Not trying to get attention or sound like a know it all. Just thought this was relevant. I was told a couple weeks ago the plan was for "about 40 ABs depending on how it goes"

6 down, 34 to go.

Don't think it'll take the full 40 FWIW

Less than 34 to go.

ahh hell.......

let the TexAgs countdown commence.

I was also told he wouldn't jump in and start right away, though that seems to be an Espada decision.

texasaggie2015 said:

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I was also told he wouldn't jump in and start right away, though that seems to be an Espada decision.

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If you're Espada, and want him gone ASAP, throwing him to the wolves seems to be an option.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Astros have scored in exactly 1 inning in 6 straight games, the longest streak since Cleveland in 2017 (also 6)

MLB record: 8 straight, 1918 Senators

Only teams with a streak of 7 in expansion era (1961):

1974 Orioles
1962-63 Angels

h/t @EliasSports

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 29, 2024

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It's not going to get any better with this team's complete lack of coherent plate approach, unwillingness or inability to change, and dependence on a power stroke that's utterly gone.

Tucker could only carry the rest of them for so long.

FrioAg 00 said:

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Maybe the market is still assuming some probability of our ownership and management taking their heads out of the collective asses

Cut Abreu, call Lope back up, move Breggy to the bottom 1/3 of the order, swap Pressly and Scott's respective roles in the pen.

And shop Chas actively. Be willing to pair him with a starter for an upgraded bat at that position.

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Cut Abreu
Bregman to 6
Trade Pressley
Trade Chaz

Try and get a corner infield prospect back and an inning eater starter.

Wildcard also shop around Framber for a younger controllable wildcard arm

EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Astros have scored in exactly 1 inning in 6 straight games, the longest streak since Cleveland in 2017 (also 6)

MLB record: 8 straight, 1918 Senators

Only teams with a streak of 7 in expansion era (1961):

1974 Orioles
1962-63 Angels

h/t @EliasSports

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 29, 2024

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That in a vacuum doesn't mean much. We're 25/30 in runs scored over the last 6 days (6 games for us, 5 to 7 for everyone else). That is more telling and not good. If we were scoring 5 runs a game, no one would give a **** if it happened in one inning or across five.

Beau Holder said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Astros have scored in exactly 1 inning in 6 straight games, the longest streak since Cleveland in 2017 (also 6)

MLB record: 8 straight, 1918 Senators

Only teams with a streak of 7 in expansion era (1961):

1974 Orioles
1962-63 Angels

h/t @EliasSports

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 29, 2024

---

It's not going to get any better with this team's complete lack of coherent plate approach, unwillingness or inability to change, and dependence on a power stroke that's utterly gone.

Tucker could only carry the rest of them for so long.

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This has been my beef all along with hitting. I do not believe the team average speaks to anything beyond each player's ability. I do believe that the coaches may help during the offseason, such as with Pena's stride or load position. During the season, and especially during games, there is no adjustment. It is swing early and often. There is ZERO interest in working pitchers are wearing them down.

For example, the Astros are 1st in batting average and 1st in contact percentage. That seems good, right? Well, they are also 3rd most aggressive in swinging at the first pitch, 29th in pitches seen per at bat, 25th in watching called strikes, and 11th in batting average of balls in play. These stats combine to mean that the Astros are aggressive and make contact at an exceptional rate, but it is not the best contact.

But team slugging, you might say. Well, their 4th-best league ranking is a bit misleading. Take out Tucker and the rest of the team slugs .376 which would rank 21st in baseball. In other words, pitch around Tucker and watch the Astros hack at everything with little concern for any damage done. They swing at everything, they do not perform with runners in scoring position, and they do not hit for extra bases.

Add all that up and the Astros score runs only when Tucker bombs away or the team hits the sequencing lottery... which appears to happen about one inning per game.


TLDR- the hitting coaches are either powerless or worthless.

Baseball Is Life said:

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PrestigeWorldwideAg12 said:

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The Porkchop Express said:

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In some related baseball news that can possibly pick the thread up, former Astro rival joey Gallo has impregnated this woman.

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Mark Davis, Raider's Owner, girlfriend hahaha

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Quote:

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As it turns out, we're told Hopkins has only had cordial interactions with the guy ... and she visited the owner's suite due to her work with the team's dance squad -- the Raiderettes -- as well as longtime communications with players and coaches within the organization.

Long story short -- NOTHING happened between Hayden and Mark.

Regardless, the damage has already been done ... and we're told a special time in Hayden's life has been wrecked due to a couple accounts looking for clicks.

Hayden also addressed the speculation in an Instagram post ... saying "Joey and I are excited to welcome our baby in the fall."

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What woman could resist this?

It's a Catch-22. To trade Bregman, you need him to play well to increase his value. However, if he plays well then we start winning more and we aren't selling anymore.

Marvin said:

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Beau Holder said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Astros have scored in exactly 1 inning in 6 straight games, the longest streak since Cleveland in 2017 (also 6)

MLB record: 8 straight, 1918 Senators

Only teams with a streak of 7 in expansion era (1961):

1974 Orioles
1962-63 Angels

h/t @EliasSports

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 29, 2024

---

It's not going to get any better with this team's complete lack of coherent plate approach, unwillingness or inability to change, and dependence on a power stroke that's utterly gone.

Tucker could only carry the rest of them for so long.

---

This has been my beef all along with hitting. I do not believe the team average speaks to anything beyond each player's ability. I do believe that the coaches may help during the offseason, such as with Pena's stride or load position. During the season, and especially during games, there is no adjustment. It is swing early and often. There is ZERO interest in working pitchers are wearing them down.

For example, the Astros are 1st in batting average and 1st in contact percentage. That seems good, right? Well, they are also 3rd most aggressive in swinging at the first pitch, 29th in pitches seen per at bat, 25th in watching called strikes, and 11th in batting average of balls in play. These stats combine to mean that the Astros are aggressive and make contact at an exceptional rate, but it is not the best contact.

But team slugging, you might say. Well, their 4th-best league ranking is a bit misleading. Take out Tucker and the rest of the team slugs .376 which would rank 21st in baseball. In other words, pitch around Tucker and watch the Astros hack at everything with little concern for any damage done. They swing at everything, they do not perform with runners in scoring position, and they do not hit for extra bases.

Add all that up and the Astros score runs only when Tucker bombs away or the team hits the sequencing lottery... which appears to happen about one inning per game.


TLDR- the hitting coaches are either powerless or worthless.

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I get that they have some flaws, but if in the end we score a lot of runs and it isn't flukish then the offense is good.

10th in Runs (5th in AL)
5th in wRC+ (2nd in AL)
7th in Off-WAR (3rd in AL)

How many teams have 9 players with wRC+ over the league average?

We can run out this offense:
4 Altuve - 133
9 Tucker - 183
DH Alvarez - 125
6 Pena - 122
8 Meyers - 149
7 Loperfido - 137
5 Dubon - 121
3 Singleton - 107
2 Caratini - 107

That is a lineup of 135 wRC+. That would tower over the current best lineup of 122 (NYY) or 120 (LAD).

Just because they performed that was in the past doesn't mean it will moving forward. My point is, the offense has been mostly fine as a unit. We do have some boat anchors that see entirely too much playing time.

If we want to point a finger at a major problem, it's the pitching.

Has it been a little better lately? Yes, but here are the season #s.

28th WAR
26th ERA
26th FIP
26th xFIP

May Only
28th WAR
12th ERA
28th FIP
20th xFIP

The improved ERA without the improved FIP worries me it is not sustainable.

Strategy said:

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Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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FrioAg 00 said:

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Maybe the market is still assuming some probability of our ownership and management taking their heads out of the collective asses

Cut Abreu, call Lope back up, move Breggy to the bottom 1/3 of the order, swap Pressly and Scott's respective roles in the pen.

And shop Chas actively. Be willing to pair him with a starter for an upgraded bat at that position.

---

Cut Abreu
Bregman to 6
Trade Pressley
Trade Chaz

Try and get a corner infield prospect back and an inning eater starter.

Wildcard also shop around Framber for a younger controllable wildcard arm

---

Would take that a step further and trade Bregman. Is decline it proven and substantial. Not worth depending on for next year.

Make Dubon permanent 3B starter and leadoff batter. Had the highest average on the team and a great spot before Altuve. Would also start Loperfido at LF with Chas gone.

Lineup:

Dubon
Altuve
Pena
Tucker
Alverez
Meyers
Loperfido
Singleton
Diaz
DH: Rotation

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He's 7th on the team in OBP and likely going to see regression.

Ag_07 said:

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My thoughts on the Abreu situation based on what I've gathered here and other publicly available sources.

His demotion and timeline for his return were previously agreed upon.

Upon his return he's playing 1B because of him and Big Jon Big Jon is more comfortable at DH. blumm touched on it during the broadcast that when DHing you have a lot time to think about the negatives and you need to be mentally strong enough for it. That's not a good spot for someone struggling like Abreu.

I'm guessing he only has another week or so before they completely cut bait.

I think Espada is in a very tough spot between doing right by Abreu and not ruffling feathers, pleasing the bosses, and fielding the best 9. Especially given he's a rookie manager. That's rough

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I get the idea of trying to get the guy's head right and give him the best shot mentally. But the team doesnt exist for the benefit of the players, it exists to win games. If we were 10 games up and had everything else firing on all cylinders, you can afford to put that one guy out there to try to get right. But we are 5.5 games back and sinking against a team that will almost certainly make moves to get better in the second half. We have four bald tires, an engine that is burning oil, and the gas gauge light is on. We don't have the luxury to put guys out there who are hurting the team with their fielding issues in the name of giving them a fair shot. We need to be trying to win games instead of massage egos.