We are going to have to trade a Diaz or come up with a nickname by next year, or this board is going to make me pull my hair out.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/its-never-opposite-day-with-framber-valdez-on-the-mound/ There might be more to Framber Valdez’s new approach against righties than a modest drop in fastball usage and a slight shift towards the inside edge of the plate, but if there is, you’d better believe Valdez and the Houston Astros are keeping that secret close to the vest. --- Article basically talks about: Framber has added a cutter to attack LHBs Framber is forcing batters to hit into the shift more by throwing less sinkers (slower pitches get pulled more) throwing sinker more to the inside part of the plate when he does throw it. Defense behind Framber has been exceptional.
I know Yuli isn't suddenly going to turn into a power machine for the playoffs. What I am hoping is that he can be clutch with the hits he does get.
I'm just going to point out that at nowhere in this detailed analysis of Chas/Yuli/Trey/Aledmys/etc in the lineup did you factor in what pitcher they would be facing. To me, that's a pretty important consideration when you're making out a lineup.
You are right. I did not mention the pitchers who will be a big part of deciding which games the players start. But I don't think it will change how many games each player start. I think the team has a plan such as ( hypothetical example) "OK, this 5 game series we expect Mancini to start 3 games and Aledmys Diaz to start 2. Diaz handles high velocity better and strikes out less so we play him in the games with FB pitchers. Mancini works the count better so we play him more against pitchers with lesser control and high pitch counts" So, yes the pitcher is part of the equation but I think the team starts by having a plan for how many starts each player gets.
Honestly I really don't know at this point. Meyers looks like he's been returning to form in Triple A. I wanna say he can't be any worse than Dubon and Chas has been, but then again you never know. Whatever the case, it's clear that center field is gonna be our biggest weakness come postseason time.
Chas hasn't been bad. He's better than average defensively and has an average bat. He's not George Springer, but few are even close.
God if we get pre-injury Meyers to make a surprise comeback hot damn. Definitely not getting my hopes up.
Maybe CF is going to be a hole regardless so just go with the best of the bad 3 candidates by skill: 3pts for 1st, 2 pts 2bd, 1 pt for 3rd. Most range: Meyers - Chas - Dubon Best glove: Meyers-Chas-Dubon Best arm: Chas- Dubon-Meyers Baserunning: Meyers-Chas-Dubon Hit avg: Chas-Dubon-Meyers Power:Chas-Meyers-Dubon Strikeoutsubon-Chas-Meyers. Chas: 17 Meyers: 14 Dubon: 11 Dubon has no business on the playoff roster. He is a valuable regular season 26th man
Yep, he's perfectly fine as a starter on a great team as long as most of the other starters are better than him. Even better as a backup if a team has 3 better OFs (Astros are currently at 1). Though, Chas barely has a third of the plate appearances at CF.
I would go so far as to say he is a great 4th OF. If he were to platoon in LF or CF playing against LH pitching that would be perfect too. I actually would love to see a straight platoon with him and Yordan in LF next year. Perfect balance of rest and playing the field for Yordan. Of course Yordan DHs the other games. If Meyers, Leon, or someone else can take over CF and be league avg or better, like Pena did this season then the lineup would be very good again
Findng a better centerfielder that won't break the bank is almost impossible. We are better off spending the money on a good bat in left(to replace Brantley) or 1st base. Those positions are less expensive relatively. I wouldn't mind having Brantley come back for cheap to platoon with Yordan.
McCormick has 19 strikeouts and is slashing .212/.281/.289 in the 18 games he’s played since Meyers’ demotion. I guess "bad" is everyone's own interpretation but he certainly hasn't been good. I have nothing against him, I hope he actually turns it around going into the postseason. I'm just not gonna bet on it though.
Yainer is NOT spelled like he pronounces it. Maybe we can incorporate the "Ballad of Jayne" (Hero of Canton) from Firefly somehow. It will have to be shortened and modified of course. Maybe just the chorus. https://marcgunn.com/the-ballad-of-jayne-lyrics/ He robbed from the rich And he gave to the poor Stood up to the man And gave him what for Our love for him now Ain't hard to explain The hero of Canton The man they call Jayne Our Jayne saw the mudders' backs breakin' He saw the mudders' lament And he saw the magistrate takin' Every dollar and leavin' five cents So he said “you can't do that to my people” He said “you can't crush them under your heel” So Jayne strapped on his hat And in 5 seconds flat Stole everythin' Boss Higgins had to steal He robbed from the rich And he gave to the poor Stood up to the man And gave him what for Our love for him now Ain't hard to explain The hero of Canton The man they call Jayne Now here is what separates heroes From common folk like you and I The man they call Jayne He turned 'round his plane And let that money hit sky He dropped it onto our houses He dropped it into our yards The man they called Jayne He stole away our pain And headed out for the stars He robbed from the rich And he gave to the poor Stood up to the man And gave him what for Our love for him now Ain't hard to explain The hero of Canton The man they call Jayne.
You're kidding me right? Like the 66, 70, 73 HRs that Sosa, McGwire and Bonds hit were legit (non-drug induced) seasons. I mean LUIS GONZO Gonzalez hit 57 HRs in that era. If you think Judge is juicing then so be it, otherwise 61 has ALWAYS been the actual benchmark. Lastly, look at all of the players in those years hitting 50+ HRs. Now look at this year with Judge hitting 20 MORE than the next person in the entire league. ENOUGH SAID!
