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. 9-15 James Kaprielian (R) vs. Lance McCullers Jr. (R) 6:20 FOX only 9-16 Adrian Martinez (R) vs. Justin Verlander (R) 7:10 MLBN (out-of-market only) 9-17 Cole Irvin (L) vs. Jose Urquidy (R) 6:10 9-18 Ken Waldichuk (L) vs. Framber Valdez (L) 1:10
This is the exact rotation I was expecting over the last several days. The next series will answer more difficult rotation questions.
Four at home with those arms lined up would on paper look like we could keep the W train rolling. Let’s just keep everyone healthy.
The possibilities after this series are crazy. Where do Brown, Garcia, Urquidy and Javier fit in? You could even go with a seven pitcher rotation one time to get to the end of this last extended string of consecutive days. But after that, there are only 8 games till the season ends. I wouldn't want to be the one making these decisions, but I keep hearing Javier should go to the pen just because he's done it before, even though he should be in the rotation based on performance. But there's a case to be made for all of them.
The only thing I really care about in this series is seeing if Verlander looks like himself after the leg injury. Wins don't matter too much at this point but making sure everyone is ready for the postseason DOES matter.
It was a minor calf injury and worked out to be a good time to get him an extended rest. There is nothing to be concerned about when it comes to JV. This is the second time I've seen a post say wins don't matter. Why is that? Of course they matter. There's no sense in shutting anything down as there will be enough of a break (if not too long) after the season ends and before the ALDS starts. Yes, I want to make sure everyone is healthy but that doesn't mean doing anything more or less than they're already doing. As much as many b****ed and moaned about Dusty's rosters day in and day out, it was with the playoffs in mind from game 1.
Has to be. Everything revolves around Broadcaster Needs. MLB is determined to stay stuck in the 70s catering to Broadcasters when tech has evolved to subscription based monetization. MLB would make more prioritizing direct access of all games with no blackouts for a subscription and then selling the broadcast subject to subscription rights. Then charging a premium to receive commercial free viewing for those with the means and desire to pay for that service replacing advertising revenue. The idea that ticket revenue is significantly affected by subscription service and local broadcasts is a stretch at best. Any lost ticket sales could be easily offset by increasing Revenue Sharing from subscription sales. It is in reality FREE ADVERTISING and attracts live attendance. For comparison, has free radio broadcast or online music ever caused a concert to sell fewer tickets? Live attendance is AN EVENT, not competition.
When I talk about wins not mattering, I'm speaking in context of what I have control over, which is to say what I get worried about. If the Astros went on a mini slump and lost 4 of 6, it wouldn't really bother me that much because the division is locked up and I'm pretty confident they will have the best AL record as well. But if Verlander went back out there and re-tweaked his calf I WOULD be bothered. Of course the Astros aren't going to change any of what they are doing. Especially not based on anything I think or feel. They'll most likely continue to juggernaut to the finish line. But even if they stumble a little along the way it won't bother me as long as everyone stays healthy.
I've noticed the tickets are cheaper for tonight's game than most Thursday night games. Might grab a couple and take my son. Wondered if the start time had anything to do with it. Could be that it's Oakland, or maybe because school is back in full swing with high school sports going on. Probably all of the above.
It's interesting how random people know so much more about MLB's finances and what they can make than MLB.
I know teams have adjusted pricing based on competition recently. So, this is probably one of those games.
That’s not even remotely close to true. Teams make a small fortune off RSA’s and their contracts bc everyone who subscribes kicks in about $3.00 a month for that station, even though less than 10% of their subscribers ever watch said station. That money dwarfs any money they would receive from a subscription model based upon hard core fans. The way they do it now is the golden egg and they will (rightfully) hold onto that model for as long as possible. I’m pretty sure the Astros make over 100M from TV and radio rights. mid they charged something like $50 a year for a subscription model (that would be a huge model for one team) they’d have to get something like 2M people to subscribe to equal that number. That would be an insane ask. Your premise is completely wrong.
I keep Brown in the rotation 1 more turn (until 2 off days 26th, 29th) and pull Garcia now. Garcia has not been in the bullpen all season so this gives him time to get into the routine. Brown has pitched extensively in the bullpen all season so not as much of an adjustment. It gives the Astros some MLB appearances out of the bullpen to make a more informed decision about the playoff roster. Then just keep the 6 man rotation with 5 days rest between every start. 19 Brown (5) 20 Javier (5) 21 Lance (5) 22 JV (5) 23 Urquidy (5) 24 Framber (5) 25 Javier (4) and Brown (5) piggy back 27 Lance (5) 28 JV (5) 30 Framber (5) 1 Urquidy (7) 2 Javier (6) 3 Lance (5) 4 JV (5) 5 Framber (4= limit to 4-5 innings) Brown Playoffs 11 JV ( 6 days rest) 13 Framber ( 7 days rest) 15 Lance ( 11 days rest) 16 Javier ( 13 days rest) or JV (4 days rest) Obviously Lance and Javier will need to find a way to get some pitching ( more than usual) in during the 5 off days before the playoffs start
With the Astro pitching staff, just imagine if Brantley, Springer, and Correa were still Astros. Who would beat that team in a seven game series? Maybe LA, but I think that team would steamroll through the playoffs. Oh well, we are good as it is, but couldn't help but think of what could have been.
