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Post by Saint on Jul 16, 2018 10:22:30 GMT -6
So going into the all-star break this is where we sit:
*64-35 (.646 winning percentage)
*5 games up over Seattle in the division, and 8 games above Oakland.
*Tied for 2nd overall with NYC and 4.5 games behind Boston.
*1st in run differential at +188 (but Boston is getting closer).
Team OPS+: 116
Team ERA+: 132
We have two players in the top-10 in WAR with Bregman and Altuve, and we have the best starting rotation numbers in baseball. Pretty good considering some of our top players have struggled.
We need to see improvement from Springer, Reddick, Marwin, Altuve, and Tucker (if he is going to be the primary LFer). Altuve is having a good season, but if he is going to continue to hit 3rd, we need to see more extra base hits and more runs being driven in. Personally, Altuve should be hitting in front of Bregman. He'd get more pitches to steal on and he still gets on base better than anybody on the team. Springer can't keep hitting leading off if he can't get his OBP north of .340. It's just dumb to not make a change there.
I don't think we can expect much more from Gurriel, Stassi, Gattis, Kemp, Correa (if healthy), or the pitching staff. Now that Keuchel seems to have found his way, the only area we lack in at pitching is maybe one more shutdown reliever, if possible. It would be nice to see a lot more of Perez.
Obvious holes besides the bullpen: Catcher and potentially LF.
To me, the obvious primary lineup if Correa is healthy after the break should be:
Kemp (LF)
Altuve (2B)
Bregman (3B)
Correa (SS)
Gurriel (1B)
Gattis (DH)
Springer (CF)
Reddick (RF)
Stassi (C)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 10:50:39 GMT -6
Good analysis.
For us to really hang with BOS and NYY in the playoffs we really need a stopper in the pen.
A second playoff run with AJ using his starters to function as relievers is really a stretch to ask for.
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Post by blcoach8 on Jul 16, 2018 11:07:59 GMT -6
Good analysis and I agree with txheat that we need a stopper for the pen......maybe a lefty and a righty........I would also be more comfortable with another catcher so we don't have to keep Federowicz on the roster. We also need another bat for the outfield who can DH. I don't trust Gattis to be our only option at DH nor do I think Tucker is ready to be the full-time left fielder. He is going to be a great player, but, he may meed more time at AAA. We do not EVER need to see Ken Giles back in an Astros uniform.
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 12:07:20 GMT -6
I think we can stop dreaming about Springer batting lower in the order. Hinch is still riding that World Series high.
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Post by blcoach8 on Jul 16, 2018 12:18:08 GMT -6
I think we can stop dreaming about Springer batting lower in the order. Hinch is still riding that World Series high. Hinch will never drop Springer down....that is set in stone. When Correa returns, he will go back to the cleanup spot with Yuli dropping to 5th. I like Reddick in the 6th spot. After that, I don't know.....Unless Gattis can rekindle some of that hot streak, we need another option at DH. |
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Post by Saint on Jul 16, 2018 12:52:32 GMT -6
I think we can stop dreaming about Springer batting lower in the order. Hinch is still riding that World Series high. You never know. He may look at this next "half" as a reason to try some new things. He's already said Springer likely won't even play in the all-star game, so that shows something. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 13:16:01 GMT -6
I think we can stop dreaming about Springer batting lower in the order. Hinch is still riding that World Series high. You never know. He may look at this next "half" as a reason to try some new things. He's already said Springer likely won't even play in the all-star game, so that shows something. I wonder why Hinch is shielding so many of his guys from the game. Verlander rightly won’t pitch; he needs the rest. Springer is probably going to get just two AB’s. Cole might not pitch either because he pitched recently. Either way, we can all agree that George at leadoff is detrimental at this point. I’ve never seen him slump this badly before. |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jul 16, 2018 13:33:40 GMT -6
You never know. He may look at this next "half" as a reason to try some new things. He's already said Springer likely won't even play in the all-star game, so that shows something. I wonder why Hinch is shielding so many of his guys from the game. Verlander rightly won’t pitch; he needs the rest. Springer is probably going to get just two AB’s. Cole might not pitch either because he pitched recently. Either way, we can all agree that George at leadoff is detrimental at this point. I’ve never seen him slump this badly before. Hell will freeze over before Hinch takes Springer out of the leadoff spot. |
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Post by Saint on Jul 16, 2018 13:39:49 GMT -6
You never know. He may look at this next "half" as a reason to try some new things. He's already said Springer likely won't even play in the all-star game, so that shows something. I wonder why Hinch is shielding so many of his guys from the game. Verlander rightly won’t pitch; he needs the rest. Springer is probably going to get just two AB’s. Cole might not pitch either because he pitched recently. Either way, we can all agree that George at leadoff is detrimental at this point. I’ve never seen him slump this badly before. He seems to be concerned about adequate rest is all I can think of, although he has said he wants to make sure all the first time all-stars get to play. And, if we're being honest, Springer probably shouldn't have even made the team even as an injury replacement. |
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jul 16, 2018 14:44:24 GMT -6
Hasn't ggggeorge been getting a hit or two lately? He seems to be breaking out of his slump. I think maybe all the fuss about batting order is coming from Refugees expecting every player to be an MVP in every game.
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Post by Saint on Jul 16, 2018 14:51:11 GMT -6
Hasn't ggggeorge been getting a hit or two lately? He seems to be breaking out of his slump. I think maybe all the fuss about batting order is coming from Refugees expecting every player to be an MVP in every game. He has a .339 OBP over the last two weeks. It's technically better than his season OBP of .333, but I don't know if that counts as improvement. And I'm fine with his current level of production and on pace numbers (25 HR 75 RBI 106 Runs 10 SB .750 OPS), but that's not leadoff material when you have better options available. Maximizing the batting order could lead to better, more consistent, production. Emphasis on "could" because who knows for sure. All I know is, your leadoff hitter gets the most ABs. Who do you want getting the most ABs on this team? |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jul 16, 2018 15:44:29 GMT -6
I see no need to make fun of George's stuttering........has nothing to do with his hitting. Also, he does a lot of help those with a stuttering problem. If that is OK, I think I'll start comalaining about Marwin being a lazy ass hispanic.
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marshall
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Post by marshall on Jul 16, 2018 15:55:04 GMT -6
We might get that extra bull pen ace by giving McHugh some opportunities in save situations. Right now he's being used early and pulled for lesser relievers. The Man has a 400+ ERA+. Use him to finish games from the 7th inning on and DON'T pull him.
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 15:57:32 GMT -6
We might get that extra bull pen ace by giving McHugh some opportunities in save situations. Right now he's being used early and pulled for lesser relievers. The Man has a 400+ ERA+. Use him to finish games from the 7th inning on and DON'T pull him. If you start overworking McHugh, you’ll get diminishing returns, trust me. The Indians and Athletics both had key late-inning homers off him. He’s not Kimbrel or Chapman. |
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marshall
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Post by marshall on Jul 16, 2018 16:03:24 GMT -6
We might get that extra bull pen ace by giving McHugh some opportunities in save situations. Right now he's being used early and pulled for lesser relievers. The Man has a 400+ ERA+. Use him to finish games from the 7th inning on and DON'T pull him. If you start overworking McHugh, you’ll get diminishing returns, trust me. The Indians and Athletics both had key late-inning homers off him. He’s not Kimbrel or Chapman. He didn't lose a lead. He was pounding the zone with a lead. Isn't that better than walking batters and getting the tying and go ahead runs to the plate? |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 16:09:03 GMT -6
If you start overworking McHugh, you’ll get diminishing returns, trust me. The Indians and Athletics both had key late-inning homers off him. He’s not Kimbrel or Chapman. He didn't lose a lead. He was pounding the zone with a lead. Isn't that better than walking batters and getting the tying and go ahead runs to the plate? At Cleveland against Alonso, he lost a crucial second lead in extras. At home against Biscotti, he didn’t. Either way, the results were similar to starting a rally with walks. I’m not diminishing his contributions, but let’s not put the cart before the horse with McHugh. Doing well in a lesser role doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do better than Rondón at closing out games. |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jul 16, 2018 16:15:35 GMT -6
We might get that extra bull pen ace by giving McHugh some opportunities in save situations. Right now he's being used early and pulled for lesser relievers. The Man has a 400+ ERA+. Use him to finish games from the 7th inning on and DON'T pull him. i have been wanting Hinch to give McHugh a chance to be the closer since he is our most effective reliever. |
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marshall
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Post by marshall on Jul 16, 2018 16:23:26 GMT -6
He didn't lose a lead. He was pounding the zone with a lead. Isn't that better than walking batters and getting the tying and go ahead runs to the plate? At Cleveland against Alonso, he lost a crucial second lead in extras. At home against Biscotti, he didn’t. Either way, the results were similar to starting a rally with walks. I’m not diminishing his contributions, but let’s not put the cart before the horse with McHugh. Doing well in a lesser role doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do better than Rondón at closing out games. Just tell me who's better on either our team or could acquire. None of the options are perfect and it's not rational to expect it. |
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Post by astrosdoug on Jul 16, 2018 16:24:23 GMT -6
He didn't lose a lead. He was pounding the zone with a lead. Isn't that better than walking batters and getting the tying and go ahead runs to the plate? At Cleveland against Alonso, he lost a crucial second lead in extras. At home against Biscotti, he didn’t. Either way, the results were similar to starting a rally with walks. I’m not diminishing his contributions, but let’s not put the cart before the horse with McHugh. Doing well in a lesser role doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do better than Rondón at closing out games. On the flip side of things, this is one reason I like the Astros to have one or two bench players with high walk rates (like White). They are the sort of player who can help you start a late-inning rally by getting the tying run on base. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 16:24:30 GMT -6
We might get that extra bull pen ace by giving McHugh some opportunities in save situations. Right now he's being used early and pulled for lesser relievers. The Man has a 400+ ERA+. Use him to finish games from the 7th inning on and DON'T pull him. i have been wanting Hinch to give McHugh a chance to be the closer since he is our most effective reliever. I hope McHugh can do it, but we’ve seen a bunch of lackluster attempts at closing so I’m not holding my breath: Qualls, Giles, Gregerson, Harris, Fields, Devenski (postseason), etc. It’s the reason why people want to take a big risk on people like Britton. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 16:25:31 GMT -6
At Cleveland against Alonso, he lost a crucial second lead in extras. At home against Biscotti, he didn’t. Either way, the results were similar to starting a rally with walks. I’m not diminishing his contributions, but let’s not put the cart before the horse with McHugh. Doing well in a lesser role doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do better than Rondón at closing out games. On the flip side of things, this is one reason I like the Astros to have one or two bench players with high walk rates (like White). They are the sort of player who can help you start a late-inning rally by getting the tying run on base. Kemp is another spark plug whose contributions have been understated. |
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Post by m240 on Jul 16, 2018 16:55:31 GMT -6
I think we waited a little too long on Tucker and Perez to prove themselves up before the deadline. We have to have another solid bat and another late inning guy with some lead in his tank. To get them we are going to have to give up more than we should but in my opinion we will not repeat without doing so. That by the way is taking it for granted that Correa will be back and Springer will continue to heat up over the last 63 games. Kemp is a depth guy like Aoki was.
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 16:57:48 GMT -6
I think we waited a little too long on Tucker and Perez to prove themselves up before the deadline. We have to have another solid bat and another late inning guy with some lead in his tank. To get them we are going to have to give up more than we should but in my opinion we will not repeat without doing so. That by the way is taking it for granted that Correa will be back and Springer will continue to heat up over the last 63 games. Kemp is a depth guy like Aoki was. Stated perfectly. |
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jul 16, 2018 19:41:51 GMT -6
I see no need to make fun of George's stuttering........has nothing to do with his hitting. Also, he does a lot of help those with a stuttering problem. If that is OK, I think I'll start comalaining about Marwin being a lazy ass hispanic. LOL, this coming from the guy with the most walking-the-edge, almost openly racist but not quite brave enough to out himself, borderline socially unacceptable posts on the entire forum. LMAO. |
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Post by bearbryant on Jul 16, 2018 21:30:54 GMT -6
let’s not put the cart before the horse with McHugh. Doing well in a lesser role doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do better than Rondón at closing out games.
and Feliz had last season some time ago. But Hinch insisted on bringing them in situations to win ballgames when it was long past clear they're in seasons of declining
performance |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jul 16, 2018 21:44:59 GMT -6
let’s not put the cart before the horse with McHugh. Doing well in a lesser role doesn’t automatically mean he’ll do better than Rondón at closing out games.
and Feliz had last season some time ago. But Hinch insisted on bringing them in situations to win ballgames when it was long past clear they're in seasons of declining
performanceHinch believes in those guys Harris and Giles, which can be detrimental knowing how much of a toss-up it is when they’re in pressure situations. All that and Hinch’s Rocky Balboa holding the towel routine (Rocky IV) when his starting pitchers are struggling are the two most frustrating things about his management style. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 21:57:39 GMT -6
All that and Hinch’s Rocky Balboa holding the towel routine (Rocky IV) when his starting pitchers are struggling are the two most frustrating things about his management style. Rocky Balboa? I think you got the wrong Rocky.....  |
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Post by Saint on Jul 17, 2018 10:40:09 GMT -6
EDITED FOR CONTENT
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Post by blcoach8 on Jul 17, 2018 13:08:37 GMT -6
EDITED FOR CONTENT
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Post by Saint on Jul 17, 2018 13:12:53 GMT -6
EDITED FOR CONTENT
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