Game 6

[HudsonHawk]

You have to sit Reddick and give Maybin the start.

[doyce7]

Fuck, put maybin in center and start Fisher in right. Can't do much worse can They?

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[HudsonHawk]

Fuck, put maybin in center and start Fisher in right. Can't do much worse can They?

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You can't sit both Reddick and Springer, but you can't run Reddick out there again.  He's lost his chance to "try to get it going". 

[baron]

Springer could DH in the 8 hole!

 

[doyce7]

You can't sit both Reddick and Springer, but you can't run Reddick out there again.  He's lost his chance to "try to get it going".

I was mostly joking

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[DVauthrin]

You can't sit both Reddick and Springer, but you can't run Reddick out there again.  He's lost his chance to "try to get it going".

The problem is other than Yuli, you could say that about the entire lineup right now.  At least Altuve and Correa were hitting the first two games.  In New York, they did nothing.

[HudsonHawk]

The problem is other than Yuli, you could say that about the entire lineup right now.  At least Altuve and Correa were hitting the first two games.  In New York, they did nothing.

That's why you have to do something.  And you can't sit Correa or Altuve or Bregman.  They're the only ones who can play those positions without otherwise also opening a spot in the outfield, in which case you still have to start Maybin or Fisher.  Outfield is really the only opportunity you have to make a simple change. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Our options are underwhelming.

[roadrunner]

I can't watch another Beltran at bat.  Fisher, Gattis...anyone over Beltran.

[Navin R Johnson]

Verlander's pitching.   Put the best defense out there and pray he keeps pitching like he has and the Astros can scratch out 2 runs.

[Waldo]

Verlander's pitching.

At least if that doesn't go well it won't be for lack of effort.

[JimR]

Do not panic. We can win. Same lineup. Go get ‘em.

[Navin R Johnson]

Im with Jim.  Ride with who got them here.   If you felt like you had to shake things up, then move Yuli into the top 3.   He is the one guy I want getting as many at bats as possible right now.   

[JimR]

This team has won 106 games. Three bad games should not cause wholesale changes. The bullpen lost Game 4.

Win Game 6, and I like our chances.

[Navin R Johnson]

I don't think moving 1 guy up in the order equates wholesale changes, but I agree with your other 2 points.

[JimR]

I don't think moving 1 guy up in the order equates wholesale changes, but I agree with your other 2 points.

I was not referring to your post.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't think moving 1 guy up in the order equates wholesale changes, but I agree with your other 2 points.

I don't think giving Reddick a game off equates to making wholesale changes either.  I understand about dancing with them that brung you, but this is bad and it's the end of the line.  Perhaps I was just having a knee jerk reaction after a tough loss, but I don't think so.

[roadrunner]

I'm fine with keeping the order mostly the same, but I can't get behind starting Beltran again.  Gattis, Fisher (my choice), or whoever...just not Beltran.

[Limey]

Do not panic. We can win. Same lineup. Go get ‘em.

In addition to going 51-31 (+20) at home in the regular season, the Yankees are now 6-0 at home in the post-season.  Conversely they were "only" 42-40 (+2) on the road in the regular season and, more importantly, 1-3 on the road in the post-season.

The Astros were 48-33 at home in the regular season (+15) and are currently 4-0 in the post-season.

We were never going to roll into Yankee Stadium and sweep.  Getting swept sucks but, the split that would have avoided all this wailing and gnashing of teeth, was there for the taking in Game #4, they let it slip away unfortunately.

We have, not only the Astros' best starter on the home mound for Game #6, but one of MLB's best.  Reasons to be cheerful...

[Jacksonian]

I don't think giving Reddick a game off equates to making wholesale changes either.  I understand about dancing with them that brung you, but this is bad and it's the end of the line.  Perhaps I was just having a knee jerk reaction after a tough loss, but I don't think so.

I think Springer's the key here.  If he becomes willing to go to right field with every swing then Reddick will be batting with him on base often.  That changes the dynamic without changing players.

[Fredia]

from your mouth to managements ears

[BlownRanger]

Do not panic. We can win. Same lineup. Go get ‘em.

It's not panicking to note that something is clearly not right with Reddick right now, and if the Astros had an alternative who has a decent chance of producing some offense, I'd be all for the change, but they don't.  Neither Maybin nor Fisher is likely to produce, and your defense is greatly diminished by inserting either of them.

[BudGirl]

I'd like a good defensive catcher replacement.  But, if Verlander wants McCann behind the plate, he gets McCann behind the plate.

[JJxvi]

Anybody got a live chicken?

[Mr. Appropriate]

Anybody got a live chicken?

on it. and Jobu likes Rum.
I am completely mystified by these Astros. Not shocked by the bullpen blowing game 4--that happens--you bounce back if you are fortunate enough to still have a tomorrow and fight harder. I did not see any fight at all yesterday. I have no idea what to think when the offense that beat the Red Sox simply does not show up in NY. It's not the opposing pitchers. What can a manager do when an elite offense abruptly goes dark when it matters most?

[juliogotay]

Fuck, put maybin in center and start Fisher in right. Can't do much worse can They?

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Yes. If you think Riddick is overmatched...

[astrojo]

Yes. If you think Riddick is overmatched...

Also Reddick is a plus defender, and has been making the plays that even give the pitching and offense a chance to win.  He's slumping for sure, but he's still contributing defensively. 

[MusicMan]

This is why you win all those regular season games.

You have your ace for game 6. You have a wild home field advantage for game 7, BBGs willing.

Over? Nothing is over until we say it is!

[Reuben]

I think they should start Beltran in CF, batting 2nd, so he'll get confused and play like it's the '04 LCS.

[Mr. Appropriate]

I think they should start Beltran in CF, batting 2nd, so he'll get confused and play like it's the '04 LCS.

that would be nice. And Beltran's  glove his waiting for him out there, in its grave.

[juliogotay]

I think they should start Beltran in CF, batting 2nd, so he'll get confused and play like it's the '04 LCS.

I didn't remember him batting 2nd. Between Biggio and Bagwell I suppose.

[BudGirl]

I didn't remember him batting 2nd. Between Biggio and Bagwell I suppose.

put them in the lineup, they should be well-rested.

[MusicMan]

I think they should start Beltran in CF, batting 2nd, so he'll get confused and play like it's the '04 LCS.

That's just what they'll be expecting us to do!

[toddthebod]

I am going to drink a lot of rum Friday night and eat chicken.  Of course, that's pretty much what I do every Friday night.  But hey.  It worked for most of the season.

As for the lineup, I'd like to see Gattis DH over Beltran.  But neither Fisher nor Maybin do it for me.  I think you just have to go with the rest of the lineup and hope these guys remember how to hit.   

[JimR]

Lots of nonsense being posted. 106 wins.

[BudGirl]

Lots of nonsense being posted. 106 wins.

Are you going tomorrow?  If so, I'll need to go give you a hug again!

[Mr. Appropriate]

I didn't remember him batting 2nd. Between Biggio and Bagwell I suppose.
[/quote
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/212093354/carlos-beltrans-2004-october-still-a-wonder/

Article about Beltran in 04. Good quotes from Bagwell, Ausmus, Hunsicker. I was wondering if Beltran's performance had been over-glamorized in my memory--if anything I was giving him less credit than he deserved. Probably got colored by the disappointment of him signing with the Mets. Hope Beltran can do something for the team on the field in this League series.

[BUWebguy]

I didn't remember him batting 2nd. Between Biggio and Bagwell I suppose.

Pretty consistent lineups in that NLCS:

Game 1: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Ensberg, Vizcaino, Ausmus, Backe
Game 2: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Ensberg, Vizcaino, Ausmus, Munro
Game 3: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Ensberg, Vizcaino, Ausmus, Clemens
Game 4: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Ensberg, Vizcaino, Chavez, Oswalt
Game 5: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Ensberg, Vizcaino, Ausmus, Backe
Game 6: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Lamb, Vizcaino, Ausmus, Munro
Game 7: Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Ensberg, Vizcaino, Ausmus, Clemens

[Mr. Appropriate]

Is your point that 106 wins a new team record for combined regular and postseason victories? That's a good point. They are a better than team than the disappointing NY games suggest. 

But the number I keep thinking about is eleven. Not five postseason victories, or seven. I want them to turn the fog machine to eleven. 

[Reuben]

I didn't remember him batting 2nd. Between Biggio and Bagwell I suppose.

I'm almost certain. Without looking it up, my guess would be:
Biggio LF
Beltran CF
Berkman RF
Bagwell 1B
Kent 2B
Ensberg/Lamb 3B
Vizcaino SS (AE injured)
Ausmus C
(pitcher) P

[Mr. Appropriate]

I'm almost certain. Without looking it up, my guess would be:
Biggio LF
Beltran CF
Berkman RF
Bagwell 1B
Kent 2B
Ensberg/Lamb 3B
Vizcaino SS (AE injured)
Ausmus C
(pitcher) P

your memory/guesswork is awesome, but it doesn't have to be--look up a couple of posts.

[Reuben]

your memory/guesswork is awesome, but it doesn't have to be--look up a couple of posts.

Huh. I somehow missed a few newer posts. I did have Bagwell and Berkman swapped. Surprised Chavez got a start.

[juliogotay]

Huh. I somehow missed a few newer posts. I did have Bagwell and Berkman swapped. Surprised Chavez got a start.

pretty good Veteran lineup. Shame it didn't work out with that group.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Maybe to settle nerves we can discuss Everett and his value to the club.

/ducks to avoid flying objects/

[Limey]

pretty good Veteran lineup. Shame it didn't work out with that group.

The hapless Dan Micelli in Game 6 and the gutless Roger Clemens in Game 7, undid them.   Still not happy about it.

Don't forget that the Jakes then went on to stink up the WS, losing the first two games at Fenway in which Boston committed 4 errors in each, then losing the next two in STL scoring 1 run in the process.

[astrojo]

The hapless Dan Micelli in Game 6 and the gutless Roger Clemens in Game 7, undid them.   Still not happy about it.

Don't forget that the Jakes then went on to stink up the WS, losing the first two games at Fenway in which Boston committed 4 errors in each, then losing the next two in STL scoring 1 run in the process.

Ugh Jim Edmonds.

[Mr. Appropriate]

pretty good Veteran lineup. Shame it didn't work out with that group.

Just noticed something--both starting catchers in the 2004 NLCS series went on to be Managers (Ausmus and Matheny). Matheny has lost to Boston in the World Series as a Manager and a Player.

[Fredia]

this night off is brutal, I can only imagine what the Astros are feeling.  They did not look like their perky selves on an interview on Austin tv

[Astros Fan in Big D]

"This is why I'm here. "
- Verlander (via McTaggart tweet)

I like the Chris Pratt gif in the replies:
https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/921105219299217409

[Limey]

Ugh Jim Edmonds.

Exactly what I said when I was iPadding while Mrs Limey was watching a "Housewives" show, and I looked up because she said "This bloke used to play baseball or something."

Oddly, he comes across as an aloof prick on TV.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Exactly what I said when I was iPadding while Mrs Limey was watching a "Housewives" show, and I looked up because she said "This bloke used to play baseball or something."

Oddly, he comes across as an aloof prick on TV.

Does he dive unnecessarily to catch household items?

[MusicMan]

Does he dive unnecessarily to catch household items?

SFN


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[MRaup]

Does he dive unnecessarily to catch household items?

For some reason, he's always way closer to the cameras than everyone else.

[JimR]

I'm almost certain. Without looking it up, my guess would be:
Biggio LF
Beltran CF
Berkman RF
Bagwell 1B
Kent 2B
Ensberg/Lamb 3B
Vizcaino SS (AE injured)
Ausmus C
(pitcher) P

He hit second—not in the beginning, the the moved helped everyone.

[Bench]

The lineup:

CF Springer
RF Reddick
2B Altuve
SS Correa
1B Gurriel
3B Bregman
LF Gonzalez
DH Gattis
C McCann

[HudsonHawk]

I'm both nervous and excited as shit. Please make this an epic GZ tonight. Someone.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I'm both nervous and excited as shit. Please make this an epic GZ tonight. Someone.

Bring it.  We're either gonna be riding high or laid low.

Either way, we're gonna remember it until they're wiping the applesauce off our chins.

[LonghornCDR]

You know what we get to do today, Brooks?  We get to watch Astros baseball.

[Fredia]

preaching to the choir

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I have consumed the requisite JCI Frito pie. Just seven hours of bubble guts between me and first pitch.

[austro]

I have a notorious reputation for jinxing the team. Yesterday was our anniversary, so I decided to take one for the team, and my wife and I went out for a nice Italian dinner and then came home and watched a movie.  We told our daughter to text us when the game was over. Worked perfectly!

Now I have to decide whether to watch tonight's game.

[Aussie Astro]

I have a notorious reputation for jinxing the team. Yesterday was our anniversary, so I decided to take one for the team, and my wife and I went out for a nice Italian dinner and then came home and watched a movie.  We told our daughter to text us when the game was over. Worked perfectly!

Now I have to decide whether to watch tonight's game.

Damn, I couldn't do that without peeking a score now and then.

That said, where are you taking her tonight?

[chuck]

That said, where are you taking her tonight?

I think he has a date with Biz.