Kyle Tucker said his triple in the final game of the season won’t be changed. It’s still a triple, so no 30/30 season.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

The Astros against Bailey Ober: Altuve 4, Bregman 5, Tucker 9, Alvarez DH, Abreu 3, Brantley 7, McCormick 8, Peña 6, Maldonado 2

Verlander RHP

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

Michael Brantley is also scheduled to play tomorrow, Baker said, but obviously that’s contingent on how he comes out of today.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

Michael Brantley wasn’t in the Astros’ lineup when the team thought Joe Ryan was pitching, Dusty Baker said. Yainer Diaz was supposed to DH. When the Twins switched to Bailey Ober, Baker put Brantley in the lineup because he liked the matchup better.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

maca1028 said:

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What about Fubo?

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mAgnoliAg said:

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Does YouTubeTV get FS2?

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redline248 said:

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maca1028 said:

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What about Fubo?

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Speaking of Fubo, does it have multi view?

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Dana Brown said Bennett Sousa would’ve probably made the ALDS roster if he was eligible.

If Kendall Graveman would’ve been healthy, the Astros would’ve gone with a 13-man pitching staff, Brown said.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

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So no, the FO doesn't call all the shots

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AggiEE said:

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maca1028 said:

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The Astros against Bailey Ober: Altuve 4, Bregman 5, Tucker 9, Alvarez DH, Abreu 3, Brantley 7, McCormick 8, Peña 6, Maldonado 2

Verlander RHP

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

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Just as I suspected.

Dusty's managing of the Catcher situation this entire season means that we will not be seeing Diaz get much if any playing time.

So no, the FO doesn't call all the shots when your manager has free rein to stifle player development all season long.

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Kendall Graveman said he thinks the shoulder discomfort stems back to his early exit in Boston on Aug. 30. He had a strained glute and, to pitch through it and compensate, had some changes in his mechanics. He said he hopes to be available if the team advances to the ALCS

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 7, 2023

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Framber Valdez vs. the quality of his sinker

Earlier in his career, Valdez sported arguably the game's nastiest sinker, and it was rare to see any team consistently lift a ball against him. But this year, his stuff is very different, as seems to be his feel for his sinker. His ratio of ground balls to fly balls plummeted from 4.16-to-1 to 2.13-1, and he has allowed more homers than ever. With his sinker less effective, Valdez has relied on his other pitches more and more -- more cutters, more curveballs, more changeups.

And he can still be very effective. Little more than a month ago, he no-hit the Detroit Tigers for seven innings. But he has been inconsistent as he works to rediscover his great sinker, trying to juggle his pitch mix. Valdez might be the biggest X factor in the Astros' quest for a repeat because when his sinker is at its best, he's probably among the most dominant starters in the game. When he has to turn to his other pitches, he's much more vulnerable.

"He's really good at pitching with emotion," said one scout, "and if he can use that and get that hard cutter going for him, it'll make his fastball better."

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