The only viable alternative I can think of would have been Abreu for a 2nd inning thinking he'd be suspended for today anyway. Fortunately, it worked out that he wasn't.
He would be asked to give 35 pitches at least. Heard their GM said everyone is available but Nathan Eovaldi.
When the offense is struggling, isn't it better to have a competent batter in the lineup than one of the worst in baseball? Just one extra hit at the right time makes that a completely different game.
The better option was to throw in JP France who has been used in high leverage situations this year and was most likely not throwing tonight, guarantied the game does not go the same way it did with Montero... Its not an urban myth that Montero has been bad this year, last year has nothing to do with it.. If these dudes were playing like last year Pena would have had at least 2 home runs 5 rbi's and Framber would have won both of his starts....
One thing that I don't like about this year's team is that it seems like they are VERY quick to get complacent. You'll see flashes of what they could be.....then nothing. You just never know what team is going to show up.
Old Astros past their prime the Rangers relied on: Nolan Ryan Lance Berkman Roy Oswalt Hunter Pence Bruce Bochy Who am I missing?
Totally different. A terrible 8th inning didn't completely defeat them the game before. They were done. Today is another day.
When it was 9-2 I agree. Different then being down 2. Arizona Dbacks have a bright future. Lots of good young players.
In the abstract / long term - yes. That's why Diaz should have been playing over Maldy more during the regular season. When you get down to 1 game, the differences randomness / player execution makes much more difference. The guys hitting #1-6 are the problem if the offense is struggling, not #9. I'd rather Diaz have been starting over Maldy all post-season. However, given that Diaz has played very little in the last month, hasn't hit well overall this post season, and the pitching staff loves Maldy for whatever reason it's not crazy to continue to start Maldy at this point. Maldy has also hit Scherzer OK in his career.
Isn't France likely the first one up today for bulk innings if Javier is pulled early? Why would he not be in line to throw tonight if needed.
Hopefully Jose Abreu has a big game. One of the reasons why he signed with Houston was because he's never won. We have no idea how they'll do the next 2 years. One win away from the World Series might be the best he'll get to.
When you ice a player by not letting them play, it's hard for them to stay hot. One or two at bats a week will lead to them not hitting well. How many times has Maldy come up to bat with the bases loaded? Has he ever done anything with that? it's not a given that one of the best hitting catchers in baseball would have done better but he couldn't have done worse.
King Henry V: What’s he that wishes so? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin: If we are mark’d to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England: God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more, methinks, would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made And crowns for convoy put into his purse: We would not die in that man’s company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’ Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’ Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember with advantages What feats he did that day: then shall our names. Familiar in his mouth as household words Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
