Blue Jays @ Astros August 2, 2016

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's tilt:

Blue Jays

DHJose Bautista (R)
3BJosh Donaldson (R)
1BE. Encarnacion (R)
LFM. Saunders (L)
CFKevin Pillar (R)
2BDevon Travis (R)
RFM. Upton Jr. (R)
CJosh Thole (L)
SSDarwin Barney (R)

TOR: R.A. Dickey (R)  (7-12, 4.66)

Astros

RF George Springer (R)
3B Alex Bregman (R)
2B Jose Altuve (R)
SS Carlos Correa (R)
LF Colby Rasmus (L)
CF Carlos Gomez (R)
1B A.J. Reed (L)
DH Evan Gattis (R)
C Jason Castro (L)

HOU: Lance McCullers (R)  (6-4, 3.18)

[MusicMan]

AJ named Giles the new closer.


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[MrKnuckleball]

Dickey has given up the most homers out of any pitcher in the MLB. Crush City better show up!

[geezerdonk]

Looking forward to some epics swings from Gomez at Dickey's knuckler.

[MrKnuckleball]

That was an epic swing from Donaldson when he lost his bat.

[MrKnuckleball]

McCullers goes 1-2-3 on 10 pitches in the first.

[NeilT]

Bunt City.

[MrKnuckleball]

2 hits in the bottom of the first but Rasmus can't get one in. Scoreless in the top of the second.

[MrKnuckleball]

McCullers works around a 2 out walk. Going to the bottom of the 2nd. Where is everyone?

[HudsonHawk]

McCullers works around a 2 out walk. Going to the bottom of the 2nd. Where is everyone?

Well, I'm still in Sumatra.  Casually glancing at the game when I can. 

[MrKnuckleball]

Well, I'm still in Sumatra.  Casually glancing at the game when I can.

Right on, I'll try to do my best on the play by play.

[MrKnuckleball]

1-2-3 bottom of the second. Still scoreless.

[MusicMan]

Well, I'm still in Sumatra.  Casually glancing at the game when I can.

Great coffee.


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[austro]

Colby nails another hitter trying to take second on a ball off the scoreboard. They need to learn. Although Altuve may have botched the tag.

ETA: Replay upholds the out call.

[MrKnuckleball]

Bautista homers to left. 1-0 going to the bottom of the 2nd.

[Aussie Astro]

Colby nails another hitter trying to take second on a ball off the scoreboard. They need to learn. Although Altuve may have botched the tag.

ETA: Replay upholds the out call.

I think we caught a break with that call.

[MrKnuckleball]

Still 1-0 going to the top of the fourth.

[MrKnuckleball]

Encarnacion just hit one a long way to left. 2-0 Jays.

[austro]

So Encarnacion is a free-agent after this season. He'll be 34 next year. He's making $10MM this year. Does he get consideration?

[MrKnuckleball]

So Encarnacion is a free-agent after this season. He'll be 34 next year. He's making $10MM this year. Does he get consideration?

Heck of a hitter, why not?

[Aussie Astro]

So Encarnacion is a free-agent after this season. He'll be 34 next year. He's making $10MM this year. Does he get consideration?

That HR was long one and his 29th this year so it was no accident.

[Aussie Astro]

I wonder why BJ isn't BJ any more?

[MrKnuckleball]

Encarnacion is one homer away from hitting 30 in 5 consecutive years. I'm sure Boston will chase him with Ortiz retiring.

[austro]

Heck of a hitter, why not?

Well, Chris Davis got 7 years @ $23MM last offseason. He's younger (31 next year), but Encarnacion is having a significantly better year. I wouldn't be surprised if bidding started at $20MM/yr. But if Reed and White continue to struggle through the end of the season, maybe they think about it.

[MusicMan]

I wonder why BJ isn't BJ any more?

I guess it's really up to the Uptons.


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[MrKnuckleball]

Correa singles in the 4th but nothing more. Still 2-0 uhh.

[MrKnuckleball]

McCullers appears to be hurt and leaves the game. Musgrove coming in.

[hostros7]

McCullers getting injured is the pube sprinkles on the fecal muffins baking.


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[MrKnuckleball]

McCullers getting injured is the pube sprinkles on the fecal muffins baking.


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Last thing we needed. Injuries are piling up.

[austro]

Luhnow in the booth says something complimentary about McCullers' stuff, and on literally the next pitch Bautista goes yard. Luhnow talks about how young teams are generally healthier, and next inning McCullers leaves with an injury.

[WVastro]

McCullers getting injured is the pube sprinkles on the fecal muffins baking.


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Thanks for the laugh! Needed it right now.

[jbm]

Nice way to start a career.

[hostros7]

Musgrove threw a grown ass man 3-2 pitch to K the first batter he faced and end the inning.


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[austro]

Well, that was certainly baptism by fire for Musgrove. "Ok, kid, McCullers is hurt. We need you to come in cold, warm up, and face Edwin Encarnacion, whose previous AB yielded a homer that is still in orbit. Go get 'em!"

[hostros7]

What is his pitch repertoire? That looked like a sinker or cutter on the outside corner at the knees.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm getting tired of this fucking around.

[austro]

I'm getting tired of this fucking around.

It's all I know how to do.

[jbm]

What is his pitch repertoire? That looked like a sinker or cutter on the outside corner at the knees.


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In my viewing, it's a two seam, four seam and slider.  Occasional change

Swinging for the fences all the time is getting old.

[MrKnuckleball]

Offense where you at?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It's all I know how to do.

I'm talking about the Astros on offense. They need to quit fucking off. Bunch of damn malingerers.

[chuck]

Well, I'm still in Sumatra.  Casually glancing at the game when I can.

The grass growth at the ranch is going to be out of control.

[The Spleen]

They're going to get blown out 2 - 0.

[austro]

They're going to get blown out 2 - 0.

That will happen when you only have two people capable of getting hits.

[The Spleen]

This is the most fucked up week of Astros baseball since Ike.

[hostros7]

This is the most fucked up week of Astros baseball since Ike.

False

[The Spleen]

Bregman is getting to Ali vs. Holmes levels of "For the love of God, make it stop!"

[MrKnuckleball]

Correa watches taters go by on the first pitch of every at bat almost. Frustrating.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Altuve is the only guy doing anything.

[MrKnuckleball]

Altuve is the only guy doing anything.

Like I said the other day, I hope Gurriel can hit.

[austro]

Fuck: "elbow discomfort" for McCullers.

[MusicMan]

Who the fuck stole Jobu's rum??


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fuck: "elbow discomfort" for McCullers.

At least nothing fell off.

[jbm]

In CC, Martes with 11 Ks through six.

I suppose it will be Rodgers, but he might be in the conversation.

[hostros7]

At least nothing fell off.

Don't speak too soon.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Gomez got a hit. Not just a single either.

[MrKnuckleball]

Was that a Gomez sighting?

[MrKnuckleball]

Way to go, Gattis. Spark?

[austro]

It's a fucking miracle!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Good job by Gattis. RBI single to RF.

[hostros7]

Gattis eased up and hit one where it was pitched to RF.  It was exciting and new, just like the tip, just to see how it feels.


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[austro]

You know, Bregman has a strong arm. And not too shabby with the glove, either.

[austro]

That slider (or whatever it was) to get Donaldson was wicked.

[MrKnuckleball]

Musgrove aint no slouch.

[austro]

And then he froze Encarnacion with the curve for another K.

[Ebby Calvin]

Bregman needs a day off.  Or something.

[HudsonHawk]

The grass growth at the ranch is going to be out of control.

No shit.  I might just set it on fire. 

[HudsonHawk]

You know, Bregman has a strong arm. And not too shabby with the glove, either.

If only he could manage to hit more than a single every 9 games

[MrKnuckleball]

Welp, that was a good chance.

[chuck]

No shit.  I might just set it on fire.

That's what any self-respecting neighbor of mine would do. Of course he'd likely wait until the dry season.

I'll never know why the entire region isn't just consumed with fire each January.

[jbm]

It doesn't matter who is on the mound against this lineup. Toronto just used a guy making his debut in the eighth of a one run game. No problem.

[HudsonHawk]

That's what any self-respecting neighbor of mine would do. Of course he'd likely wait until the dry season.

I'll never know why the entire region isn't just consumed with fire each January.

That happens in Sumatra.  It chokes the air out of every living thing in Southeast Asia, but it keeps the brush down. 

[HudsonHawk]

It doesn't matter who is on the mound against this lineup. Toronto just used a guy making his debut in the eighth of a one run game. No problem.

Hey, the Astros scored a run this game.  Baby steps. 

[pots]

Wow, what a performance by Musgrove.  Let's get this boy a win

[MrKnuckleball]

Hey, the Astros scored a run this game.  Baby steps.

This offense is something else.

[Ebby Calvin]

It doesn't matter who is on the mound against this lineup. Toronto just used a guy making his debut in the eighth of a one run game. No problem.

Didn't the Astros do that, too?

[austro]

Didn't the Astros do that, too?

Yeah, but he's our guy. That's completely different.

[hostros7]

Didn't the Astros do that, too?

The cutter he threw to strikeout Correa was filth

[austro]

I think the catcher is having a little trouble re-adjusting to the normal mitt after using the knuckleball mitt all night.

[The Spleen]

There at the point in the development process where they're supposed to wean themselves off of placeholders like Gattis, Rasmus, Valbuena, etc and start bringing up the elite offensive prospects from their system. The problem is that none of those guys are ready yet. Not this year, maybe not even next year. And the placeholders are going to get more expensive than they are worth. They will be going into next season with an offense of Altuve, Correa, Springer, Castro (his defense is worth it) and Fuckifiknow...

[jbm]

Yeah, but he's our guy. That's completely different.

Not sure why y'all see these as the same.  If the Astros had brought Musgrove in the eight up by one, it would be equivalent. Not too many teams introduce guys into direct heat, but this lineup isn't exactly heat.

[hostros7]

Marisnick deserves to be playing almost every day. He hit over .300 in July. He's the best defensive outfielder. Rasmus and Gomez are school for the blind kids right now.


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[HudsonHawk]

Not sure why y'all see these as the same.  If the Astros had brought Musgrove in the eight up by one, it would be equivalent. Not too many teams introduce guys into direct heat, but this lineup isn't exactly heat.

Of course it's the same.  But we generally don't complain about our guys doing well. 

[MrKnuckleball]

Marisnick deserves to be playing almost every day. He hit over .300 in July. He's the best defensive outfielder. Rasmus and Gomez are school for the blind kids right now.


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Hernandez could probably do better than any of them, but what do I know?

[HudsonHawk]

Marisnick deserves to be playing almost every day. He hit over .300 in July. He's the best defensive outfielder. Rasmus and Gomez are school for the blind kids right now.


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Just my prediction, but if the Astros were to make Marisnick the everyday centerfielder, they'd certainly make the playoffs, and perhaps win the division.  But they won't.  They have this absurd belief that Gomez will "get it going", as if it were still April rather than August. 

[pots]

Hernandez could probably do better than any of them, but what do I know?

What happens in Fresno stays in Fresno

[jbm]

Of course it's the same.  But we generally don't complain about our guys doing well.

You read my comment as complaining about Musgrove? 

[MrKnuckleball]

What happens in Fresno stays in Fresno

Apparently. This offense is beyond frustrating.

[The Spleen]

What happens in Fresno stays in Fresno

They seem to be running a finishing school for AAAA sluggers.

[Ebby Calvin]

Not sure why y'all see these as the same.  If the Astros had brought Musgrove in the eight up by one, it would be equivalent. Not to many teams introduce guys into direct heat, but this lineup isn't exactly heat.

Just giving you some shit.

[HudsonHawk]

You read my comment as complaining about Musgrove?

I took it to mean you asking why was Musgrove looked upon differently than the Blue Jays pitcher.  The answer is because Musgrove is an Astro.  We actually *want* him to make the other team look bad.  Typically we don't want the same thing from the opposition. 

[chuck]

I don't see how they can keep Marisnick's bat out of the lineup. Thing is, I'm not kidding.

For at least a month I have thought that if Jake had been the every day centerfielder all year the Astros would be in first place.

[WVastro]

C'mon people. They're 8-9 since the break (and that easily could have been 9-8). Although the skies are cloudy they certainly aren't falling yet. Hang in there.

[MrKnuckleball]

C'mon people. They're 8-9 since the break (and that easily could have been 9-8). Although the skies are cloudy they certainly aren't falling yet. Hang in there.

I'd like to think we're still in it, but man it doesn't feel like it. The offense isn't clicking one bit since the start of the series with the Yanks really.. Kind of worrisome.

[HudsonHawk]

C'mon people. They're 8-9 since the break (and that easily could have been 9-8). Although the skies are cloudy they certainly aren't falling yet. Hang in there.

I don't think anyone thinks the sky is falling, only that hovering around .500 the rest of the way will not get it done.  Couple that with seeing signs of the same things that led to the dreadful start, and everything is not rosy. 

[jbm]

Given that just 9 days ago the Astros were almost favorites to win the divsion and the wild card was a pretty good chance backup, there is understandable gloom.   This morning with McCullers' hurt and offense completely lost, it's looking like next season at best.  The McCullers thing is particularly scary because if things are real bad there he won't be back in time for next season either.  And the pitching market is extremely thin this off season.  You'd be looking at Keuchel, McHugh, Fiers, Musgrove, Rodgers, Devenski, Feliz, maybe Paulino, long shot Martes.  That's not good.

It's not all that bad either; it's not like those are talent-less arms. 

[pots]

It's not all that bad either; it's not like those are talent-less arms.

I deleted because I really believe this offense is a shit load better than it is right now.  I think Bregman and Reed have a chance to start hitting and hitting well as early as today.  Starting pitching is extremely weak though.  Season might hang on McCullers elbow. 

[pots]

Tomorrow is a new day!

[homer]

Season might hang on McCullers elbow. 

Might. Probably more likely hangs on running Gomez out there every day, letting Rasmus play hurt, leaving starting pitchers in too long, swinging for the fences on every count, and the inability of our minor league call ups to contribute.

[JimR]

glad we did not trade Musgrove

[MusicMan]

I'm more worried about NEXT season hanging on his elbow.


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[JimR]

Not sure why y'all see these as the same.  If the Astros had brought Musgrove in the eight up by one, it would be equivalent. Not too many teams introduce guys into direct heat, but this lineup isn't exactly heat.

you think trying to hold them where they are is nothing?

[juliogotay]

you think trying to hold them where they are is nothing?

that is a good hitting club.

[jbm]

Yes, they are a good hitting club and Musgove was awesome.  It was not nothing, but something.  A very impressive something.

[MRaup]

In July, The Astros were 8-5 through July 17th.

Since, they're 6-8.

What happened on July 18th that tipped the scales?

You tell me...

Let's gooooo!

[MrKnuckleball]

In July, The Astros were 8-5 through July 17th.

Since, they're 6-8.

What happened on July 18th that tipped the scales?

You tell me...

Offense...

[MikeyBoy]

This team really, really misses Valbuena and Marwin.

[juliogotay]

This team really, really misses Valbuena and Marwin.

And a lot of those ABs have gone to a rookie that has one hit and no power production. And the pen hasn't been reliable at the end of the game.
They have reverted to being a sorry road team. They are playing better teams.

[pots]

And a lot of those ABs have gone to a rookie that has one hit and no power production. And the pen hasn't been reliable at the end of the game.
They have reverted to being a sorry road team. They are playing better teams.

Plus Rasmus's cyst had the offense already weakened before Marwin and Valbuena went down.

[homer]

They are playing better teams.

August and September are the most challenging months in the schedule. Wild card leaders, division leaders, and the stRangers 9 more times.

[juliogotay]

August and September are the most challenging months in the schedule. Wild card leaders, division leaders, and the stRangers 9 more times.

It's the Astros record v the Rangers that has put them in this hole. If they had played .500 against them it would be anyone's race.

[MusicMan]

Since when did we just throw everything in the previous night's GZ?