as long as dusty is around. He is unbelievably stubborn
I don't see it either. I'd be happy to be proven wrong though. Dusty is so unbelievably ******* stubborn.
We might be sucking ass, but other formerly contending teams are doing it as well. Interesting graphic.
On podcast this week I try to make the case that this team isn’t lousy and maintain my optimism. Andrew takes a rather more dim view. We then talk about the trade deadline and if the Astros should buy, sell or hold and what the future looks like. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2irqfPWFwENpkGvnuKBSpb?si=kufMyGMCT-qtrZWVC4OJfQ apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...n-astros-podcast/id1683955456?i=1000617659375 amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8...-deadline?ref=dm_sh_7cmgT7PRmMK4zFAOh1Zto8TSq
On podcast this week I try to make the case that this team isn’t lousy and maintain my optimism. Andrew takes a rather more dim view. We then talk about the trade deadline and if the Astros should buy, sell or hold and what the future looks like. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2irqfPWFwENpkGvnuKBSpb?si=fxX9-xrKQmC5fxj5T2YVJA apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...n-astros-podcast/id1683955456?i=1000617659375 amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8...-deadline?ref=dm_sh_7cmgT7PRmMK4zFAOh1Zto8TSq
