Both the Astros and Yankees are extreme in % of runs scored via the HR. But I have noticed that the Astros at least TRY to play small and shorten their swings (putting Tucker in motion a couple of times for Yuli comes to mind, Breg was choked up on his HR). Astro pitching has been dominant, no doubt. But the Yankees seem to play base to base whenever they do get a base runner and every batter is swinging out of their shoes. Pressly didn't even look at Locastro in the 9th and threw out of the zone knowing that hero ball was the only outcome. This kind of advantage seems fragile to me. Need the bats to start giving some breathing room.
Assuming full health, this is idiotic. I understand the argument that some might make....whether it be Javier handling the Yankees or setting up the WS, but I believe this to be more of the same from Dusty. I liked him as a player, love him as a person, and totally respect him as a player's manager. He wins a lot of games during the season. But his ingame strategy, and handling of the rotation leaves a helluva lot to be desired, and hinders his teams in the postseason. OMT - I can also understand going up against Cole w/Javier and not "burning" Lance, but I don';t like it.
Good luck NY. (not really). now that I think about it, if it's a close out game 4, I would love LMJ to get that chance to sweep these bums. If its to keep from the series being tied, I'll take LMJ to go up 3-1. Go Stros!
Javier was the Astros most dominant pitcher against the Yankees this year. Javier would also be available in the pen if it goes 6 or 7 games. Lance isn't coming back on short rest.
Javier has a better chance of beating Cole because the Javier at his best is a complete shutdown type of pitcher. At his best, he can dominate a team like no other pitcher on the staff. He's not as consistent as the other pitchers but his string of high strikeout games and numbers prove he can dominate.
It's the logical move. Both will only start 1 game - it doesn't matter if it's game 3 or 4. But Javier can pitch in relief if needed in game 7. LMJ can't. There's no advantage at all to pitching LMJ first. It has no impact on the WS - both will be available at full rest for game 1 of the WS either way (unless Javier is needed in relief in game 7).
Fixed. Verlander had better control and endurance, but outright just making batters his b!tch, Javier was tops.
This doesn’t sounds like Dusty move as much as team move. I’m glad Lance is listed as Game 4 starter. That should mean he’s reasonably healthy. Who knows? Maybe he cut his finger or has a blister and needs an extra day