Astros, Josh Hader agree to 5 year, $95 million contract

And we continue to see how playoff games are managed differently than regular season games.... starters don't go long, relievers are brought in more mid-innings, closers are routinely asked to get multiple-inning saves, and opposing teams get to see the same relievers more often/frequently/consecutively leading to more familiarity, better results.

Not to mention, this is the end of a 9+ month grind (starting in spring training) and absolutely nobody's arm gets "fresher" this time of year.

All of this makes one appreciate Mariano Rivera and his 0.80 playoff ERA that much more.

 

And even with that he blew the 2001 WS and blew 2 saves in the 3-0 collapse, though he pitched great. Only 2 HRs in all those postseason innings might be the most impressive thing.

 

Gonzo!!! Always loved that guy

 

I want to see the current Yankees get their hearts crushed like that

 

All Astros Players should be in a Stretching, Yoga Training, Lightweight Training.

The Leg Injuries was too much for most of the Team.

 

Like a walk off Grand slam with 2 outs in the 10th?

 

No more Shohei Ohtani and now Aaron Judge getting Humiliation on World Stage by Striking Out. Exposed as a Flawed Hitter, Swing and Miss to breaking Sliders, Splitters.

Teoscar Hernandez showing he is more of a complete Hitter, hitting the opposite way.

 

Is is just me or can Hader never have a "clean" inning?! It seems like he's always generates trouble he has to get out of going back to last year. Am misremembering or exaggerating?

 

It seems like he tries to throw perfect pitches and walks players or get behind in counts. He seldom just tries to challenge batters.

 

I think he's lost it. Stuff doesn't seem to be there. Hopefully I'm wrong

 

Slider had movement in Game 3

 

Hader seems to be throwing better than ever this year. When I watched now it just seems to have insane movement.

 

Relievers are absurdly volatile, so you never know looking into the future.

However Crane being proactive and not waiting for Pressly to decline before replacing him is looking like a brilliant move for this season.

 

If you look at Pressly's WHIP in the second half of 2023, the decline was already starting to happen.

I know some thought Pressly moving to 8th messed with his head and performance last year, but the 2023 results were noticeable enough and Crane's FU attitude to splurge for pitching was palpable.

Only hope he can have some of those same pro-active tendencies with elite starters.... not named Justin.