Astros @ Phightins July 26, 2017

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's road tilt:

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
CFDerek Fisher (L)
RFJosh Reddick (L)
3BY. Gurriel (R)
SSMarwin Gonzalez (S)
LFCarlos Beltran (S)
CBrian McCann (L)
1BTyler White (R)
PMike Fiers (R)

HOU: Mike Fiers (R)  (7-4, 3.59)

Phightins

2B Cesar Hernandez (S)
SS Freddy Galvis (S)
RF Nick Williams (L)
LF Howie Kendrick (R)
CF Aaron Altherr (R)
3B Maikel Franco (R)
1B Tommy Joseph (R)
C Cameron Rupp (R)
P Aaron Nola (R)

PHI: Aaron Nola (R)  (7-6, 3.37)

[Texifornia]

With 3 starters and one of their replacements out, this line-up, with two guys who were in AAA last week, is still one of the most formidable in baseball.

It's a great time to be an Astro fan.

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Altuve doubles to LF
Fisher grounds out 6-3, Altuve to 3B...SS thought about 3B, but bobbled and had to settle for 1B
Reddick...infield back...strikes out swinging
Gurriel grounds out 6-3 on a slow roller

Altuve stranded at 3B...0 for 3 w/RISP

No score

[JimR]

T1:

Altuve doubles to LF
Fisher grounds out 6-3, Altuve to 3B...SS thought about 3B, but bobbled and had to settle for 1B
Reddick...infield back...strikes out swinging
Gurriel grounds out 6-3 on a slow roller

Altuve stranded at 3B...0 for 3 w/RISP

No score

Reddick's AB hurt. Altuve was dead at 3rd with no bobble.

[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Hernandez...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging
Galvis...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...walks
Galvis steals 2B
Williams flies out F7
Kendrick grounds out 5-3

No score

[austro]

T1:

Altuve doubles to LF
Fisher grounds out 6-3, Altuve to 3B...SS thought about 3B, but bobbled and had to settle for 1B
Reddick...infield back...strikes out swinging
Gurriel grounds out 6-3 on a slow roller

Altuve stranded at 3B...0 for 3 w/RISP

No score

Fisher hit the shit out of a ball that was just foul down the 1B line, and then wound up advancing Altuve anyway, so I'll cut him slack. The next tow ABs, however, were not good.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Marwin strikes out swinging
Beltran with a seeing eye single up the middle, just out 2B man's reach
McCann pops out F2 behind the plate
White singles to RCF, Beltran to 3B
Fiers strikes out swinging

No score

[JimR]

Fisher hit the shit out of a ball that was just foul down the 1B line, and then wound up advancing Altuve anyway, so I'll cut him slack. The next tow ABs, however, were not good.

So Yi's hitting a ground ball was "not good?" Tough crowd.

[austro]

So Yi's hitting a ground ball was "not good?" Tough crowd.

We demand perfection, damn it!

[hostros7]

Well, that was a dangerous 1-2 pitch to Rupp.


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[hostros7]

Well, that was a dangerous 1-2 pitch to Rupp.


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And, by "dangerous," I mean "meat." Fortunately, it died on the track.


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[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Altherr flies out F9
Franco doubles down LF line
Joseph...3-0...3-1...3-2...walks
Rupp flies out F7 at the track
Nola strikes out swinging

No score

[Colt 45]

I would be willing to wager he is taking a shower by the 6th inning!

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Altuve strikes out swinging at a curveball in the dirt
Fisher...full count...strikes out swinging at a curveball in the dirt
Reddick...quickly 0-2..both pitches 8 inches off the plate...1-2...strikes out swinging at pitch over his head

No score

[HudsonHawk]

Someone grab some PBP

[JimR]

Nola is pretty damn good.

[NeilT]

That was a hit?

[JimR]

That was a hit?

Yup. Tough chance. Fisher was too deep.

[austro]

Yup. Tough chance. Fisher was too deep.

At this point, all I care about is that they don't run into each other.

[Lefty]

Nola is pretty damn good.

This is the 1st pro game I've seen him pitch, he was wicked at LSU.

[NeilT]

At this point, all I care about is that they don't run into each other.

Fisher taking out Marwin would have been more than I could take. 

[JimR]

This is the 1st pro game I've seen him pitch, he was wicked at LSU.

Wicked here too so far

[Colt 45]

70 and counting

[JimR]

70 and counting

and?

[NeilT]

70 and counting

At least that last pitch was efficient. 

[hostros7]

Fiers has thrown 71(!) pitches through 3 despite not allowing a run.


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[JimR]

At least that last pitch was efficient.

Lots and lots of foul balls.

[NeilT]

Lots and lots of foul balls.

Phils have had good at bats. 

[austro]

Ooops. Rupp finishes what he started last AB.

[JimR]

Need to get Nola out of the game.

[NeilT]

I suspect Fiers may be out before Nola.

[JimR]

I suspect Fiers may be out before Nola.

Won't matter in another hit or two

Mr. Luhnow, we need pitching.

[hostros7]

That strike 3 call against Aoki is humiliating for the HPU.


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[JimR]

Good lord! Two walks turned into two Ks.

[WVastro]

Damn. My stream is so far behind you guys that the GZ is unwatchable.

[NeilT]

Damn. My stream is so far behind you guys that the GZ is unwatchable.

Most people's stream is far behind us.  That's just the nature of our incredibleness. 

[WVastro]

Most people's stream is far behind us.  That's just the nature of our incredibleness.

You all just have healthier prostrates.

[austro]

I think Fisher just demonstrated that he's not really a center-fielder.

[NeilT]

You all just have healthier prostrates.

Or smaller bladders. 

[WVastro]

So. Pitching.

[austro]

Feliz is going for the cycle.

[NeilT]

Sometimes you just feel like you need to deliver a message. 

[austro]

There it is: the cycle!

[hostros7]

With 3 starters and one of their replacements out, this line-up, with two guys who were in AAA last week, is still one of the most formidable in baseball.

It's a great time to be an Astro fan.

Not a great first GZ thread post o' the day.


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[astrojo]

And reverse cycle complete

[hostros7]

I think Fisher just demonstrated that he's not really a center-fielder.

Good effort, bad route, bad decision making.


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[Texifornia]

Not a great first GZ thread post o' the day.


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That was fuckin' stupid.

[NeilT]

This is not the 2017 offense.  I'm not saying it's the 2013 offense, but it's not particularly good.

[JimR]

Nola is what playoff pitching will be. That is why we will need shutdown starters.

[NeilT]

I hate to see Peabody to the pen.  I'm just not seeing it with McCullers. 

[Texifornia]

This is not the 2017 offense.  I'm not saying it's the 2013 offense, but it's not particularly good.

Well, they're not having a particularly good night, but this line-up includes:

Altuve: .366
Reddick: .303
Gurriel: .290
Marwin: .318

That's better than a lot of teams.

[HudsonHawk]

Nola is what playoff pitching will be. That is why we will need shutdown starters.

Being without Springer, without Correa, without Bregman, and without a DH doesn't help. Hopefully they wouldn't be without four starters in the lineup come postseason either.

[NeilT]

That was fuckin' stupid.

We all have our moments. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I hate to see Peabody to the pen.  I'm just not seeing it with McCullers.

Mr Peabody or George?

[JimR]

Being without Springer, without Correa, without Bregman, and without a DH doesn't help. Hopefully they wouldn't be without four starters in the lineup come postseason either.

I understand we are short handed, but this guy has shut everyone down lately. Even full strength, we are not going to bludgeon our way to the WS.

[MusicMan]

Being without Springer, without Correa, without Bregman, and without a DH doesn't help. Hopefully they wouldn't be without four starters in the lineup come postseason either.

Hopefully they'll have at least a couple games without a DH.


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[austro]

Rupp likes Astro pitching.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Well this will help correct the Pythagorean a bit.

[WVastro]

I know this sucks to watch, but I really think it's important that these types of games happen pre-deadline. Even with this record, there's simply no false sense of security with this team. Additions need to be and will be made.... I hope.

[austro]

Garcia's probably getting tired of those balls coming right back up the middle.

[Lefty]

Rupp likes Astro pitching.

Fuck that guy.

I would love for them to acquire any 2 of starter-reliever-reliever.  All 3 would also be cool.

[chuck]

I'm pinning this on PCOL2000.

[HudsonHawk]

I know this sucks to watch, but I really think it's important that these types of games happen pre-deadline. Even with this record, there's simply no false sense of security with this team. Additions need to be and will be made.... I hope.

I don't think Luhnow is unaware of what's happening day to day.

[Lefty]

I'm pinning this on PCOL2000.

Which algorithm is that?

[WVastro]

I don't think Luhnow is unaware of what's happening day to day.

Not saying that. I'm saying I'm glad it's happening now and not in two weeks.

[NeilT]

This will make a nice come-back. 

[hostros7]

I know this sucks to watch, but I really think it's important that these types of games happen pre-deadline. Even with this record, there's simply no false sense of security with this team. Additions need to be and will be made.... I hope.

The front office will not let one game weigh disproportionately on its decision making process.


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[austro]

This will make a nice come-back. 

I'll have what he's having.

[NeilT]

Do you think Galvis has a style consultant?

[HudsonHawk]

Not saying that. I'm saying I'm glad it's happening now and not in two weeks.

You're implying that the Astros management wouldn't otherwise recognize the issues with this team. Why you think that I can't imagine. Luhnow watches every game. He's not stupid.

[hostros7]

I'm pinning this on PCOL2000.

Where in the world is HH? Isn't there some continental, hemispheric, or ABV hypothesis?


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[WVastro]

The front office will not let one game weigh disproportionately on its decision making process.


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Right. But do you trust Fiers in the playoffs more after tonight? Or is it possible that another high pitch ineffective start might help sway you to go another direction? Fiers held down the fucking fort while the rotation was hurt and looked pretty damn good doing it. As much as I appreciate tha, trade decisions have to be made with the information at hand and tonight's game is a part of that. Feliz didn't help the case for the bullpen either.

[WVastro]

You're implying that the Astros management wouldn't otherwise recognize the issues with this team. Why you think that I can't imagine. Luhnow watches every game. He's not stupid.

So if Fiers had two more great starts then started shitting the bed after the deadline and he didn't make a move because he felt Fiers was better than the available options then I'd understand his decision making. I'd rather it happen now if it was going to happen. That's all. He's not stupid but he does have to react to the performance on the field on a day to day basis.

[HudsonHawk]

So if Fiers had two more great starts then started shitting the bed after the deadline and he didn't make a move because he felt Fiers was better than the available options then I'd understand his decision making. I'd rather it happen now if it was going to happen. That's all. He's not stupid but he does have to react to the performance on the field on a day to day basis.

Again, I'm not sure why you think Luhnow either isn't paying attention or is just plain baseball stupid and is in danger of having "a false sense of security".  He's keenly aware of the issues on this team, irrespective of how Fiers pitched tonight. He's not just some schmoe fan.

[WVastro]

Again, I'm not sure why you think Luhnow either isn't paying attention or is just plain baseball stupid and is in danger of having "a false sense of security".  He's keenly aware of the issues on this team, irrespective of how Fiers pitched tonight. He's not just some schmoe fan.

Good grief...

I'll try one last time and then you win no matter how much you morph my point.

Mike Fiers was a very good pitcher in June.

It seemed like Mike Fiers might be a solid rotation piece on this team for the playoffs.

I'd imagine Luhnow may have been interested in that possibility and not have to deal some legit prospects on a very underwhelming SP trade market.

Mike Fiers has regressed.

If Mike Fires was going to regress I'd rather Mike Fiers regress now than after the deadline.

I know that it seems nuts. But it may be possible that a team with a bajilliin game lead may have a GM that would rather see how things play out with the current roster before getting aggressive with the trade market. I know I'm going way out on a limb with that one... but I did.

And I'm very much a schmoe fan so I'm glad I'm not in charge of this team!

[HudsonHawk]

I'd imagine Luhnow may have been interested in that possibility and not have to deal some legit prospects on a very underwhelming SP trade market.

And one more time...I have no idea why you'd think that. Luhnow is not that stupid. He's aware of Mike Fiers ( and everyone else)  and what he brings to the table and what his limitations are.  This game doesn't change anything. There is absolutely no risk whatsoever that Luhnow has a false sense of security. None. Not even a very, very small chance.

[NeilT]

Not the worst game of the season, but pretty damn close. 

[NeilT]

Maybe the team changed shampoos?  Maybe they were upset about the President's decisions about transgender service in the military?

[austro]

Not the worst game of the season, but pretty damn close. 

Gotta have a stinker every once in a while.

[HudsonHawk]

Gotta have a stinker every once in a while.

It happens, even to good teams. Gotta go to Detroit and get back in the groove.

[chuck]

Gotta have a stinker every once in a while.

I'm just glad it happened now instead of after the deadline.

[JimR]

I'm just glad it happened now instead of after the deadline.

Through it all, you are consistent.

[BlownRanger]

Right. But do you trust Fiers in the playoffs more after tonight? Or is it possible that another high pitch ineffective start might help sway you to go another direction? Fiers held down the fucking fort while the rotation was hurt and looked pretty damn good doing it. As much as I appreciate tha, trade decisions have to be made with the information at hand and tonight's game is a part of that. Feliz didn't help the case for the bullpen either.

I'm pretty sure that, even prior to last night, neither Hinch nor Luhnow expected Feliz to be a significant part of any post-season bullpen.