I think what Houston really needs is a true leadoff hitter that would push Altuve to 2nd (spray hitter with enough speed to beat out double plays) and Paredes to 4th (pull hitter to hit HR into Crawford boxes with guys on base). Hopefully Jacob Melton or Brice Matthews turn in a huge first half with massive drop in strikeouts so they can project to that leadoff role. 2B/CF Matthews or Melton LF Altuve DH Alvarez 3B Paredes 1B Walker C Diaz RF Smith or Dezenzo SS Pena CF/2B McCormick/Meyers/Rodgers/Dubon/Matthews/Melton In the meantime I might actually try McCormick leadoff for a little while.
If Paredes, Yordan, and Walker aren't hitting, it doesn't matter where they are in the order. 0 HRs from Paredes in the 2 spot is the same as 0 HRs from Paredes in the 4 spot.
Build the lineup around Yordan. Yordan wants to see pitches before he hits -3rd makes more sense than 2nd. High OB guys who see lots of pitches need to hit ahead of him. The guy who teams are most scared of making a mistake to (other than the 3 already placed) and/or is most likely to make them pay if they pitch around Yordan hits 4th. 5-9 just go in order of production with slug moving higher and OB being more valuable lower.
LOL When nobody hits, you're "building a lineup" around who/what/how? The middle of the order hitters either hit or they don't
We shouldn't have ever promoted Espada. The Astros should be rebuilding right now, instead of this pseudo attempt to "contend". The resulting decline since Luhnow's departure is coming to fruition. It's been a slow burn...now we're picking up speed.
Remember when I was arguing that Dusty's management style was exactly why some of our guys had good years. Managing is about motivation, getting guys to play their best ball. Its a lot less about lineups. Look at Chas. Everyone on here was trying to say Dusty should play him more. I was the only guy who argued that Dusty's way of managing him was the reason why he was playing well. Same player, had his best years under Dusty and then become bad after he left.
I wanted Espada. I don't think it's time to pull the plug yet. I do not think Espada has done a good, or even acceptable job so far.
In my mind, Espada hasn't shown much. This looks like an uninspired team that's just doing a job right now. Not good, not bad, not particularly exciting, just kind of out there. I wouldn't pull the plug on him yet either, but by the same token he needs to light some kind of fire, because right now they just aren't that good or interesting, and that's not the combination you want as an organization. I don't think it's all his fault, but he will certainly catch the blame if it doesn't get better.
Espada wasn’t good last year either. This is who he is. It was a mistake to hire him. Like @Nook said do the right thing and fire him, bring in a real manager
