It’s been a super encouraging last 2 weeks for Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker. Diaz’s xwOBA is up to .338, one point behind last seasons mark of .339, and higher than his career actual wOBA of .328. Walker’s xwOBA is up to .318, not quite to his career actual wOBA of .334 but not much at all below his projections which are in the .320-.330 range. With both of those guys looking like they’re well and on their way to being solid average to above average hitters in the 2nd half, assuming everybody else is healthy, this team features 8 average or better hitters (Diaz, Walker, Pena, Paredes, Smith, Meyers, Altuve, and Alvarez), with the 9th spot up for grabs between Dubon (an elite defensive player), Hummel (.344 wOBA in 58 pa), Caratini (.314 wOBA), and everybody else (McCormick, Guillorme, Short, Salazar, Corona, Rodgers, Melton, Dezenzo, Trammell, Whitcomb, trade targets). Yordan’s and Peña’s health will dictate a lot, but this is a deep deep roster.
We obviously have enough to win a lot of games considering how we performed recently, but we really need Alvarez to be healthy and hitting by the playoffs. You need people who can take over games, and he's really the only one on the team that can do that other than Altuve whose doing it less often.
I believe Paredes is that kind of weapon at Daikin Park. Altuve is one of the greatest postseason hitters in history. Pena already has 1 WS MVP. And I think Cam Smith could be a Yordan-level weapon by the end of the year. But yes, I agree losing Yordan would be devastating for their chances to go deep in the playoffs.
Walker to the Paternity list for Corona coming up Meyers not going to the IL, but it wouldn't surprise me if he needs a couple of days off which is probably why they went with Corona Personally I prefer Modelo
Psh. Atlanta won it all in 2021 without Acuna. And Astros made it to game 7 ALCS in 2020 without Yordan or Verlander.
I wouldn’t exactly call them “updates”, Michael. Nice to see they are opting for the tried and true “delay the inevitable Tommy John Surgery” tactic with Shawn Dubin. I have full faith he will be back shortly.
I hope Dubin only has a strain. he was a big part of what made the BP so good. Under 2 ERA able to throw multiple innings is invaluable. Instead we get to see Weems pitch.
