So much stupid in every single one of those posts that it’s literally breathtaking. the idea of a manager that flushed 3-8 wins down the toilet through stubborn jackass related obstinance being vindicated when his team got a lucky-ass tie for the division on the last day of the season is so breathtakingly stupid that I’m surprised it wasn’t Major saying it. Maybe it was but I have him blocked. the percentage chance of the Astros winning the division after Kc shoved a broom up our ass was less than 10%. No- totally made sense to flush those wins all season and anyone pointing out the unchecked lunacy involved was merely filling their diapers. Ha. Haha. Hahaha
It's a fair take to say there's no guarantee that the Astros would have won the division by fielding better lineups because there's no Avengers time machine. The criticisms against Dusty going with his gut or personal preferences, as opposed to valid evidence, is pretty overwhelming. Glad it worked out, but the process was flawed.
Well this was a 100 win team. At least pretty damn close to it. 4th in scoring 8th in ERA Does not equate to a 90 win season. If he played the most potent lineup even 75% of the time, we are likely 2nd or 3rd in runs scored. He handled the pitching much better than the hitting (Bielak, France). But even that was severely flawed with his insistence on using Montero way too often in high leverage situations. And he never course corrected Brown by moving him to the bullpen.
With the pitching, he prioritized getting a pitcher 5 IP to qualify for the win a few too many times because those things on the "bubblegum card mattered." Ironically by not using the bullpen, Baker increased the exposure to more close games that burned out the high leverage relievers.
Agreed except, saying Dusty handled the pitching better than the hitting is like saying a leg amputation is better than paralysis. BOTH are sh1tty. Bielak and Blanco haven't seen MLB in two months when they clearly could have and should have because, you know, Dusty has such strong influence in the organization. Instead, Dusty trotted fatigued pitchers to the mound over and over like more innings equaled more rest.
Just talked about that a bit on the pod that will be out tomorrow. On first glance he seems fine. Analytically inclined former big league skipper who had success elsewhere and would probably be aligned with the nerd cave while understanding how a clubhouse works. I'm sure the Astros could do much worse.
Sorry for the double post (not really).... Angels or Seattle new Manager in '24....? #NewHomeJDustyB Go... PLEASE... tell them you want your swan song to be a team that "JUST COULDNT GET OVER THE EDGE" and that you turned everything around... from resting Shohei on his days when he's scheduled to pitch and variably playing Mike T in a "every-few-days-in-outfield" position & "maybe-he'll-DH" role. Or... maybe since you cvck for JuRo-- play that MF everyday like you do Bregman/Tucker (btw those guys deserve it-- along w Alvarez, Dubon, Pena, McCormick, Altuve, Brantley).... (yeah Im staying out of the Diaz/Mal-duhhhh-Nada argument)... but youve got a guy that youd run out there 161/162 games of the season... we'll pat you on the back and wish you the best of luck as you travel out west.... You know, they deserve a turn-around & to win-- show the rest of the Houston fanbase how much we're supposed to be indebted and grateful beyond imagination for your analytically driven, guys-who-produce-up-front mentality. ...and we'll be thanking you that we rock your hitters and fanbase next year as well. But, we'll thank you.... edit: I swear to Christ the alien above & below-- if this MF wins a WS this year, I'd get a tattoo of his face throwing the horns with 2 rings on each finger, smilin' like a b!+ch
Remember guys. If you think Dusty Baker is a bad manager that cost us wins, that really means you are rooting against the Astros and want them to lose.
Their Pythagorean W-L was 93 wins. There are quite a few flaws here, most notably: the most potent line-up wasn't readily available for much of the season: Altuve & Alvarez both missed long stretches. But, again, as you've done above, and so many others have done: you can't just wave your hand and make up favorable results. The Astros were 5th in runs scored. You could make a case for them *maybe* jumping Tampa, who is +33 runs. But there is no way playing Diaz and Chas more - which Baker absolutely should've done - would netted them 55 runs and certainly not 80, which is how many runs they would've had to have scored to pass Texas (#3) and LA (#2) - not with Altuve and Alvarez out for long stretches; not with Abreu and Pena underperforming; not with Tucker and Bregman having prolonged struggles.
2020 and 2023. Astros had no business being in the postseason for 2020 and this year but the baseball gods blessed them with a spot.
