Probably already said, but the $95 million dollar man should have been put in at the start of the 8th inning up 2-1 to get the final 6 outs with your season on the line - which he’s done multiple times this season. So this is on Espada. Just my .02
The entire payroll of the 26-man roster for Detroit is 18.8 million, just shy of the 19 million we are paying Josh Hader. Ouch. If Hinch doesn't win AL MOY, that's criminal.
And that's why I said Joe hit the panic button the way he handled game 1, going all in with the bullpen all the way back to the 5th inning. Just a bad strategy. Then he doubles down on the mistake and puts Hader in a 3-0 deficit game in the 9th. Had he not done that, it would have allowed him to then hit the much more logical panic button and put Hader in to start the 8th inning in game 2. We'll never know how that might have worked out. But he sure as hell didn't allow for that to be an option given the way he flailed his arms in game 1.
Dusty essentially did the same for game 1 in 2022 ALDS when Verlander wet the bed.. it was worth the gamble. Bats just didn't fight back.
eh. it's gonna be royals manager https://preview.redd.it/iyy7vkga65s...bp&s=90a174c089fa137703e0b3d370c6ca36c0c899c0
Framber had to be removed. Neris was a good choice because he's performed with inherited runners, plus he's performed in the postseason. Pressly and Abreu were both preserved for Game 2. The only mistake Espada made was pitching Hader in Game 1... THAT was foolish. It's unfortunate Blanco could only muster 6 outs. Joe had to be expecting 3 innings minimum, but Ronel allowed too many baserunners and was at 50 pitches in only 2 innings. The biggest disappointment pitching-wise was Hader in Game 2, followed closely by Framber. In the end, the offense sucked, and we got little-to-no luck with lineouts or fair balls.
Oh Jesus no, not even close, they at least were expected to push for AL Central. Detroit expected to struggle to even play .500. Two very different expectations. The way KC phizzled pretty much took him out of contention. It's down to the Cleveland manager (Vogt) and AJ.
Reds hire Francona. Dammit, I wish we could have made a quick firing and got in on the Falcona deal. Sigh....
Astros need a huge injection of "emotion," Bryce Harper kind of fire. As currently constructed they are one of the most unexpressive group in the majors. It just "looks" like it doesn't mean that much to them. Sort of, "if we win, fine; if we lose fine." That is just unacceptable at any level, but especially when you are making millions to play a kids game.
Or Manny Machado calling a team meeting in the dugout today. Astros had that guy in Carlos Correa. Obviously we won without him in 2022 but if we can somehow get him back now that Twins might be going in a new direction we should jump at the chance.
Brice Matthews is that player. He needs to be at the Top of the order. Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez both batting 2nd was terrible in the sense that you need Speed, High Contact, Threat to Steal Bases. Kyle and Yordan are underperforming and not stealing bases. Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez Leg Injuries. Hurt the Lineup, Very Slow and Sluggish.
Move On, Astros internally we have some Star Prospects. Brice Matthews and Walker Janek really can be Leaders. Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker are more Lead by Example. Justin Verlander, Martin Maldonado tried. Walker Janek being the Catcher and Yainer Diaz being the Full Time First Baseman will change the Defense. Blocking Balls in the Dirt did cost the Astros the win. Yainer Diaz Glove Placement and not using his chest protector to block balls in the dirt. Yainer does not have a High IQ to be a Great Denlfender. Young Confident Hitters are needed,on this Team, give some life in this Slow, Older Players with bad Leg Injuries. Brice Matthews, Walker Janek, Jacob Melton playing LF.
Lets see if he can hit AAA pitching before promoting him, much less putting him at the top of the lineup. No need to put that kind of pressure on a young guy that's less than 3 years removed from college.
