GDT: Astros vs. Athletics, 6/14/2018

[marshall]

Is there a scouting report on the umpires somewhere? We are facing another young pitcher who relies on fastballs for his bread and butter. If he has to bring it in the zone, we can tear him up. But if he get's an expanded Zone, probably not.

on the flip side, Verlander can be effective IN the zone.

[marshall]

Don't forget it's a 2:35 CDT start today.

[Saint]

Gattis is now on pace for 31 HR and 99 RBI. Current OPS is up to .810.

[Saint]

44-25. .5 games behind Seattle for the division and now only 3 behind Boston for the league lead.

1st in run differential at +138.
On pace for a 103-59 record.
8 of our regular players now have OPSs higher than .700.

That being said, I don't have a good feeling about today's game. Short rest against a tough young pitcher we've barely seen, and I have a feeling Altuve or Springer might get the day off. It would be nice to see Verlander have a shutdown game today.

[astrosdoug]

Here's one source for umpiring data: www.bloomberg.com/businessweek/graphics/baseballs-worst-call-of-the-day/#/umpires/ranking/2018

Also, if you know the name of the umpire and some games he has called recently behind the plate, you can look at this site to see how he called the zone in those games:

www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?month=05&day=23&year=2018&game=gid_2018_05_23_atlmlb_phimlb_1/

Probably, his zone won't change much from week to week.

Here is an analysis of one umpire's strike zone (Tim Timmons): www.datascienceriot.com/r/how-to-find-an-umpires-strike-zone-with-r-and-pitchrx/

I think people who like statistics and computers could probably come up with the same information on other umpires, but that would be beyond my pay grade.

[astrosdoug]

Being a day game, I get the sense this will be a high scoring one. Royals are up next and they have been surrendering 5 to 6 runs a game; as a superior offense, the Astros should be scoring at least 7 a game off those guys.

[marshall]

It looks like either Miller or Hernandez will be behind the plate today. Both have below average accuracy rates at 85%.

While the 3-0 start looks great, two have been against Kansas City and one Oakland. Neither of which are good fastball hitting clubs. I think we'll do fine.

[paastrosfan]

Jun 14, 2018 8:22:25 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Here's one source for umpiring data: www.bloomberg.com/businessweek/graphics/baseballs-worst-call-of-the-day/#/umpires/ranking/2018

Also, if you know the name of the umpire and some games he has called recently behind the plate, you can look at this site to see how he called the zone in those games:

www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?month=05&day=23&year=2018&game=gid_2018_05_23_atlmlb_phimlb_1/

Probably, his zone won't change much from week to week.

Here is an analysis of one umpire's strike zone (Tim Timmons): www.datascienceriot.com/r/how-to-find-an-umpires-strike-zone-with-r-and-pitchrx/

I think people who like statistics and computers could probably come up with the same information on other umpires, but that would be beyond my pay grade.

Great stuff man, you should be working for the Elias Sports Bureau, and I am not being sarcastic.

[astrosdoug]

This kid Montas who is starting for Oakland today comes into the game with a miniscule ERA, but he was an ERA 4+ pitcher in AAA this year. Also, the xFIP over his 22 IP in the majors this year suggest he will trend towards an ERA of 4.00 to 4.50 if he stays in the bigs. The Astros would do well to score 4 runs off him and force him to exit after 5 IP. Then get a few more off the bullpen. Final score should be 8-1 or something with Verlander on the mound. Khris Davis can be a pain in the ass so just walk him if need be.

[marshall]

Jun 14, 2018 9:36:26 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

This kid Montas who is starting for Oakland today comes into the game with a miniscule ERA, but he was an ERA 4+ pitcher in AAA this year. Also, the xFIP over his 22 IP in the majors this year suggest he will trend towards an ERA of 4.00 to 4.50 if he stays in the bigs. The Astros would do well to score 4 runs off him and force him to exit after 5 IP. Then get a few more off the bullpen. Final score should be 8-1 or something with Verlander on the mound. Khris Davis can be a pain in the ass so just walk him if need be.

Yesterday spoiled me. I want ten runs in the first two innings...

[Saint]

Nailed it. Springer with the day off.

Bregman
Altuve
Correa
Gurriel
Reddick
Gattis
Marwin
McCann
Kemp

[bannedfan]

How about that catch and DP last night by Marisnick and company....

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160357081395431&id=91703305430&comment_id=10160358023975431¬if_t=comment_mention¬if_id=1528983128418029&ref=m_notif

[marshall]

Jun 14, 2018 11:20:44 GMT -6 Saint said:

Nailed it. Springer with the day off.

Bregman
Altuve
Correa
Gurriel
Reddick
Gattis
Marwin
McCann
Kemp

But did you expect Marisnick to get a day off?

[blcoach8]

Jun 14, 2018 12:37:00 GMT -6 marshall said:

Jun 14, 2018 11:20:44 GMT -6 Saint said:

Nailed it. Springer with the day off.

Bregman
Altuve
Correa
Gurriel
Reddick
Gattis
Marwin
McCann
Kemp

But did you expect Marisnick to get a day off?

As hard as Jake worked last night, he needs the day off.

[sempersmom]

Double for Yuli, Correa scores. Good start guys.

[bannedfan]

Yuli dialed in. 1-0.

[bannedfan]

Reddick plates Yuli. 2-0.

[marshall]

There's something familiar about the first inning.

[bannedfan]

Jun 14, 2018 13:45:07 GMT -6 marshall said:

There's something familiar about the first inning.

And this one started with 2 outs. Astros love hitting fastballs.

[bannedfan]

13 pitch inning for Verlander.

[marshall]

Jun 14, 2018 13:52:10 GMT -6 bannedfan said:

13 pitch inning for Verlander.

Lot's of two strike foul balls. I think he only threw one ball.

[bannedfan]

Jun 14, 2018 13:53:22 GMT -6 marshall said:

Jun 14, 2018 13:52:10 GMT -6 bannedfan said:

13 pitch inning for Verlander.

Lot's of two strike foul balls. I think he only threw one ball.

His lasting out he had around the mid 20’s in pitches after 1.

[marshall]

Second inning not quite so familiar.

[astrosdoug]

Marwin did a great job erasing his triple there. Two innings, two outs made running the bases.

[marshall]

Jun 14, 2018 14:00:21 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Marwin did a great job erasing his triple there. Two innings, two outs made running the bases.

That was on AJ. He had the contact play on. Theoretically, it makes sense with one out.

[bannedfan]

6 groundouts already by Houston.

[bannedfan]

Correa heating it up!!!! 3-1.

[Saint]

Altuve is walking all of a sudden. Very good to see.

[marshall]

Pitchers have opposite game plans. Verlander induces pop flies and Martan? induces grounders.

[marshall]

Montas.