Toronto and Tampa have been just about as hot as Houston recently. Since June 1: Stros: 21-7 Jays: 18-10 Rays: 18-11 Tigers: 16-12 Angels: 16-12 Yankees: 13-16 Mariners: 13-15 Not sure why, but Cleveland, KC, and Minny have all simultaneously imploded...Tiggers walk to the ALC title this year
is this the worst year ever for Astros injuries? I don't recall so many injured players all at once. We lost our biggest bat, Alvarez, probably for the year, we have an All-Star pitching lineup sitting on the bench most of the year (Javier, Arrighetti, Garcia, McCullers (!) , Wesneski, France), our All Star Shortstop is now sidelined, our next man up outfield of Chaz, Melton, Dezenzo are out -- and one if not more of those guys showed serious potential (side note: Chas has to be the most frustrated - he'd have a golden opportunity to start daily if not for his injury); we are losing our backups (Guillorme etc) and yet Dubon manages to not get injured... and the Astros are one of the best teams in baseball...what a wacked out year!
I'm so bummed about the Yordan injury. That's huge. Even with so many of our stars being injured we have been crazy good the past month. From opening day until May 21 we won 7 series, tied one, and lost 8. We were so inconsistent and frustrating to watch half the time. Talk about a turnaround though, we haven't lost a series since the Rays May 19-21. We've won 10 series since then and tied two. That's exciting! This team is on fire! New stars are emerging before our eyes.
Astros injured lineup: 1. Pena - SS (Ribs) 2. Rodgers - 2B (Obl.) 3. Alvarez - DH (Hand) 4. McCormick - RF (Obl.) 5. Dezenzo - 1B (Hand) 6. Melton - CF (Ankle) 7. Leon - LF (Knee) 8. Hudson - C (AAA) 9. Guillorme - 3B (Hamstring) Pitchers 1. Javier (TJ) 2. Garcia (TJ/elbow) 3. Blanco (TJ) 4. Arrighetti (Thumb) 5. Wesneski (TJ) Bullpen 1. Dubin (Forearm) 2. France (Shoulder) 3. Otto (AAA) 4. VanWey (AAA), think he came back this week. Am I missing anyone?
It’s time for a trade or two for sure. If Alvarez gets back in time for the playoffs and shows out a bit, we should consider trading him in the off-season and move Altuve to DH semi-permanently. Right now we should trade for an outfielder and 2b, asap. Altuve can play DH until/if Alvarez gets back. Surely one of Arrighetti or Garcia will be back this year, so starting pitching will just have to wait.
Yeah I knew there we more down in the minors but couldn't find the ones that are out for the season (didn't look real hard), so had to rely on the milb rosters. Also, only did AAA.
This year is further proving the exponential value of quality pitching, above everything else. The Rockies have more OPS in the top of their lineup than the Astros have. Pitching is still that much far ahead of the hitting for the league as a whole.
This bring backs memories to Moises Alou. Everyone was expecting him back from his knee injury and then he had an off the field set back. Here’s hoping Yordan makes it back for the playoffs
Cam Smith now has the second highest xwOBA on the team this season following Yordan. His xwOBA is .427 since 6/15. This guy looks like the next Kyle Tucker.
I am mostly worried that ownership and the front office will be lulled into a false sense of confidence if the Astros keep winning. They can keep looking for top 3 starting pitchers and "good fit" bats, but they need to seriously make a push for a legitimate bat, and they better not just count on Alvarez coming back.
While Doobie will always be a mediocre hitter given his lack of pop, he has stepped up his fielding this year. He's particularly fielded exceptionally well at 2B this season.
He is now on pace for a 5 WAR rookie season - all while playing a position he has never played before, and having played 3 weeks of minor league baseball. As for the comparisons to Tucker, I think that Tucker is actually more physically gifted than Cam - but the big advantage that Cam has is that he isn't as lazy or as passive as Tucker, who really doesn't care about his legacy as much as Cam supposedly does. Tucker grew up in an affluent family and by all accounts is a good person but also doesn't view baseball as more than a job. Cam has a chance to be the best right fielder in baseball with his glove, and I know that they have tossed around trying him in CF. The rise of Cam should also put to rest any concerns fans may have over Brown's ability to scout - as not only did he specifically target Cam, but he also watched him take fly balls in the outfield for 20 minutes and say that he would be able to start in RF on opening day if he made the team.
Some posters wanted to get rid of him, said he was a waste of a roster spot. He's been an absolute lifesaver this season keeping this lineup and defense afloat.
There is no doubt that Cam was one of the top 3 guys on Brown's draft board if we had the number one pick. Looking at Brice, we can see why we picked him in his first round. Also looking at Melton and Gilbert now, we can see why one was traded and one was not available. Brown is definitely one the top talent evaluators in baseball and that was exactly what Crane was after. He couldn't care less about communication or negotiation skills. Crane can handle negotiating contracts. He was going to do that for all big contracts anywhay. I'll say it again. Crane is the reason we have sustainable success. He's never hired a proven guy. He gave Luhnow, Click, and Brown their break. All were successful. Unfortunately Click wasn't a team player which is cool because Brown has shown to be better.
Nice. also interesting that JV won the CYA in 2019 and 2022... but somehow didn't win pitcher of the month. Serious question... what's the longest this franchise has gone without having a true "ace" or cy young contending pitcher on the staff? Even in the leaner years, you had an upcoming Dallas Kuechel. Before that, Oswalt (and Clemens, etc.) Before that RJ, Hampton, Kile... (then we're going into Scott, Ryan.... then JR/Dierker territory). When you see franchises like the Rockies (who seemingly have never had an ace?) or teams going 3-5 year+ stretches to get consistent starting pitching, it really is amazing what we've been able to witness as fans all these years.
The Astros have had historically great pitching, no doubt. I do remember the lean years when Wandy was our best starter. 2010-ish. I don't think you can have great pitching in Colorado. Remember Mike Hampton's flame out? Breaking balls don't break right, fly balls become home runs or fall into gaps in the giant outfield... it's impossible. No good pitcher in their right mind would want to start there.
