Dusty Baker was smarter than Espada and knew more baseball than Espada ever will - but Baker was stubborn to a fault and the Astros needed someone fresher and younger than the guy who played literally 55 years ago.
While it is frustrating for fans to see King and Sousa in prime inning situations, it has been the right call. The health of Hader and Abreu in October is what matters most. I don’t think King was bad, and Sousa has largely gotten the job done this year…. I probably would have gone with the starter in the 8th, but Joe has been burned doing that in the past. As great as Abreu/Hader is late in games, there are going to be times where others need to step up to save wear and tear. From what I am hearing the Astros are still talking to teams about pitching and aggressively so. So either Miller/Murphy or Brown have some concerns about not having enough by October.
Cliffs: -Fking unreal win! -Joe tried his usual get away day punt and team was like....no we are good winning ty. -Starting to warm up to Trammell. Has been very useful allthough looked outmatched in first games. Hummel n Chas Im done with. No real glove and no AB look st. Either is taking team AB's. Just trying launch one to get playing time. -Hader velocity looks scary. To lose 2-3mph in so short time. Looks like max effort but I hope he just preserving himself in case Joe uses him multiple innings in punt game. Hope Stros are on this. Rest as much as needed. I won't b**** when losing if it is for resting him. -Mariners lost. Wohoo. I was b****ing yesterday how Ump helped Mariners win. Brewers does't seem to care. Just respect for that team. And lucky that Mariners Crawford has that deal and still playing. Might be worst SS in league. On every grounder he just drops like he's been shot and waves blindly like trying to show too hard to catch when 1 step and basic play needed. Great to see. -Texas pitching looks terrific. Hope they don't get bats because if that crew and rrroid monster faces us in post season....that might our season there. -Bryce with great leather again. He looks really good but in raw way. Speed n power n ability but not like the top top D guys in league who look so natural and smooth handling the ball from like age 15. I say that as positive, he sounds like humble down to earth guy and ready to work hard to learn more. Brings me joy to see him play. Maybe he is our Buxton but with better health.
Nah I don’t think so. Dusty had a lot of odd decisions go his way in 2022- from getting the Contreras replacing Maldy trade killed — to insisting that Gurriel not only make the post season roster, but be the starting first baseman… in 2022, just about everything broke right for Dusty. Espada is more of a company man and would have supported adding Contreras and starting someone other than Gurriel.
If the team continues its momentum, I suspect we will see a 15-day ‘general soreness’ IL trip for Hader when Arrighetti, Javier and/or Garcia return.
Agree to disagree. I think Espada probably gets more out of other players to make up for Dusty’s stupid gut feeling crap. Espada would’ve beat Texas in ‘23 too. Most managers would’ve, with that roster. Dusty’s stubborn bullshit cost us that series and another trip to the WS that we had a good chance of winning.
I think you’re just blinded by your anger about Dusty in 2023. Prior to that season, Dusty was great for us.
Say what you want about Dusty, and I definitely had my gripes too, but players love him. I don't see any way players play harder for one than the other. It's just like the players are the middle child. They are all happy and excited to spend the day with their big brother who came home from college and is so cool with all his stories and experiences. Espada is the little brother they love and enjoy because of how much he loves them, his positive view of the world , and how happy everyone always is in his presence. They don't love one or act better around one or the other, just completely differently.
Caught the 9th on rerun this morning Hader looked fine His 93 and 94 mph fastballs looked fluid and blew by guys. When he threw 95-6 he was up in the zone Hader has been 94-97 his entire stint with us. He looked good
That 2023 team had a malaise over them. They had the WS hangover. They never shook it. I don’t think players play any harder for Dusty. I think that’s bullshit. Just more folklore.
Well it’s kind of a big deal. Kinda ****ed the season up. Also he said some shitty things about those two guys in interviews. Dusty was a PR hire for the best team in baseball and he won a title that most managers would win. Espada’s guys play harder
