Dang I'm totally forgetting about the new format and our bye. So yes it's a definite he's getting 3 more starts this season. Wouldn't be surprised to see Hunter Brown go next Tuesday pushing JV to Wednesday and then they can come back and pitch him the next Tuesday, shortening that time off he's going to have. So I'm calling it, back to a six-man rotation from here on out.
Another thing to point out is that Vazquez will be catching JV tonight. I'm sure this is to give them a chance to work together in case there are instances where Vazquez is needed to start or pinch hits for Maldy in the playoffs.
Dubon can't either if you really think about it. Tucker is a better center fielder than Dubon certainly. Absolutely no reason to waste a playoff roster spot with Dubon.
I agree Vazquez needs to have some work with JV in case Maldy can't start one of JVs playoff games. But it's not likely Dusty pinch hits for Maldy at a point that Verlander is still in the game. I don't see Maldy being pinch hit for before the 7th inning ( most likely 8th+) And if JV is still pitching then, it's likely the Astros are up ( but not big lead) and need the defense more than offense
How did the Astros get themselves into a position where they only have 2 players who can play CF ( Chas and Dubon) and 2 who can play RF ( Tucker and Chas) out of 14 players? If Chas, Tucker, or Dubon get nicked and need an off day there is no back up for either spot. And imagine if there is an outfield collision between 2 of them. BBBRRRRRRRRR. I scared myself.
With the 2 days off after this series, I could see them pitching Javier Sunday (4), McCullers on Tuesday (5 )and JV on Wednesday (5) setting up McCullers, Verlander and Valdez to end the season. Then each will pitch with 7+ days rest in the NLDS with Javier available for a game 4 if needed. Then JV on 5 days If needed for a game 5 if needed. ie ALDS 10/11 JV 10/13 Valdez 10/15 McCullers 10/16 Javier if needed 10/17 JV if needed ALCS 10/19 10/20 10/22 10/23 10/24 if needed 10/25 if needed 10/26 if needed WS 10/28 10/29 10/31 11/1 11/2 if needed 11/4 if needed 11/5 if needed
Since 8/2 Javier 3 Maldy; 5 Vasquez Urquidy 3 Maldy; 5 Valdez Verlander 6 Maldy; Valdez today Valdez 7 Maldy; 1 Vasquez Garcia 0 Maldy; 7 Vasquez McCullers 6 Maldy; 1 Vasquez Brown 2 Maldy; 0 Vasquez note Maldy caught Garcia before the trade. Brown was caught by Vasquez relieving Garcia.
It's really true. On top of the fact they are just really, really good there has been no really significant injuries. Brantley's was probably the worst but he wasn't a huge cog in the offense anyway since his power had really fallen off. They've also been incredibly consistent all season. They've had a few long winning streaks, but very few of what I would call "slumps" where they lose multiple series in a row. I guess that's maybe a function of how good the pitching has been that it has kept us in the vast majority of games. Playoffs gonna be nuts, though.
