Miley's Last Chance

[Texifornia]

Wade's last start of the regular season might be his last start of the year. Can he and Strom fix whatever it is that has made him so ineffectual over his last four starts? If not, he probably won't be on the 25 man roster next week.

[Fredia]

if that happens who replaces him.  this is almost shocking  from where he was earlier this year

[TeeJoe]

if that happens who replaces him.  this is almost shocking  from where he was earlier this year

Possibly Urquidy, but I'm hoping that Miley pitches well for this last regular season start.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Urquidy seems to be the only choice.

But it would likely be a heavy bullpen day.

[Waldo]

Personally, I'm betting Miley makes the ALDS roster regardless of what happens tonight.  You have to figure that even with his recent struggles his upside is much better than Urquidy's, and both of their downsides are probably roughly equivalent.

[Bench]

They'll carry 11 pitchers for the ALDS

I assume the following are locks (barring the unforeseen or unimaginable, with all humble deference to the BBGs):

1. Verlander
2. Cole
3. Grienke
4. Osuna
5. Pressley
6. Smith
7. Peacock

Likely additions:
8. Urquidy (either as a game 4 starter or Miley insurance)
9. Smith
9. Miley

Fighting for the last two spots:

10. Rondon
11. James
12. Devo
13. Abreu
14. Framber/Cionel (seems unlikely, but Miley's the only other southpaw). 

As Waldo says, Miley probably makes it regardless and I'd like to see Abreu, but I happily recognize that I don't know shit.

[HudsonHawk]

Personally, I'm betting Miley makes the ALDS roster regardless of what happens tonight.  You have to figure that even with his recent struggles his upside is much better than Urquidy's, and both of their downsides are probably roughly equivalent.

It's entirely possible that Miley makes the roster, but will be used in the pen, not as a starter.  I have a hard time trusting him to start a game.

[HudsonHawk]

They'll carry 11 pitchers for the ALDS

I assume the following are locks (barring the unforeseen or unimaginable, with all humble deference to the BBGs):

1. Verlander
2. Cole
3. Grienke
4. Osuna
5. Pressley
6. Smith
7. Peacock

Likely additions:
8. Urquidy (either as a game 4 starter or Miley insurance)
9. Smith

Fighting for the last two spots:
10. Miley
11. Rondon
12. James
13. Devo
14. Abreu
15. Framber/Cionel (seems unlikely, but Miley's the only other southpaw). 

As Waldo says, Miley probably makes it regardless and I'd like to see Abreu, but I happily recognize that I don't know shit.

You have Smith in there twice.

[Bench]

You have Smith in there twice.

That certainly opens up an opportunity for someone.

[Lefty]

You have Smith in there twice.

He meant Harris the first time.

[Bench]

He meant Harris the first time.

You're right.  I'll try this again:


I assume the following are locks (barring the unforeseen or unimaginable, with all humble deference to the BBGs):

1. Verlander
2. Cole
3. Grienke
4. Osuna
5. Pressley
6. Harris
7. Peacock

Likely additions:

8. Urquidy (either as a game 4 starter or Miley insurance)
9. Smith

Fighting for the last two spots:

10. Miley
11. Rondon
12. James
13. Devo
14. Abreu
15. Framber/Cionel (seems unlikely, but Miley's the only other southpaw). 

My baseless prediction is that Miley and Abreu get the last two slots.

[Lefty]

I think James is damn close to a lock.  Don't ask me why I think that, I just do.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I think James is damn close to a lock.  Don't ask me why I think that, I just do.

I'd take James and Devo.

[doyce7]

You're right.  I'll try this again:


I assume the following are locks (barring the unforeseen or unimaginable, with all humble deference to the BBGs):

1. Verlander
2. Cole
3. Grienke
4. Osuna
5. Pressley
6. Harris
7. Peacock

Likely additions:

8. Urquidy (either as a game 4 starter or Miley insurance)
9. Smith

Fighting for the last two spots:

10. Miley
11. Rondon
12. James
13. Devo
14. Abreu
15. Framber/Cionel (seems unlikely, but Miley's the only other southpaw). 

My baseless prediction is that Miley and Abreu get the last two slots.

Is Peacock a lock? He's only pitched once since coming back

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[Bench]

Is Peacock a lock? He's only pitched once since coming back

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

From what I've read, if he's healthy, he's in.

[austro]

I have a hard time imagining James not being in that group. Sometimes you need a power arm.

[das]

I have a hard time imagining James not being in that group. Sometimes you need a power arm.

Agree here.  Especially since he's looked good in his last 4 games (4.0 IP, 8K's, 3H, 2BB's 0ER) since the blowup inning against Oakland on the 11th.

[juliogotay]

I'd take James and Devo.

I'd take James before Devo. The Astros seem to like James velocity out of the pen.

[juliogotay]

It's entirely possible that Miley makes the roster, but will be used in the pen, not as a starter.  I have a hard time trusting him to start a game.

Why would you trust him in a tight game out of the pen which he is not accustomed to?
My 2 cents is that he starts or he sits at home.

[geezerdonk]

Working with a split squad lineup behind him tonight.

[VirtualBob]

Why would you trust him in a tight game out of the pen which he is not accustomed to?
My 2 cents is that he starts or he sits at home.

This.

[HudsonHawk]

Why would you trust him in a tight game out of the pen which he is not accustomed to?
My 2 cents is that he starts or he sits at home.

I wouldn't.  I wouldn't have him in the postseason roster.  But the Astro don't always listen to me.

[das]

I wouldn't.  I wouldn't have him in the postseason roster.  But the Astro don't always listen to me.

Yesterday's outing was especially bothersome and maddening when it comes to the postseason roster decision.  He pitched tentatively and go hit hard then buckled down the 2nd two innings but still looked mediocre with long counts and not really fooling anyone.

[Waldo]

Urquidy’s excellent start tonight certainly doesn’t make Hinch’s choice any easier. Or maybe it does.

[juliogotay]

Urquidy’s excellent start tonight certainly doesn’t make Hinch’s choice any easier. Or maybe it does.

I believe it does.

[MusicMan]

Urquidy’s excellent start tonight certainly doesn’t make Hinch’s choice any easier. Or maybe it does.

I think it became much easier. If Miley showed any sign of getting outs, it would be different.

It really sucks because Miley was such a pleasant surprise all season.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[juliogotay]

I think it became much easier. If Miley showed any sign of getting outs, it would be different.

It really sucks because Miley was such a pleasant surprise all season.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I feel bad for Miley. Most of the season he looked like a solid #3 and then when Greinke came he really looked solid in the #4. But,
Urquidy's four September appearances: 18IP, 10H/3ER, 16K:3BB, .182 BABIP.

[geezerdonk]

It must have been hard for Miley to watch last night's game and see his chances for a playoff roster spot evaporate. Urquidy's performance last night slammed the door on Miley. It is sad to see his season end. Also, he was cruising toward a juicy contract next year and that looks unlikely now. 

[Fredia]

any definitive answer why the change?

[doyce7]

any definitive answer why the change?

I think at this point, his confidence is shot and once the confidence is gone, you're done

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I think at this point, his confidence is shot and once the confidence is gone, you're done

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

This seems most likely.

Before the collapse Sparks commented that for guys like Miley it can be tough to put guys away with 2 strikes.   "Hard to get them living on the edges" or something like that.

[juliogotay]

This seems most likely.

Before the collapse Sparks commented that for guys like Miley it can be tough to put guys away with 2 strikes.   "Hard to get them living on the edges" or something line- that.

Miley is one of those guys that, when he's good, he lets guys get themselves out.

[Mr. Happy]

This seems most likely.

Before the collapse Sparks commented that for guys like Miley it can be tough to put guys away with 2 strikes.   "Hard to get them living on the edges" or something like that.

Dallas Keuchel is perilously close to being like Miley. I noticed that Keuchel is 8-8 3.75 going into his next start. I don't know how big of a contract Keuchel & Co. will be expecting for this year's effort.

[geezerdonk]

About ten times what he will eventually get.

[MusicMan]

I think at this point, his confidence is shot and once the confidence is gone, you're done

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I don’t think it’s just trusting his stuff. These guys have been teeing off like they know what’s coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[das]

I don’t think it’s just trusting his stuff. These guys have been teeing off like they know what’s coming.

I know. He said he reviewed film and did not think he was tipping pitches. Sure seems like it though.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I know. He said he reviewed film and did not think he was tipping pitches. Sure seems like it though.

There's tipping and there's also recognizing it out of the hand.

Thursday the 2 rbi hit  came after the batter fouled off several 2 strike pitches and Wade let one leak over the plate.

[Mr. Happy]

I don’t think it’s just trusting his stuff. These guys have been teeing off like they know what’s coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This. This right here. This is nothing more than regression to the mean. Wiley has to be perfect in order to be successful because he lacks that out pitch as well as velocity. I'm telling y'all-Keuchel is not going to be far behind him.

[geezerdonk]

If Strom can't fix it, it can't be fixed.