So, I guess the haters didn't want to watch the Astros lose to the Braves after all. I thought they would tune in rooting for us to lose. But, they are boycotting apparently.
I don’t watch if my team isn’t playing. I don’t expect people to watch us win, I’m sure they hate that.
Since Garcia is a Flyball pitcher, wouldn’t it make sense to start with defense at CF and Kyle/Yordan, then bring Brantley for the bullpen innings?
Doubt it has anything to do with boycott. sports ratings are just down except if you are the NFL I guess. Look at NBA finals ratings, it was putrid last year.
By boycott, I meant a large number of fans who won't tune in because they regard the Astros as cheaters. I'm sure there are some. But, yes...viewership has been down in general. It's also more about which teams are involved as usual.
No thanks. First, you take Brantley’s hot bat (5 for 9 in the series) out of the lineup for defensive purposes. Then, you weaken the pitching and defense by not having the best game caller on the team behind the plate, and the Braves can now press the issue on the bases with Castro catching. Plus, the only pitcher that Castro regularly caught was Odorizzi, and he’s not starting one of the three games. If one of Alvarez, Brantley or Tucker weren’t hitting, then starting McCormick (or Siri vs a LHP) in center makes sense. But, the three of them and Yuli are the four hottest bats in the Astros’ lineup. There should be no debate about who plays in the outfield for the Astros in Atlanta.
The only thing that can save the ratings for this one will be a Sharknado. While tragic, it would boost the ratings significantly.
The Atlanta defense is just as soft as ours and truth is, Alvarez and Brantley get the job done in an acceptable fashion. Let them bat, and whatever happens in the outfield happens. It likely won't decide a game. But the bats likely will.
You do not bench a player that is 5 for 9 through the first two games of the World Series for inferior players. Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez’s offense >> the defense gained with McCormick in CF. I’m not including Siri because I don’t think he’s that great defensively. His routes are quite an adventure, at times.
It seems odd to argue playing Siri for better D but then sitting Maldanado who is far more valuable to our D than who is playing in centerfield.
If it was only Dusty's call, I would guess Chas would be out there (though could go either way). If the Astros go with the Alvarez, Tucker, Brantley OF, I think it will be with input with the front office that the defensive drop isn't bigger than the offensive gain. I am not unopposed to the Alvarez, Tucker, Brantley OF, though I think the Astros should have played it more in the regular season if they were going to do it in the World Series. I would have liked to have seen it more than just once prior to the World Series.
I think you’re right, actually. You keep your 1-7 lineup intact, with Maldy-P instead of Chaz-Maldy in 8/9, and whatever happens in the outfield you live with it. Plus, with them having a pitcher shortage, why give them an easier out? I think Alvy/Tuck/Brantley should be the OF, yes.
