Mariners are 9-19 since reaching 47-44 on July 5 and have lost 13 of their last 18 to drop to 56-63.

Their next 21 games are 3 @ NY Yankees (66-52), 3 @ Houston (61-59), 3 @ Milwaukee (74-45), 3 vs. Cubs (69-50), 3 vs. Phillies (64-56)

After that, 3 @ Toronto (57-63) and 3 @ BOS (64-54).

That's a lot of games against good teams (and us and Toronto).

It seems really unlikely they'll be less than 10 games under .500 by the end of that.

linkdude said:

---

CWeezy17 said:

---

Contrary to public opinion, the Astros are 28-15 against teams at or over .500, and 33-44 against teams under .500.

We actually play the good teams well, and struggle against the bad teams.

---

More than half of the "under .500" damage is caused by 1-7 against Seattle (who are 13-under .500 against everyone but us)

---

Take Seattle out and we're 32-37 against everyone else. Still vastly different than 28-15.
Take Texas out of the over .500 club and were 19-11 against the rest of the league.

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

Unfortunately the idea of needing extra innings to beat one of the worst teams in the league doesn't excite me

---

Football forum take

CharleyKerfeld said:

---

Mariners are 9-19 since reaching 47-44 on July 5 and have lost 13 of their last 18 to drop to 56-63.

Their next 21 games are 3 @ NY Yankees (66-52), 3 @ Houston (61-59), 3 @ Milwaukee (74-45), 3 vs. Cubs (69-50), 3 vs. Phillies (64-56)

After that, 3 @ Toronto (57-63) and 3 @ BOS (64-54).

That's a lot of games against good teams (and us and Toronto).

It seems really unlikely they'll be less than 10 games under .500 by the end of that.

---

So you are saying my Seattle <90 wins bingo square is looking good?

Cam Smith - The breakout we all should have seen coming.

Cam is killing it in August. He has a 286 wRC+ in his 29 PA. 13 hits, including 3 HR and a double. But what if I told you Cam is basically doing what he had all season long?

Is he hitting the ball harder? Not really; his highest exit velo month was actually June at 92.4
Is he barreling up the ball more? Nope, both Mar/Apr & May had higher barrel % at 14.9% & 12.1%
Is he squaring the ball up more when he makes contact? Again, not exactly. His best month was May at 31.2%

Cam was one of the "unluckiest" hitters in baseball for the first 4 months of the season.
Mar/Apr: .346 xwOBA, .310 wOBA (-.036)
May: .345 xwOBA, .277 wOBA (-.068)
June: .329 xwOBA, .315 wOBA (-.014)
July: .273 xwOBA, .226 wOBA (-.047)
Aug: .353 xwOBA, .579 wOBA (+.226)

This feels like water finding its level rather than some major change that happened with Cam.

radio crew says he's trying to hit the ball more in the air

It turned around during that Friday night AppleTV game against TEX where he was mic'd up mumbling to himself about no luck then ripped a triple on his next AB and came up from 3B screaming at the dugout.

W said:

---

radio crew says he's trying to hit the ball more in the air

---

Interesting.

His flyball rate & launch angle increased in July and Aug. However, his attack angle did not.

What I do see different in July and Aug is his attack direction. He's catching it out in front more and pulling the ball.

CWeezy17 said:

---

Contrary to public opinion, the Astros are 28-15 against teams at or over .500, and 33-44 against teams under .500.

We actually play the good teams well, and struggle against the bad teams.

---

That's been their MO for how long now?

I tend to shy away from watching standings throughout the season, but I took a look today (...I'm guessing this has been discussed on this thread where I haven't seen) and consider me shocked. The Astros have the 2nd highest winning percentage against teams over .500 (.651) and it's not like the other teams in the top 5 have played a ton more than the Astros' 43...Brewers (46), Braves (50), Cubs (46) and Red Sox (52).

This team could absolutely crash out and miss the playoffs, but it could also make it to the World Series...it really is a matter of what version shows up on a day-to-day basis.

Edit - LOL! I didn't read the post right above mine before putting this together.

the Astros have a great record vs. the Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Guardians, and Rangers

the likely AL playoff field (minus one)

Farmer1906 said:

---

Cam Smith - The breakout we all should have seen coming.

Cam is killing it in August. He has a 286 wRC+ in his 29 PA. 13 hits, including 3 HR and a double. But what if I told you Cam is basically doing what he had all season long?

Is he hitting the ball harder? Not really; his highest exit velo month was actually June at 92.4
Is he barreling up the ball more? Nope, both Mar/Apr & May had higher barrel % at 14.9% & 12.1%
Is he squaring the ball up more when he makes contact? Again, not exactly. His best month was May at 31.2%

Cam was one of the "unluckiest" hitters in baseball for the first 4 months of the season.
Mar/Apr: .346 xwOBA, .310 wOBA (-.036)
May: .345 xwOBA, .277 wOBA (-.068)
June: .329 xwOBA, .315 wOBA (-.014)
July: .273 xwOBA, .226 wOBA (-.047)
Aug: .353 xwOBA, .579 wOBA (+.226)

This feels like water finding its level rather than some major change that happened with Cam.

---

Very informative and encouraging post.
Thanks!

Take the series tonight then shove the seamen in their lockers this weekend like we did to Arlington followed by the worthless Angels and Athletics on an extended division homestand.

Farmer1906 said:

---

W said:

---

radio crew says he's trying to hit the ball more in the air

---

Interesting.

His flyball rate & launch angle increased in July and Aug. However, his attack angle did not.

What I do see different in July and Aug is his attack direction. He's catching it out in front more and pulling the ball.

---

Pull-air rate and K rate were/are always going to be the keys for him with his batted ball metrics.

This has been the pattern under Espada's entire tenure.

Not only do our veterans play with an extra gear when the lights are brightest, but Espada manages with a different edge. The problem is we spend so much time WITHOUT the sense of urgency that we make life hard on ourselves. The games in April and May count as much as games in August and September.

Hader pitching two innings last night was a great example. We "needed" that win, so suddenly we do a little extra. When we play big series, we come out swinging. When we play a sub .500 team, if we win the first two games of a set, Joe will basically mail in the third game.

It is great that we have the clutch gene (as Correa points at his wrist), but it is maddening that we waste so much time NOT playing with urgency.

Spot on. To me it, plus the comments you sometimes hear out of the clubhouse when they're briefly going good about how they've been here before and they know how to win and never doubted etc., have rung to me for a couple years now like not just complete lack of urgency but also a bit of misplaced arrogance over a level of excellence they no longer represent.

Astros Bingo Leader Board Update: August 11, 2026



Current MVPs
HTownAg98 6
tjack16 6

All-Star Potential
AlwysNextYear89 5
Jackal99 5
JohnnyTexAg1995 5
LonestarAg09 5
Marvin 5
OPAG 5
RED AG 98 5
Teddy Perkins 5
jkag89 5
wmitchell 5

Everyday Starters
07ag 4
1996.0 4
Ag_07 4
AggieJ2002 4
Big Al 1992 4
Buck Compton 4
CCAg95 4
CFTXAG10 4
Hornbeck 4
Johnny Foosball 4
Mr. Bond 4
Mr.Ackar07 4
agenjake 4
bodaciousbood14 4
linkdude 4
scrimp 4
texasaggie2015 4
wehnerhigh20 4
wessimo 4

Platoon Players
1836er 3
3B Paul 97 3
Ambres 3
B-Rabbit 3
CharleyKerfeld 3
Cweezy17 3
DekkerLentz 3
Dr. Doctor 3
JB12 3
JYDog90 3
Louisiana Chen 3
MTX13 3
Mathguy64 3
Prosperdick 3
cmk10 3
iBrad 3
mcmav13 3
spadilly 3
txags11 3
txags92 3

Espada Is Going to Pinch-hit Dezenzo For You Late and Close
Booma94 2
Chief Elko 2
Fairview20 2
JoeAggie1010 2
KTAG05 2
MosesHallRAB04 2
RO519 2
TexAg2001 2
Twisted Helix 2
WES2006AG 2
Wabs 2
aftershock 2
gambochaman 2
martin2003 2
rausr 2
yayaggies 2


You Know the Way to Sugarland, Right?
KAF 1
Wangus12 1
agproducer 1
n-touch 1
redline248 1
superaggie73 1

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

Unfortunately the idea of needing extra innings to beat one of the worst teams in the league doesn't excite me

---

It happens almost every single day in mlb. Every team usually wins 54 games and loses 54 games. It's the other 54 games that defines their season.

W said:

---

Hader coming back out for the 10th

---

Thanks Joe it's about time you brought him out for the 10th. Hader is the closer for a reason.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

---

This has been the pattern under Espada's entire tenure.

Not only do our veterans play with an extra gear when the lights are brightest, but Espada manages with a different edge. The problem is we spend so much time WITHOUT the sense of urgency that we make life hard on ourselves. The games in April and May count as much as games in August and September.

Hader pitching two innings last night was a great example. We "needed" that win, so suddenly we do a little extra. When we play big series, we come out swinging. When we play a sub .500 team, if we win the first two games of a set, Joe will basically mail in the third game.

It is great that we have the clutch gene (as Correa points at his wrist), but it is maddening that we waste so much time NOT playing with urgency.

---

Quote:

---

Spot on. To me it, plus the comments you sometimes hear out of the clubhouse when they're briefly going good about how they've been here before and they know how to win and never doubted etc., have rung to me for a couple years now like not just complete lack of urgency but also a bit of misplaced arrogance over a level of excellence they no longer represent.

---

I mostly agree with these statements. I do feel like when we got down in a hole (standings-wise), we needed to play with a larger sense of urgency.

But there is a fine line to be walked. Everything can't be a must-win. The saying goes, if everything is critical, then nothing is. I think we go crazy and push everyone; the grind will wear players out.

Quote:

---

Thanks Joe it's about time you brought him out for the 10th. Hader is the closer for a reason.

---

I feel like this kind of statement is ignorant. Hader has had a very healthy career for a pitcher. He made it clear that he was willing to take on multi-innings and more back-to-backs. However, I think Joe pulled the Hader level a little too much in years 1 and 2. Then an always healthy player ended up on the IL for a significant amount of time. I think the braintrust wanted Hader to limit and wait before starting to take on multi-inning finishes.

Farmer1906 said:

---

SpaceCityAg05 said:

---

This has been the pattern under Espada's entire tenure.

Not only do our veterans play with an extra gear when the lights are brightest, but Espada manages with a different edge. The problem is we spend so much time WITHOUT the sense of urgency that we make life hard on ourselves. The games in April and May count as much as games in August and September.

Hader pitching two innings last night was a great example. We "needed" that win, so suddenly we do a little extra. When we play big series, we come out swinging. When we play a sub .500 team, if we win the first two games of a set, Joe will basically mail in the third game.

It is great that we have the clutch gene (as Correa points at his wrist), but it is maddening that we waste so much time NOT playing with urgency.

---

Quote:

---

Spot on. To me it, plus the comments you sometimes hear out of the clubhouse when they're briefly going good about how they've been here before and they know how to win and never doubted etc., have rung to me for a couple years now like not just complete lack of urgency but also a bit of misplaced arrogance over a level of excellence they no longer represent.

---

I mostly agree with these statements. I do feel like when we got down in a hole (standings-wise), we needed to play with a larger sense of urgency.

But there is a fine line to be walked. Everything can't be a must-win. The saying goes, if everything is critical, then nothing is. I think we go crazy and push everyone; the grind will wear players out.

Quote:

---

Thanks Joe it's about time you brought him out for the 10th. Hader is the closer for a reason.

---

I feel like this kind of statement is ignorant. Hader has had a very healthy career for a pitcher. He made it clear that he was willing to take on multi-innings and more back-to-backs. However, I think Joe pulled the Hader level a little too much in years 1 and 2. Then an always healthy player ended up on the IL for a significant amount of time. I think the braintrust wanted Hader to limit and wait before starting to take on multi-inning finishes.

---

I get it about protecting Hader. However he didn't throw that many pitches in the ninth so I'm sure bringing him out for the tenth wasn't that critical. Besides they need to win as much as possible with only 40 +games left.

BCEDAg said:

---

Farmer1906 said:

---

SpaceCityAg05 said:

---

This has been the pattern under Espada's entire tenure.

Not only do our veterans play with an extra gear when the lights are brightest, but Espada manages with a different edge. The problem is we spend so much time WITHOUT the sense of urgency that we make life hard on ourselves. The games in April and May count as much as games in August and September.

Hader pitching two innings last night was a great example. We "needed" that win, so suddenly we do a little extra. When we play big series, we come out swinging. When we play a sub .500 team, if we win the first two games of a set, Joe will basically mail in the third game.

It is great that we have the clutch gene (as Correa points at his wrist), but it is maddening that we waste so much time NOT playing with urgency.

---

Quote:

---

Spot on. To me it, plus the comments you sometimes hear out of the clubhouse when they're briefly going good about how they've been here before and they know how to win and never doubted etc., have rung to me for a couple years now like not just complete lack of urgency but also a bit of misplaced arrogance over a level of excellence they no longer represent.

---

I mostly agree with these statements. I do feel like when we got down in a hole (standings-wise), we needed to play with a larger sense of urgency.

But there is a fine line to be walked. Everything can't be a must-win. The saying goes, if everything is critical, then nothing is. I think we go crazy and push everyone; the grind will wear players out.

Quote:

---

Thanks Joe it's about time you brought him out for the 10th. Hader is the closer for a reason.

---

I feel like this kind of statement is ignorant. Hader has had a very healthy career for a pitcher. He made it clear that he was willing to take on multi-innings and more back-to-backs. However, I think Joe pulled the Hader level a little too much in years 1 and 2. Then an always healthy player ended up on the IL for a significant amount of time. I think the braintrust wanted Hader to limit and wait before starting to take on multi-inning finishes.

---

I get it about protecting Hader. However he didn't throw that many pitches in the ninth so I'm sure bringing him out for the tenth wasn't that critical. Besides they need to win as much as possible with only 40 +games left.

---

I agree with the move. I'd love to use Hader as much as possible in high leverage.

I'm 100% okay with Hader going for 2 there.

He hasn't been used much the last 2 weeks, and he didn't throw that many pitches in the 9th. His outing last night was much needed and imagine how mad we would have been if his replacement reliever gave up the lead

BCEDAg said:

---

Farmer1906 said:

---

SpaceCityAg05 said:

---

This has been the pattern under Espada's entire tenure.

Not only do our veterans play with an extra gear when the lights are brightest, but Espada manages with a different edge. The problem is we spend so much time WITHOUT the sense of urgency that we make life hard on ourselves. The games in April and May count as much as games in August and September.

Hader pitching two innings last night was a great example. We "needed" that win, so suddenly we do a little extra. When we play big series, we come out swinging. When we play a sub .500 team, if we win the first two games of a set, Joe will basically mail in the third game.

It is great that we have the clutch gene (as Correa points at his wrist), but it is maddening that we waste so much time NOT playing with urgency.

---

Quote:

---

Spot on. To me it, plus the comments you sometimes hear out of the clubhouse when they're briefly going good about how they've been here before and they know how to win and never doubted etc., have rung to me for a couple years now like not just complete lack of urgency but also a bit of misplaced arrogance over a level of excellence they no longer represent.

---

I mostly agree with these statements. I do feel like when we got down in a hole (standings-wise), we needed to play with a larger sense of urgency.

But there is a fine line to be walked. Everything can't be a must-win. The saying goes, if everything is critical, then nothing is. I think we go crazy and push everyone; the grind will wear players out.

Quote:

---

Thanks Joe it's about time you brought him out for the 10th. Hader is the closer for a reason.

---

I feel like this kind of statement is ignorant. Hader has had a very healthy career for a pitcher. He made it clear that he was willing to take on multi-innings and more back-to-backs. However, I think Joe pulled the Hader level a little too much in years 1 and 2. Then an always healthy player ended up on the IL for a significant amount of time. I think the braintrust wanted Hader to limit and wait before starting to take on multi-inning finishes.

---

I get it about protecting Hader. However he didn't throw that many pitches in the ninth so I'm sure bringing him out for the tenth wasn't that critical. Besides they need to win as much as possible with only 40 +games left.

---

I thought the real goof up was not pitching him for two against Toronto last week then we lose in the 10th. He was on 4 days rest and only threw 9 pitches in the 9th, then we have him throw two innings in a game like yesterday?

Hader should not routinely be out there for more than one inning.

However, has insisted without break in pattern in using Hader in the 9th inning of tie games on the road, even though the strikeout reliever is more valuable in extras once the Manfred Mann comes into play.

If you do that (and he finishes in 10 pitches, like last night) and get the lead in the top, the expectation should be that the closer closes.

With Hader, I have more of a deployment question than a desire to overload him.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

---

Hader should not routinely be out there for more than one inning.

However, has insisted without break in pattern in using Hader in the 9th inning of tie games on the road, even though the strikeout reliever is more valuable in extras once the Manfred Mann comes into play.

If you do that (and he finishes in 10 pitches, like last night) and get the lead in the top, the expectation should be that the closer closes.

With Hader, I have more of a deployment question than a desire to overload him.

---

Sure, but you gotta get there first. The nerds for the Astros must see it otherwise.

CharleyKerfeld said:

---

Astros Bingo Leader Board Update: August 11, 2026



Current MVPs
HTownAg98 6
tjack16 6

All-Star Potential
AlwysNextYear89 5
Jackal99 5
JohnnyTexAg1995 5
LonestarAg09 5
Marvin 5
OPAG 5
RED AG 98 5
Teddy Perkins 5
jkag89 5
wmitchell 5

Everyday Starters
07ag 4
1996.0 4
Ag_07 4
AggieJ2002 4
Big Al 1992 4
Buck Compton 4
CCAg95 4
CFTXAG10 4
Hornbeck 4
Johnny Foosball 4
Mr. Bond 4
Mr.Ackar07 4
agenjake 4
bodaciousbood14 4
linkdude 4
scrimp 4
texasaggie2015 4
wehnerhigh20 4
wessimo 4

Platoon Players
1836er 3
3B Paul 97 3
Ambres 3
B-Rabbit 3
CharleyKerfeld 3
Cweezy17 3
DekkerLentz 3
Dr. Doctor 3
JB12 3
JYDog90 3
Louisiana Chen 3
MTX13 3
Mathguy64 3
Prosperdick 3
cmk10 3
iBrad 3
mcmav13 3
spadilly 3
txags11 3
txags92 3

Espada Is Going to Pinch-hit Dezenzo For You Late and Close
Booma94 2
Chief Elko 2
Fairview20 2
JoeAggie1010 2
KTAG05 2
MosesHallRAB04 2
RO519 2
TexAg2001 2
Twisted Helix 2
WES2006AG 2
Wabs 2
aftershock 2
gambochaman 2
martin2003 2
rausr 2
yayaggies 2


You Know the Way to Sugarland, Right?
KAF 1
Wangus12 1
agproducer 1
n-touch 1
redline248 1
superaggie73 1

---

Looking like 9 will get you in the discussion and maybe the clubhouse lead.

The Diaz BB/HR watch will be fascinating- he's currently sitting on 8 of each. lol

Marvin said:

---

CharleyKerfeld said:

---

Astros Bingo Leader Board Update: August 11, 2026



Current MVPs
HTownAg98 6
tjack16 6

All-Star Potential
AlwysNextYear89 5
Jackal99 5
JohnnyTexAg1995 5
LonestarAg09 5
Marvin 5
OPAG 5
RED AG 98 5
Teddy Perkins 5
jkag89 5
wmitchell 5

Everyday Starters
07ag 4
1996.0 4
Ag_07 4
AggieJ2002 4
Big Al 1992 4
Buck Compton 4
CCAg95 4
CFTXAG10 4
Hornbeck 4
Johnny Foosball 4
Mr. Bond 4
Mr.Ackar07 4
agenjake 4
bodaciousbood14 4
linkdude 4
scrimp 4
texasaggie2015 4
wehnerhigh20 4
wessimo 4

Platoon Players
1836er 3
3B Paul 97 3
Ambres 3
B-Rabbit 3
CharleyKerfeld 3
Cweezy17 3
DekkerLentz 3
Dr. Doctor 3
JB12 3
JYDog90 3
Louisiana Chen 3
MTX13 3
Mathguy64 3
Prosperdick 3
cmk10 3
iBrad 3
mcmav13 3
spadilly 3
txags11 3
txags92 3

Espada Is Going to Pinch-hit Dezenzo For You Late and Close
Booma94 2
Chief Elko 2
Fairview20 2
JoeAggie1010 2
KTAG05 2
MosesHallRAB04 2
RO519 2
TexAg2001 2
Twisted Helix 2
WES2006AG 2
Wabs 2
aftershock 2
gambochaman 2
martin2003 2
rausr 2
yayaggies 2


You Know the Way to Sugarland, Right?
KAF 1
Wangus12 1
agproducer 1
n-touch 1
redline248 1
superaggie73 1

---

Looking like 9 will get you in the discussion and maybe the clubhouse lead.

The Diaz BB/HR watch will be fascinating- he's currently sitting on 8 of each. lol

---

That's the one that could move me up to Dezenzo pinch hit line if it goes my way.

Welcome aboard. Jake gets the short end of the stick, but we'll see if there's any offensive uptick from the newbie. Did anybody pick Trammell to have more staying power than the rake?

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/3BeBFpKzlK

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 11, 2026

Looking back at my +/- predictions:
……….
84 wins
- Alvarez plays [*REDACTED, not jinxing his health*]
- Walker hits better
- Dana gets young talent at the trade deadline
- Championship window slams shut and is boarded up
- Altuve produces but shows signs of aging
- Rotation is bottom 8 in MLB
For me, 2026 is a glass half empty and leaking.
……….

Well, Dana did not get any talent, much less young talent, at the deadline. The rest are trending towards confirmation.

Jake was obviously the placeholder until we found a RH OF off the wire that we liked better, but Meyers became the epitome of useless once he was relegated to corner OF since Varsho will only be played in CF.

It's not the Astros nerds...That's pretty standard across MLB.

If it's tied in the 9th and you're on the road there is no margin for error and you can't give up a run. As such, you want your best most high leverage reliever in the spot.

Pretty simple. Not sure why people question this strategy so often.

I realize it was standard practice before the Manfred Mann became a thing. I realize you have to get there first for anything to matter.

In this case, I am not just talking about saving your closer for the save situation which is what folks used to argue about.

Just like managers plan ahead for their lefty and righty leverage relievers, I am wondering why teams do not prioritize holding their best swing and miss pitchers for extras where it can be the difference between a 1 and 0 given up.

Obviously, you have to pitch someone you can trust in the ninth, but with a clean inning, you can use any type of reliever. There are quality pitch to contact arms that become more of a liability in extras when you don't need to give up a hit to be scored upon.

Marvin said:

---

Looking like 9 will get you in the discussion and maybe the clubhouse lead.

The Diaz BB/HR watch will be fascinating- he's currently sitting on 8 of each. lol

---

I hope all you youngsters are cognizant of the fact that Marvin has a pretty legit shot to go back-to-back as Bingo champ.

He's tied for second with 5 and has:
85-89 W (current pace: 82)
Hader < 30 saves (current pace: 22)
Tucker > 130 G (current pace: 151)
ERA > 3.86 (current pace: 4.57)
Dodgers > 102 W (current pace: 97)
Bregman > 20 HR (current pace: 16)

all left in the chamber.

Category Ghost of 2025 Astros Bingo

Brendan Rodgers starts 100+ games