Please limit talk in this thread to this series. Other topics should be discussed in the appropriate threads. Play-by-play is not allowed. If you need that, there are other places to find it. Political discussions belong in the D&D forum not in here. All games are broadcast on Space City Network unless otherwise noted. 3-31 Jordan Hicks (R) vs. Ronel Blanco 7:10 4-1 Logan Webb (R) vs. Hayden Wesneski (R) 7:10 4-2 Landen Roupp (R) vs. Framber Valdez (L) 3:10
I don't love the pitching match ups. If the Astros lose 2 of 3 and fall to .500% after 6 games, there will be a lot of concerned fans. Really need the defense on the infield to remain the best in baseball, and the corner outfield defense to stabilize to win games on the margins. A smart running game and moving runners over would really help - we saw the Mets score a couple runs purely on small ball.... we need to be better at that than our opponents. While not speedsters, the Astros need to utilize guys like Smith on the base path. Paredes is slow - but at least he takes pitches, he would be an ideal guy for letting Altuve steal bases, if Jose didn't have the instincts of a squirrel crossing the road.
Anyone concerned about being .500% after six games doesn't understand baseball. Altuve is a terrible baserunner but he isn't bad at stealing bases. I doubt they want him to be doing it consistently with his age though.
Two things. No way I get concerned after 6 games. 2nd item. Anytime Rodgers is up with runners on base and less than 2 outs, HE SHOULD BE BUNTING
I don't get why he's so bad at running bases. I wish he hung out with Ohtani. He seems to have it all figured out.
Maybe if it is late in the game and the run really matters but there is no way he should be automatically bunting every time someone is on base. For one, I don't trust the guys (generally Meyers) after him to capitalize either. Secondly, let's just give him a few weeks at a minimum - if he sucks we can replace him (Guillorme/Dubon platoon).
My response was a bit of Toung in cheek. I really want him to shake the Coors curse. If he has a rebound season it makes things a lot easier this year to advance far into the playoffs. But has he lifted a fly ball yet this year? I have seen some good exit velo right at 3rd base for a DP's
I agree - but I have lived through it before. It just gets old. Altuve is good at stolen bases when he can pick his spots like he has the last few years. In the past when they tried to increase the volume, his caught stealing ratio went up. I could be wrong, but I don't think they would keep him from running. I think 25-30 stolen bases is possible with Paredes in front of him and assuming Altuve plays most the year.
Blanco and Wesneski being servicable back of rotation starters is a pretty important thing this season
It is very important - and the Astros pitching coach Siamese duo of Miller & Murphy specifically wanted Wesneski, so I am to assume there is some upside there. Blanco's performance last year is overall under-rated around the league, at times he was near unhittable.
