Safe at Home said:

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Last night someone mentioned the Astro's post season scoring futility during the Biggio/Bagwell years. I remember those painfully. So for "fun" I looked it up. From 1997 through 2001 the Astros played in 14 playoff games. They won 2 of them and scored a total of 34 runs, an average of 2.4 runs per game.

So yeah Tampa Bay fans, we know how you feel.

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34 runs? I'm surprised it's so many.

PhatMack19 said:

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Cards intentionally walked McCann to face Dansby

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Shildt is so dumb. McCann was 0-3 going into that AB, Swanson was 2-3. I'm so happy we have the best manager in the majors.

Dude was born in 1998. I have T-shirt's that old. Crazy

That's why TA is the best. Thanks.

I'm clueless on baseball salary cap ( if there is one), but Im guessing Astro ownership sees the value of Cole & would be willing to drop some serious $$,$$$,$$$ to keep him. JV is great, but Cole could insure long term dynasty.

Burn-It said:

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That's why TA is the best. Thanks.

I'm clueless on baseball salary cap ( if there is one), but Im guessing Astro ownership sees the value of Cole & would be willing to drop some serious $$,$$$,$$$ to keep him. JV is great, but Cole could insure long term dynasty.

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We are at about $197MM versus a cap of $206MM. Next year Bregman starts hitting us for another $19MM, Greinke will start hitting us for another $20MM, Springer will be due another $18MM, Cole would require another $20+MM. Tucker will be due another $150k All other arbitration players will be a few million more.

This roster is not sustainable next year and trading away Reddick doesn't get us anywhere close to the numbers, there will have to be some changes.

(All of these numbers are very rough, so don't bash me too much)
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/houston-astros/payroll/

If you didn't believe that managers lose their minds in playoff games before tonight, Martinez would make a believer out of you. Instead of Corbin doing his normal BP day, looks like he's going to come on in relief of Sanchez.

Tempurpedic mattress order placed. Will see if we get a bonus bed refund. (Needed one anyways so it's no biggie if we dont)

I wonder what his plan is if they make it past the dodgers? Hope the extra work doesn't have a lingering impact?

There is no salary cap. There is a luxury tax that kicks in once your salary goes above a certain threshold (not sure what it is next year). Crane has said he'd prefer to stay under that threshold.

But technically no there is no salary cap. An owner can spend to his hearts content. It'll cost him in luxury tax but there's nothing stopping him from a rules standpoint.

So with that said it's not impossible to retain Cole along with all our other studs. Unlikely but not impossible.

astros4545 said:

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I have never lost a home playoff game I have attended

(Wood has been knocked on)

13-0

Feel free to buy me World Series tickets y'all

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This probably just means you haven't been an Astros fan very long!

Unless you attended a playoff game prior to 2004 - then you're a wizard and we need to start a gofundme for tickets for you the rest of the way.

Another way to look at it. Cole is probably going to get 6 to 8 years. Who's to say Cole is going to still be good at 35 - 37? If signing Cole means no Springer, Correa, or future big FA signing, is it worth it? Can we not get by with JV, Greinke, LMJ, and the guys developing in our system?

I'm really curious just to see how big a contract Cole is gonna get.

He's doing some incredible things and on a historic run. It's gonna be ungodly money.

Here's to hoping Morton has less spin than normal and Greinke gets those edge calls....because I don't want to see our game 4 pitchers in a 5 game series

You can't count on McCullers any more than Correa, but I agree about letting Cole go and shoring up all the foundations, hopefully it's not Boston or NY that gives Cole his 25m

mathguy86 said:

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If you didn't believe that managers lose their minds in playoff games before tonight, Martinez would make a believer out of you. Instead of Corbin doing his normal BP day, looks like he's going to come on in relief of Sanchez.

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I have no problem with what he is doing. Their bullpen is garbage and he is owning it. He is playing to win the game at hand.

All of this just shows you how different playoff baseball is from the regular season. No more 5th starter. Hell. No more 4th starter in some cases. All the days off mean you can effectively go with a 3 man crew. Pitching depth is negated and bull pen depth is really put to the test.

the last of the bohemians said:

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You can't count on McCullers any more than Correa, but I agree about letting Cole go and shoring up all the foundations, hopefully it's not Boston or NY that gives Cole his 25m

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I don't think Boston has any money left...NYY on the other hand..

Corbin blowing up

Yep

2004 was first playoff game

Not everyone can be an Ironman. You have to count on guys like LMJ and Correa.

At least Scherzer will be fresh for Game 4 I guess...

astros4545 said:

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Yep

2004 was first playoff game

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Well that's still a pretty nice run.

Not too many fans of too many teams can say they had a 13 consecutive games attended playoff winning streak.

There isn't ONE fresh bullpen arm that they can trust?

Bringing in Corbin blows up and they very well may have made him less effective in Game 5 if they get there.

mathguy86 said:

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Bringing in Corbin blows up and they very well may have made him less effective in Game 5 if they get there.

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I would assume Strasburg will start game 5, I think that will be on normal rest too with the 2 off days

Damn. Ballgame bigtime.

Washington just can't get an out and the dodgers are killing balls to LF

Doesn't look like it

If they get to game 5.

7 runs with 2 outs. I would be beside myself...

Series over