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General Discussion => Game Zone 2019 => Topic started by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:08:39 pm

Title: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:08:39 pm
Come on, boys...snap out of it...
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Tom Servo on August 18, 2019, 03:13:46 pm
Out by a mile. Jeez

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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 03:15:04 pm
Weird trip around 3rd for Altuve.

Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:15:14 pm
T1:

Springer lines out to LF
Altuve tries to bunt he first two pitches and fouls them off. Then takes a huge cut and dribbles one up the 3B line. Pitcher fields it and throws it into RF. Scored a single and Altuve to 2B on the TE1
Brantley...3-0...walks
Bregman singles to RF, Altuve jogging around 3B and is out by three steps at the plate. Brantley to 3B
Alvarez...0-2...strikes out swinging

Astros get two hits, a walk and an error but fail to score.

0-0
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 03:15:23 pm
Out by a mile. Jeez

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Didn’t quite look Altuvian in speed.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Tom Servo on August 18, 2019, 03:16:49 pm
Didn’t quite look Altuvian in speed.
As TK said, hope he's ok. Of course if he's ok, then WTF?

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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Col. Sphinx Drummond on August 18, 2019, 03:17:34 pm
I hope they only need 4 or 5 runs to win.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:17:36 pm
Out by a mile. Jeez

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Off the bat I thought no way they throw home. Then when it was a weak throw that bounced like four times, I thought, no way. Then Altuve wasn’t even in the picture when the catcher fielded it, I thought wow, is he already in the dugout. Then I thought “shitfuck”.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Tom Servo on August 18, 2019, 03:18:50 pm
Off the bat I thought no way they throw home. Then when it was a weak throw that bounced like four times, I thought, no way. Then Altuve wasn’t even in the picture when the catcher fielded it, I thought wow, is he already in the dugout. Then I thought “shitfuck”.
That about sums it up perfectly.

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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:20:45 pm
B1:

Semien flies out F9
Grossman grounds out 5-3
Chapman grounds out 5-3 on a nice scoop by Yuli.

No score b
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 03:23:00 pm
Off the bat I thought no way they throw home. Then when it was a weak throw that bounced like four times, I thought, no way. Then Altuve wasn’t even in the picture when the catcher fielded it, I thought wow, is he already in the dugout. Then I thought “shitfuck”.

Looked like Altuve expected the throw to go into 2nd and he could just jog home.  Should have been running hard.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:26:23 pm
T2:

Correa flies out F9
Gurriel grounds out 4-3
Chirinos singles to LF
Reddick grounds out 3U

No score.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 03:27:07 pm
Looked like Altuve expected the throw to go into 2nd and he could just jog home.  Should have been running hard.
If he’s not injured, it is likely something like this, which is pretty inexcusable.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:31:34 pm
B2:

Olson strikes out swinging
Canha flies out F9 on the first pitch
Joseph flies out F9

No score
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 03:32:23 pm
Josh covered a lot of ground with those 2 flyballs.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 03:34:12 pm
Interesting poll.

My choice is Brantley.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 03:35:51 pm
Interesting poll.

My choice is Brantley.
Interesting also in that there is no Altuve. I get it, but it’s odd to exclude the player with the most hits over the last years.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:38:18 pm
T3:

Springer grounds out 6-3
Altuve walks
Brantley grounds into 4-6-3 double play

No score
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:43:17 pm
B3:

Pinder flies out F8 on the first pitch
Profar strikes out swinging
Phegley flies out F9 on the first pitch

No score
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 03:47:29 pm
Bregman smacked that one good.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 03:49:11 pm
Alvarez looks terrible vs this dude. Carlos needs to pick him up.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 03:53:00 pm
It's up to Chirinos.


That's phrase you never want to use
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:54:11 pm
T4:

Bregman doubles to LF
Alvarez...takes strike one a foot off the plate...0-2...strikes out swinging on a pitch in the dirt. Bregman to 3B on a wild pitch though Alvarez uninterested in running
Correa...infield in...walks
Gurriel pops out to SS on the first pitch
Chirinos...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging

Leadoff double wasted as the Astros strand two more. No score.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 03:58:39 pm
A’s get their first base runner. Lead 1-0
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:00:28 pm
A’s get their first base runner. Lead 1-0

Freaking bats can't get a leadoff double home so if course the A's get a leadoff dinger.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:01:29 pm
Freaking bats can't get a leadoff double home so if course the A's get a leadoff dinger.

After having him 0-2
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:07:31 pm
B4:

Semien...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...homers to LF
Grossman walks
Chapman strikes out swinging
Olson rolls tailor made double play ball to SS...no one there...shiftfuck single. Grossman to 2B
Canha strikes out swinging
Joseph grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch

1-0 A’s
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:13:01 pm
Altuve’s single in the first changed to a straight 2-base error
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:13:58 pm
Altuve’s single in the first changed to a straight 2-base error

Looked like a good throw would have had him.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 04:15:07 pm
Wow Brantley pops up w Reddick at 3rd and 1 out.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:15:25 pm
Brantley pop up means Astros have an chance to stand even more runners.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 04:16:26 pm
Thank you ABreg!
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:16:37 pm
0-2 Bregxit!!!
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:16:38 pm
Brexit!

3-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 04:16:48 pm
Damn, what a stress relief that was. I was going crazy.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:17:37 pm
T5:

Reddick singles to RF on the first pitch
Springer singles to LF, Reddick to 2B
Altuve grounds into FC. Springer out 6-4, Reddick to 3B
Brantley pops out to SS
Altuve steals 2B
Bregman...0-2...homers to LF...Reddick scores, Altuve scores
Alvarez grounds out 4-3

3-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 04:17:40 pm
I was sure that Grossman was going to catch that at the wall.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:18:41 pm
Man, if you’re Anderson, you are kicking yourself. Base open, guy you’ve owned on deck, and you hang an 0-2 curveball for three earnies.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Tom Servo on August 18, 2019, 04:18:53 pm
That was MUCH needed. Now let's see if we can shut them down this inning.

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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:19:16 pm
O BBGs
Grant us a scoreless bottom of the 5th
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:19:25 pm
Now how about a fucking zero, Greinke!
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 04:20:43 pm
Now comes the litmus test. Can Greinke keep them off the board?
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 04:22:42 pm
A one out 4 pitch walk to a .204 hitter. Brilliant!
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:26:11 pm
This is just surreal.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:27:58 pm
B5:

Pinder...0-2...1-2...grounds out 5-3 on a nice backhand play by Bregman
Profar...3-0...walks
Phegley...0-2...grounds into FC, Profar out 5-4, but can’t get two. Nice play all around, just not hit very hard
Semien walks, Phegley to 2B
Grossman grounds out 4-3 on a diving stop by Altuve

Not a shutdown inning, but no runs.

3-1 Astros.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:28:06 pm
Thank you BBGs
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 04:28:25 pm
That wasn't as smooth as it could have been, but it's a start. Nice play by Altuve for the 3rd out.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 04:28:34 pm
Nice play by Altuve
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:28:49 pm
This is just surreal.

Can't believe they didn't get their own 3 run bomb.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 04:33:31 pm
See how Carlos did that, Jose?
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:34:10 pm
Yuli lit a fire under Correa.

4-1.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:38:54 pm
Anderson our with a full count on Chirinos.  Trivino in
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:43:35 pm
Base knock,  George. That's all we need.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:44:06 pm
T6:

Correa walks
Gurriel doubles down the LF line, Correa scores
Chirinos...3-2...

Trainer out to look at Anderson...he’s out...looks like a blister...Trivino in

Still 3-2 count on a Chirinos, who...grounds out 5-3
Reddick...0-2...1-2...pops out to shallow LF
Springer pops out F3 in foul territory

4-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:46:12 pm
Yuli sitting on 2nd with no outs and that's as far as ge gets.

I'm grateful for the run we did get, but that is still frustrating.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:49:19 pm
To put a finer point on it,  Chirinos needs to move Yuli over.   Sit FB on Trivino and go to the right side.

4-3 gets it done while 6-3 does nothing.


Ok.  I'll settle down now.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:49:49 pm
Still can’t get a clean inning after scoring.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 04:55:10 pm
B6:

Chapman...3-2...grounds out 5-3
Olson doubles to LCF
Canha...0-2...strikes out swinging
Joseph strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 04:55:47 pm
2 big Ks by Grienke.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 05:03:26 pm
To put a finer point on it,  Chirinos needs to move Yuli over.   Sit FB on Trivino and go to the right side.

Can Chirinos not even bunt?
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 05:09:18 pm
Great play by Grossman to rob Yordan. The bastard.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:11:04 pm
Great play by Grossman to rob Yordan. The bastard.

So much room out there for a ball to drop.   But no.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:11:51 pm
T7:

Diekman in for the A’s

Altuve hits a screaming line drive 200 mph right at Chapman who is almost knocked over, but makes the play. Possibly the hardest hit ball all game
Brantley lines one up the middle that almost knocks Diekman over...single
Bregman...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...fouling off pitches, stayin alive...walks on the 11th pitch, Brantley to 2B
Alvarez flies out F7 on a diving catch by Grossman
Correa...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...pops out F3

At the stretch...4-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:13:51 pm
Diekman was in control of that Correa AB from the start.

Should have had a K but got the pop up.

Oh well.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 05:16:54 pm
Greinke's reaction there was great.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:16:57 pm
B7:

Pinder singles to CF on the first pitch
Profar grounds onto 3-6-1 double play
Phegley pops out F5

4-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 05:17:54 pm
Greinke's reaction there was great.

Yes it was.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:17:59 pm
Greinke's reaction there was great.

I had a flash of Greinke taking that one right between the eyes.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 05:18:05 pm
Watching cannon throws is my favorite part of baseball, usually from OFers, but that was also special.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:26:26 pm
T8:

Buchter in for the A’s

Gurriel flies out F7
Chirinos strikes out swinging
Reddick...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...flies out F7

4-1 still
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:26:49 pm
Watching that guy in the rainbow gut play-chase that toddler was about the most precious thing you'll ever see on a baseball broadcast.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:27:16 pm
Pressly/Osuna?
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:29:54 pm
Pressly in for the 8th. Excellent work by Greinke today.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:33:03 pm
Pressly in for the 8th. Excellent work by Greinke today.

Yes indeed.   Grienke was really good.

Strike 3 to Cahna was nasty when nasty was needed.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:34:19 pm
B8:

Pressly in

Semien grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch
Grossman...full up...singles to LCF
Chapman flies out F9 on the first pitch
Olson strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 05:35:13 pm
Some insurance would be welcome.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:41:47 pm
Uncle Mike shows off the wheels.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:43:52 pm
https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1163219386900967424?s=19 (https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1163219386900967424?s=19)

Quote
That's five consecutive multi-hit games for Brantley. He's hitting .335.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:45:38 pm
4 hit day for Bregman.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:49:16 pm
T9:

Springer with a broken bat lineout to SS
Altuve grounds out 5-3
Brantley bunts for a single
Bregman singles to LF, Brantley to 2B...Bregman 4 fer 4 today
Alvarez...full count...strikes out swinging at a pitch in the dirt.

To the bottom of the 9th...Astros up 4-1
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:52:03 pm
Alvarez 0 for 5 with 3 Ks.

Probably his roughest day as an Astro.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: das on August 18, 2019, 05:53:19 pm
Osuna. Really?
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Tom Servo on August 18, 2019, 05:54:03 pm
That freaking gun!

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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:54:40 pm
Routine 5-5-6-3 dp.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: das on August 18, 2019, 05:55:00 pm
What a DP!
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 05:55:17 pm
Looks too close to overturn to me
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 05:55:51 pm
Correa's arm makes up for a variety of problems.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:56:30 pm
Load the cannon and look out.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:57:14 pm
B9:

Osuna in to try to close it out

Canha singles to LF on the first pitch
Joseph grounds to SS, Bregman there in the shift, bobbles it, finally stabs it and tosses to Correa at 2B, who fires to 1B called out for a double play...A’s challenging...call upheld...5-6-3
Pinder grounds out 6-3

Astros win!
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Tom Servo on August 18, 2019, 05:57:35 pm
A win!!  Very big one, too.

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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 18, 2019, 05:58:23 pm
That definitely feels better.

Happy victory Sunday.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 18, 2019, 05:58:44 pm
Finally, great game by all, especially Greinke and Bregman.

Shitty road trip, but that W kept it from being near catastrophic.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 05:58:46 pm
Astros needed that one. Greinke was terrific in getting his 200th career win. A couple of timely hits. No  drama from the pen. Big win.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: astrojo on August 18, 2019, 05:58:51 pm
Whew. Now let’s go home and go on a win streak.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Col. Sphinx Drummond on August 18, 2019, 06:15:20 pm
I guess I'll have to go fishing during the game tomorrow too.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: austro on August 18, 2019, 06:36:17 pm
I guess I'll have to go fishing during the game tomorrow too.

It's the least you can do. Good thing you're retired.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 18, 2019, 08:40:55 pm
It's the least you can do. Good thing you're retired.

I wonder who Yordan’s primary hitting coach is and what they are working on. He is striking out and chasing more than I thought he would, but I guess the learning curve is steep from AAA to MLB.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 18, 2019, 09:06:17 pm
I wonder who Yordan’s primary hitting coach is and what they are working on. He is striking out and chasing more than I thought he would, but I guess the learning curve is steep from AAA to MLB.

Faced  all lefties today, I think. But he has to get used to that. He’s gonna see them a lot, especially late in games. Part of his becoming a true big league hitter.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 18, 2019, 09:09:46 pm
Faced  all lefties today, I think. But he has to get used to that. He’s gonna see them a lot, especially late in games. Part of his becoming a true big league hitter.

His stats have been better against LHP. I would love to listen to him being coached.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 19, 2019, 07:02:42 am
His stats have been better against LHP. I would love to listen to him being coached.

He seems to be doing worse lately against LHP.  Maybe that's just my perception, I haven't looked anything up, so I'm just wondering if it's catching up to him, or if teams are putting together a book on him. 

As for coaching, he seems to really struggle down in the count and with 2 strikes.  Most hitters do, but Alvarez is particularly bad when he gets behind.  Back in the day, the coaching would be "attack early, but when you get two strikes, shorten up, let the ball travel, go the other way".  But I'm not sure that advice applies this day and age anymore, especially to a power guy like Alvarez.  I think it's just the typical growing pains, and not a flaw or anything.  Hopefully they can help him work through it.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 19, 2019, 07:26:10 am
He seems to have trouble recognizing low breaking balls.  He's not unique in that respect.

Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 08:03:33 am
He seems to be doing worse lately against LHP.  Maybe that's just my perception, I haven't looked anything up, so I'm just wondering if it's catching up to him, or if teams are putting together a book on him. 

As for coaching, he seems to really struggle down in the count and with 2 strikes.  Most hitters do, but Alvarez is particularly bad when he gets behind.  Back in the day, the coaching would be "attack early, but when you get two strikes, shorten up, let the ball travel, go the other way".  But I'm not sure that advice applies this day and age anymore, especially to a power guy like Alvarez.  I think it's just the typical growing pains, and not a flaw or anything.  Hopefully they can help him work through it.

That traditional advice, except maybe “shorten up,” may still be something he hears. One thing he has done since his very first game, is foul off a lot of hittable pitches he appears to be on. Everyone has raced about his discipline and his swing, but it seems to me there are things in his swing path to correct. I hope he ignores all the accolades and works to correct the flaws.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 19, 2019, 09:06:40 am
That traditional advice, except maybe “shorten up,” may still be something he hears. One thing he has done since his very first game, is foul off a lot of hittable pitches he appears to be on. Everyone has raced about his discipline and his swing, but it seems to me there are things in his swing path to correct. I hope he ignores all the accolades and works to correct the flaws.

My first thought on the just missing pitches is it's an adjustment to the velocity and movement of big league pitchers.  Everything is just a little quicker, pitches move just a little bit more than down even in AAA.  That it's essentially a timing issue that will get better as it becomes more and more routine.  I haven't noticed anything in his mechanics that says "wow, he needs to fix that", a la Jason Lane, but I'm not a hitting coach either.  They have hours of film on him now, so if it's an issue, hopefully they're working on it with him. 
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 09:57:28 am
My first thought on the just missing pitches is it's an adjustment to the velocity and movement of big league pitchers.  Everything is just a little quicker, pitches move just a little bit more than down even in AAA.  That it's essentially a timing issue that will get better as it becomes more and more routine.  I haven't noticed anything in his mechanics that says "wow, he needs to fix that", a la Jason Lane, but I'm not a hitting coach either.  They have hours of film on him now, so if it's an issue, hopefully they're working on it with him.

“Raced” should have been “raved.” The ones I mean are fouls on pitches he seems to have timed correctly, but he hits under the ball and fouls it. Maybe that is a movement thing. His swing looks great, and his plate discipline is good most of the time. When he squares balls up, he hits rockets, but squaring them up consistently seems to be an issue.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Lefty on August 19, 2019, 11:33:19 am
My first thought on the just missing pitches is it's an adjustment to the velocity and movement of big league pitchers.  Everything is just a little quicker, pitches move just a little bit more than down even in AAA.  That it's essentially a timing issue that will get better as it becomes more and more routine.  I haven't noticed anything in his mechanics that says "wow, he needs to fix that", a la Jason Lane, but I'm not a hitting coach either.  They have hours of film on him now, so if it's an issue, hopefully they're working on it with him. 

Just me, or has Yordan started chasing high (out of the zone high) fastballs more than he was early and in AAA?
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 11:55:47 am
Just me, or has Yordan started chasing high (out of the zone high) fastballs more than he was early and in AAA?

I have seen him chase more balls in the dirt than out of the zone high.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 19, 2019, 11:57:28 am
I have seen him chase more balls in the dirt than out of the zone high.

This is what I've seen.  I didn't see him at AAA, and he chases a few high ones, everyone does, but his biggest issue has been recognizing that slider low and away.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: BizidyDizidy on August 19, 2019, 12:02:30 pm
I've seen him put some high balls into low earth orbit as well.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Lefty on August 19, 2019, 12:20:26 pm
Didn't watch the last 4 games or so, I guess I was remembering/focused on a bad K he had last Wed/Thursday on a fb up in his eyes.

Is he still trying to take the outside pitch to LF, or pullhappy?  I do recall him grounding into the shift more often recently.

His ability to go with the pitch for such a young guy was one of the most impressive things I noticed this Spring and beyond.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 12:21:09 pm
Didn't watch the last 4 games or so, I guess I was remembering/focused on a bad K he had last Wed/Thursday on a fb up in his eyes.

Is he still trying to take the outside pitch to LF, or pullhappy?  I do recall him grounding into the shift more often recently.

His ability to go with the pitch for such a young guy was one of the most impressive things I noticed this Spring and beyond.

Definitely not pull happy.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 19, 2019, 12:37:00 pm
Many of those shift outs have been absolutely smoked.  Just needed to be elevated.

I'm sure teams are pitching to the shift. 
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: MRaup on August 19, 2019, 12:42:42 pm
Many of those shift outs have been absolutely smoked.  Just needed to be elevated.

I'm sure teams are pitching to the shift.

He definitely has hit some rockets to shallow right field only to be thwarted by a waiting shifted second baseman.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 12:45:27 pm
Many of those shift outs have been absolutely smoked.  Just needed to be elevated.

I'm sure teams are pitching to the shift.

Elevating the ball is what I am wondering about. Might be risky to tinker with such a pure swing.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 19, 2019, 01:34:00 pm
If he eliminates/reduces the chases,  he'll likely pick up more walks ( a good thing).  And that's likely the tradeoff; pitchers would be foolish to let him force them more into the zone. 

Fouling off drivable pitches is another issue altogether.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 01:39:32 pm
If he eliminates/reduces the chases,  he'll likely pick up more walks ( a good thing).  And that's likely the tradeoff; pitchers would be foolish to let him force them more into the zone. 

Fouling off drivable pitches is another issue altogether.

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Jacksonian on August 19, 2019, 01:52:23 pm
I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

For me, Yordan is too high.  The league's pitchers have adjusted.  Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5.  Bregman and Brantley are red hot.  I'd leave them at 3 and 4.  Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: MusicMan on August 19, 2019, 01:54:10 pm
I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

I don’t think it makes much difference, but if you believe that Alvarez will continue hitting like this, he has to hit third.


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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Lefty on August 19, 2019, 01:54:12 pm
I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick
This is a great problem to have, you could do the top 7 in any number of ways.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: MusicMan on August 19, 2019, 01:56:44 pm
For me, Yordan is too high.  The league's pitchers have adjusted.  Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5.  Bregman and Brantley are red hot.  I'd leave them at 3 and 4.  Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.

Correa is hitting .259/.405/.603 this month. I’ll take that as “cold”.


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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 01:58:14 pm
I don’t think it makes much difference, but if you believe that Alvarez will continue hitting like this, he has to hit third.


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I really am more concerned with who hits behind him than I am about where he hits. Think is, hitting 5th, he has two on so many times. If he were more consistent....
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Jacksonian on August 19, 2019, 02:12:06 pm
Correa is hitting .259/.405/.603 this month. I’ll take that as “cold”.


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I call 2 for his last 23 ice cold.
Title: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: geezerdonk on August 19, 2019, 02:18:42 pm
The more at bats for Alvarez the better. But he is so slow i am afraid he would clog up the bases. Don't know what the best way to balance that is.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: BlownRanger on August 19, 2019, 02:22:31 pm
I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

I think I want Bregman driving in Brantley.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 02:23:43 pm
The more at bats for Alvarez the better. But he is so slow i am afraid he would clog up the bases. Don't what the best way to balance that is.

He gets a bad rap on stuff like this. He goes first to third on singles just like faster players do. He also is a decent OFer.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 02:32:42 pm
For me, Yordan is too high.  The league's pitchers have adjusted.  Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5.  Bregman and Brantley are red hot.  I'd leave them at 3 and 4.  Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.

With his RBI total, he has to be 3, 4, or 5. The issues for me are two:

1. Balancing the R-L hitters

2. Having a hitter behind Alvarez who will keep the opponent from pitching around him and who will drive in the runners he does not. Bregman and Gurriel fit those criteria for me. Correa does not.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 19, 2019, 03:06:20 pm
He gets a bad rap on stuff like this. He goes first to third on singles just like faster player do. He also is a decent OFer.
This can’t be emphasized enough.  I’m not sure why people that see him play everyday think he’s a slug and a DH only.  I’d prefer to see him in front of Bregman also, or Yuli, rather than Correa.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Col. Sphinx Drummond on August 19, 2019, 03:25:06 pm
Alvarez was alright as far as I could tell. Now you guys have me all confused.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 03:38:56 pm
Alvarez was alright as far as I could tell. Now you guys have me all confused.

Sure, he is more than “alright,” but he can be so much better.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 19, 2019, 03:40:39 pm
Did anyone ever hear an explanation of Altuve’s base running in the first, either from him or Hinch? 
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: MusicMan on August 19, 2019, 03:42:28 pm
I call 2 for his last 23 ice cold.

Fine but you don’t shuffle a guy in the order on a few days’ worth of games


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Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 03:50:00 pm
Fine but you don’t shuffle a guy in the order on a few days’ worth of games


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I do not call switching him and Yuli a “shuffle.” Perhaps his ego would.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: BlownRanger on August 19, 2019, 03:51:15 pm
I do not call switching him and Yuli a “shuffle.” Perhaps his ego would.

It was unbelievable how long Correa was left in the cleanup spot last season.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 19, 2019, 05:12:36 pm
Did anyone ever hear an explanation of Altuve’s base running in the first, either from him or Hinch?

Didn't see any explanation.

Mayfield's up and playing 2nd tonight. Regular day off per McTaggart.
Title: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: geezerdonk on August 19, 2019, 05:32:38 pm
Mayfield is having a great year at AAA. 25 HRs, 75 RBIs. Hitting 30 points higher than Tucker. It would be great to see some MLB team make him their super sub next year.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: jbm on August 19, 2019, 05:38:31 pm
Didn't see any explanation.

Mayfield's up and playing 2nd tonight. Regular day off per McTaggart.

Hmm.  I didn’t even realize he was brought up. I guess that undercuts the “Diaz injury is fake” theory.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Lefty on August 19, 2019, 06:00:20 pm
I think I want Bregman driving in Brantley.

Do you?  Bregman's hitting a bit over .200 with RISP.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: HudsonHawk on August 19, 2019, 06:00:22 pm
Hmm.  I didn’t even realize he was brought up. I guess that undercuts the “Diaz injury is fake” theory.

Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days. 
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Lefty on August 19, 2019, 06:02:08 pm
Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days. 

Cy Yo-yo
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Snuffy on August 19, 2019, 06:30:04 pm
Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

....the 1st return to RR came just after he took the loss in the 12-inning game w/ Oakland. 
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 06:36:20 pm
Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

He never left Oakland though.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 06:37:19 pm
Hmm.  I didn’t even realize he was brought up. I guess that undercuts the “Diaz injury is fake” theory.

Diaz’ situation sounded potentially serious to me.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: juliogotay on August 19, 2019, 06:39:50 pm
Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

I suspect he was in a first-class hotel in the Bay Area for a couple of days. I'll take that mistreatment.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Col. Sphinx Drummond on August 19, 2019, 06:54:38 pm
I suspect he was in a first-class hotel in the Bay Area for a couple of days. I'll take that mistreatment.
If he went for a walk in San Francisco he'd have to dodge a lot of turds on the sidewalks. That place is really developing a problem.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Snuffy on August 19, 2019, 09:10:43 pm
Mayfield is having a great year at AAA. 25 HRs, 75 RBIs. Hitting 30 points higher than Tucker. It would be great to see some MLB team make him their super sub next year.

I agree.  It's easy to like Mayfield's story and to definitely pull for him to get to the ML. 

But it is also easy to overlook how much Tucker has turned it around after a horrific April (.171 avg, 5 HR & 9 RBI).  His May - Aug (https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=13811) (.295, 27 HR & 84 RBI) has brought his avg to .268 with 32 HR & 93 RBI.  He also has 28 SB. 
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 09:26:49 pm
I agree.  It's easy to like Mayfield's story and to definitely pull for him to get to the ML. 

But it is also easy to overlook how much Tucker has turned it around after a horrific April (.171 avg, 5 HR & 9 RBI).  His May - Aug (https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.php?id=13811) (.295, 27 HR & 84 RBI) has brought his avg to .268 with 32 HR & 93 RBI.  He also has 28 SB.

Tucker has been very inconsistent. Terrible in April and July.  You cleverly omitted July.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 19, 2019, 09:32:41 pm
Tucker will come up in September.

If it's before that it's because something bad has happened.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: WVastro on August 19, 2019, 10:37:16 pm
I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick


I hope I’m not going to far out here... but maybe this is what’s pissing off the BBG’s?

Unfortunately, as Astro fans I don’t think we get the luxury of  talking about “lineups”.  We don’t get to talk about rotations or a batting order. I’m thinking we just get to talk about the basic shit and hope we don’t piss them off.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Snuffy on August 19, 2019, 10:45:59 pm
Tucker has been very inconsistent. Terrible in April and July.  You cleverly omitted July.
Not an omission; I'm not clever.  I was tempted to mention that he was hitting .360 .333 for Aug, but didn't....

Could not find monthly totals broken out on the site but there was a search option using any two dates.  So I simply isolated the bad April from the rest of the year.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Snuffy on August 19, 2019, 10:53:06 pm
Tucker will come up in September.

If it's before that it's because something bad has happened.

Understand. 
W/ the team struggling, I love Marisnick in the OF but hate to see him filling 3-4 ABs for Reddick.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 19, 2019, 11:12:26 pm
Not an omission; I'm not clever.  I was tempted to mention that he was hitting .360 .333 for Aug, but didn't....

Could not find monthly totals broken out on the site but there was a search option using any two dates.  So I simply isolated the bad April from the rest of the year.

He hit .194 in July. You can find month by month on the RR MiLB site.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Astros Fan in Big D on August 20, 2019, 06:16:02 am

I hope I’m not going to far out here... but maybe this is what’s pissing off the BBG’s?

Unfortunately, as Astro fans I don’t think we get the luxury of  talking about “lineups”.  We don’t get to talk about rotations or a batting order. I’m thinking we just get to talk about the basic shit and hope we don’t piss them off.

I think lineups are fair game.

Postseason rosters,  on the other hand,  are verboten until something is clinched.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: JimR on August 20, 2019, 06:49:42 am

I hope I’m not going to far out here... but maybe this is what’s pissing off the BBG’s?

Unfortunately, as Astro fans I don’t think we get the luxury of  talking about “lineups”.  We don’t get to talk about rotations or a batting order. I’m thinking we just get to talk about the basic shit and hope we don’t piss them off.

This is a regular season lineup discussion, not assuming anything about the postseason. Totally ok.

Maybe Correa’s latest ailment will cause Hinch to put Yuli behind Alvarez. Like Reddick, though, this team needs Correa’s defense. Let’s hope this soreness was long flight caused, and he’ll be back and healthy soon.

I know why the BBGs were not happy. Let’s hope we have passed through the storm.
Title: Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
Post by: Snuffy on August 20, 2019, 09:48:18 am
He hit .194 in July. You can find month by month on the RR MiLB site.

Found it (http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=t102&player_id=663656#/splits/R/hitting/2019/MINORS)!
Thanks, Coach.