Yep, in the playoffs Javier needs to throw on four or five innings and 80 pitches. Then turn to Brown for a couple of innings and let Neris, Presley close things out. Right now in the playoffs France would be my SP3.
Depends on if they get pitching. The pitching rightfully isn't as good as it was last year. That's the biggest issue for this years team. Last year the Stros played six inning games. When they had a lead after 6 innings the game was over. Not so much this year.
Depends on if they get pitching. The pitching rightfully isn't as good as it was last year. That's the biggest issue for this years team. Last year the Stros played six inning games. When they had a lead after 6 innings the game was over. Not so much this year.
We blew it last night in Snell’s last inning, he really lost control of the ball and we didn’t capitalize outside of the one run. Then the team just gave up. Not a championship mentality. I’d say Baker is the main culprit for not nipping that **** in the bud. We should probably be 10 games better in the W column if it not for the sloppy, lazy team mentality. We need to fix that **** before the playoffs or we might not even make the playoffs.
I'm still confident for Brown's career. Problem is the team keeps playing him like everything is fine when he should be resting and recharging. Bielak and Blanco can give us 6.00 ERA while certain starters rest... and it should've happened over a month ago.
I agree. Bielak and Blanco have been put on the back burner. They haven't been worse then Brown. Maybe even Javier.
Arrighetti does not need to be put on the 40 man until next year. They are facing tough decisions to protect players from rule 5. I expect an invite to ST then add him when ready to bring him up.
Another strategy with load management is having an opener go 2 innings, then inserting Javier/Brown/France. This creates 1) less pressure for 5 innings 2) fewer pitches and 3) 3-4 IP can still qualify them for the win. The decreased workload is an obvious advantage - but their knowing they can still qualify for a WIN should add motivation. Then, there's still the Bielak and Blanco options for skipped starts. These types of strategies should've been executed over a month ago.
Arrighetti and his low 90s FB and 2 pitch mix would likely get rocked. If Houston needs a fresh arm, Dubin or Gage look like they would have a much higher chance of being effective.
I agree in principle but the opener concept isn’t employed as much as one might think it should be if it is such a good strategy (not saying it isn’t - I’m agnostic ). I like the idea of having Urquidy ready to go for every Javier/Brown start as a “fail safe” option - alternatively to your point - maybe Urquidy can be the opener - go 3ish innings then hand it over to Brown or Javier ? And if he’s doing great you keep him in.
Mariners SP Kirby after yesterday's loss... Oh how time's have changed. I wouldn't want a pitcher on my team that doesn't want the ball when the game is on the line. Where's the fire... where's the accountability? "I wish I wasn't out there for the seventh [inning], to be honest," Kirby said after the game. "I was at 90 pitches," Kirby explained, "and I didn't think I really could go any more. But it is what it is."
Dude is a good pitcher but he is exposed now. We need to take pitches and get him out by the 5th if we face him again.
