On the Eve of the ALCS

[Rebel Jew]

Hey Everybody,

As you enjoy the ALCS, just remember that the thousands of dollars of discretionary income that will be spent on hats and hot dogs, the millions paid to the players, the hundreds of millions of public money spent on the stadium, the billions spent on broadcasting rights, and most of all the precious time and attention of ordinary citizens spent thinking about, watching and analyzing the games, could eradicate almost any social or public health issue plaguing the city of Houston. The crumbling public school system, the smog, the crime, the poverty, the health care gap, the traffic, the abortions, the EBT cards, the wage stagnation, the erosion of the Galveston seashore-- any one of these could instantly and maybe permanently go away.

[JimR]

sure thing. I won't think about anything else.

[BizidyDizidy]

Thanks for the upbeat perspective Joey. BTW, one person's organs could save up to 8 people dying on transplant lists, should give some thought to parting people out (anyone want to volunteer)?

[ValpoCory]

On the Eve of the ALCS

On the Eve of the what now?

[Limey]

Hey Everybody,

As you enjoy the ALCS...

You just outed yourself there, Governor.

[NeilT]

Hey Everybody,

As you enjoy the ALCS, just remember that the thousands of dollars of discretionary income that will be spent on hats and hot dogs, the millions paid to the players, the hundreds of millions of public money spent on the stadium, the billions spent on broadcasting rights, and most of all the precious time and attention of ordinary citizens spent thinking about, watching and analyzing the games, could eradicate almost any social or public health issue plaguing the city of Houston. The crumbling public school system, the smog, the crime, the poverty, the health care gap, the traffic, the abortions, the EBT cards, the wage stagnation, the erosion of the Galveston seashore-- any one of these could instantly and maybe permanently go away.

But think about all the jobs created! All the hotel rooms rented and tax dollars generated from every sale!  The trickle down of wealth from every tricked out F150 a player buys and every mansion renovated!  The urban blight halted by the building of the stadium, and the incredible economic turnaround it achieved in downtown, resulting in new housing, restaurants, offices!  Thousands of people working who otherwise wouldn't be!  And think of the joy it's all brought! 

You probably don't like the space program either.

[BlownRanger]

Hey Everybody,

As you enjoy the ALCS, just remember that the thousands of dollars of discretionary income that will be spent on hats and hot dogs, the millions paid to the players, the hundreds of millions of public money spent on the stadium, the billions spent on broadcasting rights, and most of all the precious time and attention of ordinary citizens spent thinking about, watching and analyzing the games, could eradicate almost any social or public health issue plaguing the city of Houston. The crumbling public school system, the smog, the crime, the poverty, the health care gap, the traffic, the abortions, the EBT cards, the wage stagnation, the erosion of the Galveston seashore-- any one of these could instantly and maybe permanently go away.

I was just thinking about this the other day while stuck in traffic because a bunch of jackasses running a half marathon had the roads blocked.

[Arky Vaughan]

Think of all the Frito pies consumed.

[Rebel Jew]

You just outed yourself there, Governor.

is it not called the ALCS anymore? And Limey, I still fondly recall sitting in your living room watching your DVD of the 'bluebonnets' game, which I can only assume you have on a permanent loop.

To everybody else, could you fill me a little on who to follow on this team? The only players I know are Colby Rasmus, Chad Qualls, and sort-of Altuve.

[Waldo]

To everybody else, could you fill me a little on who to follow on this team?

All of them?

[Andyzipp]

is it not called the ALCS anymore? And Limey, I still fondly recall sitting in your living room watching your DVD of the 'bluebonnets' game, which I can only assume you have on a permanent loop.

To everybody else, could you fill me a little on who to follow on this team? The only players I know are Colby Rasmus, Chad Qualls, and sort-of Altuve.

Anyone in an orange jersey.

[NeilT]

is it not called the ALCS anymore? And Limey, I still fondly recall sitting in your living room watching your DVD of the 'bluebonnets' game, which I can only assume you have on a permanent loop.

To everybody else, could you fill me a little on who to follow on this team? The only players I know are Colby Rasmus, Chad Qualls, and sort-of Altuve.

Going at it a bit differently, here's my abridged version of what I like to watch for in tonight's lineup:

Catcher
Castro -- Good behind the plate, excellent at setting up pitches and throwing out base runners.  Ausmus-like offensively might be a complement right now, but three seasons ago he looked like he was going to be an all-around star.

First
Carter --  Has been good enough at first, but from time to time will make plays that leave you bewildered.  His bat always leaves you bewildered, but has good consistent walks and has hit astonishingly well at season's end and so far in the playoffs.

Second
Altuve -- Has channeled Bagwell in the playoffs.  He's a great hitter, but he's not hitting consistently now.  He plays hard defensively.

SS
Correa has power and speed and an arm and can field and is smart.  Mostly.

Third
Earlier this season Valbuena didn't hit with men on base but hit home runs, a lot.  I think that slowed down as the season progressed, and I don't have much of a sense of Valbuena now.   


OF
Rasmus, Springer, Gomez.  With the addition of Marisnick as the number 4, this is the best defensive outfield in baseball.  All of them have speed, ball sense, and arms.  Marisnick is the best of them defensively.  Offensively they've all got power, and Rasmus has been on fire in the playoffs.  They're just good, and they're playing well.

DH
Gattis.  He's fun to watch, and he's got some power and is deceptively fast, but he's not doing much at the plate right now. His defense is fine.

Pitcher
McHugh is effective, and can go deep into games.  In my mind, this game is really all up to McHugh.  He's got a great curve.

Bullpen
I got nothing.  They're completely random right now.  Qualls isn't on the roster, so your knowledge of Qualls won't help any.

[BizidyDizidy]

DH
Gattis.  He's fun to watch, and he's got some power and is deceptively fast, but he's not doing much at the plate right now. His defense is fine.

Just "fine"? I'd say he's above average defensively, as DH's go

[Rebel Jew]

Going at it a bit differently, here's my abridged version of what I like to watch for in tonight's lineup:

Catcher
Castro -- Good behind the plate, excellent at setting up pitches and throwing out base runners.  Ausmus-like offensively might be a complement right now, but three seasons ago he looked like he was going to be an all-around star.

I remember when Castro was the only legit prospect in the entire organization, and then he had a season-ending injury right before his first full season and it seemed like a catastrophe. How has he turned out since then? Is he cemented as the starting catcher for years to come? Does he share any of Ausmus' anciliary skills, such as decent speed, clutch hitting, psychotherapy, etc.

[juliogotay]

I remember when Castro was the only legit prospect in the entire organization, and then he had a season-ending injury right before his first full season and it seemed like a catastrophe. How has he turned out since then? Is he cemented as the starting catcher for years to come? Does he share any of Ausmus' anciliary skills, such as decent speed, clutch hitting, psychotherapy, etc.

A couple of years ago he was hitting 4th on this team. Let that soak in a minute.