I think it's a case of some of us having the "early season blues". Combo of things working against us... - Key guys not hitting - Questionable decisions by Mgr - Tucker and Bregman having success - Rangers and Angels ahead of us in the standings We've been spoiled with Astros success for so long that any hiccups become a shock to our expectations. Our guys are starting to see the ball better (c'mon Yanier) and hopefully the bats are heating up and the pitching will hold up their end. Espada needs to learn from his mistakes and figure out a lineup strategy that provides our best chance to win everyday. I'm a glass half full guy, so I believe we'll turn it around.
This team absolutely has the talent and experience to win. It's still very early. I hope that there are no more major injuries, and the talent simply overrides the poor management decisions.
Yesterday was the perfect example of why Espada infuriates me. One of the few offensive advantages the Astros have, is depth of players who hit well vs LHP. Among players who don't play everyday, Dubon and McCormick have long and established track records of being actual above average hitters vs LHP. Zach Dezenzo has been better vs RHP than LHP so far in his short career. (.682 vs .297 in MLB, .894 vs .658 in AAA 2024) Handing the ball to a rookie whonis not stretched out, making his first MLB start, it's reasonable to think run production is a bit more important than usual. What does Joe do? He gives Dezenzo his first start of the year in LF and sits Chas and Dubon.
Theres a major divide between talent and filler. The Astros have more filler and players on the downside of their career vs any other time since 2017. Despite that, the AL is wide open and any team that can win between 76-83 games has a chance to be in the playoffs.
The overall talent has migrated to the NL in a big way. The AL is wide open. The bottom half of this roster is not good but I am hoping a couple of the young guys break out. The top half is quite good. Diaz, Paredes, Pena, Smith, Brown, Wesneski, and Arrighetti all 27 or younger is very good.
He's the worst manager we've had since Brad Mills, and he reminds me of Brad a lot. Milquetoast to the max.
Alvarez hits his first home run in forever yesterday and we decide to give him the day off today. So weird
Do I have to come equipped with a solution every time? Is this some corporate gig that pays me? I really have no idea who I would want to replace him. I would have to research that and come up with a few names, which I’m sure I would. Orioles manager is getting lit on fire for doing the same kinda things Espada does with the lineups and his pitching staff utilization. They will most likely both be fired after this season unless things really turn around. It’s early. We’ll see if they do turn around I think Espada has a flat personality, says nothing of value, and I don't think he is a very good manager. I guess he could change my mind but at this point he seems like the wrong guy.
The team is filled with What ifs instead of all stars. That the same as prospecting. It didn't need to be this way. The roster by its nature has a design flaw.
I don’t think anyone considered Walker or Yordan “what ifs” going into the season, and along with Yainer (who only a very few people doubted) they’re the reasons this team doesn’t have one of the best records in the league. The real “what ifs” (Meyers, Smith, the bullpen after Abreu/Hader, the rotation after Brown/Framber) have been really really good. Rodgers is really the only key “what ifs” player who hasn’t performed.
