Agreed, but we have played the most games of any team in the MLB (48 games - same as the Giants, Padres, Rangers, and Reds). I was actually surprised to see the disparity in games played at this point. The Mets and Twins have only played 42. Yanks and White Sox 43.CFTXAG10 said:
It kind of sucks having these off days so close to one another
***** Official Houston Astros 2018 Season Thread *****
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Last: 5 yr ago by dshedd41
Twins and White Sox had 3/4 games of a series postponed for weather. And the Twins had another game or 2 besides those.
Also the Yankees and Detroit had that same stretch of games postponed as well.
Also the Yankees and Detroit had that same stretch of games postponed as well.
Astros Rotation Could Rank Among Best Ever
Quote:
They have the best strikeout rate (30.1 percent), the lowest average against (.189), the lowest slugging against (.316), and they've done it all while throwing the most innings (308). They've been so good that their .188/.253/.316 line against basically means that every hitter against them turns into Michael A. Taylor, who's hitting .185/.255/.305.
Even better, think about it this way: The entire Astros rotation is striking hitters out like Luis Severino (30.8 percent), allowing the same average as Chris Sale (.188) and limiting slugging like Max Scherzer (.319). That is, of course, ridiculous.
Ah yes, I totally forgot about the bad weather the N/NE had at the start of the season.The Milkman said:
Twins and White Sox had 3/4 games of a series postponed for weather. And the Twins had another game or 2 besides those.
Also the Yankees and Detroit had that same stretch of games postponed as well.
The rotation has 3 of the top 10, and 4 of the top 15 in strikeout leaders for all MLB
What do we do with Francis Martes, Forrest Whitley, Bukauskas?? That's three pitchers that could be above average to elite, and we don't have any room for them this year, or next
The embarrassment of riches is quite fun!CSWendt said:
What do we do with Francis Martes, Forrest Whitley, Bukauskas?? That's three pitchers that could be above average to elite, and we don't have any room for them this year, or next
IMO: Include Martes in a package for bullpen help at the deadline. I could definitely be wrong but I don't see his stock going too much higher than it is right now.
IMO: Whitley will be too good to not be in the rotation by mid 2019.
IMO: Bukauskas will need another couple of years. Rough start this year. Injured right now.
IMO: Retain David Paulino as a AAAA depth guy.
Don't forget about Corbin Martin! Apparently Lunhow speaks highly about him
I'd like Martes to be traded. High prospect, but I don't think he'll ever amount to a whole lot.
I could be wrong, but I think this is the last year on CFM's contract. If he stays in baseball, I think both he and the Astros would be more than happy to come to an agreement.
I could be wrong, but I think this is the last year on CFM's contract. If he stays in baseball, I think both he and the Astros would be more than happy to come to an agreement.
Great problem to have. Between injuries, free agency and unforeseen issues I'll bet there will be room for them when the time comes. If when they are ready everything has gone perfectly and there is still no room for them, flip them for what we need...or for more and younger prospects to keep the farm system strong.
It's great having Luhnow, who does a great overall job with assets and who you don't feel is going to trade them all away for baubles & trinkets.
It's great having Luhnow, who does a great overall job with assets and who you don't feel is going to trade them all away for baubles & trinkets.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23558800/tampa-bay-rays-forefront-rotation-revolution
Article about the Rays using RP Sergio Romo to "start" a couple of games against the Angels. Mostly not Astros related except for the last paragraph, which is awesome and hilarious...
Article about the Rays using RP Sergio Romo to "start" a couple of games against the Angels. Mostly not Astros related except for the last paragraph, which is awesome and hilarious...
Quote:
Bottom line: My gut says there's something here, while acknowledging the Angels are particularly susceptible to this strategy. But maybe it's just a different way of using a bullpen instead of a better way. Either way, give credit to the Rays for thinking outside the box.
Of course, the best option is probably just to have a rotation with Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Lance McCullers Jr., Charlie Morton and Dallas Keuchel.
Dallas is not having a mediocre season. He's just not having an all time great year while 3 other guys in the rotation are. His ERA is 3.43. He's one of the top pitchers in limiting hard contact and getting soft contact.Ag_07 said:gigemJTH12 said:Marwin is batting a smooth .225 right now. going to be very interesting how his offseason unwinds if that doesnt change.irish pete ag06 said:
Marwin will obviously turn it down and the Astros should receive some nice draft compensation for those 2.
Then again... it may be a bit risky offering Marwin a QO. He may accept it also.
Yep. Same with Dallas.
If both those guys continue with their mediocre seasons maybe they decide to cash in on the QO while they're value is low while they use the one year to rebuild that value.
I think being Boras clients is a wildcard in both situations. Not sure how he approaches the QO scenario.
Would be great. Would also immediately lead to expanding the playoffs to more of an NFL-style 6 team playoff. You just know it would.W said:
or I suppose a 105-win Red Sox / Yankees team could get eliminated in the wildcard round. That would be good
SIAP
https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/when-lance-mccullers-stops-mccullersing/
Really shows how important it is for Lance to have a #3 pitch (change up).
exactly.
there is no way Keuchel takes a qualifying offer unless he has an enormous drop off from where he has been so far this season.
He will get over $80mm guaranteed as a FA.
there is no way Keuchel takes a qualifying offer unless he has an enormous drop off from where he has been so far this season.
He will get over $80mm guaranteed as a FA.
I think most people realize that, but there is a small and vocal group of Dallas-haters on here that don't remember what it's like to trot Jordan Lyles out there 25-30 times a year and think that because we have 3-4 guys doing dead-on peak career Nolan Ryan impressions that the 5th one must not be pulling his weight.
Just to illustrate this further. Keuchel's ERA is lower than any starters in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Miami, Milwaukee, or San Francisco. And his ERA would be second lowest on the staffs of Arizona, Chicago (White Sox), LA Angels, LA Dodgers, Minnesota, NY Yanks, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Texas.
Deluxe said:I've thought about this too. Verlander, Cole and Morton seem like the obvious 1-3. Not sure if Keuchel has any "legacy" rights over Morton to get the game 3 start, but there's no doubt who I'd trust more in that spot right now.irish pete ag06 said:
Here's another off-day topic:
Playoffs start tomorrow (using today's standings) and we are the 2 seed with home field advantage against the Indians.
Who's your rotation after Verlander?
Also agree that Keuchel should get the game 4 start and LMJ to the pen. LMJ has proven he can work out of the pen. LMJ's stuff seems more conducive to a high-leverage bullpen role than Keuchel's too. LMJ can be straight up nasty, whereas Keuchel just sort of methodically beats the bottom of the zone and keeps hitters off balance with his deception and mix of pitches (when he's sharp anyway).
Lance and Charlie to the back of the bullpen. Dallas becomes the lefty specialist (Package Sipp and PTBNL/cash for a ton of locker room champagne).
If Verlander and Cole can't pitch on two days' rest, what are we even paying them for?
THISDVC2010 said:Deluxe said:I've thought about this too. Verlander, Cole and Morton seem like the obvious 1-3. Not sure if Keuchel has any "legacy" rights over Morton to get the game 3 start, but there's no doubt who I'd trust more in that spot right now.irish pete ag06 said:
Here's another off-day topic:
Playoffs start tomorrow (using today's standings) and we are the 2 seed with home field advantage against the Indians.
Who's your rotation after Verlander?
Also agree that Keuchel should get the game 4 start and LMJ to the pen. LMJ has proven he can work out of the pen. LMJ's stuff seems more conducive to a high-leverage bullpen role than Keuchel's too. LMJ can be straight up nasty, whereas Keuchel just sort of methodically beats the bottom of the zone and keeps hitters off balance with his deception and mix of pitches (when he's sharp anyway).
Lance and Charlie to the back of the bullpen. Dallas becomes the lefty specialist (Package Sipp and PTBNL/cash for a ton of locker room champagne).
If Verlander and Cole can't pitch on two days' rest, what are we even paying them for?
Also if you want to look at whether Keuchel is actually "pulling his weight", his salary this year is just north of $13M. A win in baseball "costs" roughly $8-9M. If (big "if") he can stay healthy all year, his WAR projects to just under 3. Not a career year, but very solid - would put him somewhere around 30th best in the league in a typical year.
For perspective, that's a similar season to Colin McHugh in 2016, when he was our best starting pitcher in a bad season for the team. That season is "worth" in dollars somewhere around DOUBLE what Keuchel is going to make this year.
I'll be the first to say that I am not confident that his best years are ahead of him and I think it would be foolish sign him to a long contract based on his past body of work. But hey, let's at least appreciate what the man has done and what he is doing today.
For perspective, that's a similar season to Colin McHugh in 2016, when he was our best starting pitcher in a bad season for the team. That season is "worth" in dollars somewhere around DOUBLE what Keuchel is going to make this year.
I'll be the first to say that I am not confident that his best years are ahead of him and I think it would be foolish sign him to a long contract based on his past body of work. But hey, let's at least appreciate what the man has done and what he is doing today.
wow. excellent post.BowSowy said:
Just to illustrate this further. Keuchel's ERA is lower than any starters in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Miami, Milwaukee, or San Francisco. And his ERA would be second lowest on the staffs of Arizona, Chicago (White Sox), LA Angels, LA Dodgers, Minnesota, NY Yanks, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Texas.
I should have clarified a bit more...I think it's a mediocre season by Dallas standards. No up there with his best seasons but not down there with his worst seasons.
I have no clue what Dallas is gonna fetch on the FA market. One part me thinks with his injury history he'll get less than we think. Then I see that Yu got $126MM over 6 years and think some team will give him something like that.
However, I'm confident that it won't be us paying him next year and I'm ok with that.
I have no clue what Dallas is gonna fetch on the FA market. One part me thinks with his injury history he'll get less than we think. Then I see that Yu got $126MM over 6 years and think some team will give him something like that.
However, I'm confident that it won't be us paying him next year and I'm ok with that.
Harry Dunne said:
I think most people realize that, but there is a small and vocal group of Dallas-haters on here that don't remember what it's like to trot Jordan Lyles out there 25-30 times a year and think that because we have 3-4 guys doing dead-on peak career Nolan Ryan impressions that the 5th one must not be pulling his weight.
I don't dislike Keuchel, I truly love his style of pitching, when he is on he is Greg Maddux'esque. On the other hand he has been fairly vocal in the past and I think that plays against him when he has bad game or is just average.
Yu (31) got 6 year, 126 M (21 per)
Arrieta (32) got 3 year, 75 M (25 per)
I think Dallas is going to get something similar to these deals. I would guess 5 year, 110 M (22 per).
Arrieta (32) got 3 year, 75 M (25 per)
I think Dallas is going to get something similar to these deals. I would guess 5 year, 110 M (22 per).
Vocal about what? The 2 controversial things I recall is that he didn't like that we stood pat at the trade deadline. He was proven right, it was the wrong move, and the front office fixed it by trading for Verlander. He also said we
re not the Cubs as far a WS hangovers go. I like the confidence.
re not the Cubs as far a WS hangovers go. I like the confidence.
I remember him being vocal about pitching with shifts and making some remarks about the defense behind him.
Ag_07 said:
I remember him being vocal about pitching with shifts and making some remarks about the defense behind him.
Yep. I don't mind him being vocal at all, just be careful with the fans that when you aren't on your game turn on you.
Not sure if this has been posted before but since it's an off day, this is a fantastic 12 minute video from Leiter showing all the different arm angles on breaking balls, going back and showing Kaufax and Ryan and featuring a lot of Astros (Verlander, Lance, and Morton). It's REALLY well done.
I dont think being proven right really exonerates him from the point though.Farmer1906 said:
Vocal about what? The 2 controversial things I recall is that he didn't like that we stood pat at the trade deadline. He was proven right, it was the wrong move, and the front office fixed it by trading for Verlander. He also said we
re not the Cubs as far a WS hangovers go. I like the confidence.
as a leader he should have just stepped up and taken full charge and instilled confidence.
I love 60. but I did hate his comment and still dont think he was right for saying it.
oh well, got a ring.
Farmer1906 said:
Y'all are right. He did make some comment on shifts.
It seems like Lance is on the verge of becoming the guy we've all been waiting for.
Lance needs to go to the bullpen
He will never be efficient enough or healthy enough to be a full time starter
Also, he will never learn a third pitch
Fight me
I googled LMJ and reliever to see if I could find the tweet of some national prospect guy who kept relegating LMJ to the pen and I found this ol Keith Law Chat... Here's some humdingers:
http://www.espn.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/39666/mlb-insider-keith-law
http://www.espn.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/39666/mlb-insider-keith-law
Keuchel hasn't said anything that terrible. He comes off a bit whiny sometimes, but he's no Tyler Bauer. I try to separate the player from the person or else it would be hard to root for a lot of these guys.
He and Harden do need to trim their beards down to a non-gnomish level. I wonder if either of them have anything contractual obligating them to keep them or if they are both just attention-seeking ******s.
He and Harden do need to trim their beards down to a non-gnomish level. I wonder if either of them have anything contractual obligating them to keep them or if they are both just attention-seeking ******s.
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