I think winning the division and getting a bye is extremely important. We would also have home field against Arlington if we match up in the playoffs
At this point, I think giving any starter 2-3 weeks off basically makes them a reliever for the rest of the season and post season. They lose the endurance to throw 100+ pitches and won't have time to ramp back up. The time to do that was before mid-August. That's fine if the plan is to use someone like Javier and/or Brown out of the bullpen in October/November but not a guy like Framber. I think they must limit pitches/innings and give extra time between starts and just hope it is a band aid for 2-2 1/2 months. They still gotta win to secure the division or even the playoffs.
Rotation plan: Priority#1 Limit pitches and innings of all SP especially Framber, Javier, and Brown the rest of the season. Priority #2 have JV, Framber, and France able to start the 3 games vs Texas and vs Seattle. Priority #3 set up the rotation for a playoff push the last series of the year, or for three post season if already clinched. 3g @ Det: Framber (5), Brown/Javier (5/4), JV (4) 3g @bos: Urquidy (4), France (4), Framber (4) off day September - callup 2 long relievers( Bielak, Blanco?)-drop 13th guy. 3g NYY: JV-limit 5 inn/85 pitch (4), Brown/Javier(6), Urquidy (5) 3g @Tex: France(5), Framber(5), JV(4) off day 3g SD: Brown/Javier(5), Urquidy(5), Framber(4)/Bielak 3g Oak: France(6), JV(5), Brown/Javier(4) off day 3g @KC: Framber(4), France(4), Urquidy(7) 3g Bal: Brown/Javier4), JV(6), Framber(4) off day 3g KC: France(5), Urquidy(5), Briwn/Uavier(5) 3g @Sea: JV(5), Framber(5), France(4) off day 3g @Ari Urquidy(5) then JV and Framber can pitch games 2 and 3 on 4 days rest if needed, or can wait for playoffs if not. Ideally, starters don't pitch into 7th inning, or throw over 100 innings. Brown/Javier piggy-back going 3-4 innings and 60-75 pitches. If a starter has only 4 days rest, then limit to 80-85 pitches if possible.
Agreed on all, but number 2 is very tactically important and can already be managed. I really hope that the FO is planning ahead with Dusty to land those pitchers on those days. There should be a master calendar already up in the manager's office with the schedule of starters for balance of year. I hope there is, but I fear there isn't.
I would be shocked if there is not such a calendar already up there. You have to remember- Dusty doesn't have and never has near as much control with the pitching side of things as he does the hitting side of things- and I believe it's basically zero control in the postseason.
Everything is in balance. Right now the Astros have a team capable of winning the World Series, with or without Clifford and Gilbert, they may not be in that position in 2026. So they made the decision that having Verlander in 2023 and 2024 and possibly 2025 was worth it. FWIW I believe they made the right decision at the time. You figure that the Astros have been a franchise for over 60 years, and in that time period (outside of this dynasty era), the team has had maybe 2-3 teams good enough to realistically win a WS - 1986, 2005 and the Randy Johnson season. The reality is having a team good enough to win a World Series does not come along often for organizations that are not the Yankees or Dodgers.
Your plan helps to limit the strain on the SP but in doing so increases the work for a bullpen that's overworked as well.
You are right that my plan did not expound on how the bullpen will be used. However, by bringing up 2 long relievers in place of a guy like Martinez or Stanek (if DFA) there are substantial arms to cover the extra innings. Aug 25-30= 6 games and probably 19-20 innings for 7 relievers. Sept 1-6= 6 games and probably 20-21 innings for 8 relievers. If the 2 long guys can throw 3 innings each that's 14-15 innings left for the 6 remaining bullpen arms. Each 6 game week the rest of the season will be similar. That means the leverage relievers should need to throw less than 2 1/2 innings each, per week. Framber, JV, Urquidy, and France average 5 1/2 ip and Brown/Javier combine for 7. = 29 That leaves 16 innings every 5 games for 2 long relievers and 6 single inning relievers. Obviously this kind of plan only works until the games start but it doesn't look like it would tax or tire any of the pitchers.
I think Altuve is almost an automatic extension. Should not be any issue. I think Bregman will sign for a very slight discount but still be just barely the richest contract in team history. I'm thinking 6/ $168M I simply think Framber and Tucker will get offers that Crane won't top or even match and they take the money
I really don't know - I think they are open to any/all of them but I don't think they will over pay on any. Some of it will depend on who is in the system when the time comes. That is why players like Zach Dezenzo and worth watching.
I'd add 2004 to that- we had a 3-2 lead in the NLCS and Roger Clemens still scheduled to pitch. With Beltran. Bagwell, BIggio, Berkman, Kent etc.
Only two weeks missed from a back injury. Seems his season-long suckage was more from sucking than injury.
Welp- it was fun while it lasted Yainer. See you 20% of the games from now on (maaaaaybe 40%) and we might deign to let you catch in 2024 if Maldy and Baker aren't back.
Shots are awesome sometimes. Hopefully that's it as a management thing through the rest of the season.
He had the benefit of starting once a week and never having to worry about those pesky October games.
