And a month ago they started June 30th 5 games out and now they are 1 game out despite playing most of July without Altuve and Yordon.
I wouldn't call either a stud pitcher. -Scherzer may not be able to pitch more than 5 or 6 innings a game and could easily have another dead arm any time -Montgomery has never had a season over 9 wins and only 2 seasons over 6. But I do agree that they did get better
Entering Sunday: 111 vs 50 DIaz and Maldy's OPS+ "Close" production as in: Oakland is close to 1st place
Martin Maldonado is in retirement age and past his prime, Reading Scouting isn't helping himself in Batting and Passed Balls. Yainer Diaz can become a All Star and a SuperStar on the Astros Dusty Baker is ridiculous.
Nothing is going to get through to this stubborn jackass, I'm going to have to chill before it drives me crazy
How about sit Abreu and let Yainer play 1st base every now and then? He's a 36 year old and has been error machine lately. A rest day every now and then would do him and his reflexes some good. Anything to get his bat in the line-up. It's not hard Dusty.
The "Maldonado is our catcher" narrative is a lame cop out by Dusty and the Astros. They make it sound like outside forces have anointed him so there's no turning back. Now we're forced to scratch and claw for the division and wild card, throw Pressly and Neris 3 games in 4 days every week, pitch Framber when he's injured, and make Javier throw 100 pitches. This stupid strategy will have us limping into the playoffs -- assuming they make it. Maldo is set for his 2nd most GP of his career at his oldest age. We are witnessing games slip away because obvious decisions are being ignored.
I don't know what your definition of stud pitchers are, but Montgomery certainly not. He's a steady decent starter who does not have a long track record of success. The info is coming out on Scherzer and it's not encouraging. He's about to fall off a cliff. Still a bulldog, but that can't save you when you no longer have your stuff.
