I was just looking at the pitching matchups for tonight and had a small thought.

Luis is 7-5 with ERA of 3.81. Syndergaard is 5-7 with ERA of 3.84. Wasn't he a free agent last offseason? Did he reject an Astros offer? Not sure if we officially went after him, but I like to think he's playing "woulda coulda shoulda" right now.

OPAG said:

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Other than being 39 years old coming of TJ and that we have a massive lead in the division and we are seeking to have him not worn out by the playoffs. the answer is no!

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This works out great for JV - take some time to rest - get a couple stress free innings in of work at the All Star Game, then get ready to dominate second half.
Wonder if Click and Crane would be willing to do a Clemons type deal, maybe not next year, but after that - only pitch at home.

He lives in Cali why would he not want to pitch there…

Understood. Those guys were also studs when they left and Yuli is a dud. There's a right way to handle it. I'm not in the FO but they should have met with him 1 on 1 a month ago to let him know he needs to produce or we have to look at other options. Maybe that already happened, who knows.

None of those guys will require "trading the farm" to acquire. That was the whole point I was making. And they are way more than a slight upgrade at 1B. That speaks less to how good they are and more to how awful Yuli is. A 1B with an OPS+ below 100 is next level sad. That means he's below average offensively amongst all positions (including broke down catchers and slappy SS) at a premium offensive position.

Let's just put it out there...

Last 28 days (23 games, 80 AB) .275/.326/.500, 4 HR, 10 RBI and 5 walks. However, even after a month of looking like a real player, he's improved his season totals .233/.285/.392. Or, to put it bluntly, he was SOOO BAD for the first half of the season, his recent surge is not enough to get rid of any caution we have that he's going to be close to the player he was last year.

aw, why'd you edit?

A Framber Valdez update. pic.twitter.com/HmrDIsBYpP

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 12, 2022

Framber looking good

redline248 said:

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Let's just put it out there...

Last 28 days (23 games, 80 AB) .275/.326/.500, 4 HR, 10 RBI and 5 walks. However, even after a month of looking like a real player, he's improved his season totals .233/.285/.392. Or, to put it bluntly, he was SOOO BAD for the first half of the season, his recent surge is not enough to get rid of any caution we have that he's going to be close to the player he was last year.

aw, why'd you edit?

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Further, that just puts him in line with his statcast projections. In other words, water has found its level. Where he's at as of today, taking the totality of the season, lines up with the expected numbers. There's no reason to believe the last month continues. He will have some hot streaks and cold streaks and probably wind up as a sub .300 OBP, sub .400 slugging 1B.

Silent For Too Long said:

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This isn't a video game where you can just slot better numbers over worse numbers and move on. Your talking about replacing one of the core elements of this team's golden years, who won the frikken batting title last year.

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I'd also add that if the front office can't handle the idea of moving on from an aging veteran then they need to get out of the business of signing guys that are 34+ to multi-year contracts. Father Time is undefeated.

Trevor Story just got hit on the hand (similar to Bobby Whit swing / foul / hit by pitch). Leaving the game

Justin Verlander will "probably not" pitch in the All-Star Game, Dusty Baker said - https://t.co/Aj68HQl26k

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 13, 2022

Our city. Our culture.

Tomorrow, we launch a special collaboration with @BunBTrillOG. Shop the collection and meet Bun B starting at 2pm, and if you can't come early, the Team Store closes at 7:13 PM. pic.twitter.com/MGxygOsIyr

— Houston Astros (@astros) July 13, 2022

Get draped up and dripped out fellas

As an Astros and baseball fan...I'm bummed that I won't get to see JV pitch or Yordan in the HR Derby

I get it, though

I watched it live. Also that inning, Garrett Stubbs put down a bunt single, stole 2nd and scored on a single through the infield. He's hitting .278 in 21 games

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Justin Verlander will "probably not" pitch in the All-Star Game, Dusty Baker said - https://t.co/Aj68HQl26k

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 13, 2022

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I don't mind this for Verlander.. with our record I'm also for limiting his pitch count in games for the 2nd half of the season if it helps keep him fresh, we need his arm rested for the post season

Any word on McCullers ? If he comes back to his old form fairly quickly we will be tough to beat in the post season

Dan Firova is back with the Astros today, but still haven't seen Bill Murphy. Both have/had been out due to "health and safety protocols."

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 13, 2022

Diaz showing the 2 hole is to his liking.

I knew it. Great job Dusty!

Another walk for Luis

Well this isn't ideal

Less than optimal start for Luis. Needs to throw strikes

I guess the game has already started. How did we score?

Nice play by Peña for out 3