I bet Dusty wants to get Dubon as many reps in CF as possible so that Meyers is expendable. If Meyers is not needed on the playoff roster it allows them to have another pitcher in WC/DS rounds and this staff may need that.
Chas has played 11 straight games. Him sitting this game is fine by me. Dubon has been great in August so no complaint there.
I bet Dusty wants to get Dubon as many reps in CF as possible so that Meyers is expendable. If Meyers is not needed on the playoff roster it allows them to have another pitcher in WC/DS rounds and this staff may need that. Dubon is 3 for 3 vs Bello so what the hell.
There's a set maximum of pitchers you can carry, Meyers will be on the postseason roster and Dubon will be the backup infielder like he's supposed to be. Dubon is in CF because Dusty loves him and has to get him AB's and prioritizes that over fielding the best team.
Abreu will likely need the day off tomorrow so Diaz should be in the lineup at 1B or DH. Dusty will probably not play Brantley consecutive days so soon so Chas will be in LF or CF.
Historically the Astros have gone with 12 pitchers in shorter playoff series and used an extra position player. This year I could see them wanting 13 pitchers, even in a 5 game series. If that's the case, I could see them having: Maldy/Diaz Abreu/Singleton Altuve Bregman Pena Yordan/Brantley Chad Tucker And having Dubon and Kessinger on the bench for versatility, since Meyers only plays 1 position and Dubon can cover it. FWIW not want I want, at all. Just thinking what may happen.
So what's the final end of season lineup projection: Altuve Bregman Alvarez Tucker McCormick Abreu Brantley/Diaz Pena Maldonado My preference Altuve Pena Alvarez Bregman Tucker Abreu Diaz McCormick Brantley Pena will die a horrible death batting in front of that automatic out come playoff time. Need to get the best bat out him in the 2 hole. A lineup with Diaz, McCormick and Brantley as the bottom 3rd of your order is what you call the best lineup of the post season, Braves and.Rangers be damned. Brantley's OBP makes him a great option to start an inning and essentially becomes an extension of the top of the lineup but can drive in runs and gives you the perfect versatility in that spot.
That does make sense with Diaz's hitting ability and the insistence that Maldy starts. But if they don't feel comfortable with 12 pitchers then that makes it even more likely that Meyers is left off
You have to make it those rounds first. Ugh. Dubon like Meyers actually hits lefties well, just can't hit righties. Kinda interesting that all 3 guys that play CF for us have huge splits, but at least Chas hits RHP, just not nearly as dominant as he is against LHP.
Who else are you going to get to backup 5 positions with good to great defense? Don't hate on Dubon, hate on Dusty for playing him when there are better options.
