Ryan Pressly just gave up a lead off single followed by a two run bomb and now another single. On the verge of blowing a 3 run lead. Edit: For those wondering the game ended on an infield hit where Swanson faked a throw to 1st and ran down the guy trying to pull a Jose Siri. Crazy play lol would have been bases loaded. He’s given up 10 base runners now in 3 innings with only 1 K.
Regarding the off day tomorrow: According to postgame, the initial plan was playing Thursday and having Friday off -- but since Crane owns the Houston Open, he thought Sunday would be better so employees could attend the event on Sunday. Mets agreed.... so here we are. Enjoy the Coogs tomorrow afternoon and Rockets during primetime. It's a day off for Hader and Abreu entering the next series.
Paredes wants to play third. So short of someone like Arenado coming over, Paredes will stay at third where he is “okay”. As for second base, Paredes is slow but his initial natural reaction speed isn’t slow - he plays deep and relies on his arm. He would be fine at second I think but he is slow - and it’s a reality.
It’s very early but I like what I see. The pitching looks very good and there is depth in the minors and majors if there is an injury. The infield defense is very promising. The outfield defense is shaky on the corners but I expect Altuve to improve and be adequate and Smith has all the physical attributes to be very good. Meyers is obviously nasty with the glove and the arm is what it is. I think right now we are a bat short - but it seems every year we are a bat or arm short, and the key is to prevent needing both. If the offense is a bat short at the deadline we should have the assets and payroll flexibility to get one - IF we don’t need a starting pitcher and a bat. It would be great is Rogers or Smith locked in offensively.
Smoltz was a really good big leaguer. Was a consistent near ace starter for well over a decade - and I think even better in the pen, one of the 5 best relievers I have ever seen … up there with Rivera, Eckersley, Gagne, Quissenberry as far as absolute prime relievers. Having said that - don’t like the guy as an announcer.
Peak roided up Gagne is probably the best pitcher i’ve ever seen. 2 homers in 80 innings and a near 7/1 k/bb ratio is nutty.
The Astros are lacking a multitude of intangibles. 2Bs typically have speed. Paredes is slow AF and Rodgers has one career steal. Altuve has some speed but yesterday we all saw Soto's double due to other negative attributes, plus we saw his "speed" get caught stealing. We have a total of zero OFs with an arm (sans Dubon). I'm not sure about Cam's arm, but he has plenty to prove in other areas. The pitching has been Top 5 quality overall thus far. However, the all encompassment of the offense and defense appears an anchor. We need surprise production at the plate from ~3 player for true contention -- either Cam balls with 800 OPS, Chas 750, Diaz 850, or guys like Dezenzo, Rodgers, or Pena are at least average. Obviously, proven players like Altuve, Yordan, Walker, and Paredes need to be equal/better than last season. Thumbs up on the infield defense. As of now, this team is overly dependent on pitching (and it's very good pitching)... but I'm fairly confident the offense can be #10-ish in MLB.
