If we can stay within 5 games of them by the ASG, I feel we have a legit chance of catching them as long as Dusty isn't allowed to throw away games with stupid lineups and throwing Montero out there in close games.
I think today's game will be huge for their psyche. So beating them would be a big blow to take 3 of 4 at their park and without Framber and Yordan. So why don't we do just that.
The Astros could be in much much worse shape than they are. The issues are well documented. This team still needs help. They deserve help. By being where they are they have earned it. I have no doubt Brown is trying very hard to get pieces to improve the team, and I'm confident that he will. But I am concerned that he continues to say hitting is the priority over pitching. Pitching is becoming a bigger issue by the day. Hitting is only an issue because Dusty refuses to start the best players. If better hitters are already on the roster, how is adding someone going to help? As for Dusty, he needs a sense of urgency. 1) He needs to stop the 3 headed LF/CF experiment and make Chas a 6+ day per week starter. Let Jake, Corey, and Dubon (then Yordan and Brantley when they return) divide up the other spot. 2) He needs to step up and make Diaz the catcher 65-75% of the time. He's the manager, who cares which catcher the starting pitcher prefers. If that's even true. I love Maldy but he is hurting this team. 3) He needs to focus on fixing Montero. Specifically give him ONLY cookie, non pressure outings until he has better results. Then VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY with other pitchers warming put him in increasingly higher leverage situations. Keeping him in for 5 hitters and 3 runs will ruin any progress when 4 hitters and runners on base or 1 run may not. He will be needed. If Dusty does these 3 things then I am confident that any additions Brown brings and the returns from injuries will get thiscteam into October with a good chance.
Ok. I like, the lineup. I like Dubon 2nd and Bregman 4th vs a LHP. It extends the lineup and Alex struggles vs lefties for some reason. Maldy catching vs most LHP and has .478 avg in 23 ABs vs Perez. I don't prefer Maldy often. Maybe rest Diaz since he's coming off a terrible game and doesn't hit LHP well. It looks like a chance to help Meyers break out, but maybe Diaz needs this chance too. It's crazy that Pena is still out. How can a 24 year old guy in professional athlete kind of shape sleep wrong to the point of missing 4 games? It's starting to get fishy.
Most teams would be worried about their catcher getting fatigued starting 80% of the games. Not the Astros, they know he's gonna suck regardless so play him constantly. Diaz, who is technically our backup, has started 3 games...in 4 weeks. He "may" get 2 starts before the break. Assuming we start our top 3 guys coming out of the break we will be talking about 4/5 starts in almost 6 weeks. They aren't even trying to develop Diaz as a catcher at this point (no matter how some pitchers struggle) it's only the Maldonado show. You guys can stop with that fantasy of him as "the" catcher, at least as long as Dusty is in charge.
What surprising, it's his day in the rotation. Dusty hasn't put any thought into who plays, it's literally just a 2 starts one day off rotation for Chaz. It's stupid AF given he's clearly been the best option for the last month, but it's very predictable.
Donezo. This is why we've been hearing Astros in the mix for Verdugo. Will be hearing lots more about outfielders in the next week or so.
I didn’t like what I heard on the 790 pre game show yesterday. Brown basically said Yordan would be back before Brantley and he seemed to indicate Brantley had some kind of setback again. Ford didn’t inquire and they changed the subject but it didn’t sound good.
