I'm predicting Altuve does not need a rehab stint. He and Yordan are activated - Madrid and Hensley back to Sugar Land.
Astros hitters are favored this year or are getting screwed less than the average team's hitters. The framing numbers for Astros catchers has taken a nose dive the past two seasons (i.e., Diaz and Maldy this season are probably the worst framers the Astros have had since teams got better at teaching catchers to frame). When I watch Maldy, it is apparent he is not reacting as quickly as he used to on his arm side (think sliders, sweepers from RHPs and Framber's sinker) as he's letting the ball get deeper into his body (i.e., as movement occurs late, the deeper he catches it, the further the pitch moves horizontally from the center of the plate making paint look like it is 2 inches off the plate). Diaz appears to be more all over the place (i.e., it is more a lack of skill than just reactions are slow). Edit: This is based on watching. It is easier to see bad framing on away pitches than inside pitches due to camera angle.
Thanks for this. I have not followed the umpire scorecards as much as last year. I think umpires are the devil. Lack of accountability causes that. Either way, I want an automated strike zone. The truth is that technology has advanced to the point where umpires aren't even needed anymore but I know I am in the minority in that opinion. Maybe just a single umpire somewhere between the dugouts to assist if tempers flare and maybe run the pitch clock / timeouts.
Kevin graduated in my class at Clear Creek High in 85. Didn't hang in the same group. Was a big high school.
I need to check on that my good friend is a good friend of his, and suspected they hung out at Creek. My friend went to UH. Maybe they met there. Creek graduated almost 800 that year. I could be wrong. Never saw him.
90+ IP of <3.0 ERA ball from a nobody minor league grinder like France is nice. His teammates should take him out to Texas Roadhouse or something.
