Loss was due. Hopefully guys enjoy well earned day off. Just feels we are so lucky that JV option for next season did't get activated. Would have been season long "get him right" project and team being worse because of it not to even mention the salary too. Lot of older pitchers have to reinvent themselves multiple times during career. Has JV made any big changes after coming to Houston 2017. Feels like he's just doing (u do u future hof) the same thing over n over with stuff and control going worse and worse. With Mariners loss we can say division is ours but the bye for 1st round would be nice to get. Especially if there's risk that Joe/FO would use JV in short series and risk the season.
Seattle was leading MLB in % of runs scored via HR last time we played them -- it's likely nothing much has changed. Without knowing a whole lot about them, it seems their biggest problem this season is the regression between Julio and Crawford. Last I checked, those two guys are each 150 OPS points lower than last season. Add those numbers (300) and it's the difference between a league average hitter vs Yordan Alvarez. The opposite direction is a league hitter vs '24 Jabreu.
I think it's repetition of his delivery mechanics. He's complained about at times last season. Makes you appreciate the utter brilliance of his 2022 season, a 1.75 ERA. Seems like it was 10 years ago now. He's way too prideful to let this linger. His next scheduled start at home is vs the A's on Tuesday. I'm expecting a 6 inning shutout. The only thing that could derail his outing is a cheapie Crawford Box shot.
Someone criticized Bagwell earlier for saying its not hrs driving in all runs. I like to think Bagwell meant these stats here
TBH I expected a loss yesterday, after a great homestand and then fly to Cinn and play a day game we were bound for a let down, go have some skyline chili (I jest, I jest) and enjoy the Cincinatti riverwalk. A few thoughts I love Bagwell but I dont want him calling games, he talks down to everyone I am shocked to hear the Astros FO LIED about Tuckers injury, the question is why, we all questioned why he could not come back for months after a bruise, they have lost any confidence I had in them being honest JV looks like he is still getting in game shape, I think he will be ok...................just look at the back of the card Is Whitley finally coming along.......I feel we have been here several times only to have the rug pulled out from under us De La Cruz is going to be a star, I hope the Reds keep him, he is a special kid
I think JV is still somewhat building up and will be fine by the end of the month. If he can cut loose and get back up to sitting 95-96 for 3 innings, pair him up with Arrighetti and let’s roll.
Yeah he changed a lot. He ditched his 2 seamer and went almost exclusively to a 4 seamer as a starting point. Got a lot more into pitch tunneling. Sort of became a control artist solo HR specialist with that 4 seamer- which if it gets hit ends up in the seats (nature of a high fastball). I'm sure there's other stuff but that's the most obvious.
Framber, Hunter, Yusei, Spencer that should be solid and hopefully have a somewhat normal JV for the last slot.
He's changed a lot... not to the same degree as Greinke. He is completely self-aware that he lost 2-3 mph on his fastball since his peak, and he learned his lesson in 2020 not to be stupid with injuries.
This I remember but kinda ment after he stopped dominating like last couple of years. Time when it might have changed end result. I love JV and believe he still has enough velocity especially with that release point but some new aproach/pitch might help. If you look guy like Gallen, his every pitch looks like it's nothing special but getting results with wise use of them and great control. Bad comp.but just as idea that JV don't need that 97-100mph if he would figure something new. Without control, any new aproach is futile ofcourse.
Hard to trust JV at this point. Hopefully his reputation doesn’t get him a starting spot in the post season and cost us. Everyone falls off eventually and at 40 the fall off can be quick and dramatic.
I agree that injury, or JV stepping back will be the only ways he does not start a game. But with this depth, it still can be OK. Pair him with Kikuchi and hope together they can give 7 innings. I think the differences between them and Kikuchi's strikeout stuff will give the offense time to catch up if JV gets hit around early.
I don't know if he will. He was mid in June. Not great in August. He was good in May but that was a while ago. Let's see I guess. I don't think he should get game 1 or 2 in the post season though.
