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Just saw this. Very good news with the upgrade and all.
For me personally, this seems like a good time to bow out for good, though.
Twenty years, I think, or thereabouts. It has been great fun. Thanks to all.
The Astros, and by extension OWA, are at a crucial point that will determine whether the great teardown and rebuild will have lasting a effect or whether they'll go away meekly so that the Yankees, BoSox, and Dojers can reclaim what they've hemorrhaged money to try to obtain.
All hands on deck. The enemy is all about us. If Waldo says we're heading to MySpace then by God that's where we'll head.
Start posting over there.
Why would the Astros want to have three catchers on the roster? It seems like a horrible waste of the spot. Find the best hitter or the most versatile fielder, and put that guy on the roster.
Remember that rosters expand to 26 this season. 3 catchers could be a possibility.
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He's out of options. He may simply be an insurance policy at backup for Stubbs (i.e. if/when Stubbs is called up he goes bye bye).
So Chirinos (or Machete) may still be in the cards at starter. But I guess we won't get both.
Kaplan reports that Astros signed Dustin Garneau to a 1-yr deal. Intended to be glove-first back-up catcher.
I was referring to guys who are current players.
Which is why it’s really unlikely any player faces serious consequences. It’s gonna be front office, he org and maybe some coaches including Beltran and Cora.
I agree that this is going on elsewhere, but until there is a Fiers, willing to put his name in public against another team, the Astos are toast.
Fock Fiers. Has he turned in his WS ring and check from 2017 yet?
McCann is with Chicago
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Tags raises an interesting possibility: Reddick for McCann
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But the Sox might now make James McCann available via trade. McCann used to catch JV.
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He's entertaining, but that's about it. I don't get all the viritol being thrown at him here. He's just pumping out content based on what the national media is feeding everyone. If the original article had been a MLB sign stealing story instead of a hatchet job on the Astros, there likely would be evidence from other teams, or at least speculation.
Instead, the huge billboard on the onramp to the Internet that says in all caps "THE ASTROS CHEATED" makes it a little more understandable why that's what secondary media and entertainment monkeys are focusing on that.
Jomboy’s credibility takes a hit with each video he posts.
In MMP all season long. Miss St Bulldog cowbell-worthy. Want more cowbell.
Jomboy is peripheral to this, but if Manfred wants to follow Jomboy into the rabbithole leading to Jomboy's basement dwelling, they deserve each other
Are buzzing bandages an off-the-shelf product? I tried looking for something like that but I didn't find any, and Jake Marisnick doesn't strike me as an electronics hobbyist. I swear, if it turns out that Luhnow has created his own little Q branch inside Minute Maid Park, I will be so proud to be an Astros fan.
One of the Jomboy videos (probably the last one I'll ever watch) shows Springer homering on an 0-2 changeup.
0-2, clearly not a FB count, the guy hangs it like laundry on a line and Springer crushes it.
And people act like they've discovered the Rosetta Stone with these videos.
Fivethirtyeight weighs in on if they did, how much did it help. It is inconclusive.
I’m starting to here speculation that Luhnow could be looking at a lifetime ban similar to Coppawhatever his name was with the Braves, if it can be shown he knew about and approved of this tactic.
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As far as how high tech you could possibly get, and how this isnt all that high tech? The system described in the original article is clearly one that has its genesis in the minds of ballplayers, not computer/surveillance/security nerds.
He forgot to mention Caminiti used steroids and Mike Scott scuffed the ball.
I read something on the clickbait site 12up.com by Russo the other day. The article ended this way:
"In the last couple of years, their first baseman made a racist gesture in the World Series but had his suspension pushed back to the next year. They've been accused of stealing signs. They traded for a player accused of domestic violence, and their general manager later rubbed that in the faces of female reporters."
Pretty clueless. Also a defamation risk.
The timing aspect will be interesting. Both the Yankees and Red Sox were caught doing this exact thing *after* this all allegedly occurred with the Astros. They were given a small fine. So now, because it wasn’t uncovered until years later, the Astros should be made examples of?
Rosenthal is a gutless hack. When his beloved Red Sox got busted in the same season, he dismissed it with a “boys will be boys...it’s been going on forever...slap their wrists and move on...not a huge deal.” Now, as co-author of the hit piece, the Astros are like the Black Sox and Pete Rose had a baby with Satan himself. Fuck Rosenthal and his faux outrage.
Make no mistake, this has nothing to do with stealing signs and everything to do with knocking the Yankees out three of the last five seasons. The Yankees are pissed and are driving this train. They found a willing mouthpiece in reporters who vowed revenge for the Taubman incident. They had all of this for years and were content to let it go, but then Taubman got tuned up and went after one of their own.
Every club has a monitor like that with two people sitting at it (one a MLB rep) to watch replays to help decide if a review request is needed. It's not suspicious, it's normal. Notice the two chairs?
This twitter thread has pictures of the video station, taken from the World Series documentary. Some of the pictures show two chairs, food and drink containers and a bunch of sunflower shells, suggesting that people were working there during the game. I'm trying to figure out why somebody would be watching game video from that spot:
-Watching and taking notes for review and study after the game? That could be done from the clubhouse.
-Using a phone or radio to relay signs to somebody in the dugout or bullpen who alerts hitters with hand signals? That also could be done from the clubhouse. Phones in the dugout/bullpen would also be a problem after Boston was caught spying.
-Using the trashcan drum to relay signs to hitters, as was allegedly done in regular season games? Postseason crowd noise would make that very hard if not impossible. The Baseball Prospectus article where they studied postseason audio and could not find the same pattern from the regular season seems to confirm this.
So what does that leave?
-Did somebody watching video relay voice or hand signals to somebody at the tunnel entrance who passed on voice or hand signals to the batters? Very bad.
-Did they watch the video, take notes about the opposition and share their observations with the dugout between innings? (They'd want to be closer than the clubhouse to do this and phones would be a problem.) Not as bad as relaying a live spy feed to the hitters, but probably still over the line.
-Did they watch their own players for mechanical issues, pitch tipping and poorly concealed signs and give the dugout updates between innings?
Anyone have some other ideas?
If all of these reports are true, it sounds like the Astros were gearing up for war late in the season. All of these events... experimenting with electronic spying, ordering hyper-vigilance from the scouts... were in August and September. This was after the Red Sox and Yankees... two likely postseason opponents... were caught spying. Were they acting on the assumption that they'd be spied on in the playoffs and had to retaliate? Or had they been running a phone-based scheme similar to that of the Red Sox (now impossible) and were trying to figure out other ways to gain advantage? It's noteworthy that the Yankees caught the Red Sox by photographing their dugout, and the Astros front office was asking for something similar in those e-mails.
The messages described violations of norms. From what I can tell, nothing asked from the scouts was technically illegal. But the messages could be explained as indication of intent, that they showed the Astros were willing to push the envelope too far...
If the story told so far is true, it's really odd that the scouts pushed back against behavior that was an order of magnitude less severe than real time electronic spying, but the players didn't complain about what they were asked to do (or accept).
Go fuck yourself. Your assumption is based on nothing other than the bullshit spewing from a bunch of anti-Astros hacks pretending to be journalists. There's no evidence to support the accusation. This team deserves your support; not to be thrown under the bus.
Manfred has already said the Jomboy video is indisputable proof of an illegal camera system. That all that's left is determining the level of punishment. There will be no investigation and no "reliable sources". The Yankees are demanding the Astros head on a platter, and MLB has no choice but to deliver it.
I wonder if it was something as simple as monitoring the local AT&T camera in centerfield. The TV announcers often read signs and call the pitch when they see the catcher's signal, and that camera must stay active all game even when the broadcast team isn't using it. There may be dedicated feeds inside the stadium from that camera where someone watching could always watch the catcher. Or someone could have tapped into the feed.
I've always thought, it's interesting that the pitcher, catcher, and everyone watching at home knows which pitch is coming, because we saw the signal from the centerfield camera. And I've also thought, I wish there was someway I could tell the Astro batting what the signal was. So maybe they figured out a way to send that message to the batter. It's just a matter of timing to get him the message before the pitch is thrown. The camera to see the catcher's signal has always been there ... there was just no way to inform the batter quickly enough. Sounds like they perfected a system to do it.
The Athletic article has a picture of the tunnel behind the dugout. There is a disconnected data cable haphazardly strung along the wall, with a coiled end dangling directly above a big trashcan. The side of the trashcan has a big wear spot that looks like it's been beaten to shit. Again, not conclusive, but it sure looks like it's what they say it is.
There are many different videos with many different Astros batters playing against many different teams where the beating can be heard.
If they're picking up signs in the dugout, why the fuck would they have some goon beating on a trash can in the hallway? They could just do first name, last name. Or whistle Dixie, you know, normal things.
The banging can be heard before the pitcher comes set.
1. I believe they used electronics illegally
2. I believe they'll be punished
3. I don't like that this violation happened
4. I don't buy for 1 second all the feigned anger/disbelief coming from unnamed MLB sources. It's like a college football team complaining that another school is paying players. Or a politician calling someone a hypocrite.
5. Justice would demand that the schemes of other teams be revealed. But this isn't a courtroom and the Astros could totally get hung out to dry.
What pisses me off is the way this diminishes the Astros offensive accomplishments. And that Nightingale article implies that Darvish got a lesser contact because the Astros cheated. Fuck him.
There was a time when this site would have known exactly how to respond to allegations of illegal sign stealing. Let's remember our glory. Offer up your sign stealing haiku.
Camera relay,
Pound bats against metal can.
Batter takes a curve.
If two of the voters who had JV first and Cole second had changed to Cole first and JV second - it would have been a tie. Would have liked to have seen that. Close vote.
But the good news is, this just gives the Astros another way to fuck with other teams. You'll have guys on the bench doing the Bridge Over the River Kwai, some joker in the hallway going Keith Moon on a trash can, dudes in the bullpen lined up waving like human semaphore... Next season is shaping up to be a lot of fun, Cole or no Cole.
And like the batter would be concentrating on the bullpen instead of the pitcher...what a load of horseshit.
He'd need to climb several pegs to reach that status.
The next time SAS says something relevant will be the first.
I wonder why he didn't swing at the slider Chapman threw immediately before.
This is why you don't piss off, and basically declare war on, the media
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I've wondered if Reid Ryan wasn't tied to how the press release on Taubman was handled.
I don't believe for a minute that the Taubman fiasco isn't related to the sign stealing crap.
I think that Cole deserved it more, but after Cole's post-game nonsense, I was rooting for JV to win the award.
Are they sure the dugout banging wasn't coming from Gardner?
Rosenthal has hinted at how widespread this is.
Wonder if they have the goods on other teams.
Rosenthal has hinted at how widespread this is.
Wonder if they have the goods on other teams.
What a season, what a contest.
And what a trade.
Some yahoo yesterday was expounding on how the Astros could easily have some anonymous looking guy sitting in Torchy's, watching the catcher's sign and signaling by a gesture...touching his cap, sipping his beer, etc. I explained that it was hard enough to pick up the catcher's sign from the mound, 60 feet away, and it's pretty much impossible to see it from the centerfield bleachers 475 feet away...and not to get me started on the hitter picking out one guy in a sea of thousands. He didn't buy it. He's convinced that if you sit in the outfield stands, you have pretty much the same detailed view as you have sitting on your couch.
I saw one article blaming Bobby Dynamite.
It's almost worth losing a draft pick to see the wailing and gnashing of teeth by Dodger and Yankee fans.
My response to the haters is:
"yes, the Astros cheated. Specifically, they cheated your team and by extension you. You should be forever haunted in your dreams by the image of Marwin Gonzalez taking Kenley Jansen deep and effectively stealing food from your table. #NEVERFORGET!."
Yep. I don't know if Beltran is lying or not, but I can see why he would.
I wouldn't expect him to be forthright about it, just like I wouldn't expect anyone with any team to be forthright about it. Of course, he's one week into his first managerial gig so it's also not in his best interest to lie.
I think the whole thing is plausible, but I question the feasibility of doing it on any sort of large scale.
I said I don't know the facts. I neither believe of disbelieve. But it's not unbelievable.
I don't know the facts but I think Fiers didn't just pull his story out of thin air.
Beltran is denying any knowledge of it.
The Mets and Red Sox may not enjoy a punishment of the perpetrators
Of course if the Astros broke the rules, they should be punished appropriately. I'm not advocating they cheat or not face consequences for illegal behavior. I just don't believe this has anything to do with the Astros cheating, and everything to do with them beating the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers. They are no longer the lovable underdogs, they are the bullies kicking sand in everyone's face. They have become the New England Patriots of MLB, and I'm glad because I was getting tired of them being the fucking Cleveland Browns.
I agree, however, I also agree with Jim and Spleen and they shouldn't have done it. But if the horse is out of the barn, put a saddle on it and ride it with pride.
This story appears to be going big nationally. Trending on twitter and it's basically the entire MLB tab on ESPN right now.
A scalp is needed. He’ll do. Make an example out of him
What could they do to him? Put him in baseball jail along side the flashers from Washington?
You have a scorned ex-Astro that lost his rotation spot in the second half of 2017 and was left off the playoff roster during the entire World Series run and a former beat writer that claims the team tried to get him fired when he worked for the Houston Chronicle playing major roles in this story. No bias here or anything like that.
It’s a way to beat on the Astros. This accusation would never be leveled at the favored few, all of whom we’ve beaten since 2017
BTW, MLB already knew about all of this and has had teams coming to them for years accusing other teams of this.
This article is a whole year too late to the party, MLB already instituted rules prior to the 2019 season specifically to prevent this exact method of sign stealing.
For 2019, they banned all non broadcast cameras in the outfield from foul pole to foul pole. They instituted a mandatory 8 second delay on all clubhouse and dugout video feeds. Teams are allowed one live clubhouse video feed with one employee specifically for use in replay review and an MLB employee observes while it is in use (so two people watch it, effectively) to make sure no other club player or employee can use it. MLB also banned all monitors and video in the tunnel between clubhouses and dugouts (specifically to fight this). They also created an audit system where both scheduled and unscheduled inspections where all ballpark cameras and video monitors are audited and must be accounted for to MLB for a specific approved purpose.
Pretty impressive rookie campaign.
The deification of Nolan Ryan is and has always been a total mystery to me.
Even more comical (regarding Nolan) are the Rangers fans clamoring to, "bring him back!"
It's a closely held private business. Who cares who the owners choose to run it?
My only concern is as a consumer who wants to spend my money on a competitive team (baseball side) and a pleasurable fan experience (operations side).
Crane can hire his son, his masseuse, his parrot, etc.
My understanding is that crane the younger is involved with a lot of Crane the senior’s businesses with the obvious intent of passing the torch.
And I join the chorus of many who chuckle at the indignation about nepotism in defense of Reid Ryan.
Exactly. Reid Ryan certainly benefitted from having a famous dad. However, as I understand it, he was the driving force behind the Hooks success and has done what appears to be a great job for the Astros. Jim Crane won't suffer fools for long, so if his son doesn't work out, I bet that he won't hesitate to take nexcessary steps to solve the problem.
We don't really know if a search happened or not.
It was a comment on their genes not their capabilities.
You worded that well, thank you. I've been trying to figure out why so many are "up in arms" over this. As long as things continue to get better - I think they did under Reid - then woohoo for us! As long as they leave Luhnow alone I'll be happy.
I think both Reid and Jared lucked out in the sperm pool.
I see no baseball background at all. I see a member of the lucky sperm club. He would not be considered for this job by any other team. That doesn't mean he won't be good at it, it just means he didn't get the job on merit.
Crane is the controlling owner, but far from the only owner. I’m surprised he was willing to jam his son into this role given that the minority owners own a significant portion of the team and would likely prefer to explore other options.
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The optics are only terrible for the Ryans.
I was about to bitch about nepotism and then I remembered that this is protesting Reid Ryan leaving, so...
The optics on this are horrible. And after the Taubman fiasco. Is Crane tone-deaf?
I have seen what appeared to be a gracious side on rare occasions but Nolan has always been first and foremost a what-do-I-stand-to-gain-from-this kind of guy.
The fact that they already announced Jared taking his place rather than searching for a replacement says to me that Jim wanted his son in the job to start grooming him, and shoved Reid out to make it happen.
I’ve seen speculation that this has something to do with the handling of Taubman but that makes no sense. If you’re looking for a fall guy then you make public that the move is for that reason.
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A hatchet job by Drellich? I'm shocked.
Too be fair he didn't say the Astros didn't want it he just said the Nats wanted it more. The Nats maybe wanted it 110% and the Astros only wanted it 109.99%...
Evan Drellich penned a big article for The Athletic in the wake of the Taubman trainwreck that raised criticisms (some deserved, some not) of the "Astros culture."
Buried in the article, he telegraphs that at least two front-office employees would be leaving the Astros this offseason, in addition to Taubman, for reasons that are not currently known. Ocampo, as a special assistant to the GM, would certainly count as one. If Drellich is right, we can expect at least one more.
It’s his entire postseason, so you cannot increase statistical probability once you have the entire data set. How does that record compare to other “aces”, and is there diminution with age?
I found this from Luhnow: We're probably over the line [the so-called Luxury Tax] at this point without any added additions. Fortunately, Jim's been really open to different investment ideas depending on how we justify it and how it helps our team. At the end of the day, we're not going to know our payroll until we start next year. There's going to be opportunities to improve the team.
To me game 6 sticks out from that bunch like a sore thumb.
He labored like crazy just to get thru 5 and didn't protest when he was told he was done. He's a hell of a competitor but he was spent.
His postseason record is 0-6, I see no alternative
Is it worse that we were unlucky? Heard a fair bit of that.
Kaplan wrote a nice summary piece:
https://theathletic.com/1346900/2019/11/04/astros-offseason-blueprint-why-this-winter-might-be-jeff-luhnows-biggest-challenge-yet/
Aside from the Cole question, catcher and the bullpen loom large as areas of focus.
His innings were high, and we burned him out. That's correctable
I suspect this series will eat at the guys (and AJ, and Lunhow) and they'll be ready to throw down come springtime.
It'll probably be the roughest on JV.
Will they call him up, or tell him O Come O Come?
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Eight fucking outs.
This is me exactly. I am telling all my customers, who are well aware of my fandom, that I’m holding my head high. This is what I say: We were a historically good team this year, we won 117 games and the pennant and beat the Yankees and it took the hottest team on the planet seven games and some freaky luck to beat us when we were slumping. Plus we won one two years ago. I’m wearing my shirts with pride.
It’s not like we were 2001 Seattle or something
The late 90s/2001 postseason losses and OU's domination of Texas from 2000-2004 (especially being in the stands for 65-13) helped me learn to not get too down about sports disappointment. An old thread from Hornfans after 65-13 - "How many remote controls have you broken watching Texas football?" - put it in perspective for me.
Since then I've been able to enjoy the highs (2006 Rose Bowl, 2017 WS) without getting ruined by the lows (2005 WS, 2010 Rose Bowl, etc.).
Talked to a guy I didn't know before today, a Rockies fan who recognised my Astros and asked me what happened? I just said they blew a great opportunity for another title. His explanation, the gnats just wanted it more... it sounds cliche maybe, but hard to argue.
We played genuinely bad human beings in 1986
Until 2017 I was convinced this franchise was established simply to break my heart every few years.
I’m older, so 1986 is still my saddest moment following Houston since 1968. I can now begin the process of reconciliation
If he'd left Greinke in, and Greinke gave up the lead, or called in Cole, and Cole gave up the lead, he'd have been attacked for that. The critics are going to bitch no matter what. Because to them, it's just a matter of pulling the right levers, and, viola, victory! That's not how the real world works.
Our thoughts.
I know why Hinch did what he did, but I really wanted Greinke to stay in.
Harris decision, imo: he trusted Harris in that situation more than Greinke. Longer history with him, excellent season and postseason, had Ked Kendrick in key situation in DC.
These things carry as much weight with me as regular season "power rankings".
Does the same argument apply (or not) to Preston Tucker?
AJ on his thought process https://theathletic.com/1343852/2019/11/01/qa-astros-manager-a-j-hinch-on-pulling-zack-greinke-not-using-gerrit-cole-and-other-decisions-in-game-7-loss/
I've found myself saying this a lot recently, both to myself and to others, I'm pretty sure I've even said it on this site a time or two. It definitely fits here.
Just because something doesn't work, doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. Just because something works, doesn't make it the right decision.
Bringing in Harris when he did, was the right decision. 9/10 times, Harris gets the job done, and the Astros probably win the game, this was the 1. Anybody who says that bringing in Harris in the 7th was a bad decision, simply has no baseball intelligence.
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I'll add a log to this fire. When the Astros won the ALCS this year, I ordered a set of baseball cards featuring Astros highlights from the series, just like I've done every time the Astros won a post-season series since the 2017 ALDS.
That's what I ordered, but that's not what I got. On the morning of WS Game 6, the package I got didn't contain an 8-card set featuring Jose Altuve's walk-off homer, Peacock's start on 0 days rest, or Reddick eating grass to make a great catch. Instead, I got a single card: Howie Kendrick hoisting the NLCS MVP trophy.
Sometimes clutch hitting feels like "just baseball." Kendrick's at-bat felt like one of the BBGs had a thumb on the scale.
He also said he wished they could have won a game at home.
Maybe the LDS start on short rest took a toll.
Our thoughts.
I know why Hinch did what he did, but I really wanted Greinke to stay in.
That's my phrase, not Cowherd's. I think Cowherd was attempting to be conciliatory, given the outcome. Balls hit hard at opposing players is a facet of the game and makes his argument. Hinch can't hit for his team. Here's the segment in question.
https://youtu.be/HcSMUYTwcX4
Totally agree that Verlander was gassed. I saw some stat that Verlander has pitched 1,000 more pitches than any other pitcher in baseball over the past 3 seasons. It seems like the Astros need to find a way to limit Verlander's pitches next season if they want him to be effective in the post-season.
That is exactly what my hope was from my 1st reply to hearing his interview...that he was mostly upset with the loss.
Colin Cowherd said as much yesterday. Washington simply got it done.
He has to cost a fortune, too, doesn't he?
Yep. That was completely unnecessary. I suppose it's possible that he forgot that he even had it on, but why even bring it to the ballpark?
I've had more than one pitcher blame me for giving up a home run:
Pitcher: "you're the one who called a fastball"
Me: "I didn't tell you to hit the bat with it"
Here's Cole's message to Houston fans:
https://twitter.com/GerritCole45/status/1189976888233615361?s=19
(if you aren't on Twitter, he says nice things about the team, fans, and city; nice farewell statement)
I checked out his spray chart.
Zero homers to dead RF this season. The furthest right prior to that would have been about where the bullpen fence meets the RF wall.
https://www.fangraphs.com/spraycharts.aspx?playerid=4229&position=2B&type=battedball
Lightning in a bottle.
There were a lot of baseball experts in the bathroom at the park and at Buccees pontificating for all to hear.
Surprised none of them asked why Chirinos called for the homerun pitch instead of the swing and miss pitch.
And at Soto. I was waiting for what I felt was the inevitable misplay.
Sorry for that post then. I was repeating something I heard Ferrin and Stanton say on radio. Probably shouldn’t do that.
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It wasn’t. Harris actually threw a pretty damn good pitch and Kendrick did a great job to hit it out.
The bad part about it, is that away is Kendrick’s sweet spot. We had been pitching him up and in most of the series and had done well. Harris’ pitch was a great pitch in a great location, just the wrong hitter to throw it too.
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The Astros were 4-29 with runners in scoring position in the four home losses; 11-28 in the three road wins. That’s the series in a nutshell. It was the same story against the Yankees, but the difference was the pitching remained near perfect the entire series to pick up the offense. That didn’t happen in the four home games in the World Series.
Harris was genuinely bad in Game 6, but last night was a brutal break. I'm not even sure the HR pitch was a strike...
Stephen A Smith and Max Kellerman got into it today, revolving on Cole’s availability in the 7th inning
https://youtu.be/Of71vyD75rQ
There's some smart people on this board; I'm surprised few see the obvious. The post-game actions and comments by Cole seemed out of character because they were/are. What you witnessed last night was the spirit of Scott Boras in Cole's body. Cole was carefully coached by Boras -- the comments, hat, etc. -- all part of the act. It was a message to the marketplace that Team Cole isn't fucking around.
What's been alleged about his actions? After his team loses game 7 of the world series, he wears a Boras hat and refers to his team as his former employer? There is nothing "alleged" there, it happened and it was fucking garbage. If he is mad at Hinch or mad at the front office for some reason, he had the entire offseason to air that. Terrible look for Cole.
Thanks for calling me an idiot. Not the first time and won't be the last.
He's absolutely livid that Hinch didn't use him in the 7th. It's the manager, not the front office, that has him pissed off.
I was listening to Sirius MLB channel driving in, and that seemed to be their biggest bone of contention. To quote one of the hosts, "they saved a healthy Cole to play in LA next season". The other host thought even if he was not spot-on, the team gets a confidence boost and you don't see the morose dugout in the 7th inning.
Hinch turned into Dave Roberts this week.
If Cabrera beat me to this my apologies. I don’t have time with the game almost upon us to check. If not, I’m calling it now. I think we’re going to hear rumors leaked out after the series is over that the injury to Scherzer’s neck was bullshit. If they win it will have been a genius move by them. We shall see.
If you didn’t see Cole’s postgame interview, it’s hard to come away from it with any positivity whatsoever that he’s going to stay in Houston. Wearing a Boras cap, asking if he had to do interviews because he’s no longer a team employee, etc. He’s gone.
Chili prep has begun
Cole has never pitched in relief. I will be surprised if he pitches at all, and if he does, I can't imagine it will be to anyone other than Rendon and Soto. And I'm pretty comfortable having Smith face those two guys, to be honest.
Much of the game will hinge on how right Scherzer is, if he is Max Scherzer then the pitchers might have to make 2 or 3 runs hold up, if he's not then there will be chances to score and they need to capitalize
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There are several players who, IMO, lack emotional self-control in important situations. All players fall victim to it on occasion. However the Astros have a few who regularly fall victim to it. Altuve and Correa appear to me to be the biggest culprits. Springer seems to have slowly made progress in that area. That weakness is the separator.
He went full Everett.
I hate being critical of the guy but his AB in the bottom of the 5th with Reddick on third and Springer on second with one out.... 3 pitch strike out... made me want to kick something.
Astros only signed him to get to his little brother.
I'd think Yuli in the future will be talked about by the national media as an elite defensive first baseman, mostly because all the national media will have seen will be Yuli in the World Series. He is, but he always is.
I fear the Strasbourg that might show up tonight.
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Excellent!
Glad to see it acknowledged.
Love of baseball can/should unite us, not divide us.
Excellence should be acknowledged and celebrated.
We Americans desperately need to follow their example by being able to differ politically in a civil way as well, rather than acting like Yankee fans.....
Verlander pitched well enough to win both starts in 2017.
Here's an Astros fan doing it right:
https://twitter.com/john9williams/status/1188861761983844352?s=19
I cant imagine that JV doesn't want to shove that record up someone's ass.
My point was that there can be many factors that go into "what he wants to do". I would imagine that positively contributing to the overall market for others player absolutely falls into the category of things that he would want to do. I recall Altuve commenting that setting a new high mark for second baseman was important for him, fortunately he was able to align that desire with remaining with the Astros. If that isn't possible for Cole, then how much that weights against other things that he wants to do only he can know.
Agents are also paid to provide advice and perspective - you don't hire Scott Boras unless you want max value to be a part of that advice. Beyond that, MLBPA absolutely has a rooting interest in his contract and I'd be shocked if they didn't seek to influence him.
Best post on the issue yet. This is the reality and will certainly be a significant factor as Cole weighs his options. Boras and the union have convinced many players to make decisions which were not necessarily the desire, or in the best interest of, the subject player.
It isn't just about Cole. He has the opportunity to set a new benchmark for contracts. The contract he signs will impact the entire market this year and in years to come. Especially after last off-season, there will be a lot of talk about how it is his duty to the rest of the players to maximize his contract. He may well choose to ignore that, but you know that both Boras and MLBPA will be campaigning for him to view it that way.
JV is 0-5 and 5+ era in postseason; would be good to have a reversal of form
The thing I keep coming back to with Cole is here's a guy who wanted to play for the Yankees his whole life, who was drafted by them in the first round, and who chose to risk three years at college in expectation of being drafted higher. It worked out for him in every way. Never mind that there are a slew of reasons for a starting pitcher to want to play in Houston, I just don't see that guy walking away from what promises to be a historical payday.
Had Houston won game 5 by a score of 7-6 they would have a point. But unless Scherzer was guaranteed to throw a CGSO, the Astros almost certainly get two runs and still win. As it stands, Scherzer could pitch a game 7 against Grienke.
I don't think anybody beats Cole or the Astros last night.
To Jim's point about the umpiring, that train started rolling in the pbp booth.
They completely forgot about the Zimmerman walk. That was a perfect pitch from one of the game's best pitchers on the biggest stage as HIS TANK WAS APPROACHING ZERO POINT ZERO. And he fucking dotted the corner.
Maybe someone should interview Gary Sanchez. I'm sure he's all for a 4 strike policy.
I don't mind the storyline. It's what reporters do and maybe it was his last game. It'll play out with lots of noise and hoopla and odds are what odds are, and I'd just as soon ease into that now than discover it when it happens. I would really hate for him to end up a Yankee though.
Probably because of the storyline I was thinking last night what a special defensive team this is for a pitcher, and that if I were a pitcher looking at leaving the Astros, that's what might hold me. It would be easier to pitch in front of this team than any place else in baseball. Yeah, Cole is great, but at least a bit of that greatness is what's behind him.
why would the team play with more passion in DC than in Houston? I don't question your statement but it is puzzling to me what we have just seen. Flies in the face of history. Maybe the Nats did the same? Just very odd for all of the five games to have gone to the visitor.
No chickens to count, but that was an impressive 3 game stretch from the Astros.
They managed to get something out of every spot in the order at one time or another. Defensively they were mostly sharp with a few outstanding plays (Yuli!). The pitching was really good without needing wicked stuff to do it. They battled, sometimes faltered, but didn't cave.
Now we've got 2 games to get 1. JV, just be JV.
Bats, be patient and move the line. And pounce on mistakes.
I would go with defense, but I am not questioning Hinch’s hunches.
Far as I know they saw him Friday when he shut them down for 2 innings.
If I were the Nats, I wouldn't have said anything until it was time to warm up.
This makes me nervous. This lineup does much better when they’ve seen somebody a bit and had time to study them.
Holy shit! Max Scherzer cannot pitch today! Ross to start.
Neck spasms.
Alvarez was 3x8 in games 1-2.
Just heard Hinch say that Alvarez will start in left field and Brantley in right. He wants all the offense he can get against Scherzer.
I saw Hondo play (one game) in that old shithole that was the stadium the Redskins played in before their new digs. Me and a couple of hundred of my closest friends. That was before they exited for Arlington.
That's an easy double play if Harris doesn't kick that ball.
If Pressly is unusable, why not disable him and get somebody on the roster that might be able to contribute?
That's what he was trying to do. And almost did. He beats out that bunt, he steals, maybe Mike drives HIM in with an easy single, etc.
If Springer’s double is a foot higher, we’re still playing.
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You have work in the morning. You should just let it go tonight man ---- you are projecting here.
You need some affection --- not an argument. You need help.
The one that tied the game, just before the Nats blew it open?
I agree 100%. When the Astros were a young, upstart, plucky underdog, they were beloved. But after a few years it's "alright...enough of this". I want the Astros to be the team that everyone is tired of seeing in the World Series.
We generally park in the lot across the street from El Big Bad, between Prairie and Preston, with the entrance on Milam. 15-20 bucks tops, and just the right distance to get you away from most of the worst traffic, and a quick jump on the highway to get out of town.
Yep.
This whole thing is awful. I just want to get excited for the WS and now every article/tweet/post rehashes a drunken idiot's unprovoked defense of an abuser and the organization's abomination of an apology. Yuli's actions in 2017 are even being brought up again to highlight how terrible the org is and how shitty their fans (we) are for supporting it.
Just fucking awful all around and it's detracting from one of the most celebratory moments in baseball.
Game 1 can't start soon enough.
I will always remember Laz Diaz fondly for keeping Devo's errant pickoff throw to 2nd on the infield in G2.
Twitter's own @actioncoobook says it about as well as I could hope to:
Yeah. They haven't hesitated using Scherzer and Strasbourg in relief roles this October either.
I think he's just saying that Crane and Luhnow are more recognizable faces of the organization. Also, Taubman reports to Luhnow and everyone reports to Crane. Reid Ryan should absolutely be involved from here on out, but any attempts to walk this back will ring a bit hollow without Crane and Luhnow out there also.
Anybody have insight on the strength of Washington's pen?
Luhnow and Crane are the management face of the franchise. They need to do whatever it takes to make this go away and they need to do it immediately and publicly so that the entire focus shifts back to the field.
Good sign on the Pressly front.
The way I parse it SI showed the story to the Astros for comment before publication. That's pretty standard practice in political matters, and would be perfectly appropriate. I would assume that the reporter went to their counterpart in the Astros organization, but no organization would put out a press release like the Astros' without it being vetted up the line. If that didn't happen, man, that's almost even worse.
Like someone said, it doesn't really affect my enjoyment of the games, but among the broader public it really kills a lot of the good will that the organization has built. And it was just stupid.
Exactly. My point is that the Astros should have recognized that and killed it instead of fanning the flames.
Need to hear from Reid Ryan. Did he know about the press release?
It didn't matter who the press was for. You don't start a war of words with folk who buy ink by the barrel.
That's not the same as going straight to Luhnow or Crane that night and reporting the event. Then writing the story. If she wrote first then asked for comment that's not the same.
Reporters from the Chron have corroborated the story.
The Athletic jumped on it too.
[/quot
Of course it did. It was all over the Verlander thing too.
The NY angle is a nothing burger. None of the reporters who have corroborated the story were on the Yankees beat, and many national writers are based in NY. Looking too hard for an anti-Astros bias.
Cole has been announced for Game #1 and I presume it’s Verlander for Game #2. So we go:
1. Cole
2. Verlander
Travel Day
3. Greinke
4. Underpants Gnomes
5. Cole
Travel Day
6. Verlander
7. Everyone (except JV)
This might be my favorite thing so far.
Gregorious knew it was gone off the bat (unlike me). Urshela went to cover second but knew it was gone after about a step and a half.
Even from that far out, the look of "What the fucking fuck just happened?" is obvious on Chapman's face.
Brocamonte presented it to the Authenticator like he was presenting a holy relic to the pope. That was fucking great.
Bracamonte later gave the ball to an MLB authenticator.
Outfield View of Jose Altuve's 2019 ALCS Winning Walk-off Homerun
Rosters not announced yet.
I thought he would have had as much of a chance as Springer. I felt Reddick's advantage would have been his having played RF throughout the season. But, if it had been caught then there would have been no Altuve HR. Which to chose?? One would have been awesome and one was awesome.
Does anyone think Reddick could've brought back LeMahieu's home run? I think yes.
Blood clot.
He had knee surgery after the DS series. Complications/blood clot from that.
https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/10/20/mlb-umpire-eric-cooper-dies-52
Jesus.
The home run ball bounced off the giant wall and back on to the field. Yankees leftfielder Brett Gardner picked it up. He saw Houston bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte walking past him toward the pile of Astros gathering at home plate.
“Here,” Gardner said, handing him the ball. “Take this. You guys are a great team. Now go win the World Series. Represent the American League well.”
Said Bracamonte, “It was so classy. And Aaron Judge gave me a hug and said the same thing. I have so much respect for those guys.”
Bracamonte later gave the ball to an MLB authenticator.
Good Verducci article
It may have already been mentioned here, but last night's game was started (Peacock) and ended (Altuve) by the only two players left from the 111-loss 2013 team.
That's why you don't pitch around Altuve as long as Springer is still at 1B. Anything can happen, bloop, groundball through the legs...but if Springer is already on 2B, you put Altuve on and pitch to Marisnick.
There were two outs. If you get Marisnick, it ends the inning.
Springer gotta try to take a bag here
Just saw the replay of the HR. Chapman's face. I hope he sucks on that the entire void.
Did not see that coming
The defense was spectacular last night and, really, the whole series. Reddick’s scorpion catch on that sinking liner, Brantley’s double play, and Correa’s throw to first to complete the other double play were all just so what elevates this team over the others. Baserunning has been elite as well. I love watching this team do all the little things right to win games. And Maldonado laying down the surprise bunt was superb!
If you enjoy watching the Yankees lose, might I suggest this video to you.
https://twitter.com/RedSoxBroke/status/1185798117377105920
A decade of Yankee playoff failures set to Ace Frehley's Back in the New York Groove.
You guys both need to drop it.
Let’s just get through game 6 and worry about what happens after that.
Fuck off Jim. You know what I said was true.
Great job by Verlander to keep things where they were through 7. I'm a little surprised to see Peacock up, but what do I know?
I sure wish Hicks hadn’t tagged that hanging slider in the first.
That was a line drive?
Comments on a fan board have less than nothing to do with what's going on on the field. You can be superstitious all you want when you are playing a game. But to suggest that comments on a fan board have any effect on what happens in a game is pathetically ignorant.
Jim, you need to help Yordan because he's not looking good at all.
Justice hallucinating.
I think you are giving the reporter too much credit here.
You guys and your superstitions are hilarious.
Alvarez is so overmatched, it's not even funny.
The amazing thing is, that's the worst Cole has pitched since May.
Thanks Ty...on a side-note although their "stadium" catches a lot of flack (and rightfully so) I did enjoy a game there with my FIL while on vacation with my family. It was 2013 so you know I'm a die hard. Although we got blanked 5-0 with 5 lousy hits (one from Altuve of course and one other by some guy named JD Martinez, not sure whatever happened to him) we did enjoy the Ted Williams museum, it was really well done. Also, because the locals only show up for Yanks or Sox I was able to get tix dirt cheap just a few rows behind the Stros dugout and literally parked across the street and was inside and almost to our seats in less than a few minutes. I kept looking around for Allen Funt...is this for real???
Anyway, can't wait for the game tonight and watch how our approach to Tanaka changes from game 1. Would love to see Yordan go the other way...with the windy conditions Tanaka might have to rely more on his fastball and he certainly won't want Alvarez to jerk it to their ridiculous porch in right.
I use this for planning duck hunting trips and it's been close enough accurate in my use. Click on the New York text and it will show forecasts for that location. For New York the website shows 23mph winds with gusts of 47mph, today at 6pm.
https://www.windy.com/40.730/-73.990?40.687,-74.084,9
Quick question...
Why would either team tip their hand and announce Game 5 Starters?
It does not make sense to reveal anything until the day of the game, no?
Long time lurker...over a dozen years but hey, I'll give my first take and try not to be called a neck.
Hinch is consistent in his approach...and players love that about him, they know what to expect. He always gives guys scheduled days off whether they were hot or not or whether they liked it or not. He uses analytics for shifts and sticks with it despite some player's objections (cough, Dallas, cough) and he doesn't put up with disrespect (see ya Giles).
He also never intentionally walked a batter. From a macro level that's what this pitching decision is...essentially we're not going to intentionally walk a game with our bullpen. We're going to go right after you and if you beat us, you tip your cap and move on to the next game.
Boone hasn't officially said so, but it's probably going to be Tanaka vs Grienke On Thursday. Grienke pitched O.K. in Game 1 but can pitch much better. Tanaka can't pitch much better than he did in Game 1 and I don't think he can keep the Astros' offense down a second time.
They are both still scuffling. I hope they both pull out but if I had to bet on one doing so this season it would be Correa.
Fortunately, Hinch was smarter than both of us and moved Yuli into the right place to drive in a run.
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A couple of reasons...
Correa's LDS bad at-bats have a simple explanation, he was rehabbing. His trend-line is going in the right direction.
Correa is a veteran player with a history of post-season success. When he isn't injured, he has a history of elite batting.
Yordan hasn't looked the same since mid-September. He's a rookie. GZ commentary seems to match my observations that his at-bats have not been good.
In the microscope that is a post season series, I'd rather bet on Correa's trend than Yordan's. We don't have another week to see how it works out. Hinch had enough concern about Yordan to move Yuli ahead of him.
None of this is intended as criticism of Hinch...just looking to spark discussion about different lineup possibilities.
Seriously...this is ridiculous...I've put the gear on tens of thousands of times...it doesn't take this fucking long.
Springer was way out in front of that 89 MPH change-up.
The Astros MADE Cole. If he had signed with the Yankees, that doesn't mean he would be what he is today, dorks.
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Moving Brantley hasn't helped his lack of aggressiveness. He gave himself only one swing that at bat and that when he had to protect with two strikes
As much as I wanted Correa up top, I couldn't see how to do it without destroying the balance. I like the subtle changes, excited to see how it plays out.
I am more than happy to have y’all pay $12.50 and $16.50 for various beers there at the park if it means we get to keep Cole.
Pretty sure DoubleDaves makes a frito pie pizza as one of their monthly specials. I've had their chili dog pizza (used to be the July pizza but wasn't this year) and it is vile and delicious.
Alvarez left 7 on base and looked bad doing it. Carlos is seeing the ball as well as just about anybody else right now. Springer, Altuve, Bregman and Correa puts the best 4 hitters right now together. I do think that the left/right balance has prompted both Boone and Cash to use more pitchers early and that probably made a difference last night. That said, Correa in Alvarez's spot might have changed everything dramatically. If you move Correa, you create a very unbalanced lineup, especially considering Yuli's splits.
What does Hinch do tomorrow?
https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/27828247/los-angeles-angels-employee-details-team-knowledge-tyler-skaggs-drug-use-federal-dea-investigators-espn
This may be becoming a big deal. The Angels’ director of communications supplied Skaggs with the drugs and told the DEA that five other Angels players use. Also said that the team’s former VP - who is now the president of the HOF - knew about Skaggs’s drug use.
3 over 6 innings is a solid day against their offense.
But when your bats are in the deep freeze, a shutout is the only thing that works.
Fucking embarrassing.
My thought was that they wouldn't need as many guys in the pen. And you could easily swap out Rondon if you wanted Peacock, for example.
Moot point now though.
I understand why they replaced Miley with a righthander now, but I still think if Miley had still been pitching well he'd be the starter for Game 4 and they would not have needed to swap Straw for Abreu.
Miley's collapse has hamstrung this team in more ways than one. I'm disappointed they won't have Straw for a pinch running opportunity, and I have to believe they could have easily kept him and gone with an 8-man pen had they a competent 4th starter.
Abreau and Peacock on the roster, Miley off.
We'll probably get there well before the game. Maybe we can sit down for a beer back near the st. Arnold bar. I'd offer to buy, but they've increased prices for the playoffs. I'll split one with you though.
Did you notice they let their pitchers bat? What was up with that?
If your going to be there I think we're in section 118.
A-Rod inferred there was something nefarious about what the Astros did to Glasnow. He highlighted the Bregman at-bat as proof that the Astros had the pitches, but did not expound on the fact that t was likely completely legit. He just left it hanging as “I don’t know how they got them, but they had them...”
Fuck ARod.
Dick
What happened last night happens literally every single pitch of every single baseball game ever played. The pitcher tries to fool the hitter, the hitter tries to recognize what pitch is being thrown and hit it. This is the foundation of the game itself. It's mindboggling that anyone who has ever seen a game even bats an eyelash. THIS IS THE GAME OF BASEBALL!!!!
Reddick went 1 for 10 with 1 BB and 5K in the LDS. I'm not sure how far the drop off could be with Marisnick.
I know the reason it won't change, but at this point it seems like Brantley-Marisnick-Springer is superior to Brantley-Springer-Reddick.
Tucker and Straw are not comparable in terms of speed. Straw is top 5 in the league. Tucker is 8th on his team. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard
Re tipped pitches: supposedly Glasnow was getting thousands of texts that he was dropping his hands when throwing the curve. Fox showed the Astros hitters talking to each other as they cane to the plate. Twitter showed Glasnow taking his grip with his arm by his side.
Bottom line(s): the Astros weren’t cheating and, as pointed out by the Rays’ coach, they still have to hit it even if they know what’s coming.
Tucker has legs too.
Kevin Cash handled it very well.
When asked he said he knew there was speculation, but credit should be given to the guys who hit line drives.
Enjoyed that story, Jim.
I thought you had the sound off.
Well, if you're gonna get all orthodoxy about it.
As Sphinx pointed out his glove location was different. Stros hitters still had to put a good swing on it and were hitting opposite field when they did. Well executed! Also, the pitches being hit in that 1st inning caught a lot of the plate. Glasnow tipped his pitches but I'm thinking he didn't mean to catch that much plate. If he did that's all on him tipping pitches or not.
Didn't Tommy Boggs used to run some sort of baseball training facility in Austin? As a kid I always used to wonder if he was related to Wade Boggs.
Looks like he's coaching at Concordia now.
Glasnow was holding his glove different for fast balls than he was for curves.
The narrative is out there, and there's no stopping it.
Just like with Kimbrel last year.
People act like it's batting practice if a guy tips.
I'm eating Frito pie right now. But this particular take on the classic has no Frito or chili but lots of cheese and chiles and corn crackers.
I went Wolf Brand with Fritos and some HEB singles. Fuck it, it worked.
My guesses are:
Game 1: Saturday, 10-12: Greinke
Game 2: Sunday, 10-13: Verlander
Game 3: Tuesday, 10-15: Cole
Game 4: Wednesday, 10-16: Urquidy / James / Johnny Allstaff
Game 5: Thursday, 10-17: Greinke
Game 6: Saturday, 10-19: Verlander
Game 7: Sunday, 10-20: Cole
I've liked Urquidy's stuff the last couple of times out, so I hope he'll start Game 4, but it could be anybody.
Glasnow said in the postgame that once he reviewed the video it was obvious that he was tipping. He wouldn't share the details.
Also, apparently Cintron is the tipping savant.
I listened to the radio broadcast while watching a much delayed TV broadcast. Our kitchen shelves are organized as fuck.
My sleeveless Correa jersey is now 2-2, both in elimination game 6-1 victories.
So ARod and Papi show the first inning clips, tipped pitches
Cole is ridiculous.
Why you guys listen to the tv broadcast is totally beyond me. Just irresponsible decision making.
I'd have sent Cole back out there to finish his gem. He's the best arm on the team.
I don't believe it. Astros or not.
Cole is going to be the highest paid pitcher ever and it won't be close.
That was something. I wish I knew what was said.
I think it will be Harris but maybe Osuna. The extra run is nice
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I'm guessing that's it for Cole?
There's an enormous hole in his swing...basically anything above the thighs.
The only good news is they're putting together long at bats. But I doubt Snell sticks around much longer.
I thought Correa got that.
He's a talented fat man.
T3:
Adames chops out 5-3 on a nice play by Bregman charging in
Meadows flies out F9
Pham flies out F9
4-1 Astros
I will not bitch about the broadcast...
I will not bitch about the broadcast...
I will not bitch about the broadcast...
I will not bitch about the broadcast...
I will not bitch about the broadcast...
I am wearing my orange Correa jersey. It's a little too big for me so I cut off the sleeves. It's pretty hideous. I've only ever worn it for Game 7 of the 2017 World Series.
It was the 8th inning. He didn't need Kershaw to be the setup man or extended closer. He should have brought Kelly or Maeda in to start the 8th. 2 of the 3 first batters were right handed. If they pitch the way they're capable you go to the 9th with the lead. If he doesn't get Rendon, you bring in the LOOGY Kolarek to face Soto. Afterward you bring in Kelly or Maeda whoever didn't start the inning. At that point you've got the bottom half of their order. If you don't think Jansen can handle that he has no reason to be on the roster.
I understand that writers have to leave stuff out to advance the narrative, but that was a glaring omission.
I've ingested my part...
Alvarez never stood a chance against Snell. Yuli hit the ball well, but the Rays were in the right spot.
Everything hit hard was hard at ‘em.
I'm amazed at the Astros lack of effort. Lack of pride in their work.
What bothers me more than JV going today is the talk about the rotation for the ALCS. Win today.
As for me, I'm wearing my orange today, which I do not care for as much as the navy, but this is the shirt I wore on Opening Day when JV beat the Rays. Frito Pie and Love Street.
If the original plan was to have Verlander waiting in relief in case Urquidy exits with a lead, it makes imminent sense to simply start with Verlander anyway when you know you have Cole ready to go on full rest if there has to be a game 5.
Don't play it safe, don't hope that the rookie can get the job done. Go for the jugular.
I love the move, win or lose, it's the winning decision
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Agreed JV brings a confidence to this team that the others don't, including Cole.
I think JV wouldn't jeopardize advancing if he wasn't going to be ready.
And finally, I trust Hinch. He's gotten them this far.
What are the most runs the Astros have scored in a game in Tampa the last 3 years?
Never really said I was personally embarrassed, just meant the overall performance with the exception of Altuve, Bregman, Yuli, and Yordan was not positive. A descriptive term not unlike many of the others used here in the Game Zone, including shitty and pathetic. But chastise me all you want. Because, well, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.
Cards demonstrate what *could* have happened in the 9th last night.
I bet it was his call.
I’ll be the one Jim!
Can we please move Springer down in the order? He’s really struggling.
I want credit tomorrow when he goes 4-5 with 2 HR’s.
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Adames on the top step yelling "Fuck you!" to someone after his home run.
I thought he had a bead on it.
Not so much.
Balls hit right at you are tough to judge sometimes, but I think he misjudged it.
I was thinking the same thing. Looked like he had it then "oh shit", it was over his head.
Miley in with 2 on, 2 out. As Ty pointed out, the runner somehow didn't get to 3rd on that bloop.
Meadows doubles over Springer's head, both runners score
It's 7-1.
Pham singles thru the right side, Reddick's throw home is just up the line, Meadows slides around Chirinos
8-1
Choi walks
Garcia 6-4 FC
End 4
Rays 8-1
Wow this is quite embarrassing
OF COURSE I'm worried about the bullpen. It's the postseason, I'm worried to near death about everything!
My god! What if they stop hitting? It could happen, you know. WHAT IF THEY STOP HITTING?!!!! Oh fuck, what if somebody gets hurt then the other guy gets the fucking flu and the fucking HPU is fucking crazy??!!! IT. COULD. HAPPEN. Last night I could only watch the ninth in the reflection of a window because I'm too fuckin' nervous look at the TV straight on.
Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick I'm a fucking basket case at this time of year and you want to know if I'm worried about the bullpen?
FUCK! where are my heart pills?
Not a subscriber either but the article wasnt behind a paywall for me.
Gist--tucker is quiet. Perceived as aloof and lacking effort. Heart to heart with Hinch results in Tucker acting with greater sense of urgency, such as greater aggression on basepath, for example.
Anybody worried?
There doesn't seem to be the McCullers/Morton/Peacock option this year as in '17. Who steps up if the usual reliables fall through?
When you say dumb thngs, you deserve to be reminded of it. You're obviously another stat geek who never played. Sigh.
Tucker starting in RF, batting 8th.
Machete catching, batting 9th.
Don’t call me dude.
All hail the power of the Love Street.
Victory cigar time.
Man, Correa is lost at the plate. He has no business being out there.
Can't we just wait till the end of the season to worry about this shit? We have a big game tomorrow. That's all that matters right now.
My source is a goddamn minority owner, dude.
-The Rays won four out of seven games against Houston in 2019.
-The Astros outscored the Rays 40-27 in 2019.
-Tampa won three of those four games to open the 2019 season.
-The Astros scored nine runs in those four games, and scored four runs in the last three games of that opening series combined.
-The second HOU/TBR series was Aug 27-29. Houston won 15-1, won 8-6, and lost 9-8.
-The Astros are 5-12 at Tropicana Field since the beginning of the 2015 season. They're 2-6 in 2018-2019.
Buckle up, folks. Tampa is a good baseball team. Their bullpen is purportedly one of the best in MLs so getting runs early is key.
Chron: Astros owner Jim Crane said on Monday the team "may make a run" at re-signing Gerrit Cole, but intimated he would rather stay below baseball's competitive balance tax.
An extra $20-30mil feeds quite a few future generations of Cole’s
Any chance Verlander and Cole share the Cy Young? That would seem to make the most sense.
The Astros are going to offer Cole a shorter term deal, something like 3 years at $100MM. They're pretty sure he's going to take a longer deal, though, but they will make a not unreasonable offer.
was that through Vacations By Rail?
I get the Boone vote. The Yankees were absurd this year given the injuries they had. It would be one thing if they'd squeaked in, but to have dominated a tough division with something like $75 million on the IL all year...that's not nothing. Baldelli would be my vote, though.
I bet so. That is a fer piece.
Cole going for 20 probably matters here.
0 for his last 10
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105
#1 Seed in the AL
Uncle Mike 3 run Jack
Bregxit #41
6 shutout innings from Urquidy
Immaculate inning from Harris
Spotless bullpen
Well done, GZ. Well done.
Sure was. But is that OJT for him @ 1st base? (11 games in the minors and 4 (to date) in the ML.)
Can't imagine having to react to a screaming line drive on the infield compared to a line drive in the OF.
If he can feel his legs he'll play.
Chirinos set up outside and held his glove up to the top of the zone. The video shows that clearly.
He actually missed his spot. Chirinos wanted it up and away. I guess hoping for a pop-up or no swing and called strike? https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-mariners/2019/09/25/566448#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=videos,game=566448
Broadcast picked up on Grienke using his slider more early on then the slow curve.
He was just fantastic.
I think that was the first ball hit to centerfield. So many grounders. And 9 strikeouts.
I agree, but I also like Toro from the left side...would consider him against a pitcher with a quality slider/curve (i.e. Morton, Severino, etc.).
If Correa isn't on the postseason roster, who's your third baseman? Diaz? Toro? Move Yuli to third and put Tucker at first?
Hit/catch probability is determined by exit velocity/launch angle and I don't think that where fielders are positioned plays much of a role. That's probably why it had 10% and not a lower number
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I think Correa is gone. And that won't be a factor in the Springer v. Cole internal debate..
Doesn't Verlander start the first playoff game regardless of what happens Sunday? Is Hinch going to move Cole ahead of Verlander in the playoff rotation?
Would Hinch and the Nerd Cave think about an opener for Miley? Rondon? Devo?
Would Hinch and the Nerd Cave think about an opener for Miley? Rondon? Devo?
Wait and see what happens in his last regular season start? What would you do with him?
So is Urquidy/Peacock our 4th starter now?
How long are you going to be gone Coach?
I’m at the Kuwait airport, headed home. Coworker left yesterday and got rerouted to DFW. Hopefully I get in tomorrow...today...whatever it is...22 hours from now.
Get him outta there. Too many times through the order.
I was maybe too subtle with my link.
'63 for me as I was then 9 and could understand what was going on. Saw my first game at Colt Stadium that year as we drove up and back from Corpus on a Sunday to see a game vs. the Reds and Frank Robinson. Pete Rose was a rookie 2Bman that year.
I feel like '86 hurt more because of '80. No question in my mind we win it all with a healthy J.R. in '80.
My son once asked me why I don't root for the Mets since I live in the NY metropolitan area. And I told him that first of all, I was an Astros fan and you can only have one team. And then I said that I could never root for the Mets (even passively) because of 1986. And he told me to get over it. And I said that there is no getting over 1986.
I think that I'm over it. Maybe because the Astros finally won a world series. Maybe because we are going through an Astros golden age and I don't need to focus on past misery. Maybe because the Astros aren't in the National League any more and they only play the Mets every three years. Maybe because there are actually a couple of likeable players on the Mets, including JD Davis.
I've got lots of friends who are Mets fans. And I feel for them. Because they are good people. And they have had
little but disappointment from their baseball team for a pretty long time. And even when the Mets do well, they still get overshadowed by the Yankees. So along with my friends, I've been rooting for the Mets to make the wildcard -- which is unlikely going to happen. But still I've been rooting for it.
Curious to know if anyone else has softened up about some of your past hates.
Nothing, but nothing, beats old man smack by the old man.
Well considering you were there to hear first hand accounts of Magellan discovering the Philippines I'm not surprised you got it.
Me, too. As much as a person as a pitcher. Class act.
I wonder how many here are too young to get that reference?
Yep.
When they showed the iso replay I kept waiting for him to glance toward third and haul ass.
He seemed to only glance up after he was at 2nd.
So glance up baserunning is more apt.
That was some heads up baserunning.
Bet you’re not surprised what happened after that lol 3-1 Astros
First game of the year Jake hasn't been in CF for Verlander, iirc.
A little unusual for Marisnick not to be in CF for JV?
McHugh still having pain. They're shutting down his throwing program.
https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1174086258697441281?s=19
That was a pleasant surprise.
I'd imagine the makeup of the SP we're facing in a particular round would come into play to a certain extent, too. Having a LH power bat (Tucker) vs. a switch hitting contact bat (Toro) could play better against some teams more than others.
If we carry 14/11 and Correa is healthy, the 5 on the bench, Maldonado, Jake, Diaz, with 2 of Straw, Tucker, Toro
Glad I'm not the manager/GM for the ALDS: Reddick vs Tucker; Abreu vs James vs Devo vsfor how many spots?
Anybody here read the baseball novels of the great John R. Tunis? In them the Dodgers best player is Roy Tucker--"the Kid from Tomkinsville." (Philip Roth borrowed this character for a cameo in The Great American Novel.) Anyway, Tucker's appellation quickly condensed to "the Kid." Given Kyle's age...why not?
Music to my ears, austro!
As fast as Mondesi it, he's probably safe on that regardless.
Great job battling to K Dozier and keep the runner at 3B.
I fully expect the rangers to screw the Astros by getting swept.
Of course, Uncle Mike is hitting savant. Tucker is still trying to build a decent MLB resume, which is why it was noteworthy
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Tucker looked good at the plate tonight.
Springer/Cole!!!
Give Tucker some credit for creating traffic again in late tight games.
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Broken bat bloop hit, TE2 on a SB attempt, ans Sac fly ties it.
Shitburgers.
Gordan ejected apparently.
Sparks said he looked his best in the 7th.
There's what's been missing:
The inning ending dp.
Sounds like Tucker needs to eat a little spinach..
Tucker had some hard luck that AB. Hit the ball hard twice.
Radio guys duly impressed by that catch to rob Tucker.
That's a good point, which I realized after re-reading your post. I apologize. For whatever reason I took your post as being worried about this team come playoff time. I'm concerned, mainly because I want to see the Correas and Presslys of the world make it back...but if we get everyone back I think our boys will step it up when the lights shine the brightest. We were ready to roll last year with the same big lead, coasting into the playoffs. We just had too many players banged up at the end of the day IMO.
Heading into the weekend the Astros hold a 7.5 game lead on Oakland for the division. Magic number still 8.
Astros will be in KC. Cole, Grienke, and Miley will start.
Oakland plays Arlington.
The Yankees took 3 of 4 from Detroit. They hold a 2 game lead over Houston for best record in the AL and will play in Toronto.
Cleveland and Minnesota have a big series, mostly from Cleveland's perspective. Twins are 5 games back of Houston.
Tempting pitches. They started out looking like fastballs at the bottom of the zone, but of course that's not where they wound up.
Tucker takes low/away 1-0, fouls a FB 1-1, takes low 2-1, can't check on a low slider says 3BU 2-2, same pitch same result ends the inning
If you want to dance around 2nd base some to distract the pitcher in the hope that he'll lose a little focus and groove something to Alvarez, then by all means do so. Just don't get picked off.
Altuve tries to steal 3rd, Diekman throws him out.
WTF
This coming from someone that thinks osuna is above criticism.
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Or as someone here once said, imagine how good he would be if he was perfect.
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Altuve does a whole bunch right but not as much as he could with a little more focus and a little more effort in certain instances.
Then he would get bitched at for trying to bunt. Altuve can't do anything right in this forum.
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