I think they should go ahead and let him start being the 7th or 8th inning guy... and then possibly the closer as soon as next season. I understand he would be more valuable as a starter, but I just don't feel his stuff would translate consistently over 6-7 innings as well as it would in 1 inning. I'm sure this front office has seen the same thing and would already have that in the back of their minds... then again, they stuck with Harrell to start this season, and have continued to bring back Peacock (who I wanted instead of Harrell) as he's continued to look worse and worse.
It appears that Porter isn't going to bring him in in any pressure situation at this point. He was warming up before the 7th last night, but once there was trouble, Fields came in and to his credit did a good job. Also, what will it take to get Santana into a game? I understand not using him against the Phillies with no DH (although why he could't get an at bat in a 10-3 loss is perplexing), but the way Porter is going, Santana will be sent back down without doing anything.
I think innings like last night will have Porter gaining some trust in Folty, and we could see some save/hold situations before the end of the season. Remember, this is the guy who ran Jerome Williams out there to close, so its not exactly like he has some master-plan of strategy and development that he sticks to no matter what. I agree with "easing" him in with no-pressure situations to start... but at the same time, he should be getting a semblance of regular work. Same goes for Santana, who I believe was brought up simply to be a body in case of another injury. Krause gets as many AB's as he does simply for being a lefty... as Porter seems to value those matchups more than actual statistics would dictate (and at this point, I don't see the organization holding on to Krause and his below .200 avg much longer... he's gotten his opportunity to succeed and did not deliver). I'm sure we will see Domingo in the lineup at some point whenever this team faces a lefty again... provided Springer and Fowler aren't back by then.
Are you really sure? He can't even be the right handed pitch hitter with 2 outs in the 9th, no one on base and losing 10-3. That honor went to Hoes.
Its only 3 weeks till the rosters expand... not sure Hoes is in the long-term plans either. Hoes, Krause, maybe even Grossman could all be seeing their last "chances" with this team (although they likely hang on to Robbie as a 4th OF).
Not disagreeing (except I think Grossman is a lock to be around for a while), just perplexed as to why Porter isn't giving Santana an at bat in a 10-3 blow out. OF course, nothing Porter does should ever perplex me.
Feldman has been going up against the opposing aces for a couple of turns through the rotation now and has showed pretty well. I think he's finally coming back from that injury from earlier in the season. I know you can't, but if you took out June and July, Feldman is 5-2 with an ERA of 2.86 over 10 starts (20 ER over 63 Innings). Hope Keuchel can keep it going today!!
That seems to be the problem with a lot of the players. When they are going good, they are really doing a good job. But, when they are bad, they are really, really bad. Grossman's OPS is over .800 since his return, but he was awful the first two months. Carter is hitting like an all-star since July, but pretty bad before that. As you point out with Feldman, a number of bad starts sandwiched by some very good ones.
Feldman is better than he showed for most of the season, but he's not good. He is what he is, a capable 4 or 5 starter who can usually keep you in games. Since 2009 his ERA+ is 97, which is just below average. Fact is the current Astros rotation aside from Peacock has actually been really solid. Keuchel and McHugh have been great, and Obie and Feldman both have ERA's very close to league average for an AL starter. Even though we lack a true Ace, I think the Astros could have a solid rotation next year.
Good to see Altuve back in the lineup today Would be fun to watch a lineup with Altuve, Springer, Fowler and Carter all in there together, which would probably help out Singleton also.
Going forward next year, pay FA money to fix the pen, and let the rotation sort itself out. Factor in how his contract is structured: 12-10-8M, and he's either a solid guy in the Stros rotation or even better he's a truly valuable trade possibility at the deadline next year. That of course depends on him pitching reasonably well and the Stros young starters coming up strong. I didn't realize until the morning that we have won 7 straight against the Rangers. Not too long ago a series with them was a guaranteed buttkicking.
Out of curiosity, is there a breakdown of which umps get their calls overturned the most on challenges and/or ump reviews?
They don't have a cumulative table, but they do have week-by-week stats: http://www.closecallsports.com/2014/08/mlb-ejection-replay-review-stats-week.html Maybe after the season they'll compile something.
