If there's no rainout, the Astros and Braves presumably both have bullpen games in Game 4. Then it's Valdez vs I would imagine Fried on 3 days rest in Game 5. I cannot see Atlanta doing 2 straight bullpen games. They'll have nothing left in the tank. And I don't know if they have another pitcher they trust enough to start that game.
The Astros played 162 games. In the vast majority, they avoided playing their best offensive OF in lieu of having a CF not named Tucker and Alvarez at DH. On what scares me the most in the OF in an NL park is that the Astros lineup doesn't have 3 OFs and a DH.
We have a mountain of evidence that starters on 3 days rest is a really, really bad idea. If they planned on bringing him back on short rest they wouldn't have pushed him so far yesterday. Either way second bullpen game or pitcher on short rest whose never done it is a really bad spot to be in.
Do they really not have a 4th starter type like an Odorizzi or Greinke that can go multiple innings? Who did they add to the roster when Morton got hurt? Another bullpen guy? Don't know much about Braves pitching other than Morton, Fried and Anderson.
Ok... but the one opportunity they had to play that OF in an NL park, they did so. I suppose they could have had more opportunities if there was another DH candidate on the roster (not Diaz), but that would be a waste of a roster spot. Obviously they're not going to purposely play a worse defense when they have a DH, given that they can still have all parties in the lineup. Same concerns happen every time an AL team with a bona-fied DH is in the WS... but this time, you have a DH that actually has played the field a significant amount this season (more similar to Red Sox with JD Martinez). Brantley in RF was fine, although he provides more value in LF. Tucker in CF (and not in RF) by far the bigger adjustment, yet he's athletic enough that it should also be fine.
Tucker Davidson, lhsp, strained forearm in June shut him down, can go multiple innings in a bullpen game
They called up a prospect who hasn't pitched in a month and has thrown 3 total innings since mid June. Their would be 4th starter got hurt earlier in the playoffs and is out. They of course have a couple of guys who can go 2-3 innings, but cobbling together 27 innings over 3 days with one rested starter is rough for any team.
If Astros trusted that OF, the IFs would have gotten more days at the DH when they weren't in the field. Though even if you want to sugarcoat the defense, do you not think the Astros have a much deeper and better collection of OFs and DHs than the Braves? The Astros didn't play that lineup because playing 3 OFs and Alvarez or Brantley at DH was better for them. Even if it it Chas that isn't playing, that is a win for the Braves as Chas was arguably a better OF than any Brave besides Acuna this year.
His raw ability is pretty breathtaking though. Sure, he’s a play away from a mistake or an incredible, game changing play. But I do think his intensity, speed, and raw ability gives us a nice edge in games. If he ever figures out some discipline he’ll be an every day player. Man I want him to crush a home run so bad and bat flip/pimp it like Don Juan.
Man, is that who we gave up in that deal? Baseball trades are so, so weird and hard to predict sometimes
Is it preferred or their "best" OF... no. Nobody is saying that. But they do have the ability to go forward with this configuration, without much consternation, when the rules dictate the lineup spots. Is it something they can implement in order to keep all those bats in the lineup, yes. Is it something they did before when faced with a similar situation, yes. Is it something they voluntarily would do if they had other options (DH) available, no. Likewise, the Braves would probably want a lineup with Soler than without Soler.... but they're not allowed to without a DH. If the Astros lose these games because of their OF defense... then so be it. The probability still is that they win these games more because of the production of their lineup vs. the fall-off for the first 6-7 innings at defense.
I agree with this. Sacrifice some D for some O. The way all three of these guys are swinging the bat you'd be foolish to sit any of them.
But who is their 4th starter then? If they just pluck one of their relief pitchers hoping for a few innings to start Game 5(again, assuming no rainout), then that's for all intents and purposes another bullpen game. Which is insane if they've already done that the night before in Game 4.
Smyly or Wright (both pitched last night) could be candidates to be an opener or go 2 innings till their spot in the lineup comes up. Astros just need to focus on one game at a time. We know first hand how teams can win with short-handed or absent starting pitching. Yes, there are no off days for these 3 games but none of these pitchers are all that taxed compared to what they go through during a 6 month regular season. If anything, the lack of appearances/reps hurts more than too many appearances. The biggest issue, as always with anybody facing this Astros lineup, is giving them multiple AB's against similar pitchers... the Astros hitters all make adjustments, all have elephants memories, and eventually figure out a way to get to certain relief pitchers.
Take the good and the bad. In most cases, with exception to Altuve, no runner can scored from 1st to home in that play. Siri made it happened. Anyone took picture with G.Blum, or Lina Hidalgo at the game- lol.
I think Smyly is their Greinke but he pitched last night so who knows. Wright and Chavez are others who would’ve been options but they also pitched last night. Maybe Minter or Davidson starts.
