His FIP suggests no, but the Astros do have a very good defense. He's done more than he needs to do to keep the Astros in the playoff/division race.
I think it's going to be about limiting his exposure. Dusty cost him (and the Astros) yesterday. He needs to be a twice through the order max. kind of pitcher. 1st time through the order: .650 OPS 2nd time through the order: .724 OPS 3rd time through the order: .745 OPS 4th time through the order: .833 OPS He was seeing the Reds lineup for the 3rd time yesterday in the 7th, when he fell apart. He should have been done for the day, but the bullpen was taxed so I understand Dusty trying to get an extra inning from him but that was a winnable game. At the very least, a reliever should have been warm and come in after any baserunner (turned out to be a HR).
How often do you guys watch other MLB teams? Every now and then I'll watch the Orioles, Diamondbacks, Rays, etc....and then the Astros...it's night and day how much smarter those other teams play. Lead off doubles..one way or another they'll find a way to advance the runner in the next at-bat. More often than not we don't score at all in this situation.
Who was the poster here who told me Brandon Drury would be an awful signing back in the off-season when I suggested him? Look at him on the Angels now...more homers than most of our lineup in less at-bats and contributing to their winning big time.
1. Dubon 2. Altuve 3. Bregman 4. Tucker 5. Abreu 6. Diaz 7. Pena 8. Chaz 9. Meyers Run it 99 percent of the games until injuries are caught up on.
Astros are amazingly scoring slightly more than they should based on their hitting stats (i.e., not hitting well is the problem, and not situtional hitting). Problem lies in Maldonaldo, Julks, and Abreu (though Abreu looks to be out of his slump) having played so much and contributed so little on offense.
I understand giving Abreu a long leash. He was an MVP 2 seasons ago. He should have been moved down the lineup a while ago though. Julks and Maldy playing time is inexcusable. Julks because he isn't really any good and we have Chas who is better and more consistent in almost every way. Maldy because we have potentially an elite bat who is the future and Maldy has been dinged up. We should play him less if for nothing more than keeping him healthy for the post season.
Wonder what they see in him. Don't see many particularly encouraging signs just scouting the stat line.
