All series talk goes in here. Non series talk goes somewhere else. No PBP, that can be found from other sources if you need it. All games are broadcast on AT&T Sports SW unless otherwise noted. 8-14 Framber Valdez (L) vs. Braxton Garrett (L). 5:40 8-15 Cristian Javier (R) vs. Johnny Cueto (R). 5:40 8-16 Justin Verlander (R). vs. Jesus Luzardo (L) 5:40
That looks like 3 Maldonado games, all the more reason it was important for Maldonado to also start yesterday.
Diaz will DH tonight. Followed by 1B tomorrow due to Javier's flyball percentage. Then be hitting for Maldy in the 7th in game 3. 2/3 starts when he should just be starting over Maldy every game. Gross.
I'm guessing Diaz catches Javier. This could be another Diaz, Chas, and Meyers game. With Framber on the mound, I expect Chas in CF tonight as he's the perceived worst defensive CF by Dusty with Yordan or Diaz in LF. This leaves Friday to be a Dubon in CF and Chas in LF game. I hope Meyers starts 2 games this series with the large field, but I've become more jaded.
The Javier game is the most likely game for Singleton to start at 1B ( vs a RH) though he will most likely start all 3 or at least the QST 2 w/ getaway day a "Dusty special" lineup featuring Kessinger at 1B. I think Dusty is absolutely opposed to playing Diaz at 1B.
It's funny( in a sad way) how we have to convert to Baker logic vs regular logic when predicting lineups.
I have no idea what Dusty will do but here is what I would do and my thoughts. game 1) Yordan- Chas- Tucker in OF, Diaz should DH because no way he catches Framber. game 2) Chas-Meyers-Tucker in OF, Diaz should catch. Meyers is not good vs RHP, but he's better than catching Maldy and putting Yordan in LF for a 3rd consecutive day. Diaz simply must be in the lineup vs RHP. Game 3) Chas-Meyers-Tucker in the OF and Yordan DH. Hopefully Diaz catching but I'm ok if its Maldy. Choose your battles.Hopefully that play last week showed Dusty that Dubon should not be in CF and Meyers (or Chas) is the best option to prevent runs. This is one of the larger outfields in baseball. The middle game is the game I worry about. 1) it's vs a RHP 2) Yordan played LF Sunday and will very likely play it again today with Framber on the mound. I hate the idea of Yordan playing LF (especially THIS LF) 3 days in a row. I think they DH him. 3) Meyers should start every game vs LHP but sit often vs RHP. This series plays backwards for that strategy. 4) if Dusty insists on Maldy catching Javier and not playing Yordan in LF a 3rd consecutive day then Diaz will be on the bench vs a RHP and that could cost the Astros a win. Life would be much simpler if Framber started game 2 vs the RHSP. Then Yordan could DH game 1 and play LF fresh vs RHSP with Framber pitching. Meyers would start vs LHSP in game 1 instead if RHSP in game 2.
As bad as Kessinger has been, his 2023 stats are better than Singleton or Maldy's. Abreu has a higher OPS than all of them. With Abreu on the IL, Diaz catching and Kessinger at first would be the best current lineup based on 2023 stats (obviously small sample size for Kessinger). Even with his 2 recent home runs and several walks, Singleton's 2023 stats are still worse than his career averages and his career averages are worse than Abreu's 2023 numbers. Diaz needs to be catching and the Astros need another solution that isn't currently on the team at 1B. If Maldy is going to catch for whatever reason, Diaz should be at 1B.
But why include Singleton's stats from Milwaukee? You might as well count his AAA stats, or his 2015 stats for as relevant as they are. Same small sample size as Kessinger (who I like, by the way) but OPS over 1.000 and 11% K rate. I think Singleton has a chance to bring something this team is missing and he needs as much playing time as possible before Abreu returns to show whether or not he can be a difference maker vs RHP in the playoffs. I like Kessinger but he does not bring anything different Dubon or anyone else on the bench brings. He isn't a potential difference maker. Big Jon probably isn't either but it is smart to find out.
Milwaukie is an MLB team. He played against MLB pitchers while in Milwaukie this year. Those are legit stats. I would not put too much faith either way for either Singleton or Kessinger at this point.
