***** 2023 Houston Astros Season Thread *****

6,751,712 Views | 114825 Replies | Last: 10 mo ago by texasaggie2015
CFTXAG10
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texasaggie2015 said:

I just have a hard time placing any amount of blame on the home plate umpires or Rob Manfred when we've just flat-out sucked ass at home. It's really as simple as that. We have to find a way to score early tonight and get things rolling. Absolutely have to.
I tend to agree to a certain point, but in order to turn things around it would be helpful to not get strikes called against us that are a foot off the plate
Beat40
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AggieDub25 said:

texasaggie2015 said:

I just have a hard time placing any amount of blame on the home plate umpires or Rob Manfred when we've just flat-out sucked ass at home. It's really as simple as that. We have to find a way to score early tonight and get things rolling. Absolutely have to.


I'll admit that the approach needs to adjust to the strike zone. The only problem is what exactly is the zone? Our guys are having to cover 4-6 inches off the plate. If it were just on outside pitches, you obviously have to have an up the middle/other way approach. Can't completely commit to that because they're getting the same call inside.
Let me ask you this - did any of the Astros hitters adjust a little bit and try to take an opposite field approach?
Panama Red
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I don't think there is any umpire conspiracy against the Astros, but its pretty clear MLB front office is against Astros
tailgatetimer10
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I loathe statistics that are totally irrelevant to the teams playing.

Bochy has 2 data points from a different team and a decades ago

Dusty has 1 data point in the last decade with the same team, but the rest of the data point are from TWO decades ago.
Cromagnum
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I call shenanigans on the homerun Tucker couldn't catch.

512Ag
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Bregman's eye for the zone is elite, but he hasn't been good lately at adjusting to the umpire's zone. I don't think he's being stubborn, it's just a blind spot in his game. Yeah, it sucks that they've called the Greg Maddux strike zone throughout the series, but Breggy has to start fouling off close pitches to stay alive. Yeah, it sucks, but once a pitch just off the plate or up or wherever is established as a strike, it is generally going to be a strike.

I'm not condoning swinging wildly at anything like Dubon's 8th inning at bat yesterday, but you have to be smarter with the close pitches, especially in close games. Just my 2 cents.
AgLA06
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texasaggie2015 said:

Stop that
I'd be willing to bet he'd grade out better than 90% of the umps in the league. And that would be counting pitches against him he took that he knew were strikes, but weren't worth a swing.
CoachAg19
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On this one, the fans did a semi-decent job of staying out of the way. However, a message to ANY Astros fan sitting in the front row of RF tonight…STAY THE HECK OUT OF THE WAY!!! On the one he brought back, that fan literally had his hand on Tucker's glove.
Class of 2010
All I do is Nguyen
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If Marvin is at the game tonight he should send us updates regardless what other posters say lol
No matter what!
Epstein didn't do, you know, the thing...
I'm the rare Astros/Cowboys/Spurs fan. We do exist
AgLA06
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Beat40 said:

AggieDub25 said:

texasaggie2015 said:

I just have a hard time placing any amount of blame on the home plate umpires or Rob Manfred when we've just flat-out sucked ass at home. It's really as simple as that. We have to find a way to score early tonight and get things rolling. Absolutely have to.


I'll admit that the approach needs to adjust to the strike zone. The only problem is what exactly is the zone? Our guys are having to cover 4-6 inches off the plate. If it were just on outside pitches, you obviously have to have an up the middle/other way approach. Can't completely commit to that because they're getting the same call inside.
Let me ask you this - did any of the Astros hitters adjust a little bit and try to take an opposite field approach?
Yes. And it resulted in weak outs. Which is the purpose of pitching them that way.

It's like some of you just don't understand why hitters and pitchers have the game plan and approach they do at the plate. Generally backed by statistics.

That zone last night changed entire at bats and innings.
AggieDub25
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Beat40 said:

AggieDub25 said:

texasaggie2015 said:

I just have a hard time placing any amount of blame on the home plate umpires or Rob Manfred when we've just flat-out sucked ass at home. It's really as simple as that. We have to find a way to score early tonight and get things rolling. Absolutely have to.


I'll admit that the approach needs to adjust to the strike zone. The only problem is what exactly is the zone? Our guys are having to cover 4-6 inches off the plate. If it were just on outside pitches, you obviously have to have an up the middle/other way approach. Can't completely commit to that because they're getting the same call inside.
Let me ask you this - did any of the Astros hitters adjust a little bit and try to take an opposite field approach?


Again, hard to commit to that approach when you know they can just jam you 4-6 inches in off the plate once you start leaning outside.

Either way, I am fully confident this team comes out on fire no matter what the strike zone is tonight. I just think it has played a fairly decent part in the series thus far.
AggieJ2002
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcedelman/2022/05/25/baseballs-new-arbitrator-will-be-wild-card-in-trevor-bauer-suspension-ruling/?sh=433159ae719d

Based on what I am seeing here with Bauer's appeal, it does seem that it is a neutral arbitrator that will decide the appeal. This is encouraging, because it seems there are very strong opinions on this as in yes it was intentional (MLB Office) and it was not intentional (Astros and many neutral commentators).

All it takes is for the neutral arbitrator to say there is no evidence that was definitely intentional, suspension is overturned. This is a perfect case to prove that the arbitrator is truly neutral. I think there is hope.

That said, I don't think this game is going to hinge on whether Abreu is available or not. It's going to hinge on Javier continuing his recent form and the Astros bats getting to Scherzer early.
Wabs
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All I do is Nguyen said:

If Marvin is at the game tonight he should send us updates regardless what other posters say lol
Good news from the future is welcomed. Bad news keep it to yourself. TIA.
Booma94
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Ghost of Bisbee said:




Wouldn't Astros be he higher seed against the Phillies if we win the pennant tonight, and thus the team with 4 home games instead of the Phils?
Phillies took 2 of 3 head-to-head vs. Astros. Series was at the end of April.

They had identical season records, and Astros were Division Champ while Phillies were WC, but apparently head-to-head is the deciding factor after the Champion Series round.
AggieJ2002
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Wabs said:

All I do is Nguyen said:

If Marvin is at the game tonight he should send us updates regardless what other posters say lol
Good news from the future is welcomed. Bad news keep it to yourself. TIA.
Lol, but then if I don't see good news, I just have a pessimistic mindset the entire game
KCup17
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It's a weird tie breaker especially since we played 1 series against each other. But I like our chances on the road.
Wabs
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Can we petition to play all games in Philly if we make it?
wangus12
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Easy there. They definitely don't want an Astros sweep in a WS.

But lets focus on just getting a W tonight.
FrioAg 00
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All I do is Nguyen said:

Idk about the rest of yall but i will literally be praying for the astros to win tonight. The power of prayer can have powerul results so why not



To each his own, but I'm not wasting my prayers on sports.

Our economy is $33T in debt, we are facing an axis of evil that hasn't been this strong in 100 years, and our own culture is rotting quickly from the inside.

The Astros are a wonderful distraction - but I've got bigger priorities for prayer.
safety guy
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Altuve had 5 abs last night. Got 2 hits. Those two hits were on abs where he was somewhat patient. The other 3 he swung at the first pitch.
Wabs
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safety guy said:

Altuve had 5 abs last night. Got 2 hits. Those two hits were on abs where he was somewhat patient. The other 3 he swung at the first pitch.
So a typical Altuve game.
Beat40
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safety guy said:

Altuve had 5 abs last night. Got 2 hits. Those two hits were on abs where he was somewhat patient. The other 3 he swung at the first pitch.
Altuve is the guy I'm not going to complain about the least at first pitch swinging if he sees it in a good location.

As a matter of fact, if he can take the first pitch he sees yard tonight, please do it!
safety guy
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Tucker looks completely lost at bat and in the field. His body language is really bad, not that that is everything. But he looks defeated stepping to the plate and even when he hits the ball. I was really hoping that he would hit a 3 run jack last night to snap him out of it. But it has been tough to watch him this postseason.
Beat40
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AgLA06 said:

Beat40 said:

AggieDub25 said:

texasaggie2015 said:

I just have a hard time placing any amount of blame on the home plate umpires or Rob Manfred when we've just flat-out sucked ass at home. It's really as simple as that. We have to find a way to score early tonight and get things rolling. Absolutely have to.


I'll admit that the approach needs to adjust to the strike zone. The only problem is what exactly is the zone? Our guys are having to cover 4-6 inches off the plate. If it were just on outside pitches, you obviously have to have an up the middle/other way approach. Can't completely commit to that because they're getting the same call inside.
Let me ask you this - did any of the Astros hitters adjust a little bit and try to take an opposite field approach?
Yes. And it resulted in weak outs. Which is the purpose of pitching them that way.

It's like some of you just don't understand why hitters and pitchers have the game plan and approach they do at the plate. Generally backed by statistics.

That zone last night changed entire at bats and innings.
Think a lot of people understand the bolded. It's the opposing hitter or pitcher's job to adjust and beat them. The Astros hitters did not do a good job of that last night. There was a lot of trying to pull the ball with men on base.

I agree there were several calls that changed ABs. Not disagreeing there.
CoachAg19
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safety guy said:

Altuve had 5 abs last night. Got 2 hits. Those two hits were on abs where he was somewhat patient. The other 3 he swung at the first pitch.

Altuve can take whatever approach he wants when he steps in that box, IMO. If he's being patient, I'm sure it's for a reason. If he's swinging away, I'm sure it's for a reason. He's been FAR too successful, especially in the postseason, to expect him to change his approach.
Altuve and Alvarez are BY FAR the two most dangerous bats in our lineup, and they're both up there near the top of the most dangerous bats in all of MLB. I certainly won't question their approach when they get in the box.
Class of 2010
Wabs
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I'll take a win tonight in any way possible. Just make it happen.

However, an Altuve walk-off against Chapman would send H-town into a state of literal pandemonium.
Boiling Denim
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"At Minute Maid Park in this posteason, Yordan Alvarez has accounted for 5/7 HRs hit and 8/14 RBIs among all Astros players. No other player has more than 1 RBI and the only other player hitting above 0.250 is Michael Brantley"

Woof..
The Porkchop Express
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FrioAg 00 said:

All I do is Nguyen said:

Idk about the rest of yall but i will literally be praying for the astros to win tonight. The power of prayer can have powerul results so why not



To each his own, but I'm not wasting my prayers on sports.

Our economy is $33T in debt, we are facing an axis of evil that hasn't been this strong in 100 years, and our own culture is rotting quickly from the inside.

The Astros are a wonderful distraction - but I've got bigger priorities for prayer.
Life is better with a beagle
CFTXAG10
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I want Alvarez batting third tonight. Make sure Scherzer has to see him first inning.
cs09
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Almost verbatim what my wife and I were saying last night in regards to Tucker.

I know he's more of the shy quiet type, but damn his body language looks terrible right now, both at the plate and out in the field. I want him to show some fire instead of his sheepish shrug he carries around. And like you mentioned, I know body language doesn't mean jack, but it would at least give me more hope that he's going to will himself out of his slump if it looked like he was busting his ass.
Beat40
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cs09 said:

Almost verbatim what my wife and I were saying last night in regards to Tucker.

I know he's more of the shy quiet type, but damn his body language looks terrible right now, both at the plate and out in the field. I want him to show some fire instead of his sheepish shrug he carries around. And like you mentioned, I know body language doesn't mean jack, but it would at least give me more hope that he's going to will himself out of his slump if it looked like he was busting his ass.
Not his personality.

It's pretty clear he cares. In fact, the attitude you are seeing is actually a sign he does care. He's obviously taking whatever is going on with him very hard.
texasaggie2015
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You know what's funny.. a few years ago I was told that AJ Hinch didn't like Tucker at all when he was coming up. He always said he had all the talent in the world but he didn't like what he saw between the ears.

Obviously, Tucker turned out just fine. But I think this is what Hinch was talking about.

That being said- it just takes one swing. Let's hope it happens tonight.
tjack16
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Offensive output at home in the playoffs through 5 games

6, 2, 0, 4, 2

2.8 runs per game. Need to put up over 5 tonight
Wabs
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tjack16 said:

Offensive output at home in the playoffs through 5 games

6, 2, 0, 4, 2

2.8 runs per game. Need to put up over 5 tonight
Ugh.....averaging 2 runs per game the last 4 games. Damn.
txags92
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bearkatag15 said:


That is terrible. I am not sure how they figure "Overall Consistency" but being wrong on over a quarter of the "called strikes" should get the guy sent to the minors for remedial training.
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