A few hours later…hard to believe the Astros came back after the Rangers scored 9 runs in a row. Im talking to myself after that one.
did the guy who stopped watching a month or so ago decide to start watching again? and did he stop when at the moment we finally won? i was just sorted to Hufflepuff and I'm curious.
Hitters can't just "learn" to swing an inch or 2 higher for certain pitchers, it doesn't work that way. The real problem is that his velocity and spin rate are down meaning slightly more drop, likely (hopefully) due to a tired arm.
reminder that my irish grandparents believed houston actually became a city when we got a baseball team. grandfather was obsessed with trains. he had been dead for about 14 years when I walked into Union Station the first time to see the Astros play. wow my grandma would love McCormick for the same reasons she loved Doran
I was surprised they decided to pitch him today especially if Bielak was already on extra rest, and he was already showing signs of fatigue (or ugh injury) with lower velo the last two starts.
I asked early in the season if Javier was really sitting in the very low 90s. Seems his loss of spin and velocity is getting him hammered as he relies almost strictly on his fastball.
The Astros are not in a bad spot. Alvarez should be back and healthy and Urquidy may give you some innings and as a reliever in the playoffs. Brown keeps talking about a left handed hitter - and that is a concern, but they have also asked about a number of starters of various quality. Anyone that has any hope of Brantley coming back AND contributing at 36 years old with degenerative joints and having not played in the big leagues in over a year - is a fool. There are some potentially genuine starters available - but the Cardinals, Mets and a couple others haven’t decided if they will sell yet. Detroit has a starter that they are expected to move to a big return - but the Rangers are expected to over pay. Teams are trying to pry Dylan Cease from the White Sox but I was told the cost is very high - 3 prominent prospects or, the Sox would rather players young and with some degree of success. Again, the Rangers have interest. Shane Beiber is available for the right package - so was Chris Sale before landing on the DL.Verlander is willing to approve a trade to Houston, Texas and LA Dodgers - but so far the position of the Astros and other teams is that the Mets have to eat a decent amount of money for any decent prospect, and the Mets are prioritizing young players already doing well or ready to play right away. Some talk or Mariners willing to move some pieces, but won’t gut their team. Padres telling teams they are not going to sell- and Anaheim Angels have been looking to ADD and not subtract. Astros are looking at ADDING a bat in one deal, and then trading existing offensive talent on the big league club for a BETTER player that is a pitcher. Brown said he is willing to trade with other playoffs teams, but the Indians and Mets have been linked to discussions with the Astros quite a bit. I think they will get something done, and probably bigger than most think because of the Astros willingness to move someone like Jake Meyers or Chas McCormick or even Pena or Diaz for the right player.
They have zero confidence in Bielak and this was an important game so they went with Javier. Javier is leaving too many balls in the zone. It’s pretty clear he is tired or hurt. Baker made a comment a few days ago about Javier being sore. He is still the same nasty player - just tired from the very long season/off season.
Astros haven't lost a game after leading by 8 runs since July "94 (first month after the first championship) Abreu hits the Astros longest HR this season (452', career HR #250) and his 3rd longest since statcast tracking Javier serves his career-high hits, runs, and earned runs Astros 3 games back of division lead (closest since June 3rd) and win 3 of 4 @Arlington
Do you know if Verlander regrets leaving at all? I imagine he doesn't considering what the Mets paid him.
Maldonado has gotten fat that's what's wrong with him, and age, but he wasn't all star to begin with. Just a legend Here is all, made up stuff
