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Post by Hunter McCormick on Aug 9, 2021 14:18:38 GMT -6
Playing down to the level of the lesser competition is a matter of a lack of self discipline on the part of the players. It is as simple as that. Each player has to find it within himself to show up at the ballpark and put forth their best each game without any consideration for who the opponent is that day. For the most part this self discipline is lacking on the Astros. Sometimes I feel they have too much discipline when they stand there and keep taking Strike 3. Just attack when there’s a mistake pitch. You didn’t see the Twins up there hoping for walks. If someone takes strike three, it probably wasn't a mistake pitch. More likely a pitcher's pitch. Borderline. In my humble opinion, patience is important. But that needs to be in balance with the batter's skill and the situation and the number of strikes. Also, the pitcher's tendencies factor in. Does he attack or is he a 'nibbler'? No strikes: Keyhole. For instance, if you like fastballs and the pitcher makes a mistake and leaves one middle-middle, try to crush it. Else take the pitch and watch it carefully to learn what you can. One strike: Expand a bit, but stay in the strikezone. If it's borderline, definitely take it. Especially on a 3-1 count. Two strikes: Defend the plate. Be prepared to spoil anything close to the strikezone. Try to get a hit on a batter's pitch, even if it isn't squarely in your happy zone. Of course, wherever the umpire's zone is loose or tight factors in, too. And we need to remember, batter's decisions need to be made in milliseconds. They aren't always gonna get it right. |
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Post by blcoach8 on Aug 9, 2021 17:42:46 GMT -6
Playing down to the level of the lesser competition is a matter of a lack of self discipline on the part of the players. It is as simple as that. Each player has to find it within himself to show up at the ballpark and put forth their best each game without any consideration for who the opponent is that day. For the most part this self discipline is lacking on the Astros. You nailed it. We have played down to the level of the Rockies, Tigers, Orioles, Rangers, and, now the Twins. If any leadership was present, I didn't see it. It is an individual thing of getting yourself mentally prepared to play no matter the opponent. Losing games to the bottom feeders could easily cost us home field in the playoffs. |
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Post by abregmanfan on Aug 9, 2021 18:21:56 GMT -6
Playing down to the level of the lesser competition is a matter of a lack of self discipline on the part of the players. It is as simple as that. Each player has to find it within himself to show up at the ballpark and put forth their best each game without any consideration for who the opponent is that day. For the most part this self discipline is lacking on the Astros. You nailed it. We have played down to the level of the Rockies, Tigers, Orioles, Rangers, and, now the Twins. If any leadership was present, I didn't see it. It is an individual thing of getting yourself mentally prepared to play no matter the opponent. Losing games to the bottom feeders could easily cost us home field in the playoffs. Even worse, it could cost us the playoffs... |
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Post by blcoach8 on Aug 9, 2021 19:20:48 GMT -6
You nailed it. We have played down to the level of the Rockies, Tigers, Orioles, Rangers, and, now the Twins. If any leadership was present, I didn't see it. It is an individual thing of getting yourself mentally prepared to play no matter the opponent. Losing games to the bottom feeders could easily cost us home field in the playoffs. Even worse, it could cost us the playoffs... Oh I think we get in the playoffs because of how well we play against the good teams. The problem is we don't have that many games remaining against the good teams. We play a couple of series with the A's, three games with the Padres, and three with the Rays. The rest are against teams that aren't very good and I include the Mariners and Angels in the group of teams that aren't too good. |
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