Please limit talk in this thread to this series. Other topics should be discussed in the appropriate threads. Play-by-play is not allowed. If you need that, there are other places to find it. Political discussions belong in the D&D forum not in here. All games are broadcast on Space City Network unless otherwise noted. 6-14 Tarik Skubal (L) vs. Hunter Brown (R) 7:10 6-15 Jack Flaherty (R) vs. Justin Verlander (R) 3:10 6-16 Kenta Maeda (R) vs. Spencer Arrighetti (R) 1:10
Every time we see the Tigers, I cant but help think of the whole trash can ordeal. And when I do, I reach the same thoughts. Either Luhnow forced Hinch to allow it or he didn't and Hinch was just too weak to stop it. Do we know know factually which was the case?
Stros needs wins/sweeps... and have another opportunity. They will either capitalize or they won't. .
Cora/Beltran were running it... Cora had beef with Hinch.... Hinch did his best to keep harmony both amongst the team and within his coaching staff. Luhnow knew all of it and had guys breaking down signs/codes way before (mainly to be used for runners at second to relay, not to relay to hitters with nobody on base). Whether it was apple watches, cameras, Thera-guns, or trash cans... this was rampant but only the Astros had a player willing to go on the record. The Astros had a whistle blower in part because of the toxic/cuthtroat behind the scenes environment that would promote a player to violate the clubhouse sanctity (and also promote the media to coerce such a player to come forward and dish). The media still likely doesnt target Houston if not for Luhnow and the soft local media market, and a soft fan base that they had no fears of singling out/alienating.
He's the favorite for the CYA, let alone being an all-star. He's eviscerated all Astros lineups over his 3 starts against them.
Here's the tragic part: In 2023, he helped the Astros to a third consecutive A.L. West title with 18 home runs and 90 RBI, which included an A.L.-best 28 RBI in September/October. In the postseason, he helped the Astros advance to within one win of a third consecutive World Series appearance with four home runs and 13 RBI in 11 postseason games with a .945 OPS.
