This is how Good divisions have operated for centuries and why winning one had always been special in beisbol. beisbolsplain'
If memory serves, in 2017 there was a point in which some fans cherry picked a ~66-game stretch of the Astros during a losing streak back to a bad losing streak earlier in the season in which the Astros had ~0.500 record. The Astros in 2017 were as playoff worthy as the Rays are now.
Lol Dusty needs to go. Absolutely zero reason to be starting Dubon, and benching Diaz after yesterday is disgusting
The only thing I can think of is potentially Dusty not wanting someone to catch a night to day game. Still... just doesn't feel right.
Why is Maldy starting over Diaz? (Day game not a sufficient answer) Why is Dubon in CF? Why is Chas batting 7th?
I think it probably has more to do with Alvarez not being an option for LF today. Dubon deserves to play. He has been huge for the Astros this year.
People here are putting more thought into trying to figure out why Dusty makes the moves he does than Dusty puts into the decisions himself.
This was sadly forseeable, but its still aggravating. Diaz may catch a little more, but he's gonna go back to being a part time player with Yordan back. There's no way Dusty is gonna let Diaz catch more often than Maldonado, nor will Yordan play LF with any regularity, maybe once a series. Therefore Diaz is gonna sit a quarter of the games give or take, maybe more.
In Game 5 of the 2023 World Series, Chas caught a ball that is usually a double or triple when Dubon plays CF. Meyers has played better CF defense than Dubon for his career and hit better than Dubon this season. As long as those Chas and Meters are on the team and healthy, one of them should be in CF every day, and both of them should be on the field most days that Framber or Brown aren't pitching (i.e., Yordan is not in LF). Dubon plays great IF defense. He should be used to give the IFs rest days. Edit: I fully expect to meltdown if Dubon let's another easy fly get over his head, but also expect to get a good ribbing if the rare opportunity to throw a guy out from CF happens today (I see the former as much more likely).
Dubon was instrumental first half of the season, no question. But he has served his use. He’s a back up player and his recent performances have reflected that. No reason at this point he should Be starting. brown just needs to DFA Maldy and be done with it if they can’t accept a diminished role. I promise the team and players will move on
