Manufacturing runs in the first 7 innings doesn't yield wins. There is a popular assumption that bunts and sac flys are sure things, but realistically they fail quite often. Playing for multiple runs is the better strategy, trying to scratch across a run by giving up outs will cost you games over the course of the season. Without Lowrie and Springer, this team simply didn't have much traffic. Aside from Correa and Altuve, everybody else is basically a sub .300 OBP player. Hopefully Gomez can maintain his recent level, if so he can post a competent OBP. That would give us 5 guys capable of posting OBP over .330. That isn't a great number individually, but collectively it can mean a lot.
It is too bad the Blue Jays got so hot. I would have loved to have seen us lead MLB in HR without a single guy hitting 30.
Gomez is a career .313 OBP guy, thats why i like him hitting 6th and not 1st or 2nd in the lineup, he should hit for more power, still, he can be a very productive bat with an OBP of .315-.320 if it comes with power.
Actually, Villar i think is good offensively, the problem with him is defense, way too many errors on easy plays. I think that Villar, if he improves on defense (errors, as he has great range and arm) he can be a regular SS in the majors. He is still young, only 24, so he can improve there. He has occasional power, great speed, great arm, and range, all the things scouts love to see, but i don't think he has the mental or maturity issue solve yet.
With our pitching, and defense, getting the lead manufacturing runs could be good. I also see your point of view, as that was the thinking of Earl Weaver, he had great starters, defense and a lot of power. Last year KC won with pitching, defense and speed, with not much power. You can win both ways, now, for me, the most important thing is pitching.
I actually like Hoes, who surprisingly is still quite young, as spot starter in the OF, but I personally think we have one of the deepest sets of OFs in the MLB - just a great mixture of defense, speed, and offense. I expect he will play a role off the bench in 2016, similar to Jake's current role. At least I hope, I want more Hoes at Astros games.
I don't even know what those posts are, but jesus christ. Not only is he not slowing up, it appears that he's redoubled his efforts.
Why don't you just put everyone on your ignore list? Or better yet, just go start a blog and post to your heart's content - no one is having conversations with you. As Buck said, your total lack of self-awareness is bizarre. If everyone else is happily conversing, and you're unable to have functional conversations with anyone at all, common sense would tell you that you're doing something wrong. Lots of people criticize the team and disagree with each other here, but no one has a problem actually having conversations except you. Have you ever considered why that is, and how you might get more out of your experience here if you reflected on your posting style? You really should figure out basic message board etiquette and what the purpose of a message board is because you seem to have missed it entirely, to your own detriment as well as everyone else's.
He definitely isn't a high OBP guy, but his offense will play in SS or CF if he cleans up his throws at SS or continues to develop as an OF. Hoes doesn't walk a ton, average at best defensively (best position is LF), and has below average power. Hoes & Grossman both appear to be out of options going into next season, and neither is likely to make the roster if we keep Springer/Gomez/Tucker/Marisnick. We have Andrew Aplin to fill that 5th OF role. Yes, please take note of the multi-quote button. No need for 4 straight posts one right after the other.
I will take that into consideration, and no, i will not use the ignore bottom on everyone, you are an example, we argue a lot, but usually is about baseball, and i respect that, even in disagreement. You are tough, but respectful, and i like that,and more important, respect.
Consider me the old man sitting in the back of the room. I've been sitting here since the beginning. I can tolerate your incessant talk but apparently you don't see that it is becoming a problem with several members. I for one don't want you to be gone from this group, I do believe that you are close to being gone. Step back and listen to what people are trying to tell you. It's clear that people don't think you know what you're talking about (I think that you have knowledge, you just get carried away and bounce around to much) if you back off and don't respond to every comment, it will help. To much of anything can be bad. Listen to an old man....Just BACK OFF
Was Altuve at least bunting for a hit? I HATE the sacrifice bunt after the leadoff hitter in game gets a double.