<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariners?src=hash">#Mariners</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> lineups <a href="https://t.co/sFcwBn2es5">pic.twitter.com/sFcwBn2es5</a></p>— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/725079103783620608">April 26, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
True...but, at the end of the season, I doubt an under .500 record is going to get you in the playoffs. And, Astros have been playing at or below .500 since the strong start to last season. Just saying it's a huge concern at this point. There is still time but not if they keep sinking further into the hole imo. That turnaround needs to start fairly soon.
Most teams that win 85-89 games play large portions of the season just below .500, and they have a couple of streaks in there where they dominate for a week and a half or two. Because one of our best streaks last year was at the beginning, it's easy to look at it the way most do and say it was a fluke. Fact is, if we had started as a just below .500 team for a couple of months, and then had a big streak to get the division lead we had in mid summer, it wouldn't be so easy to look at it that way. Now, we can't continue to dig further and further below .500, but the key is to play at or a big above .500 for a majority of the remainder of the season, and find a couple of two weeks streaks where we dominate. We are 6-14 right now which is really bad. If we find a couple of 10-4 or 11-3 streaks somewhere, and with our talent base it's not unlikely that it can happen, then play .500 the rest of the season and you are right around 85-77. What we can't have, is another 20 game stretch of 6-14. I would guess a large majority of playoff teams have a 20 games stretch in their of around 6-20, but it's not likely they have two stretches like that.
I'm sure DK's back is sore from carrying this team, it's time for the team to pick him up for a change. The fact that he pitches with little run support is one thing but then you throw in the bad defense as of late he has started to look a little bit frustrated and who can blame him.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Devenski to start Saturday in Oakland</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/725111683081859072">April 26, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Great to finally see this. Until McCullers gets back Devenski currently has the best stuff in the starting rotation. Of course Keuchel is still currently the best and more seasoned pitcher on the staff but Devenski's fast ball has been reaching mid 90s in relief and his change up looks tough. Hoping this can be the jolt this rotation needs.
Love this....No guarantee he does well But certainly wouldn't be the first guy who wasn't a top prospect to be outstanding in our rotation If he can be as a starter what he has shown in the pen, and Lance comes back strong.....
I am a little concerned that he will not be nearly as effective when his fastball goes down a couple ticks and teams see him 2-3 times through he order as a starter.... but he has earned a chance to start and Feldman just hasn't been effective. I am waiting for the Fister wheels to come off in all it's glory... it is coming, and we will need someone to fill his spot in the rotation, and good to have Devinski and Feldman available and others in the minors.
Fister has never been a big velocity guy I'm not saying he is about to return to his dominance of few years ago But he could be the veteran that succeeds without great stuff as much as Feldman could I just hope Devenski can be a mid rotation type, if so its a big help
