Rondon

[JimR]

He has pitched in a ton of bad luck lately, and his recent horrible stats include bloop hits which proplonged innings or won games. That said, I think he throws too many fastballs. His is Giles-like straight, and as last night proved, even a scrub MLB hitter can turn on a 98 mph straight fastball middle in. He threw one slider in his outing last night, and Span swung and missed to make it 1-2. I am curious if he shook off Maldonado on any of the next three pitches, which all were fastballs called balls. The last two were not close enough to be chased. As soon as I say this, Mark will remind me of Rondon’s cementmixer two-strike slider to the Dback SS, which resulted in a gift double to put the eventual winning run in scoring position.

I was imploring Hinch through my TV to let Pressly start the 8th at least to have his breaking pitches confront Cruz. Sipp has some of the blame for the 8th. If he does not walk Zunino or gets the lefty-hitting Gordon, Pressly pitches the 8th, and I think we go to the 9th 1-0.

Rondon must return to form ASAP. I know the offense shoulders much of the blame for many of the losses at home, and I am not giving the hitters a free pass, but a pitcher’s only job is to get outs regardless of the score. We should have gone to the 9th 1-0. Sipp and Rondon are the reasons we did not.

[HudsonHawk]

I think Sipp deserves quite a bit of blame here.  I was surprised he was brought in to start off with three righties, I didn't think it was a good situation for him.  Then the walk, and by when he finally does get to a lefty, he can't get him.  To be fair, he almost got the inning-ending double play with Heredia, but not getting Gordon was a killer. 

The bullpen has now coughed up 11 runs in the 8th and 9th innings of the last four games.  That has to stop.  When you have a lead with two out in the 8th, you have to shut the door, whether the score is 1-0 or 5-4 or 6-2. 

[juliogotay]

think of where this pen would be w/o Pressley and Osuna.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Smith 7th.
Pressly 8th.
Osuna 9th.

That's my idealized pen scenario which obviously can't happen every night.  Missing the effective version of Devo has hurt tremendously.

[georgiasamba]

I'm thinking Rondon is wondering why Jake didn't vault over the fence, swan dive into the bullpen and make the damn catch. I mean come on, Jake!

/end sarcasm

[JimR]

I think Sipp deserves quite a bit of blame here.  I was surprised he was brought in to start off with three righties, I didn't think it was a good situation for him.  Then the walk, and by when he finally does get to a lefty, he can't get him.  To be fair, he almost got the inning-ending double play with Heredia, but not getting Gordon was a killer. 

The bullpen has now coughed up 11 runs in the 8th and 9th innings of the last four games.  That has to stop.  When you have a lead with two out in the 8th, you have to shut the door, whether the score is 1-0 or 5-4 or 6-2.

Blum surmised Hinch used Sipp against the righties at the bottom of the order in the 7th to keep Cano, Span, and the other lefties on the bench. That would leave Pressly, Rondon, and Osuna for 8 and 9. Sipp messed it up by allowing Zunino and Gordon to reach.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Blum surmised Hinch used Sipp against the righties at the bottom of the order in the 7th to keep Cano, Span, and the other lefties on the bench. That would leave Pressly, Rondon, and Osuna for 8 and 9. Sipp messed it up by allowing Zunino and Gordon to reach.

Sipp has had some failures recently.   Last night with the clean inning to start I was hoping he'd execute and succeed.

And Rondon has shown why he isn't closer material yet. His stuff isn't that electric.  He's gonna have to learn how to pitch (trust/ execute/ locate).

[HudsonHawk]

Blum surmised Hinch used Sipp against the righties at the bottom of the order in the 7th to keep Cano, Span, and the other lefties on the bench. That would leave Pressly, Rondon, and Osuna for 8 and 9. Sipp messed it up by allowing Zunino and Gordon to reach.

I had the worrell button engaged, so I didn’t hear that. And that’s fine, but it just means you get those lefty pinch hitters in the 8th or 9th, which is what happened. I dont see that as  much of a strategic move  when you know you have to go through the whole order at least one more time. 

[MusicMan]

Smith 7th.
Pressly 8th.
Osuna 9th.

That's my idealized pen scenario which obviously can't happen every night.  Missing the effective version of Devo has hurt tremendously.

I'm good with this.

[jbm]

Wouldn't be surprised if James becomes part of the last innings relievers club.

[HudsonHawk]

Wouldn't be surprised if James becomes part of the last innings relievers club.

Not sure Hinch would trust him yet.  He may earn it yet, though.

[JimR]

I had the worrell button engaged, so I didn’t hear that. And that’s fine, but it just means you get those lefty pinch hitters in the 8th or 9th, which is what happened. I dont see that as  much of a strategic move  when you know you have to go through the whole order at least one more time.

Sipp should have gotten 6-7-8 in 7th. All RH, no lefty PH.
Pressly gets 9-1-2 in 8th. Servais won’t pinch hit for them.
Osuna gets 3-4-5 in 9th. Servais won’t pinch hit for them.

That was the plan.

[geezerdonk]

If it weren't for Marisnick, Seattle might still be batting.

[JimR]

Not sure Hinch would trust him yet.  He may earn it yet, though.

He sure trusted him in Boston.

[HudsonHawk]

He sure trusted him in Boston.

In the middle innings with a 3-run lead.  That's different than a 1-run lead or tie game in the 8th or 9th.  Perhaps Hinch wouldn't think twice about going to him in a high leverage situation, but I'm not entirely convinced yet.  Why did he not go to James last night?

[doyce7]

In the middle innings with a 3-run lead.  That's different than a 1-run lead or tie game in the 8th or 9th.  Perhaps Hinch wouldn't think twice about going to him in a high leverage situation, but I'm not entirely convinced yet.  Why did he not go to James last night?

Because james is starting today

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[HudsonHawk]

Because james is starting today

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Oh.  Thought it was Cole's turn.  Please don't tell Cole has any "discomfort"...

[BlownRanger]

Oh.  Thought it was Cole's turn.  Please don't tell Cole has any "discomfort"...

I was wondering the same thing.  Is this move concerning, or is it simply the first move in aligning a potential post-season rotation?

[doyce7]

Oh.  Thought it was Cole's turn.  Please don't tell Cole has any "discomfort"...

Just pushing his start back to Friday to "keep him fresh" I heard on the radio last night that he has thrown the most pitches on the team this year.

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[Bench]

Just pushing his start back to Friday to "keep him fresh" I heard on the radio last night that he has thrown the most pitches on the team this year.

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McTaggart reported the same yesterday. 

[JimR]

In the middle innings with a 3-run lead.  That's different than a 1-run lead or tie game in the 8th or 9th.  Perhaps Hinch wouldn't think twice about going to him in a high leverage situation, but I'm not entirely convinced yet.  Why did he not go to James last night?

34th round draft choice in playoff atmosphere at Fenway. 2 2/3 scoreless, and that was no walk in the park.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Agree that James has STUFF in a way that none of our other relievers do.

101 on second pitch of his debut I think.

And that Boston appearance was something cool.

[geezerdonk]

If the choice is between James and Devinski, Harris, Sipp or Rondon, give me James.

[juliogotay]

One of James biggest fans is Luhnow. He speaks of him often in glowing terms.

[JimR]

If the choice is between James and Devinski, Harris, Sipp or Rondon, give me James.

Not Rondon. He has been too good.. Probably not Sipp.

He may beat out Peacock and/or Harris.

[juliogotay]

If the choice is between James and Devinski, Harris, Sipp or Rondon, give me James.

Devo very good last night. Glad to see it.

[JimR]

Devo very good last night. Glad to see it.

I think he is toast for this year. Hard decisions coming.

[Navin R Johnson]

So if they carry 12 pitchers in the ALDS, like last year. JV, DK, CFM, GC.  8 relievers Osuna, Pressly, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock, Sipp, Smith  seem like locks to me.   That leaves one spot for James, Devo, Harris.  I’d go James.

Also, what’s the latest on McCullers?

[Jacksonian]

So if they carry 12 pitchers in the ALDS, like last year. JV, DK, CFM, GC.  8 relievers Osuna, Pressly, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock, Sipp, Smith  seem like locks to me.   That leaves one spot for James, Devo, Harris.  I’d go James.

Also, what’s the latest on McCullers?

Ramping it up in Florida.  Could be back within the next week.

[juliogotay]

So if they carry 12 pitchers in the ALDS, like last year. JV, DK, CFM, GC.  8 relievers Osuna, Pressly, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock, Sipp, Smith  seem like locks to me.   That leaves one spot for James, Devo, Harris.  I’d go James.

Also, what’s the latest on McCullers?

My guess is James out of that trio. Too many clues coming from Luhnow to think they wouldn't have him available.

[Navin R Johnson]

Ramping it up in Florida.  Could be back within the next week.

That’s cutting it really close. No way, barring injury to one of the 4, is he starting a playoff game. Does he make the BP?

[Ty in Tampa]

That’s cutting it really close. No way, barring injury to one of the 4, is he starting a playoff game. Does he make the BP?

I don't have a link but I believe they are on record as saying LMJ will have the same role as he did last year, should they make the postseason. Spot start/long relief.

[Navin R Johnson]

I don't have a link but I believe they are on record as saying LMJ will have the same role as he did last year, should they make the postseason. Spot start/long relief.

Last year they expanded the BP to 9 players for the ALCS and WS.   If we were to make it that far, I'd suspect that's when LMJ gets added.  If James makes the 12 man staff, then the options for the ALCS would be Harris, LMJ & Devo.  I'd take LMJ out of that group, if healthy.

[Ty in Tampa]

Last year they expanded the BP to 9 players for the ALCS and WS.   If we were to make it that far, I'd suspect that's when LMJ gets added.  If James makes the 12 man staff, then the options for the ALCS would be Harris, LMJ & Devo.  I'd take LMJ out of that group, if healthy.

Yeah, that's what I think will be the case.

[geezerdonk]

Rondon did a great job filling in as closer after Giles did whatever Giles did to get deported. Now I think that he has Devinski-itis. He is out of gas and/or over used.   

[HudsonHawk]

So if they carry 12 pitchers in the ALDS, like last year. JV, DK, CFM, GC.  8 relievers Osuna, Pressly, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock, Sipp, Smith  seem like locks to me.   That leaves one spot for James, Devo, Harris.  I’d go James.

Also, what’s the latest on McCullers?

Let’s worry about actually *making* the Division Series before deciding how to play it.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

After last night pretty sure the 'Rondon is the 8th inning guy' era is over.

[JimR]

After last night pretty sure the 'Rondon is the 8th inning guy' era is over.

Not what Hinch said. He did not mention specific innings, but he said he has not lost confidence in him and “he’ll be back out there in a couple of days.”  Guys must love playing for him.

Hinch works matchups, not roles. My guess is Pressly will get the tougher matchups trying to get the game to Osuna.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Not what Hinch said. He did not mention specific innings, but he said he has not lost confidence in him and “he’ll be back out there in a couple of days.”  Guys must love playing for him.

Hinch works matchups, not roles. My guess is Pressly will get the tougher matchups trying to get the game to Osuna.

That is what they did last night,  Pressly faced 3/4/5 in the 7th.

Rondon got 2 pitches in the zone,  strikes all night,  called balls on his leadoff walk.

But the double was on an 0-2 pitch,  a FB he meatballed badly.

That's his MO lately; bad luck then bad execution.  Hopefully they'll tinker with the right thing,  physical or mental,  and get him thru it.

[JimR]

That is what they did last night,  Pressly faced 3/4/5 in the 7th.

Rondon got 2 pitches in the zone,  strikes all night,  called balls on his leadoff walk.

But the double was on an 0-2 pitch,  a FB he meatballed badly.

That's his MO lately; bad luck then bad execution.  Hopefully they'll tinker with the right thing,  physical or mental,  and get him thru it.

Exactly right on his woes, imo.