Kind of a strange time to be ripping on Pena though hitting .305 with a .397 on base in August. OPS .720 He isn't hitting bombs and going nuts like it's the World Series, but his offense certainly hasn't been the problem lately
My point was it is more evident now that he’s been out a string of games and we’ve lost all of them with him out. Two of the games, no one really showed up on offense.
Guess who was catching in those two non-competitive games. Dusty has dicked around for 5 months with certain players and now we're clinging to a playoff seed. We have no room for error and are forced to pitch gassed pitchers in a desperate attempt to win games. Yes, Tucker is good and is needed. Dusty chose to start Julks today.
I think he's tipping pitches. The coaches need to look at film and see if there's something he's been doing lately that gives away what he's about to throw.
Maybe... but he was an out away from throwing a complete game less than a week ago and his stuff looked as good as ever. He also had the face-the-minimum no-hitter before that, again with his stuff looking as good as ever. I do think he's fallen in love with some of the added speed on his sinker and its starting to get a little predictable when he throws it. Its hittable, regardless of it being 96-97mph, if not located well. His curveball still his best pitch and is unhittable when executed properly... but he may not always have a good feel of it. The starts he's been dominant in, post ankle injury, the curveball has been excellent. Probably mechanical some... mental some... sequencing some. Will have to get him completely right to have a chance of another long playoff run.
I guess that's the average but we are over that already. I think it was blummer that said his movement has been more left and right not the diving sinking stuff that he has when he's going good.
37 games left and the Astros still have control to win the division. All they have to is beat each of the Rangers and Mariners 2 out of 3 then match them both win or lose in the other 31. But yesterday's meeting better have had some effect. That was a piss poor weekend effort at the worst possible time.
Did we get any smack talk from the Mariners in the post-game press? I wouldn't blame them if we did. We kicked their butts for a lot of seasons before this. They are getting their licks in now. I'm the Captain, now! I guess we have another 3 with them in Seattle? That should be interesting. Will see which Astros show up for that one? I think they will be feeling the sting of this for a little bit afterwards. I know I am.
