The Astros beat the Mariners 3-1 last night to extend their winning streak to eight games, and move to 10-5. They are ridiculous right now, and we are all here for it. The Astros scored first Verlander turned in a great performance and Jose Altuve hit a home run in his fifth consecutive game. Everything is awesome. [Saves feelings for a random losing streak]. Houston is 10-5.
Six MLB teams have 10 wins: Tampa Bay, Milwaukee, Seattle, Houston, Oakland, and San Diego. Four of them are in the AL, and three are in the AL West.
*Astros' longest win streaks, by year:
12: 2018, 2004
11: 2017
10: 2015
9: 2006
8: 2019, 2008
7: 2016, 2014, 2010, 2005, 2003, 2002
6: 2013, 2000
5: 2012, 2007, 2001
4: 2011, 2009
*Jose Altuve hit his 6th home run in his last five games. It's his 7th of the season. Jose Altuve home runs/PAs, career:
2011: 1HR / 117 PAs
2012: 1HR / 90 PAs
2013: 1HR / 134.4 PAs
2014: 1HR / 101 PAs
2015: 1HR / 45.9 PAs
2016: 1HR / 29.9 PAs
2017: 1HR / 27.6 PAs
2018: 1HR / 46.1 PAs
2019: 1HR / 9.4 PAs
Morgan Ensberg has the Astros' franchise record for consecutive games with a home run, at six. Altuve could tie it tomorrow. The good news? Altuve says it's not on purpose.
Altuve is the first player in 2019 to homer in five straight games. There are only eight other instances in MLB History since 1908 that a 2B has hit a home run in five straight games. Altuve:
I'm not the power hitter that we're all seeing right now, but I'll take it. If I can keep hitting homers for my team, I'll be happy.
Verlander, on Altuve:
He can carry this ballclub. He was the MVP for a reason. To see him go out there and be healthy, nobody wants to dwell on negatives, but what he was going through behind the scenes last year that nobody was really aware of, it really speaks volumes to his character and the person that he is. But to see him healthy again and performing how we know he can perform, it's a big boost.
*Robinson Chirinos hit his 2nd home run of the season.
*Justin Verlander threw 6IP, 2H/1ER, 11K:0BB. Verlander has made 381 career MLB starts. This was his 10th start with 11K:0BB in his career. Six of them have come with the Astros and Houston is somehow now 3-3 in those games. Verlander's 103rd pitch came in at 99mph. Verlander:
I kind of felt like a couple tempo things, the way I'm going through my windup, the way I'm carrying my hands, a few of the things I've been tinkering with, today it all clicked.
Chandler Rome: JV v King Felix was a throwback game.
*Ryan Pressly has pitched in 32 games for the Astros in his career.
30IP, 14H/2ER, 40K:3BB. That's a 0.60 ERA / 0.57 WHIP and a 13.3333 K:BB ratio. It's okay, I guess.
*Roberto Osuna: 1IP, 0H/0ER, 1K:0BB. He has pitched in six games in the last nine days.
*Seattle has now lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. Houston held the Mariners to a season-low four hits and a season-low one run. Whomstever could have envisioned that playing two games in Japan and then seven games against the White Sox and Royals would result in some wins. Scrubs.
*Felix Hernandez, 2007-2014: 7GS,44IP, 43H/9ER, 49K:12BB, 1.84 ERA / 1.28 WHIP.
Felix Hernandez, 2015-pres.: 7GS, 33.1IP, 48H/29ER, 30K:11BB. 7.83 ERA / 1.77 WHIP.
Wonder what changed.
*Carlos Correa checks his Exit Velocity after each game and is more cognizant of his pre-game and off-day rituals. Read this MLB.com story. Correa:
Every time I get a hit, I come in and ask, 'What was the exit velo?' Last year, it was hard for me to hit balls over 105. I would crush baseballs and I would come in and they were like, '102.' I'm like, 'What?'
*Yordan Alvarez hit a 485-foot home run.
*Framber Valdez will remain in the bullpen for Round Rock for the time being.
*Mike Puma reports that there's a contest to see who is more desperate: Dallas Keuchel, or the Mets.
*FanGraphs: Here's why the Ozzie Albies deal is terrible.
*Leeds United 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0. Leeds are three points clear of automatic promotion to the Premier League with four to play.
*Elsik was down 2-0 at halftime and came back to win 3-2. Next stop: State, to defend their title.
*Wired: How the Boston Marathon messes with runners to slow them down.
*This dude makes about $40,000 a year driving for Uber.
*A Musical Selection:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label Felix Hernandez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Felix Hernandez. Show all posts
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Tuesday Morning Hot Links
It's the first day of school, and I've basically been up since about 4:15am because I'm stoked. That said, in the last week I've managed to drop my wife's full-ass Yeti Cup on my toe, breaking it, and then in an unrelated incident, I have a grade 2 strain of my left hamstring. A.J. Hinch described it as "hamstring discomfort" and I'm really nervous about that. Good luck to all you teachers (and students, I guess, though you should know we do absolutely everything we can to make sure you pass. You either have to not show up or be a complete jackass in order to fail.) Oh, and the Astros lost to the Mariners. Idiots.
*The Astros and A's currently have a 75-50 record, thanks to the Rangers completely soiling the bed after eating a gas station burrito on the way to the brick-oven ballpark in which they play. The Astros have scored 17 more runs than the A's, and have allowed 104 fewer runs. Yet here we are. FanGraphs still projects the Astros to win the AL West by four games but the fact that I even needed to look this morning fills me with rage.
*The Astros have lost five straight games to the Mariners, and they're 5-16 against AL West opponents since July 4. Hinch:
They outhit us and put a lot of pressure on us from the very beginning of the game. We had one baserunner after the third inning. They did enough to win the game, obviously, with some big at-bats.
*Robinson Cano had three hits - all for extra-bases, including a three-run home run off of Collin McHugh that turned a 4-4 game into a 7-4 game. It was the first home run McHugh had allowed since July 25, and the first home run he had allowed with a runner(s) on base since September 8, 2017. It was poorly-timed.
The last four home runs that Seattle has hit off of Collin McHugh:
August 20, 2018: Robinson Cano
September 26, 2016: Robinson Cano
May 8, 2016: Robinson Cano
April 27, 2016: Robinson Cano
McHugh:
We just have to play consistent baseball through the end of the season, and I think we're pretty confident if we do that we're going to win this division. That's where our minds are at. That's where we're headed. We have some work to do.
*Mitch G.D. Haniger was 2x4 with a walk. Against the Astros this season he's hitting .315/.339/.463 with five doubles, a home run, 16K:2BB.
*Mariners relievers Adam Warren, Alex Colome, and Edwin Diaz needed 36 pitches to no-hit the Astros over the last three innings. Adam Warren started each of the three batters he faced with a ball and still only needed nine pitches to retire the side.
*Jose Altuve is set to return after having been out of the lineup since July 27. The Astros will finish up his first career DL stint with an 8-13 record. They've lost eight of their last ten, nine of their last 13 games. Since the 2-1 win over the Giants on August 7, Houston has lost 5.5 games in the standings to Oakland. Kyle Tucker was sent back to Fresno after a relaxing few days in Seattle with the Astros.
*Add "quad soreness" to the list of things ailing George Springer. Also, McCann and Devenski will head to Corpus to complete their rehab stints. McCann will be in Corpus' lineup on Wednesday. Today is a bullpen day as it's McCullers' turn in the rotation. Brad Peacock will start, and will be just the 6th person to start a game for the Astros this season. After tonight, Friday's game against Anaheim will be the last 9pm start of the regular season.
*Eno Sarris in The Athletic: Why do the Astros struggle at Minute Maid Park?
*Jeff Sullivan: The Mariners still look like an all-time anomaly.
*Notable: Rian Watt on the unlikely ascent of Oakland's bullpen.
*FanGraphs' Sheryl Ring: How an agent who represents multiple players avoids conflicts of interest.
*The Astros and A's currently have a 75-50 record, thanks to the Rangers completely soiling the bed after eating a gas station burrito on the way to the brick-oven ballpark in which they play. The Astros have scored 17 more runs than the A's, and have allowed 104 fewer runs. Yet here we are. FanGraphs still projects the Astros to win the AL West by four games but the fact that I even needed to look this morning fills me with rage.
*The Astros have lost five straight games to the Mariners, and they're 5-16 against AL West opponents since July 4. Hinch:
They outhit us and put a lot of pressure on us from the very beginning of the game. We had one baserunner after the third inning. They did enough to win the game, obviously, with some big at-bats.
*Robinson Cano had three hits - all for extra-bases, including a three-run home run off of Collin McHugh that turned a 4-4 game into a 7-4 game. It was the first home run McHugh had allowed since July 25, and the first home run he had allowed with a runner(s) on base since September 8, 2017. It was poorly-timed.
The last four home runs that Seattle has hit off of Collin McHugh:
August 20, 2018: Robinson Cano
September 26, 2016: Robinson Cano
May 8, 2016: Robinson Cano
April 27, 2016: Robinson Cano
McHugh:
We just have to play consistent baseball through the end of the season, and I think we're pretty confident if we do that we're going to win this division. That's where our minds are at. That's where we're headed. We have some work to do.
Man, if that’s a blowpen, then what do you call the— Zachary Levine (@zacharylevine) August 21, 2018
...
(starts counting)
...
(keeps counting)
...
(counts some more)
...
29 teams that came into today with worse bullpen ERAs? https://t.co/eCyolL47aJ
*Mitch G.D. Haniger was 2x4 with a walk. Against the Astros this season he's hitting .315/.339/.463 with five doubles, a home run, 16K:2BB.
*The Astros managed five hits last night. It's the 31st time this season they've recorded five or fewer hits, out of 125 games.
*4-9 in Houston's lineup combined to go 0x20 with 7K:2BB.
*Felix Hernandez recorded a Game Score of 50, his highest Game Score since putting up a 53 against [squints] Baltimore on June 25. Last night was the first game the Mariners had won with Felix on the mound since June 30. Felix struck out six of the 25 Astros he faced. He had struck out six of the previous 76 batters he had faced over three starts. So way to go, defending World Champs.
*Mariners relievers Adam Warren, Alex Colome, and Edwin Diaz needed 36 pitches to no-hit the Astros over the last three innings. Adam Warren started each of the three batters he faced with a ball and still only needed nine pitches to retire the side.
*Jose Altuve is set to return after having been out of the lineup since July 27. The Astros will finish up his first career DL stint with an 8-13 record. They've lost eight of their last ten, nine of their last 13 games. Since the 2-1 win over the Giants on August 7, Houston has lost 5.5 games in the standings to Oakland. Kyle Tucker was sent back to Fresno after a relaxing few days in Seattle with the Astros.
*Add "quad soreness" to the list of things ailing George Springer. Also, McCann and Devenski will head to Corpus to complete their rehab stints. McCann will be in Corpus' lineup on Wednesday. Today is a bullpen day as it's McCullers' turn in the rotation. Brad Peacock will start, and will be just the 6th person to start a game for the Astros this season. After tonight, Friday's game against Anaheim will be the last 9pm start of the regular season.
*Eno Sarris in The Athletic: Why do the Astros struggle at Minute Maid Park?
*Jeff Sullivan: The Mariners still look like an all-time anomaly.
*Notable: Rian Watt on the unlikely ascent of Oakland's bullpen.
*FanGraphs' Sheryl Ring: How an agent who represents multiple players avoids conflicts of interest.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Monday Morning Hot Links
More Like Oakland L's!
What a big day for the Houston Astros yesterday afternoon. These bats were alive and the Astros have thankfully regained sole control of first place in the west. Everybody got a hit (except Reddick) and Maldonado was a single shy of the cycle, which would have been the first cycle since Luke Scott in 2006 (because I strongly believe Brandon Barnes was out at 2nd base in 2013 do not @ me).
Another big moment in yesterday's game is Justin Verlander collecting his career 200th win, and he got dunked in champagne to celebrate. Verlander, Hinch, and other key players to the game post-game interviews and recapped can be found here (you might read something about Verlander being dunked in champagne, and that's because I stole that bit because I wanted to tell you that first. Don't worry though, sources cited).
Anyways, now its time for the rapid fire Hot Links part of the program.
Rondon has not had the greatest few outings. Will Osuna become the closer anytime soon?
Josh Reddick apologized after Oakland fans took one of his quotes out of context.
Altuve was hit by a pitch in his Fresno rehab assignment. He is expected to be okay.
This is the last week for 9:10 CST first pitches. The Sun People are very excited for this, and the Night People are also kind of happy about it as well because then the Sun People don't judge us to harshly about our tweeting habits at that hour of night. Pretty much a win-win everywhere.
The Astros are now ever so close to being #onpace for 100 wins. FiveThirtyEight also gives the Astros a 97% chance of making the playoffs and a 74% to win the division.
Hinch is basically as fast as Jake at this point, in case you were wondering how that was progressing.
Julia Morales blew the lead in the mascot race. Unacceptable imo.
Felix Hernandez is back in the rotation just in time for the Houston Astros to roll into town.
Here is a piece on Ex-Astros prospect Ramon Laureano and how he's been since he went on to pursue other opportunities.
Bryce Harper AND Daniel Murphy were placed on revocable trade waivers.
I listened to the new episode of Lima Time Time while making these and it is good. You should listen to it.
Big Al was quite the hit at the Williamsport Sunday Night Baseball game.
On This Day In Baseball History
In 1921, Ty Cobb got his 3000th hit.
In 1997, Wade Boggs pitched. He threw one inning and did not allow a hit.
In 2010, the Astros traded Pedro Feliz to the Cardinals for David Carpenter. The trade was made so the Cardinals could replace injured third baseman David Freese.
In 2012, the Mets-Nationals game screeched to a halt after a praying mantis was discovered in the outfield.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Thursday Morning Hot Links
The last 9pm start is on August 24. There are four more off-days between this morning and the end of the regular season. That's crazy.
Houston has a 5-game lead on Oakland and an 8-game lead on Seattle, who are now 15 games over .500 with a -29 run differential.
Playoff Odds Check
FanGraphs (103-59): 98.3% to win division, 99.6% to make playoffs, 23.6% to win World Series
FiveThirtyEight (102-60): 95% to win division, >99% to make playoffs, 20% to win World Series
Baseball Prospectus: (102-60): 96.3% to win division, 99.9% to make playoffs, 16% to win World Series
-A couple of notes here: FiveThirtyEight gives the Red Sox a higher percentage of winning the World Series. Baseball Prospectus hadn't updated since yesterday morning.
*Houston is +450 to win the World Series again, slightly behind the Vegas' favorite Red Sox, at +400.
I'm going to cherry-pick a stat here, but Jake Marisnick - May 24-August 7 (97 PAs): .282/.371/.529.
Jake Marisnick, June 1 - present: .303/.410/.576
George Springer, June 1 - present: .214/.326/.383
*The Astros have 11.2 fWAR currently on the DL.
*Hinch will go with a four-man rotation, thanks to the three days off in the next nine. Hinch:
We knew the off-days in August were going to be important. But never did we know that we were going to be talking about them being an advantage to maybe take a couple of games from a DL stint for a large number of our players.
*Jake Kaplan discusses who might replace Lance McCullers in the rotation. So does Chandler Rome. Hinch:
Trying to get to September is key. There's only a couple starts before September, when we will have as many pitchers as we want to take the innings.
*Josh James leads the leaderboard for FanGraphs' Triple-A pitching call-ups.
*SI's Ben Reiter with a story about which I'm sure you're not tired of hearing: How J.D. Martinez became the Astros' greatest mistake.
Sheryl Crow's "My Favorite Mistake" > J.D. Martinez
*FanGraphs' Sheryl Ring: Roberto Osuna, Immigration Law, and Crimes of Moral Turpitude
*The Astros have agreed to meet with "representatives of several organizations" that provide services to victims of domestic violence.
*Carlos Correa had a foul ball land in his fiancee's lap.
*Wanna see something crazy? On Tuesday, Buies Creek struck out 20 times...and won.
*Framber Valdez, who has struck out 120 batters in 94.1IP at Corpus, has been promoted to Fresno.
*Be sure to check the Masked Marvel's Reinforcing the Astros posts each morning, this morning's included.
*Former Astros Great Tim Federowicz signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati after refusing a Triple-A assignment from the Astros.
*Oh man Future Astros Great Buddy Boshers was claimed off waivers by the Pirates, making the Astros' 40-Man Roster totally devoid of grown men answer to "Buddy."
*Carlos Beltran makes Tim Brown's list of the next wave of MLB managers.
*Please read my friend Levi Weaver's account of how Jeff Baker sprained his thumb during a high-five celebration for the Arlington Ramgers.
*Lookout Landing's Isabelle Minasian writes about the potential end of King Felix's reign in Seattle's rotation. I take no pleasure in linking to this, but it is well-written.
*From a couple of days ago, here's ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on how the shift ruined Albert Pujols.
*Sex Offender Luke Heimlich may or may not have signed with a team in Taiwan.
*Justin Verlander will go for Career Win #200 tonight against James Paxton, who is going for Win #200 against Houston.
*Watch Hero Home Plate Umpire Greg Gibson save Baseball from the temptations of exciting young player Juan Soto. Take a breath. Baseball lives another day.
*2018 Record: 73-42
*2017 Record: 71-44
Houston has a 5-game lead on Oakland and an 8-game lead on Seattle, who are now 15 games over .500 with a -29 run differential.
Playoff Odds Check
FanGraphs (103-59): 98.3% to win division, 99.6% to make playoffs, 23.6% to win World Series
FiveThirtyEight (102-60): 95% to win division, >99% to make playoffs, 20% to win World Series
Baseball Prospectus: (102-60): 96.3% to win division, 99.9% to make playoffs, 16% to win World Series
-A couple of notes here: FiveThirtyEight gives the Red Sox a higher percentage of winning the World Series. Baseball Prospectus hadn't updated since yesterday morning.
*Houston is +450 to win the World Series again, slightly behind the Vegas' favorite Red Sox, at +400.
*Change in OPS through 115 games, 2017 to 2018:
Alex Bregman: + .065 (.835 to .900)
Evan Gattis: -.020 (.820 to .800)
Jose Altuve: -.134 (.991 to .857)
Evan Gattis: -.020 (.820 to .800)
Yuli Gurriel: -.087 (.803 to .716)
Josh Reddick: -.095 (.830 to .735)
Brian McCann: -.115 (.721 to .606)Jose Altuve: -.134 (.991 to .857)
Carlos Correa: -.134 (.966 to .832)
Jake Marisnick: -.156 (.830 to .674)
Jake Marisnick: -.156 (.830 to .674)
George Springer: -.198 (.970 to .772)
Marwin Gonzalez: -.255 (.962 to .707)
I'm going to cherry-pick a stat here, but Jake Marisnick - May 24-August 7 (97 PAs): .282/.371/.529.
Jake Marisnick, June 1 - present: .303/.410/.576
George Springer, June 1 - present: .214/.326/.383
ERA/WHIP through 115 games, 2017 to 2018:
Dallas Keuchel: 2.87 / 1.11 : 3.53 / 1.24
Lance McCullers: 3.92 / 1.29 : 3.93 / 1.19
Charlie Morton: 3.83 / 1.25 : 2.81 / 1.14
Brad Peacock: 3.07 / 1.26 : 2.96 / 0.97
Will Harris: 2.86 / 0.95 : 4.24 / 1.22
Collin McHugh: 5.32 / 1.36 : 1.00 / 0.72
Chris Devenski: 2.76 / 0.85 : 4.19 / 1.19
Tony Sipp: 6.47 / 1.48 : 1.61 / 1.07
By Game 115 of the 2017 season, pitchers who are no longer on the active roster (Fiers, Musgrove, Gregerson, Feliz, Giles, Hoyt, Martes, Paulino, Dayan Diaz, Guduan) had thrown 479 IP. That's insane. A team that won the World Series shed 479 IPs through 115 games and got better.
*The Astros have 11.2 fWAR currently on the DL.
*Hinch will go with a four-man rotation, thanks to the three days off in the next nine. Hinch:
We knew the off-days in August were going to be important. But never did we know that we were going to be talking about them being an advantage to maybe take a couple of games from a DL stint for a large number of our players.
*Jake Kaplan discusses who might replace Lance McCullers in the rotation. So does Chandler Rome. Hinch:
Trying to get to September is key. There's only a couple starts before September, when we will have as many pitchers as we want to take the innings.
*Josh James leads the leaderboard for FanGraphs' Triple-A pitching call-ups.
*SI's Ben Reiter with a story about which I'm sure you're not tired of hearing: How J.D. Martinez became the Astros' greatest mistake.
Sheryl Crow's "My Favorite Mistake" > J.D. Martinez
*FanGraphs' Sheryl Ring: Roberto Osuna, Immigration Law, and Crimes of Moral Turpitude
*The Astros have agreed to meet with "representatives of several organizations" that provide services to victims of domestic violence.
*Carlos Correa had a foul ball land in his fiancee's lap.
*Wanna see something crazy? On Tuesday, Buies Creek struck out 20 times...and won.
*Framber Valdez, who has struck out 120 batters in 94.1IP at Corpus, has been promoted to Fresno.
*Be sure to check the Masked Marvel's Reinforcing the Astros posts each morning, this morning's included.
*Former Astros Great Tim Federowicz signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati after refusing a Triple-A assignment from the Astros.
*Oh man Future Astros Great Buddy Boshers was claimed off waivers by the Pirates, making the Astros' 40-Man Roster totally devoid of grown men answer to "Buddy."
*Carlos Beltran makes Tim Brown's list of the next wave of MLB managers.
*Please read my friend Levi Weaver's account of how Jeff Baker sprained his thumb during a high-five celebration for the Arlington Ramgers.
*Lookout Landing's Isabelle Minasian writes about the potential end of King Felix's reign in Seattle's rotation. I take no pleasure in linking to this, but it is well-written.
*From a couple of days ago, here's ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on how the shift ruined Albert Pujols.
*Sex Offender Luke Heimlich may or may not have signed with a team in Taiwan.
*Justin Verlander will go for Career Win #200 tonight against James Paxton, who is going for Win #200 against Houston.
*Watch Hero Home Plate Umpire Greg Gibson save Baseball from the temptations of exciting young player Juan Soto. Take a breath. Baseball lives another day.
Juan Soto ejected. Didn’t do a whole lot. pic.twitter.com/H3E5Go1OmF— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) August 9, 2018
With our next homestand on deck, today’s #DK60 moment shares a clip of insight into preparation and approach. As the old saying goes we are in the #DogDaysofSummer ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/NFNFxiyenr— Dallas Keuchel (@kidkeuchy) August 9, 2018
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Thursday Morning Hot Links
Well that'll do it. A game that the Astros had to win against the Mariners saw Doug Fister last just 1.1IP, giving up five earned runs in the process as the Mariners beat the Astros 12-4. This seven game home stand went about as poorly as you could draw it up: 2-5, getting outscored 43-29. The Astros allowed 10+ runs in three of the seven games.
*Hinch, on Fister:
Getting into the game was very difficult for him. His command wasn't great. He didn't execute the way he does when he's good.
*Fister:
It's pretty frustrating. I let the team down. These past couple of starts haven't gone what I would call my way at all, but it's not for a lack of effort, lack of work.
Fister was the de facto ace of the rotation for much of the season - a stalwart when Keuchel was struggling before getting shut down. After Fister threw 7IP, 3H/0ER at Pittsburgh on August 22 - his 25th start of the year - his ERA was down to 3.59. In the six starts since: 9.35 ERA.
*So the Astros are 3.5 out with three to play. Since Houston doesn't play today, Baltimore - who has four games left - will eliminate the Astros with their next win. Hinch:
I'm not ready for that. This is not a position that we're happy to be in, but it's a position that we are in.
It's a sad day over at FanGraphs: 0.0%.
*Impending free agent Jason Castro reflected on what could be his last home game at Minute Maid Park. Castro:
It's been a great 6 1/2 years here. It's the only organization I've been with. We'll see what happens, but I've been really thankful for the opportunities the Astros have given me and I enjoyed my time here. I was kind of glad to see that rebuilding through to what we were able to accomplish last year, and what we still could possibly do this year.
It's worth noting that maybe the only attractive free agent catching option - Washington's Wilson Ramos - tore his ACL this week. We might just see Castro back in 2017.
*The Astros are pushing Bregman to play these last few games, though after the loss yesterday and the all-but-certain mathematical elimination, that may change.
*FanGraphs: Carlos Correa, Playing Through Injury, and True Talent
*The Astros called a team meeting to honor the now-retired Bill Brown, who got a video shout-out from Vin Scully.
*The Astros did have their highest home attendance since 2010: 2,306,623 an average of over 28,000 per game.
*Vice Sports bids farewell to Tal's Hill: "one of the most unnecessarily kind of awesome baseball quirks."
I have mixed feelings about Tal's Hill. I didn't hate it as much as many of you did. It robbed as many opposing homers as it did for the Astros. No one ever got hurt running up Tal's Hill. My joy in Tal's Hill came in how many other teams' fans hated it.
*Is the Astros' success against Felix a sign of his issues to come?
*Hinch, on Fister:
Getting into the game was very difficult for him. His command wasn't great. He didn't execute the way he does when he's good.
*Fister:
It's pretty frustrating. I let the team down. These past couple of starts haven't gone what I would call my way at all, but it's not for a lack of effort, lack of work.
Fister was the de facto ace of the rotation for much of the season - a stalwart when Keuchel was struggling before getting shut down. After Fister threw 7IP, 3H/0ER at Pittsburgh on August 22 - his 25th start of the year - his ERA was down to 3.59. In the six starts since: 9.35 ERA.
*So the Astros are 3.5 out with three to play. Since Houston doesn't play today, Baltimore - who has four games left - will eliminate the Astros with their next win. Hinch:
I'm not ready for that. This is not a position that we're happy to be in, but it's a position that we are in.
It's a sad day over at FanGraphs: 0.0%.
*Impending free agent Jason Castro reflected on what could be his last home game at Minute Maid Park. Castro:
It's been a great 6 1/2 years here. It's the only organization I've been with. We'll see what happens, but I've been really thankful for the opportunities the Astros have given me and I enjoyed my time here. I was kind of glad to see that rebuilding through to what we were able to accomplish last year, and what we still could possibly do this year.
It's worth noting that maybe the only attractive free agent catching option - Washington's Wilson Ramos - tore his ACL this week. We might just see Castro back in 2017.
*The Astros are pushing Bregman to play these last few games, though after the loss yesterday and the all-but-certain mathematical elimination, that may change.
*FanGraphs: Carlos Correa, Playing Through Injury, and True Talent
*The Astros called a team meeting to honor the now-retired Bill Brown, who got a video shout-out from Vin Scully.
*The Astros did have their highest home attendance since 2010: 2,306,623 an average of over 28,000 per game.
*Vice Sports bids farewell to Tal's Hill: "one of the most unnecessarily kind of awesome baseball quirks."
I have mixed feelings about Tal's Hill. I didn't hate it as much as many of you did. It robbed as many opposing homers as it did for the Astros. No one ever got hurt running up Tal's Hill. My joy in Tal's Hill came in how many other teams' fans hated it.
*Is the Astros' success against Felix a sign of his issues to come?
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Wednesday Morning Hot Links
So the Astros want to make this moderately interesting, huh? I mean, okay. Finish strong, I suppose. Alex Bregman made the greatest comeback since Lazarus, coming off the bench and into the game to immediately knock an RBI single off Felix, tying the game in the bottom of the 6th - an inning that saw the Astros score six runs on their way to an 8-4 win over Seattle.
The Astros are 2.5 GB of the WC2 with two teams between them and October. There are four games left. FanGraphs: 2.3%.
Springer:
This team isn't going to quit. We're going to go down fighting.
Wait...
Felix, on that 6th inning:
I was still making good pitches. The curveball was down, and it just blooped. I was fine. They just got lucky.
*Bregman:
I knew that there was a possibility of it, but we weren't certain. When I went up and got loose in the bottom of the fourth inning, it felt good, and Skip asked if I was ready, and I said, 'Yep.' And that's kind of how it happened.
Bregman was headed to Florida for ABs in the Instructional League. That flight has been canceled.
*Jandel Gustave got his first career MLB win. Hinch:
We wanted to squeeze as many outs out of guys as we could, which is dangerous this time of year. A four-run lead feels like a one-run lead this time of year and obviously our bullpen's been beat up a little bit.
*Over the last two games, Yulieski Gurriel has hit into five double plays. Part of this could be Gurriel's adjustment to a Major League schedule, which is different compared to Cuba or Japan. Gurriel:
Here, there's not a lot of rest - you're always on the go. I try to relax any chance I get, prepare my body, (get a) massage. But really, there's not a whole lot of off time once you're playing every day.
*Today is your last chance to see Tal's Hill. Tal's kind of butthurt about it:
I've been expecting it. I thought it was inevitable with the new ownership and management. I thought it was a very distinct feature of the ballpark. I liked it. Everybody's got their opinions. I sort of sense it was popular with many of the fans, and players and mangers you get different viewpoints.
*A $105m parking project got the green light to save the Astrodome.
*The Astros are one of four teams known to be setting up private workouts with Lourdes Gurriel.
*Some agents have serious concerns about the next CBA - the current one, the one with the qualifying offer, etc., expires on December 1.
*Longtime Minute Maid groundskeeper Mike Richardson passed away suddenly during Monday night's game. The Astros held a moment of silence prior to Tuesday night's game.
The Astros are 2.5 GB of the WC2 with two teams between them and October. There are four games left. FanGraphs: 2.3%.
Springer:
This team isn't going to quit. We're going to go down fighting.
Wait...
Felix, on that 6th inning:
I was still making good pitches. The curveball was down, and it just blooped. I was fine. They just got lucky.
*Bregman:
I knew that there was a possibility of it, but we weren't certain. When I went up and got loose in the bottom of the fourth inning, it felt good, and Skip asked if I was ready, and I said, 'Yep.' And that's kind of how it happened.
Bregman was headed to Florida for ABs in the Instructional League. That flight has been canceled.
*Jandel Gustave got his first career MLB win. Hinch:
We wanted to squeeze as many outs out of guys as we could, which is dangerous this time of year. A four-run lead feels like a one-run lead this time of year and obviously our bullpen's been beat up a little bit.
*Over the last two games, Yulieski Gurriel has hit into five double plays. Part of this could be Gurriel's adjustment to a Major League schedule, which is different compared to Cuba or Japan. Gurriel:
Here, there's not a lot of rest - you're always on the go. I try to relax any chance I get, prepare my body, (get a) massage. But really, there's not a whole lot of off time once you're playing every day.
*Today is your last chance to see Tal's Hill. Tal's kind of butthurt about it:
I've been expecting it. I thought it was inevitable with the new ownership and management. I thought it was a very distinct feature of the ballpark. I liked it. Everybody's got their opinions. I sort of sense it was popular with many of the fans, and players and mangers you get different viewpoints.
*A $105m parking project got the green light to save the Astrodome.
*The Astros are one of four teams known to be setting up private workouts with Lourdes Gurriel.
*Some agents have serious concerns about the next CBA - the current one, the one with the qualifying offer, etc., expires on December 1.
*Longtime Minute Maid groundskeeper Mike Richardson passed away suddenly during Monday night's game. The Astros held a moment of silence prior to Tuesday night's game.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
From the Office of the County Clerk - G20: Astros @ Mariners
Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 3.50) versus Felix Hernandez (3-0, 1.91)
My first game recap, and it's a doozy. The Astros add the scalp of King Felix to their the list of No 1 starters they have beat up on this year. (Also on the list - in order - the new & slimmer CC Sabathia, R.A. Dickey, Jered Weaver and Tanner "not Yu" Scheppers). They go to 6-14 on the year, snap a 7-game losing streak, and improve to 9-4 all time at Safeco, and 7-3 all time at Safeco whilst participating in the AL West.
On the Mound:
* Recently Nominated Ace, Dallas Keuchel, worked hard for the win, twirling 6 innings of 6 hit (2XBH), 2 run ball, whilst throwing 113 pitches. I am going to indulge myself in a bit of "analysis" here:
Staked to a two-run lead in the top of the 5th, he gave up the only run scoring play against him in the bottom-half. This was by virtue of a one-out double by Abraham Almonte, just past Marc Krauss down the right field line with runners on second and third (which got George Springer all tied in knots as the ball got stuck under the padding). He struck out 8 against one walk. Strikeouts came as follows: Ackley looking at fastball in the first; Zunino swinging at breaking ball in the 3rd, Miller looking at fastball in the 3rd, Ackley looking at fastball in the 4th, Miller swinging at breaking ball in the 5th, Ackley swinging at slider in the 5th, Cano swinging at slider in the 5th, Hart swinging at change up in the 6th.
* Chad Qualls has been voted off the Closer Committee, so he came in to pitch the 7th. And did plenty well, facing the minimum and striking out 2. He got to catch his breath after 4 pitches while the umpires reviewed Mike Zunino's looonnggg strike down the left field line.
* Matty Albers, newly minted father, pitched the 8th, giving up one hit (single), and striking out one.
* Josh Fields struck out the side on 15 pitches in the 9th, ending the game with a full-count 94mph fastball past the bat of Mike Zunino.
* All in all, Astros pitchers struck out 14 against one walk. Excellent!
At the Plate:
* Matt Dominguez got Designated as the Hitter Who Does Not Field, and had himself a good night: 2-3 (2B, HR), BB, 3 RBI.
* Alex Presley played LF and batted in the 6-hole. 3-4, scored twice, 3B, 1 RBI.
* Marc Krauss, perhaps counting down the number of plate appearances he has before the Super-Two cutoff, also did well: 2-4 (HR), K, 2 RBI. Home run was to RF was off The Bartender
*Altuve: 1-4, 2B, BB
* George Springer had his first hitless night in the Major Leagues - 0-4, K, 2 LOBbies.
* He was joined in the Hitless Club by yesterday's "Hero", Marwin Gonzalez (0-4, 3 LOB), Jonathan Villar (0-4, K), and Jason Castro (0-3, Sac Fly, 2 LOB). In Castro's defence, Steve Sparks did make a point to say that he had hit the ball hard in all his plate appearances.
Turning Point:
I hate to say that the Turning Point was an opposition error, but... well, it was. After the Mariners tied the game in the 5th, the Astros started the 6th with an Altuve double. Fowler then bunted, which Zunino fielded and made a great throw to Kyle Seager, Mariners 3rd baseman. Well, he dropped it. After that: Sac fly (Castro), K (Springer), Single (Krauss), Triple (Presley), Double (Dominguez), ground out (Gonzalez). 4 unearned, and a bemused looking Felix Hernandez on the mound.
Man of the Match:
Matty D bounced back well after a day off, and seemed to thrive not having to worry about the leather. He earns the MOTM. Plaudits to Dallas Keuchel, Alex Presley and Mark Krauss.
Goat of the Game:
Demote George Springer already! Actually, probably Marwin.
Last word from Robert Ford, radio broadcaster: "Goodbye, 7-game losing streak!"
My first game recap, and it's a doozy. The Astros add the scalp of King Felix to their the list of No 1 starters they have beat up on this year. (Also on the list - in order - the new & slimmer CC Sabathia, R.A. Dickey, Jered Weaver and Tanner "not Yu" Scheppers). They go to 6-14 on the year, snap a 7-game losing streak, and improve to 9-4 all time at Safeco, and 7-3 all time at Safeco whilst participating in the AL West.
On the Mound:
* Recently Nominated Ace, Dallas Keuchel, worked hard for the win, twirling 6 innings of 6 hit (2XBH), 2 run ball, whilst throwing 113 pitches. I am going to indulge myself in a bit of "analysis" here:
Staked to a two-run lead in the top of the 5th, he gave up the only run scoring play against him in the bottom-half. This was by virtue of a one-out double by Abraham Almonte, just past Marc Krauss down the right field line with runners on second and third (which got George Springer all tied in knots as the ball got stuck under the padding). He struck out 8 against one walk. Strikeouts came as follows: Ackley looking at fastball in the first; Zunino swinging at breaking ball in the 3rd, Miller looking at fastball in the 3rd, Ackley looking at fastball in the 4th, Miller swinging at breaking ball in the 5th, Ackley swinging at slider in the 5th, Cano swinging at slider in the 5th, Hart swinging at change up in the 6th.
* Chad Qualls has been voted off the Closer Committee, so he came in to pitch the 7th. And did plenty well, facing the minimum and striking out 2. He got to catch his breath after 4 pitches while the umpires reviewed Mike Zunino's looonnggg strike down the left field line.
* Matty Albers, newly minted father, pitched the 8th, giving up one hit (single), and striking out one.
* Josh Fields struck out the side on 15 pitches in the 9th, ending the game with a full-count 94mph fastball past the bat of Mike Zunino.
* All in all, Astros pitchers struck out 14 against one walk. Excellent!
At the Plate:
* Matt Dominguez got Designated as the Hitter Who Does Not Field, and had himself a good night: 2-3 (2B, HR), BB, 3 RBI.
* Alex Presley played LF and batted in the 6-hole. 3-4, scored twice, 3B, 1 RBI.
* Marc Krauss, perhaps counting down the number of plate appearances he has before the Super-Two cutoff, also did well: 2-4 (HR), K, 2 RBI. Home run was to RF was off The Bartender
*Altuve: 1-4, 2B, BB
* George Springer had his first hitless night in the Major Leagues - 0-4, K, 2 LOBbies.
* He was joined in the Hitless Club by yesterday's "Hero", Marwin Gonzalez (0-4, 3 LOB), Jonathan Villar (0-4, K), and Jason Castro (0-3, Sac Fly, 2 LOB). In Castro's defence, Steve Sparks did make a point to say that he had hit the ball hard in all his plate appearances.
Turning Point:
I hate to say that the Turning Point was an opposition error, but... well, it was. After the Mariners tied the game in the 5th, the Astros started the 6th with an Altuve double. Fowler then bunted, which Zunino fielded and made a great throw to Kyle Seager, Mariners 3rd baseman. Well, he dropped it. After that: Sac fly (Castro), K (Springer), Single (Krauss), Triple (Presley), Double (Dominguez), ground out (Gonzalez). 4 unearned, and a bemused looking Felix Hernandez on the mound.
Man of the Match:
Matty D bounced back well after a day off, and seemed to thrive not having to worry about the leather. He earns the MOTM. Plaudits to Dallas Keuchel, Alex Presley and Mark Krauss.
Goat of the Game:
Demote George Springer already! Actually, probably Marwin.
Last word from Robert Ford, radio broadcaster: "Goodbye, 7-game losing streak!"
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Corporan's concussion sounds awful
A few things on the injury front:
Carlos Corporan is thankful for the 7-Day DL:
Corporan, who is back to 100 percent, said he experienced constant headaches, nausea, sleepiness and memory problems. The symptoms left him feeling angry.
Jason Castro was out for the 2nd straight game with soreness from the drained cyst in his knee:
We're just kind of giving my knee a chance to calm down.
Bob Grossman is feeling a little bit better, and the Mariners have scratched Felix Hernandez from Wednesday's start - both are dealing with oblique issues.
The Astros will have their first game off in three weeks on Thursday, and will have played 20 games in 20 days.
Carlos Corporan is thankful for the 7-Day DL:
Corporan, who is back to 100 percent, said he experienced constant headaches, nausea, sleepiness and memory problems. The symptoms left him feeling angry.
Jason Castro was out for the 2nd straight game with soreness from the drained cyst in his knee:
We're just kind of giving my knee a chance to calm down.
Bob Grossman is feeling a little bit better, and the Mariners have scratched Felix Hernandez from Wednesday's start - both are dealing with oblique issues.
The Astros will have their first game off in three weeks on Thursday, and will have played 20 games in 20 days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)