Making a habit of winning like this.... is somewhat equivalent to the anomaly of 1-run wins that the Rangers showed last season. Of course, the Astros run differential does match the drapes...
Before the game Blum was bragging on the Stros saying that's the sign of a good team when they beat the teams they should beat. What's that mean?
Keuchel and McCullers pose a huge conundrum. I have no confidence in them right now, but if they're not on the DL, you are almost obligated to pitch them as your 1-2. I can only hope Keuchel is either rusty or hurt, and will figure it out in the next 6 weeks...
Man. As an Astros fan I am just deflated right now. To see Keuchal basically be no better than Liriano at this point and LMJ on the DL and our spitting oil out of the all star break is just deflating. Excitement is now concern. I am no longer confident we are the best team in the AL as their lead will now be 7.5 with Boston's win.
Keuchel is a sad soul currently. Injuries, trades, and non-trades have made the team and league very different than 2 months ago.
A lot of hope... I hope this front office is smarter and more progressive to not simply rely on hope now, and in the future... but most people's biggest concerns going into this year (Keuchel's regression/health...LMJ's health) have yet to be alleviated. I also hope they don't rely on the guys currently in A and AA to be the ones to be pitching meaningful games in support of Altuve/Correa/Springer. Those guys do deserve better. This city deserves better.
We are not currently the best team in the AL, and it's not really even worth a discussion. Best record? Sure. Best team right now? Not a chance.
We're playing on the road against the White Sox, their SP has walked SEVEN batters, yet we're getting shelled. Crazy.
I will say, despite my avid disappointment in not making a move at the deadline, this game would not be affected by any of the moves I would have made. Gray, Verlander, Darvish, britton and wilson would not be in this game... Keuchel needs to get right if we are gonna have any chance at all. Obvious I know...
Ultimately they blew it at the deadline and in my opinion threw the season away. They needed to at least add one more quality starting Pitcher. I don't see many teams fearing our rotation at all.
Yup... why there was no excuse not to get Sonny Gray at the cost he went for at the deadline. He is under contract for multiple years and can slide into the 3 spot very well the next several years. Because Hinch is the manager.
But right now, we are not fully healthy, hence my statement. And as we are learning, it is not practical to assume injured players will return to full strength quickly.
Boston is slowly creeping behind us. Ever since they traded for Nunez and caked up Devers they have been on a tear.
