Astros @ Red Sox - September 30, 2017

[David in Jackson]

Game delayed due to rain.


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[Nate in IA]

Not so, started on time..

First pitch to Springer was not a strike but was called so.

[David in Jackson]

Springer in CF, Maybin in RF. Is this usual when they are lineup together? Reversed?


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[juliogotay]

Springer in CF, Maybin in RF. Is this usual when they are lineup together? Reversed?


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normally reversed.

[Nate in IA]

Top 1

Springer grounds out 5-3 after 8 pitches
Bregman quickly down 0-2, ball, foul, chases outside for a strikeout
Altuve- ball, ball, bender for a strike, foul, fly out to center

 

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Springer grounds out 5-3
Bregman...quickly 0-2...1-2...chases a ball off the plate for a strikeout
Altuve flies out F8

No score

[Nate in IA]

Take it HH

[doyce7]

T1:

Springer grounds out 5-3
Bregman...quickly 0-2...1-2...chases a ball off the plate for a strikeout
Altuve flies out F8

No score

If they lose, how quickly can you get back to Sumatra?

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[HudsonHawk]

If they lose, how quickly can you get back to Sumatra?

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End of November.  You're stuck with me.

[HudsonHawk]

Take it HH

No, no, no...all yours

[Nate in IA]

Mccullers looks pretty good in the first inning

strikeout, fly out, fly out.

0-0 after 1.

[doyce7]

End of November.  You're stuck with me.

Well, just gonna have to keep some Frito pie ready to go

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[HudsonHawk]

Well, just gonna have to keep some Frito pie ready to go

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I'm a little jet lagged today, or I'd be having some for lunch. 

[doyce7]

I'm a little jet lagged today, or I'd be having some for lunch.

How long is a flight from Sumatra?

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[Aussie Astro]

Does Betts sneer all of the time or does he just have an unfortunate look about him?

[HudsonHawk]

How long is a flight from Sumatra?

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Gate to gate about 26 hours. 

[Nate in IA]

Correa leads off the top of the 2nd with a base hit over short
Gattis DH today should have crushed the first pitch strike. grounds into a 6-4-3 double play
Gurriel grounds the first pitch to short..

0-0

[Aussie Astro]

Gate to gate about 26 hours.

Via Narita?

[HudsonHawk]

Via Narita?

Pekanbaru-Jakarta-Taipei-Houston

But I've done it through Narita and through Moscow

[Aussie Astro]

Damn, no radio overlay for some reason.

[Nate in IA]

Hinch talking to the booth

Moreland, grounds to Correa in the shift.   1 out
Ramirez, pops out to Altuve in shallow right.  2 out
Devers,  misses a ball in the dirt, thrown out 2-3.  3 out.

0-0 after 2

[Aussie Astro]

Pekanbaru-Jakarta-Taipei-Houston

But I've done it through Narita and through Moscow

Lucky you get straight into Houston, flights fron Aus go to LA or Dallas last time I checked, nothing direct.

[HudsonHawk]

Lucky you get straight into Houston, flights fron Aus go to LA or Dallas last time I checked, nothing direct.

Yeah, I like my port of entry into the US to be my final destination and not have a US connection.  Don't know direct from Aus to US flights available, but LA is probably the most common.  Probably depends on the airline though. 

[HudsonHawk]

Pomeranz didn't expect that kind of hustle from Fisher.  Nonchalanted that into a base hit.  Now make him pay, George...

[Aussie Astro]

Fisher is a bit quicker down the line than I realised.

[Nate in IA]

Top 3

National broadcast for me is definitely East Coast bias.

McCann, strikes out looking on a monster curve.  1 out.
Maybin, grounds out 4-3, 2 out
Fisher, works it full, swinging bunt and beats the throw!
Springer up for the second time.. mad at himself for missing a pitch, works it full, walks, Fisher to 2nd
Bregman pops up the first pitch to short.  3 outs.

Still 0-0 but Pomerantz getting up there in pitch count.

[HudsonHawk]

Lucky you get straight into Houston, flights fron Aus go to LA or Dallas last time I checked, nothing direct.

So you got me curious...you can get Perth to Houston direct through Dubai and Doha.  There are a couple of other multiple stop routes that make Houston the US entry point, such as through Singapore, but they're not really "direct". 

[Nate in IA]

Bottom of 3

Vazquez, strikeout swinging, 1 out
Holt,  single to right..
Bradley FC grounder to Altuve, Holt out at second.  2 out
Bogaerts, strikes out looking for the third out.

0 - 0 after 3...

[VirtualBob]

So you got me curious...you can get Perth to Houston direct through Dubai and Doha.  There are a couple of other multiple stop routes that make Houston the US entry point, such as through Singapore, but they're not really "direct".

With the new(ish) BA flight out of Austin, you can go "direct" to a bunch of places through London ... change of planes in Heathrow, but if you are staying on BA it is OK.  That is the long way to Bangkok, though.

[Lefty]

So you got me curious...you can get Perth to Houston direct through Dubai and Doha.  There are a couple of other multiple stop routes that make Houston the US entry point, such as through Singapore, but they're not really "direct". 

From what I was told yesterday, flying a military passenger C-130 from Cali to Vietnam in '68 was not a recommended flight.

[VirtualBob]

From what I was told yesterday, flying a military passenger C-130 from Cali to Vietnam in '68 was not a recommended flight.

That had a lot to do with the destination!  I made very sure to avoid that flight at the time.

[HudsonHawk]

With the new(ish) BA flight out of Austin, you can go "direct" to a bunch of places through London ... change of planes in Heathrow, but if you are staying on BA it is OK.  That is the long way to Bangkok, though.

I've done Bangkok through Moscow-Singapore a bunch, and that flight now goes through Manchester instead of Moscow.  It's quicker other ways because you sit around Singapore a long time.  But it's on Singapore Airlines, which is my favorite, and if you get stuck in any airport in the world, Singapore is the one you want.

[Aussie Astro]

So you got me curious...you can get Perth to Houston direct through Dubai and Doha.  There are a couple of other multiple stop routes that make Houston the US entry point, such as through Singapore, but they're not really "direct".

Via Dubai or Doha is the long way around.  I went via Narita to avoid any 12 + hour legs.  There is no easy way to do it really, been a while since I checked but Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne to LAX or DFW is a fucking long haul and then ou have a domestic flight...

[HudsonHawk]

From what I was told yesterday, flying a military passenger C-130 from Cali to Vietnam in '68 was not a recommended flight.

I would guess that wasn't something to look forward to.

[Nate in IA]

Altuve leads off the 4th
strikes out looking on an outside curve.   Hunter seems to have a decided left-side tilt to the strike zone today.

Correa, back up the middle but Holt snags it and throws him out 4-3.  2 out.

Gattis, jammed into a popup to short.   3 out

0-0

[HudsonHawk]

Via Dubai or Doha is the long way around.  I went via Narita to avoid any 12 + hour legs.  There is no easy way to do it really, been a while since I checked but Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne to LAX or DFW is a fucking long haul and then ou have a domestic flight...

Perth to Doha is quicker than Sydney to DFW.  The Perth-Doha-Houston time in the air is only an hour or so longer than Perth-Sydney-DFW-Houston.  But there's 8 hours or so sitting around in Doha.  Which isn't so bad, the lounge in Doha is excellent.  Don't know what the Perth-Narita is, but Narita-Houston is 14 hours. 

[HudsonHawk]

McCullers losing command in the 4th...back to back walks

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve boots a would be double play ball...1-0 Red Sox

[Aussie Astro]

Perth to Doha is quicker than Sydney to DFW.  The Perth-Doha-Houston time in the air is only an hour or so longer than Perth-Sydney-DFW-Houston.  But there's 8 hours or so sitting around in Doha.  Which isn't so bad, the lounge in Doha is excellent.  Don't know what the Perth-Narita is, but Narita-Houston is 14 hours.

You can go direct from Narita to Houston now?  I guess things change after 11 years.

[HudsonHawk]

And McCullers responds to the error by giving up a double off the wall...2-0, runners at 2B and 3B...

[HudsonHawk]

You can go direct from Narita to Houston now?  I guess things change after 11 years.

Yeah, have been able to for at least five or six years.  Maybe longer. 

[chuck]

Air New Zealand flies nonstop AKL - IAH. Perth to Auckland is a haul, though.

[Nate in IA]

Bennetendi  checks but a little too far for the first strike, strikes out swinging on Lance's 40th pitch.  1 out.

Betts, stuck at 2-2, works the walk..

Moreland,  McCann can't corral it and Betts goes to second on a wild pitch. and walks.. men on 1st and 2nd with 1 out.

Ramirez, grounds to second.. e4.. Betts scores., Moreland to Third.

Devers, off the wall for a double.. Moreland scores, Ramirez to third..     Walks are a bitch.

Vazquez, chops to short, Correa looks Ramirez back and throws out Vazquez.   2 out.

Holt quickly 0-2, back to 2-2, and looks at an outer half third strike 3 outs.

0 - 2 Boston after 4.

[HudsonHawk]

Long inning for McCullers.  Not sure if that's it for him or not, but I don't think he's changed any minds today.

[Nate in IA]

He *might* get to come out for the fifth.. Given that Hoyt and Sipp were ready to go though, I doubt it.

[Aussie Astro]

Air New Zealand flies nonstop AKL - IAH. Perth to Auckland is a haul, though.

And after that long haul you find your self in New Zealand.. where men are men and sheep are nervous.

[HudsonHawk]

Yuli with a rare walk

[Nate in IA]

Gurriel leads off the 5th.  2-0, 3-0, not sure that was a strike,  walk.
McCann first pitch popup to second.  1 out.
Maybin shows bunt but pulls it back.. 0-1, 1-1,  grounds to deep short.. turns out FC, Gurriel out at 2nd.  2 outs.
Fisher, 1-0,  Maybin draws a throw over,   Maybin thrown out.. again probably not but.. 3 outs.

0 - 2

[HudsonHawk]

Would have really liked to have cleared Fisher's spot that inning. 

[HudsonHawk]

Another blown call by NY

[Lefty]

That had a lot to do with the destination!  I made very sure to avoid that flight at the time.

Vietnam's on my list of places, so I was talking to old hippie cousin and he brought it up.

How far is NZ from the USofA?  Go to Australia first?

[Nate in IA]

McCullers back out for the 5th

[chuck]

And after that long haul you find your self in New Zealand.. where men are men and sheep are nrevouus.

I was in some airport or another in Europe, sitting there, minding my own business, and one of the stores surrounding the waiting area must have been a place that sold leather goods or something similar. I suppose to draw attention to the supple nature of the lining of their outerwear offerings they had on display a figure of a sheep, maybe three feet tall. In retrospect it disappoints me that I wasn't fully aware that this would happen, but in short order a rowdy group of youngish German men came marching through and one of these fellows spied the sheep and promptly commenced to mount it and copulate with it. Despite the juvenile stupidity of the whole thing it was actually quite hilarious, you know, 6 am sheep shagging. I did reflect on what sort of idiot clerk would deliberately place the sheep at the entrance of the shop but who knows, maybe they have learned that it attracts custom.

[HudsonHawk]

How far is NZ from the USofA?  Go to Australia first?

AKL is about 13 hours to SFO.  So to Houston, probably 17 or so. 

[chuck]

How far is NZ from the USofA?  Go to Australia first?

Fucking long way away, that's how far it is. More time than you want to sit in an airplane. Despite that, I highly recommend Australia to the traveler. Once you get there you can travel all over Asia surprisingly inexpensively on one or another of the budget airlines they have.

[HudsonHawk]

McCullers a mess.  3-0

[Aussie Astro]

I was in some airport or another in Europe, sitting there, minding my own business, and one of the stores surrounding the waiting area must have been a place that sold leather goods or something similar. I suppose to draw attention to the supple nature of the lining of their outerwear offerings they had on display a figure of a sheep, maybe three feet tall. In retrospect it disappoints me that I wasn't fully aware that this would happen, but in short order a rowdy group of youngish German men came marching through and one of these fellows spied the sheep and promptly commenced to mount it and copulate with it. Despite the juvenile stupidity of the whole thing it was actually quite hilarious, you know, 6 am sheep shagging. I did reflect on what sort of idiot clerk would deliberately place the sheep at the entrance of the shop but who knows, maybe they have learned that it attracts custom.

Don't worry about 6:oo am mate they are at it 24 / 7 in NZ.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't see why McCullers makes the post season roster. 

[Nate in IA]

Bottom of 5

Bradley, grounds softly to the right side.. Lance picks it up and throws him out 1-3.  1 out.

Bogaerts, McCullers loosing command a bit.. 2-1,  Rips a ball into the left field corner for a double.

Benintendi, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, grounder through the right side for a single.. Bogaerts scores.   

Betts, 0-1, 1-1, grounds past a diving Bregman for a single and that's it for McCullers

Tony Sipp to take the bump.

[Aussie Astro]

Fucking long way away, that's how far it is. More time than you want to sit in an airplane. Despite that, I highly recommend Australia to the traveler. Once you get there you can travel all over Asia surprisingly inexpensively on one or another of the budget airlines they have.

And most of the time the budget airlines get to their destination.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I don't see why McCullers makes the post season roster.

I think today you saw he won't.

[HudsonHawk]

And most of the time the budget airlines get to their destination.

Most budget airlines in other parts of the world are better than the standard US airlines.  Unless you're in Russia, in which case there might be urine running down the aisle.  But the budget airlines in Asia are excellent.  At least the ones I've flown. 

[HudsonHawk]

5-0 Sox. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Sipp suck.

[juliogotay]

I'm not liking the Astros offense the last couple of days.

[Nate in IA]

Bottom of 5 with one out, men on first and second. Tony Sipp pitching.

Moreland batting..  foul,  double steal, gapper to left center.. Benentendi and Betts score...

Ramirez gets walked.

Devers 1-1, 1-2, strikes out looking on an inside belt-high fastball.   2 out

Sipp out, Hoyt in...

0 -5 Boston.

[chuck]

I have flown African airlines that were better than today's United. It's amazing, really,

[Nate in IA]

Correa and Fisher the only hits so far

[chuck]

Unless you're in Russia, in which case there might be urine running down the aisle.

Honestly, I'd be more concerned about my hotel bed.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm not liking the Astros offense the last couple of days.

Post season pitching.  You don't get a few shots against scrubs.  Get used to it.

[The Spleen]

It's stunning how fast this offense can flip the switch from godlike to pathetic and back.
Hopefully the four day break (five counting the likely spring training B game tomorrow) before the playoffs will let them reset.

[HudsonHawk]

I have flown African airlines that were better than today's United. It's amazing, really,

Most Americans don't realize just how far behind the world US airlines and airports are. 

[Nate in IA]

Hoyt the third pitcher of the inning...

men on first and second

Vazquez , 0-1, grounds to Bregman at third who steps on the bag for the third out.

0 -5 Boston after 5.

Time to go to work boys.

[chuck]

Most Americans don't realize just how far behind the world US airlines and airports are.

Allegorical, I fear.

[HudsonHawk]

It's stunning how fast this offense can flip the switch from godlike to pathetic and back.
Hopefully the four day break (five counting the likely spring training B game tomorrow) before the playoffs will let them reset.

Something about momentum and tomorrow's starting pitcher...

[The Spleen]

In other news, I wonder how much bitching there will be from the Yankees and the media about the Astros using this game as a rehab start for an injured pitcher...

[HudsonHawk]

Fisher hustles out of the box that time, he has his second hit. 

[Aussie Astro]

Most budget airlines in other parts of the world are better than the standard US airlines.  Unless you're in Russia, in which case there might be urine running down the aisle.  But the budget airlines in Asia are excellent.  At least the ones I've flown.

About ten years ago I was in Port Moresby waiting on a flight in the terminal and watching some guys working on Fokker 100.  They were on a EWP working on a jet with the cover removed and they were close enough I could see them pretty well. seemed like they were unsure wtf was up, a lot pointing and apparent dscussion, at one point they both stood up and were stand there scratchng their heads looking at this fuckin engine.   I looked at my boarding pass and checked, I am flying out on a Boeing, praise the lord.

[Nate in IA]

Fisher grounds to a deep first.   beat the bag by the first baseman.    1 out.

Springer, misses a meatball.   1-1, foul, 1-2, 2-2, grounds 4-3, 2 out.

Bregman, 0-1, Just a bit inside.. 1-1, Grounds 4-3.. 3 out.

0 -5 Sawx

[Nate in IA]

You guys getting the Target ad that looks like it was made in the 50s and colorized?   Or is that just my perception?

[HudsonHawk]

About ten years ago I was in Port Moresby waiting on a flight in the terminal and watching some guys working on Fokker 100.  They were on a EWP working on a jet with the cover removed and they were close enough I could see them pretty well. seemed like they were unsure wtf was up, a lot pointing and apparent dscussion, at one point they both stood up and were stand there scratchng their heads looking at this fuckin engine.   I looked at my boarding pass and checked, I am flying out on a Boeing, praise the lord.

When you fly into Domodedovo in Moscow, you pass through the airplane boneyard along the runway.  Rusted out old planes, planes that have crashed, guys out there robbing parts...every airport has this, but that's the only one I know where it's visible from the terminal. 

[Lefty]

Fucking long way away, that's how far it is. More time than you want to sit in an airplane. Despite that, I highly recommend Australia to the traveler. Once you get there you can travel all over Asia surprisingly inexpensively on one or another of the budget airlines they have.

I've been to Antarctica on a boat.  I can hack it.

[Aussie Astro]

When you fly into Domodedovo in Moscow, you pass through the airplane boneyard along the runway.  Rusted out old planes, planes that have crashed, guys out there robbing parts...every airport has this, but that's the only one I know where it's visible from the terminal.

So, taxiing is a bit like watching this game then?

[HudsonHawk]

I'm gonna get really tired of seeing these same yahoos next week. 

[HudsonHawk]

Hoyt getting squeezed big time.

[Nate in IA]

Holt leads off the bottom of the 6th against James Hoyt

0-1, 0-2, grounds to short.. 6-3, 1 out.

Bradley, 1-0,  liner to left-center for a single

Bogaerts, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, walk..   

Benintendi, 0-1, grounds up the middle right to Correa who steps on second and throws to first for an inning-ending double play.

0 - 5 Boston

[Aussie Astro]

I've been to Antarctica on a boat.  I can hack it.

What took you down there?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Most Americans don't realize just how far behind the world US airlines and airports are.

Yes, but the trains!

[Nate in IA]

Altuve leads off the 7th with a single to left..

and that's it for Pomerantz..

[HudsonHawk]

Back to back RBI singles from Gattis and Gurriel....5-2...tying run to the plate...nobody out...

[HudsonHawk]

Man, Holt has robbed two hits today.

[HudsonHawk]

Ouch Maybin.  You can't get caught looking with two in scoring position.

[HudsonHawk]

White pinch hitting for Fisher...

[HudsonHawk]

Bases juiced for Springer....two out...

[HudsonHawk]

Farrell out...relief pitcher comes running in, but Farrell waves him off.  Odd.

Rain pouring....

[chuck]

What took you down there?

A boat, dude, he already said.

[Nate in IA]

Carson Smith pitching for the Red Sox now

Carlos Correa at the plate

0-1, seeing eye single where balls go to die.. runners on 1st and 2nd.

Gattis, 2-1 with the rain coming down..  hits into right center..  Altuve scores, Correa to third on the single..

Gurriel, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, off the wall, Correa scores!   

David Price in to pitch to McCann

0-1 Grounds to the right side.. blue star play by Brock Holt.. 4-1 for the first out.   Gattis to third, Gurriel to third.

Maybin, 0-1..0-2, called out on the outside low strike.   2 outs.

Tyler White pinch hitting for Fisher..  0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1,  Walk bringing up Springer

George Springer..0-1, 0-2, 0-3 Strikes out with the bases loaded looking.

2-5 Boston

[HudsonHawk]

Shitfuck.  Caught looking AGAIN!!!!

ARGH!!!!!!

[HudsonHawk]

Hard as fuck to vaunt if you don't swing the fucking bats.

[HudsonHawk]

Fuck. 

[HudsonHawk]

Betts enjoyed the shit out of that home run.

[Aussie Astro]

A boat, dude, he already said.

Yes, but was it a sail boat, paddle steamer, nuclear power submarine?

[HudsonHawk]

Yes, but was it a sail boat, paddle steamer, nuclear power submarine?

A paddle steamer to Antarctica would be awesome.

[Nate in IA]

Gregerson on to pitch

Betts 2-1, Home Run.   Way to give it back Luke.

Moreland 1-1, 2-2, 3-2, K's swinging 1 out.

Ramirez, 0-1, goes to a knee swinging for the second strike, 1-2, K's swinging 2 outs.

Devers 0-1, 0-2,   Wow.. needed an extra pitch to K him.   3 outs.

2-6 Boston.

[chuck]

A paddle steamer to Antarctica would be awesome.

Tell the story at parties, it'd be a hell of an icebreaker.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Is Greggerson going to throw another pitch this season?

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve robbed of a double....Sox flashing the leather today.

[HudsonHawk]

Is Greggerson going to throw another pitch this season?

I assume he's available for tomorrow's mop up.

[Nate in IA]

Top of the 8th chasing 4 runs..

Bregman  slow grounder to short.. Bogaerts throws him out.  1 out.

Altuve 1-2, liner to third..   2 outs.

Correa got on first somehow

and Gattis pops up the first pitch.. 3 outs.

[HudsonHawk]

Top of the 8th chasing 4 runs..

Bregman  slow grounder to short.. Bogaerts throws him out.  1 out.

Altuve 1-2, liner to third..   2 outs.

Correa got on first somehow

and Gattis pops up the first pitch.. 3 outs.

Correa drew a 4-pitch walk.

[Nate in IA]

Feliz pitching the 8th

Vazquez, 1-1, k's on a high heater..  1 out

Holt, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, liner to third that Bregman can't get a glove on.. single..

Bradley, 0-1, 0-2, Pops it sky high and Altuve grabs it.  2 out.

Bogaerts,  1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-2,  3 out.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

These announcers on FOX are so totally fucked up. The check list of qualifications at FOX Sports for prospective announcers must begin with: (1) is applicant an unbearable dick? If the answer is yes, proceed to next question. If the answer is no, terminate interview and thank the chump for his/her interest.

[austro]

Most Americans don't realize just how far behind the world US airlines and airports are. 

Most Americans don't realize a lot of things about the rest of the world.

[Nate in IA]

My fox just switched to the Hawkeye game.  I'm out.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Most Americans don't realize a lot of things about the rest of the world.

That's true with the Chinese too.

[austro]

I just got here. Has the HPU been calling that low-and-away shit a strike all day?

[HudsonHawk]

Glad to get a few swings in against Kimbrel.

[HudsonHawk]

I just got here. Has the HPU been calling that low-and-away shit a strike all day?

Yes.  At least against the Astros

[Nate in IA]

I just got here. Has the HPU been calling that low-and-away shit a strike all day?

Hunter Wendelstaat..   And yes.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I just got here. Has the HPU been calling that low-and-away shit a strike all day?

He's has a consistently larger zone than the TV graphic.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Gurriel strikes out swinging
McCann homers around the Pesky Pole
Maybin doubles off the Monster
Kemp strikes out swinging
Springer strikes out swinging

Astros go down 6-3

[HudsonHawk]

I think the announcers just reached orgasm. 

[HudsonHawk]

Damn.  Needed today to get Sale only once.

[Nate in IA]

I think the announcers just reached orgasm.

The homerism was very obvious the whole game...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Damn.  Needed today to get Sale only once.

Lots of things needed to line up for best outcomes this weekend.  The yankmees cooperated,  we screwed the pooch today but whatever.  It is what it is.  Second best record in club history, and didn't back into anything.  Damn fine regular season.



But if the Indians lose tonight I'm gonna break something.

[astrojo]

Lots of things needed to line up for best outcomes this weekend.  The yankmees cooperated,  we screwed the pooch today but whatever.  It is what it is.  Second best record in club history, and didn't back into anything.  Damn fine regular season.



But if the Indians lose tonight I'm gonna break something.

White Sox hang on for a 2-1 win over Indians.  Could have forced them to burn Sale, but we started McCullers and the offense took the night off instead. Grrr!

[Lefty]

What took you down there?

Was down in Ushuaia, felt like a boatride.

I can say that I've set foot on every continent, so there's that checked off the list.

[HudsonHawk]

White Sox hang on for a 2-1 win over Indians.  Could have forced them to burn Sale, but we started McCullers and the offense took the night off instead. Grrr!

Lots of games to look back on this season and say "if we don't step on our dicks there...". All games count. Can't waste any of them.

[JimR]

It's stunning how fast this offense can flip the switch from godlike to pathetic and back.
Hopefully the four day break (five counting the likely spring training B game tomorrow) before the playoffs will let them reset.

What HH said. Post season pitching will be tough to hit.

[JimR]

I wonder why Hinch chose Saturday and not Sunday to experiment with McCullers.

[austro]

I wonder why Hinch chose Saturday and not Sunday to experiment with McCullers.

Maybe he wanted to see how he responded with that little extra bit of pressure in a game that "counts", at least as much as any regular-season games count for the Astros right now. Whoever pitches today knows that the goal (forcing Boston to use Sale) has either been accomplished or not, whereas whoever pitched yesterday knew that they had to win in order to keep the goal within reach. That's all I've got.

[JimR]

Maybe he wanted to see how he responded with that little extra bit of pressure in a game that "counts", at least as much as any regular-season games count for the Astros right now. Whoever pitches today knows that the goal (forcing Boston to use Sale) has either been accomplished or not, whereas whoever pitched yesterday knew that they had to win in order to keep the goal within reach. That's all I've got.

Dunno. Yesterday was a very important game for us for sure, and I was surprised he did not go with McHugh, Had we won, McCullers would have matched up with Sale. Nothing bigger than that. Hinch said consistently his goal was to win every game, but some of his personnel decisions had me scratching my head.

[JimR]

Lots of games to look back on this season and say "if we don't step on our dicks there...". All games count. Can't waste any of them.

The two I think of are games against KC and Oakland with identical 7-3 leads in the late innings, but our JV relievers could not hold the fort, and Giles ultimately was the loser both times.

Every team can say this too, though, in a 162 game season, and the Astros won their share of improbable comebacks. Probably not useful to "What If" each lost game.

[juliogotay]

That recent lost weekend in Oakland.

[HudsonHawk]

The two I think of are games against KC and Oakland with identical 7-3 leads in the late innings, but our JV relievers could not hold the fort, and Giles ultimately was the loser both times.

Every team can say this too, though, in a 162 game season, and the Astros won their share of improbable comebacks. Probably not useful to "What If" each lost game.

True, not unique to the Astros. Just the ones that got away tend to stick out in your memory.

[Andyzipp]

I think the saying is something like you’re going to win 50 and you’re going to lose 50 no matter what, it’s what you do with the other 62 that makes your season.  So the Astros are 50-11 right now.  Tip of the cap for Cleveland for their season.

Everyone is 0-0 starting Thursday.