Games like that are so much better when you win, would have made the longest trip from Dallas to Houston ever otherwise.
I don't know about demoralizing.... definitely would have been a loss that should have been a win, but in the end its still about keeping everybody as healthy as possible for this long season to come. Also, Hinch will soon realize that Qualls is better at the start of innings than by coming in with men on... and if Sipp is your best lefty, use him first (over Thatcher) when you want to get a lefty out. But Diaz totally f'd this game up today. Kuechel should have cruised, but his strike zone got shrunk down to a bb.
Its great... with Singleton down, makes that decision pretty much a no-brainer. Gattis is going to start hitting a lot soon... everybody gets to their numbers eventually.
Agreed. Feels pretty damn good to be .500 with the top half of the order having done virtually nothing.
We won and Springer hopefully will get goin now but loading the bases and then the smash that was lucky for Springer to be in position to catch just wasnt a confidence builder but a win is a win.
Deduno is obviously not a closer (let alone an above average relief pitcher)... and we all know getting that last out can turn a "routine" outing into another sport altogether when it means ending the game. As far as Spinger being "lucky" to get that last out, you clearly don't believe in hitting charts, advanced scouting, and batter-specific positioning. Also, Springer and Marisnick are going to do a fair share of robbing would-be gap shots, and they'll make it almost look routine (as if they were "lucky" to be in the right place/spot).
Nothing "lucky" about anything the Astros outfield does in the field. They are all three gold glove calibur players and probably are the best in baseball. People don't realize how good defensively they are yet.
Kinda like the shift that was put on Fielder when he drove a hit right where the SS would have been to start the rally? Those hitting charts, advanced scouting and batter-specific positioning? Just saying to load bases and to get out of that one with the ball ripped like it was down the line, Yeah I' m gonna call that one fortunate(lucky).
Keuchel pitched a strong game. The bullpen threw 5 scoreless extra innings. Springer made a miraculous catch. The Astros offense hit 3 hr's and showed signs of breaking out and the Astros won a series vs. their rivals. Plenty to feel great about, downer.
Remember when the Rangers regularly beat the hell out of the Astros, especially in Dallas? Houston has won 5 of the last 7 series.
