ATT also showed a graphic of the difference of Diaz’ production when he plays at C vs. DH and it was quite stark…….
I'm just glad Neris was burned in a blowout and Maldy got his swings Pete Rose Astros losing this series would basically nullify the Rangers series and getting swept would completely nullify it
This years team lacks motivation and is showing signs of a diva mentality. Last few years, they had something to prove and played with a chip on their shoulder. This season, they seem to be playing down to their level of competition. It all starts with the leadership...I feel as if Dusty is slacking which is trickling down...oh yea, and the injuries.
You really think it's a lack of motivation and injuries are just an "oh yah" part of it? Their best offensive player has been out and perhaps their second most important offensive player in Altuve will miss the most games in a season in his career. So of course you're going to have some offensive duds when you're missing two All Stars in your lineup. Abreu stunk the first 2 months and that hurt the team but no way that had anything to do with motivation. Got a manager that starts the worst offensive player in baseball (and now a bad defensive player) when you have a rookie of the year candidate at the position. Starting pitching torn up by injuries and young pitchers that may have tired arms. The AAA pitching replacements have exceeded expectations. I'd say it's impressive they are in the hunt after what has happened in the first half of the season.
Will Dana Brown have the balls to DFA Maldy? Probably not. He doesn't deserve to be on this team or any team, no matter what bullsht pitcher love he has. These are grown as men, they'll adjust and get over it. It's time to stop the pandering. The pitchers won't be any worst than they currently are, and the team will definitely be better.
Yeah, seems kinda bizarre to ascribe it to a motivation issue. I think it's much more likely that many of the players have played several extra long seasons and several of the better players in that bunch cut a short off-season even shorter by playing in the WBC. Then injuries. The team just seems gassed. (which led to a not small number of the injuries). Sports fandom is a pretty interesting look into how people process information. -Team is underperforming expectations --> they're unmotivated -Dusty doesn't write out the line-up card people want --> Dusty IS A MORON -Jose Abreu underperforms --> Jeff Bagwell is a terrible terrible GM. People are quick on the reactionary takes and ascribing negative traits/adjectives to things they don't like/understand.
I don’t think Maldy needs to be DFA. There are plenty of teams with veteran catchers who can’t hit, even contending teams. But those catchers are the BACKUPS, playing 20-30% of the time. For Maldonado to be the everyday C at this point is just stupid.
I agree, but the problem is as long as Maldy is on the team...he will start. Only way to prevent that is if Dana Brown grows a pair and convinces the owner to move on.
Brown simply can't do that. Even a super team like the 2019 Astros only has a 25% or less shot to win the World Series. This team certainly isn't the 2019 team. If Brown DFAs Maldy, he is putting all his eggs in this year. If the Astros don't win it will because Maldy was not on the team and he suddenly is on the hot seat for his job.
20th combined no hitter happened today and the Astros have 4 of the 20. No other team has more than 2.
If we don't win today or at least play a respectable game, then I may f-ing lose it! And, when I lose it, I go into a very loud 20 minute guitar solo. I'm talking speed, harmonics, sweep picking, arpeggios, UFO sounds, EVH horses naying, finger tapping...all that ****! So, look out neighbors!
