Sure - I'd agree with all of that. I'd also say there is zero chance anyone on the outside can measure or see that from watching games. When the team wins a few games, it will often suddenly look like they are playing with "fire" or "urgency" and are confident. When they are losing, they will look like they aren't and are playing tentative. Neither is necessarily true and the cause-effect equation isn't straightforward. Interestingly, in a bigger sample size, manager impact is measurable by seeing how teams do relative to expectations over entire seasons. Dusty had one of the best ratings by that measure over his entire career and yet fans in every team he coached thought that the opposite because they looked at individual decisions instead of big picture results.
Multi-inning ability is a beautiful thing. I still believe two 2-inning appearances in a 7-day span is more effective than three 1-inning appearances. We're going to need it with Lance's return. I wouldn't trust his throwing 90+ pitches/appearance over an extended time frame. He needs the kiddiest of kid gloves.
It’s early - but the Astros pitching IMO is likely good enough to win a World Series. If I were the GM or owner - I would be very aggressive looking for a middle of the order level bat. Doesn’t have to be a true star, but someone that can stretch the line up depth. I believe Cam Smith will continue to improve - Paredes is a very good player, Walker will rebound… and this is the most focused Pena in years… get another bat and go for it in 2025.
Remember when Tampa demanded Hunter Brown for Paredes? Screw those guys man, they are delusional asshats as it pertains to the astros.
We just dropped our 100th episode of breathing orange fire. St the beginning I give heartfelt thanks to people who have chosen to listen. Some of them post here. A favor and request- if you’ve never listened before listen to this one once- we’ve worked hard at it and 100 episodes of week in and week out is cool. Favor request if you are a regular- share it with a friend who likes the Astros. Thanks!
Congrats, and thank you. I have a golf trip in Pennsylvania beginning next week. 5 hour drive each way. I will for sure add you to the pod list.
Have to say I'm very impressed with Cam Smith this season. Despite the slow start, he's now our best defensive right fielder and he's second on the team in wrc+ and third in RBI. At his current pace, including the slow start, he's on track for a 2.5-3 fWAR full season. Not bad for a 22 year old rookie. With the improvement he's shown, he might be a 3-4 fWAR player already.
I feel like Chas has really gotten the shaft this season. It pisses me off that Dubon gets so much playing time.
Really tough trying to figure out how good he is in a small sample in which he's being hosed by the umps. I really hope his eye is as good as it has been and that he starts getting more correct calls as well as the benefit of the doubt on some closer ones.
