With this win the Astros have moved ahead of the Padres, Mets, and Red Sox. There are 7 teams worse than us (those 3, DBacks, Cubs, Phillies, Rays). Progress!
Considering Coach Bo used to be my coach in select ball, it is not surprising at all he made some of the questionable moves he made tonight. He's an unbelievable motivator but tactically lacking as a manager. Little intelligence.
I think the last time a manager for the Astros that didn't overmanage was Larry Dierker. Not coincidentally, he was also my favorite manager. I loved how pitchers pitched so comfortably knowing he let them work things out. I remember he would let hitters swing freely instead of working bunts all the time. Sadly, it seems managers like him tend not to get jobs since he gives off the feeling that he's slacking off all the time.
Ya it's clear that a good leader and motivator is more valuable in the AL while strategic managers are needed in the NL. Bo is the definition of a player's coach, I can assure you everyone loves playing for him.
They were interviewing Altuve on the field and there was somebody going back and forth with one of those big cardboard cutout faces of one of the Astros. I just like to see them have fun.
It's been commonly assumed that Cosart is having a disappointing season, but when you look at his numbers since the Oakland disaster, he's actually been really good 9 GS 54.2 IP 3.13 ERA 6.8 K/9 3.8 BB/9 His BABIP has been about .300 over that stretch, which is very much sustainable. The K/BB rates still aren't where you like them to be, but have looked much better over the last 2 starts (16 to 3). Maybe the changeup and 4 seamer are starting to get results. Still needs to get a little deeper too. All said though, he still doesn't even have a full season under his belt, I'm actually much more optimistic now than I was after last season, which screamed unsustainable.
Porter isn't getting enough credit, as his over managing has set a tone in the locker room with the youngsters. It's called, get the job done, or get out of the way. He gets too much flack for losing, and little credit for winning. I'd say for this team, you probably couldn't find a better coach.
Agreed. He's pitched well considering how much regression I had him pegged for. I don't think he'll ever reach his #1 starter upside but if he continues his steady improvement like this year he can become a solid #3. His K/BB ratio improved from 0.94 last year to 1.70 this year, still not elite but a significant improvement. That being said if he could develop a knockout pitch then he develop into a 1-2 starter down the line.
I think his curveball can be his knockout pitch. But I believe the key for him is to invest in his change up. He has been throwing it more lately because of the urging of Strom. If he can throw a decent change with the 3 types of fastballs he throws and lower that BB/9 number he can be a great #3 up to a good #2. We shall see. He still has some time to develop.
