Outside of one bad experience (not counting score, lineup related issues) going to games have been fun this year (though I've gone to less this year). Pitch clock violations are not communicated well to fans in the stadium (or maybe I just am not used to seeing the ump make signals when there isn't a pitch, yet). Been to a game with a lot of walks and pitches that I was really appreciative of the pitch clock, but most of time don't really notice.
6 weeks left. 37g for Astros, 38 each for Rangers, Mariners. Astros play each 3 more times, Rangers and Mariners end season playing 7 of last 10 games against each other. Let's save those 16 games for the end. Besides those: Astros play 16g vs winning teams. Rangers also play 16 and Mariners play 10. Let's say all 3 teams play 500 vs them. Astros play 15g vs teams w/ losing record. Rangers play 12 and Mariners play 18. Let's say each team wins 2/3 of these games. Now the Astros must sweep the Mariners and win 2 of 3 vs Texas. Records w/ just 7 games between Rangers and Mariners left. Astros: 93-69 Rangers: 89-66 Mariners: 86-69 Astros win the ALW unless Mariners sweep or Rangers win at least 5 of 7.
Let's hope they can pull it off when push goes to shove. If not, we might end up pushed right out of the playoffs and a wildcard spot by the two teams right on our tail. We need our starting pitchers to do better, and our sluggers to bring it! Go Stros!
Looking at Pena, it's so odd how he's at virtually the same place he was last year as a hitter but is doing it in a very different way. His plate discipline has improved and he's doubled his walk rate this season, but his barrel rate has been cut in half this year. He's thus become more disciplined but less able to do damage when he puts the ball in play.
I don't give a f**k about team meetings. It does bother me that the most selfish player on the team had the audacity to call one.
A visual representation of WAR vs PAs for the last 7 season minus 2020 (less than 200 PAs, major injuries, and guys not on roster 2/3s of the season removed). Ideally, the starters and best players are going to get a lot of PAs and generate a lot of WAR creating an upward trend.
At this point I would release Singleton,send down Julks and call up Brantley and Loperfido. For some reason people wanted to ignore Singleton's results in Milwaukee, but those were MLB AB's. The 2 HR's are outliers in some otherwise putrid expected numbers. He never could hit MLB pitching and it looks like he still can't. I'm not suddenly some big believer in Loperfido, but as a lefthaded 1B he's the only alternative right now (maybe Matijevic but meh). Him and Diaz split 1B, Diaz and Maldonado split C. Hopefully Abreu can come back healthy and we get the Abreu we saw for 2 months and not the one we saw at the beginning and end. As for Brantley, it's time to s**t or get off the pot. He hit AAA pitching earlier in the season, and in a couple of games since coming back he's hittting AAA pitching. Obviously AAA pitching isn't MLB pitching, at this point there's no reason he shouldn't be trying to hit MLB pitching. If we can only start him one out of 3 games that's fine, but IMO there's no reason for this will he won't he while the MLB alternative are so poor. Singleton,Dubon,Pena,Meyers,Maldonado...that just can't keep happening. I hate grouping Pena and Meyers with those other guys, but as hitters they aren't good enough when so many other holes are in the lineup.
I would rather continue to run Singleton out there at 1B. He has walked as much as he’s struck out and had terrible luck on batted balls. His barrel rate is low but his EV is good. I think he’s worth giving another couple weeks just to see rather than rushing up Loperfido or running out Dubon. I do agree it’s time to either bring up Brantley or cut him loose. Even if he only DH’s twice a week while Yordan rests or plays LF that’s a decent contribution for a 13th position player.
Unfortunately this is the best option. The biggest issue is this team has too many "13th position players" If Brantley is brought up to be the 13th position player then Kessinger or Julks, Hensley and Dubon are 11th and 12th. And Diaz is 10th because Maldy is in the top 9.
On Singleton, I'm fine trying him as a PH as the Astros really don't have 1, but would prefer Julks. I'd play Diaz or Dubon at 1B over him. Singleton should not have more PAs than Chas, Diaz, and Meyers (Dubon, too) over the past 14 days.
Unfortunately this is the best option. The biggest issue is this team has too many "13th position players" If Brantley is brought up to be the 13th position player then Kessinger or Julks, Hensley and Dubon are 11th and 12th. And Diaz is 10th because Maldy is in the top 9. Singleton got rung up on pitches up out of the strikezone twice this weekend. His BABIP is under .100 his luck has to even out. It's not like Willie Stargell is on the bench waiting for a chance to replace him.
Yainer has been hitting like Willie Stargell for the past 3 months and has been on the bench sometimes for Singleton.
Yanier is a catcher. If Maldy is catching, that’s the real reason why Diaz isn’t playing. Has nothing to do with Singleton.
He can play 1b that’s the point. Singleton shouldn’t be on the team. If Maldi is catching, Diaz should be 1b. Your point is stupid.
