Wow. This is unacceptable. Hopefully @BrandonGaudin will apologize for this. They should have hired JT Holton. Can’t believe they let children watch Braves games.
— Josh Brown (@RhubarbBrown) April 1, 2023
pic.twitter.com/eRTI7aQIhY
***** 2023 Houston Astros Season Thread *****
6,996,618 Views |
114825 Replies |
Last: 1 yr ago by texasaggie2015
Beta male
Im looking for Ray Finkle.... and a clean pair of shorts. Im just a very big Finkle fan. This is my Graceland, sir.
MAGA
MAGA
Echoing a few thoughts and adding a few of my own:
1) Perfectly fine with a split this past weekend. Overall I thought we looked pretty meh but salvaged a couple games with some grit.
2) Reminder that teams are rested, fresh and focused through mid-May. The White Sox were a particularly dangerous draw opening weekend because they're very talented and fired up to play for a new manager not named LaRussa. The elite teams separate themselves in June, July, August. We'll see how the White Sox and a few other teams hot-out-of-the-gate handle 162 game season adversity.
3) With regard to the Astros, I have no concerns about the 162. None. We're not always going to look perfect this year, but when we add the wins at the end, it will be close to 100. Right now is just about treading water and opportunistically tossing in a sweep or a string of series wins. The pretenders will start falling off by Memorial Day and we'll surge. In the near term, the Tigers and Pirates series' coming up offer a good chance to situate ourselves firmly above .500 and buy us some time to get back to full strength.
4) While Brantley/Altuve are out, Chas needs to play everyday. If we still want to evaluate Jake, fine. But Chas needs play everyday. He's a sparkplug and, outside of our core five players currently active, is by far our best offensive weapon.
5) Speaking of Meyers, my gut is telling me he's going to have a decent major league career, it's just not going to be with the Astros. Grossman, Laureano, Teo. All guys who couldn't make it in the caldron of Astros competition, but did fine elsewhere. He just doesn't look comfortable out there. Lots of guessing at the plate. Hope I'm wrong. Definitely don't want to write him off after two bad games to start the year. Just a gut feeling.
6) I get that we want to give Yordan his rest, but can't we wait a couple weeks til Brantley gets back to do so? His presence was sooooo deeply missed yesterday. When Brantley gets back, he can sit a few games per week for all I care. But we need him right now.
7) The rotation will probably run hot and cold this year. Talented White Sox lineup was a tough draw for our starters, who are still building up, shaking off some rust, and learning to pitch with different defensive arrangements behind them. If this past weekend was a "meh" trip through the rotation, I'm good with it. They'll get hot for stretches too and that's when we'll rip off our annual 10+ game winning streaks.
8) The bullpen will have to bear the brunt of our "meh" trips through the rotation this year. That's ok though. Our bullpen depth is so gross. We have enough high-leverage guys to shuffle rest (which is a huuuge luxury over the 162 IMO). Guys like Jayden Murray, Blake Taylor, Matt Gage and even Bielak will probly be called upon at some point to come up for rested guys and give us productive low-lev innings.
1) Perfectly fine with a split this past weekend. Overall I thought we looked pretty meh but salvaged a couple games with some grit.
2) Reminder that teams are rested, fresh and focused through mid-May. The White Sox were a particularly dangerous draw opening weekend because they're very talented and fired up to play for a new manager not named LaRussa. The elite teams separate themselves in June, July, August. We'll see how the White Sox and a few other teams hot-out-of-the-gate handle 162 game season adversity.
3) With regard to the Astros, I have no concerns about the 162. None. We're not always going to look perfect this year, but when we add the wins at the end, it will be close to 100. Right now is just about treading water and opportunistically tossing in a sweep or a string of series wins. The pretenders will start falling off by Memorial Day and we'll surge. In the near term, the Tigers and Pirates series' coming up offer a good chance to situate ourselves firmly above .500 and buy us some time to get back to full strength.
4) While Brantley/Altuve are out, Chas needs to play everyday. If we still want to evaluate Jake, fine. But Chas needs play everyday. He's a sparkplug and, outside of our core five players currently active, is by far our best offensive weapon.
5) Speaking of Meyers, my gut is telling me he's going to have a decent major league career, it's just not going to be with the Astros. Grossman, Laureano, Teo. All guys who couldn't make it in the caldron of Astros competition, but did fine elsewhere. He just doesn't look comfortable out there. Lots of guessing at the plate. Hope I'm wrong. Definitely don't want to write him off after two bad games to start the year. Just a gut feeling.
6) I get that we want to give Yordan his rest, but can't we wait a couple weeks til Brantley gets back to do so? His presence was sooooo deeply missed yesterday. When Brantley gets back, he can sit a few games per week for all I care. But we need him right now.
7) The rotation will probably run hot and cold this year. Talented White Sox lineup was a tough draw for our starters, who are still building up, shaking off some rust, and learning to pitch with different defensive arrangements behind them. If this past weekend was a "meh" trip through the rotation, I'm good with it. They'll get hot for stretches too and that's when we'll rip off our annual 10+ game winning streaks.
8) The bullpen will have to bear the brunt of our "meh" trips through the rotation this year. That's ok though. Our bullpen depth is so gross. We have enough high-leverage guys to shuffle rest (which is a huuuge luxury over the 162 IMO). Guys like Jayden Murray, Blake Taylor, Matt Gage and even Bielak will probly be called upon at some point to come up for rested guys and give us productive low-lev innings.
Agree with everything pretty much. I have no idea why Dusty feels he needs to rest Yordan right now. This lineup is very meh right now without Altuve, Brantley and Yordan. At least let him DH, and certainly should have pinch hit him yesterday in the 9th. That really made no sense.
We'll see how the season goes and whether we try to add another starting pitcher via trade. Of course all of that depends on Brown's performance, LMJ's return, or possible (hopefully not) injuries to our starters.
We'll see how the season goes and whether we try to add another starting pitcher via trade. Of course all of that depends on Brown's performance, LMJ's return, or possible (hopefully not) injuries to our starters.
tjack16 said:
I actually think the Rangers will push for a wildcard spot this year. They look good so far
There's 159 games left for them…
Do you not remember how long it took Alvarez to get Spring action? There's probably more to it than we all hear.
Yordan probably doesn't need "rest" per se, more along the lines of the hand could still be bothering him some....It's four games in. Take it slow with him. I get wanting him to come in and PH yesterday, or even start the game, but they are going to treat him like royalty right now with Tuve hurt, LMJ hurt, Brantley hurt.
I don't know or understand what exactly the problem is with Yordan's hands, but it gave him trouble last year and is again this year. I would prefer we manage it with regular rest vs having to miss him for 10-20 game stretch in the middle of the season.
I mean they literally said a week ago that he would have multiple days off early because he's still ramping up.
Spring training is 5 weeks long on purpose and he only did about 10 days
Spring training is 5 weeks long on purpose and he only did about 10 days
Hands heal very slowly and a guy with that kind of pop needs to feel really good to perform at his level.
agdaddy04 said:tjack16 said:
I actually think the Rangers will push for a wildcard spot this year. They look good so far
There's 159 games left for them…
"Pushing" for a wildcard spot means about 81-84 wins. In no way am I saying they will make it. But then going 81-81 isn't out of the realm of possibility if they stay healthy. I could see them doing what the orioles did last year and be in the hunt until September
Farmer1906 said:
I don't know or understand what exactly the problem is with Yordan's hands, but it gave him trouble last year and is again this year. I would prefer we manage it with regular rest vs having to miss him for 10-20 game stretch in the middle of the season.
Not sure if it's been discussed but Blummer said on his podcast that Alvarez switched right before season to an axe handle style bat to try and alleviate the knob contacting his hand so I'm guessing that has to do with some of his problems and hopefully it's a good solution. Also pretty sure I read this was already planned from Dusty so not a reaction to any hand discomfort at this time.
https://theathletic.com/4373265/2023/04/02/yankees-aaron-hicks-questions-role?source=user-shared-article
This dude has sucked for the last few years and whines about not starting. Only took 3 games to get drama in the clubhouse.
This dude has sucked for the last few years and whines about not starting. Only took 3 games to get drama in the clubhouse.
Former Astros first-base coach Rich Dauer suffered a massive stroke and is in a rehab facility in Jacksonville. Dauer was on A.J. Hinch's coaching staff from 2015-17. https://t.co/k38VqAmqyk
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 3, 2023
The opening series was classic Dusty. He is already playing his chess game of getting everyone involved and getting PT. He understands we aren't going to win every game and is working to balance everyone.
We all know -- and I'm sure Dusty does too -- that Hensley needs to start at 2B every game while Altuve's out, but he has to keep Dubon engaged and ready to go. So, he's going to get several starts here and there. We also saw Jake, Julks and limited PT for Chas. Again, it's to make sure everyone sees some game action. The 162 is a marathon.
We all question Dusty's decisions and what he does in the regular season. Remember, he puts guys in positions to either succeed or fail -- just to see what he has.
As for the White Sox, they likely would have been a WC team or AL Central Champs if it wasn't for all the injuries they had last year.
I'm happy with a split.
Remember, the Astros typically are slow starters and swoon in August. So -- there's nothing new to see here.
We all know -- and I'm sure Dusty does too -- that Hensley needs to start at 2B every game while Altuve's out, but he has to keep Dubon engaged and ready to go. So, he's going to get several starts here and there. We also saw Jake, Julks and limited PT for Chas. Again, it's to make sure everyone sees some game action. The 162 is a marathon.
We all question Dusty's decisions and what he does in the regular season. Remember, he puts guys in positions to either succeed or fail -- just to see what he has.
As for the White Sox, they likely would have been a WC team or AL Central Champs if it wasn't for all the injuries they had last year.
I'm happy with a split.
Remember, the Astros typically are slow starters and swoon in August. So -- there's nothing new to see here.
Take away the orange-colored glasses and consider what this team looks like objectively
#1 starter / Cy Young winner - gone to free agency
Leadoff hitter / starting 2B - best player in franchise history - out for first 8-10 weeks
Best power hitter - missed most of spring training, going to get some days off early on
Last year's starting left fielder / DH / perennial .300 hitter still not ready after missing 4 months last year
Projected starter (LMJ) starts season on the DL
You see that in a preview article and you think that team is going to have a major fall-off. Astros will probably have to really scrap the first couple of months to find their footing. Playing every man on the team on the field is the way you figure out who can make it happen in Sept-Nov.
#1 starter / Cy Young winner - gone to free agency
Leadoff hitter / starting 2B - best player in franchise history - out for first 8-10 weeks
Best power hitter - missed most of spring training, going to get some days off early on
Last year's starting left fielder / DH / perennial .300 hitter still not ready after missing 4 months last year
Projected starter (LMJ) starts season on the DL
You see that in a preview article and you think that team is going to have a major fall-off. Astros will probably have to really scrap the first couple of months to find their footing. Playing every man on the team on the field is the way you figure out who can make it happen in Sept-Nov.
Yeah, but he doesn't have to concede when he writes the lineupQuote:
He understands we aren't going to win every game
Through the weekend, there have been 72 stolen bases in MLB. Not sure about success rate for the weekend but opening day was 91%.
It's going to get wild. I thought we didn't even look at the runner very much, maybe pitchers feel rushed and aren't even giving them a look. Also would like to see us hold the ball a little more and vary our delivery time.
Here is a tweet about opening day.
It's going to get wild. I thought we didn't even look at the runner very much, maybe pitchers feel rushed and aren't even giving them a look. Also would like to see us hold the ball a little more and vary our delivery time.
Here is a tweet about opening day.
Stolen Base Opening Day Comparison
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) March 31, 2023
2022:
Stolen bases: 5
Caught stealing: 4
Success rate: 56%
2023:
Stolen bases: 21
Caught stealing: 2
Success rate: 91%
Love to see it.
The pace is good and the action is exciting. As designed.
The pace is good and the action is exciting. As designed.
This is actually detrimental I think, its like a track meet out on the base paths now. If there's going to be 4x as many stolen bases this year, and only a 10% caught stealing rate, it's going to be a **** show.
To add to this.Eso si, Que es said:
Through the weekend, there have been 72 stolen bases in MLB. Not sure about success rate for the weekend but opening day was 91%.
It's going to get wild. I thought we didn't even look at the runner very much, maybe pitchers feel rushed and aren't even giving them a look. Also would like to see us hold the ball a little more and vary our delivery time.
Here is a tweet about opening day.Stolen Base Opening Day Comparison
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) March 31, 2023
2022:
Stolen bases: 5
Caught stealing: 4
Success rate: 56%
2023:
Stolen bases: 21
Caught stealing: 2
Success rate: 91%
2022 April 7-10th (first 4 days of the season): 29/43 SB.
2023 March 31-April 2nd: 70/84 SB.
Did we go too far in the other direction?
Yeah watching Luis yesterday and he was rarely checking runners. By the time he got the ball, got set and started the wind up the clock was nearly gone. Add in the bigger bags and its a massive advantage to runners now.
I am not sure it's chess to play everyone.agproducer said:
The opening series was classic Dusty. He is already playing his chess game of getting everyone involved and getting PT. He understands we aren't going to win every game and is working to balance everyone.
We all know -- and I'm sure Dusty does too -- that Hensley needs to start at 2B every game while Altuve's out, but he has to keep Dubon engaged and ready to go. So, he's going to get several starts here and there. We also saw Jake, Julks and limited PT for Chas. Again, it's to make sure everyone sees some game action. The 162 is a marathon.
We all question Dusty's decisions and what he does in the regular season. Remember, he puts guys in positions to either succeed or fail -- just to see what he has.
As for the White Sox, they likely would have been a WC team or AL Central Champs if it wasn't for all the injuries they had last year.
I'm happy with a split.
Remember, the Astros typically are slow starters and swoon in August. So -- there's nothing new to see here.
Yes.
Hopefully once these guys get an better internal clock for what 20 sec is they'll realize they have a few more seconds to use.
I LOVE stealing bases. More than I love HR. So I think it's a great direction. If a guy knows he can just get a knock and then try and steal it might lead to better hitters instead of dudes who don't want just a single.
the clock needs to be longer with runners on base - move it to 25 seconds. That's such a simple fix.
What do you boys want for breakfast BBQ ?.....OK Chili.
We're wearing the space city jerseys today!!
Initiating launch sequence.#SpaceCity Season 2 🚀 pic.twitter.com/PVfLyA8Skp
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 3, 2023
Eso si, Que es said:
Through the weekend, there have been 72 stolen bases in MLB. Not sure about success rate for the weekend but opening day was 91%.
It's going to get wild. I thought we didn't even look at the runner very much, maybe pitchers feel rushed and aren't even giving them a look. Also would like to see us hold the ball a little more and vary our delivery time.
Here is a tweet about opening day.Stolen Base Opening Day Comparison
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) March 31, 2023
2022:
Stolen bases: 5
Caught stealing: 4
Success rate: 56%
2023:
Stolen bases: 21
Caught stealing: 2
Success rate: 91%
Going to be a lot of free wings from pluckers!
This tells me that if you go into extras and your free runner on second is average speed or above, you steal third right away.
Maybe the 13th man on the roster needs to be someone super speedy.spadilly said:
This tells me that if you go into extras and your free runner on second is average speed or above, you steal third right away.
If the rotation holds and there aren't any rain-outs, going to get to see Framber pitch in the ATL in a couple of weeks.
I kinda dig this blue cap
Sweeeeeeeet!!! https://t.co/Z2f69FNCBb
— Blummer Bock (@blummer27) April 3, 2023
with the game on the line, I want Framber out there.Farmer1906 said:Maybe the 13th man on the roster needs to be someone super speedy.spadilly said:
This tells me that if you go into extras and your free runner on second is average speed or above, you steal third right away.
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