When Hinch was here, I saw hit and runs which would of helped all these runners stranded. And playing Diaz over Reddick is something I can't figure out unless Reddick is injured- playoff experience. I can't fathom the bases loaded situation where the pitcher walked 2 batters consecutively and you let the batter hit the 1st pitch. Then saving Pressly for 3 games now 0-3. This is why he has never won and Bouchy, Martinez and Maddon has.
I just want to go out with some pride. I'm very doubtful on winning the series, but maybe we can take a game or two. At the end of the day, as long as the giant payroll Yankees and Dodgers both lose and get bounced I'm happy with that as a consolation prize.
I don't care what the analytics say...can we stop pulling pitchers at the first sign of trouble, who are otherwise shutting down the other team, just because it's their third time through the lineup?! Give Urquidy a chance to get out of the jam! Unless you have Dotel-Lidge-Wagner ready to come in and shut it down. So maddening. I felt the same with Grienke in G7 last year. I'd venture to say that the analytics say that Urquidy is more likely to be successful there than Paredes (or nearly any other reliever) is coming into the game and inheriting runners.
Astros likely wouldn't be in ALCS without doing this. Pitching is not the problem. Defense and scoring have been. Though, the scoring seems bad luck and great defense by the Rays.
oh he deserves plenty of blame. nobody is saying to cut him or anything but the last 2 games were absolutely on him
Having Flashbacks of the Biggio, Bagwell Stros. Just have to tip your hat to the Rays they are just the hotter team right now, not better just hotter, they are getting all of the breaks. Just sucks that we just lost a WS to a team like this last year. Thats baseball for you.
Astros have played a lot better than being down 0-3 indicates. Astros may have even outplayed them in a couple games minus some bad luck. The Rays are a deeper team right now, and are very likely the better team currently for this series despite how well the Astros have played minus a few mistakes. The Rays have played very clean and it s tough to beat that when your team is making mistakes.
Agree with this - Paredes was a good option, so it wasn't a terrible call, but basically, they pulled Urquidy for giving up a single and then getting a double play ball. If Altuve makes that play, Urquidy likely stays in for another batter, and then possibly another full inning. There was nothing in his performance that really needed him to be pulled - he was in full control of that game and had a low pitch count. This seems like it was changing pitchers just for the sake of it.
This. The Rays are also just very good. They may not have a lot of big names, but they have very good pitching and can go deep into games with multiple pitchers. their defense is exceptional and they tend to score just enough. The Rays were on pace to win close to 110 games. The Astros this year are without Verlander, Osuna, Alvarez and Joe Smith. I will say this though..... this series AGAIN only highlights the importance of defense, especially for a team without a large payroll. If we lose Springer to free agency I would not be shocked to see the Astros go after someone like Bradley Jr, Phillips or Pillar.
