Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019

[HudsonHawk]

Come on, boys...snap out of it...

[Tom Servo]

Out by a mile. Jeez

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[Astros Fan in Big D]

Weird trip around 3rd for Altuve.

[HudsonHawk]

T1:

Springer lines out to LF
Altuve tries to bunt he first two pitches and fouls them off. Then takes a huge cut and dribbles one up the 3B line. Pitcher fields it and throws it into RF. Scored a single and Altuve to 2B on the TE1
Brantley...3-0...walks
Bregman singles to RF, Altuve jogging around 3B and is out by three steps at the plate. Brantley to 3B
Alvarez...0-2...strikes out swinging

Astros get two hits, a walk and an error but fail to score.

0-0

[astrojo]

Out by a mile. Jeez

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Didn’t quite look Altuvian in speed.

[Tom Servo]

Didn’t quite look Altuvian in speed.

As TK said, hope he's ok. Of course if he's ok, then WTF?

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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I hope they only need 4 or 5 runs to win.

[HudsonHawk]

Out by a mile. Jeez

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Off the bat I thought no way they throw home. Then when it was a weak throw that bounced like four times, I thought, no way. Then Altuve wasn’t even in the picture when the catcher fielded it, I thought wow, is he already in the dugout. Then I thought “shitfuck”.

[Tom Servo]

Off the bat I thought no way they throw home. Then when it was a weak throw that bounced like four times, I thought, no way. Then Altuve wasn’t even in the picture when the catcher fielded it, I thought wow, is he already in the dugout. Then I thought “shitfuck”.

That about sums it up perfectly.

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[HudsonHawk]

B1:

Semien flies out F9
Grossman grounds out 5-3
Chapman grounds out 5-3 on a nice scoop by Yuli.

No score b

[astrojo]

Off the bat I thought no way they throw home. Then when it was a weak throw that bounced like four times, I thought, no way. Then Altuve wasn’t even in the picture when the catcher fielded it, I thought wow, is he already in the dugout. Then I thought “shitfuck”.

Looked like Altuve expected the throw to go into 2nd and he could just jog home.  Should have been running hard.

[HudsonHawk]

T2:

Correa flies out F9
Gurriel grounds out 4-3
Chirinos singles to LF
Reddick grounds out 3U

No score.

[jbm]

Looked like Altuve expected the throw to go into 2nd and he could just jog home.  Should have been running hard.

If he’s not injured, it is likely something like this, which is pretty inexcusable.

[HudsonHawk]

B2:

Olson strikes out swinging
Canha flies out F9 on the first pitch
Joseph flies out F9

No score

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Josh covered a lot of ground with those 2 flyballs.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Interesting poll.

My choice is Brantley.

[jbm]

Interesting poll.

My choice is Brantley.

Interesting also in that there is no Altuve. I get it, but it’s odd to exclude the player with the most hits over the last years.

[HudsonHawk]

T3:

Springer grounds out 6-3
Altuve walks
Brantley grounds into 4-6-3 double play

No score

[HudsonHawk]

B3:

Pinder flies out F8 on the first pitch
Profar strikes out swinging
Phegley flies out F9 on the first pitch

No score

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Bregman smacked that one good.

[jbm]

Alvarez looks terrible vs this dude. Carlos needs to pick him up.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

It's up to Chirinos.


That's phrase you never want to use

[HudsonHawk]

T4:

Bregman doubles to LF
Alvarez...takes strike one a foot off the plate...0-2...strikes out swinging on a pitch in the dirt. Bregman to 3B on a wild pitch though Alvarez uninterested in running
Correa...infield in...walks
Gurriel pops out to SS on the first pitch
Chirinos...0-2...1-2...strikes out swinging

Leadoff double wasted as the Astros strand two more. No score.

[HudsonHawk]

A’s get their first base runner. Lead 1-0

[Astros Fan in Big D]

A’s get their first base runner. Lead 1-0

Freaking bats can't get a leadoff double home so if course the A's get a leadoff dinger.

[HudsonHawk]

Freaking bats can't get a leadoff double home so if course the A's get a leadoff dinger.

After having him 0-2

[HudsonHawk]

B4:

Semien...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...homers to LF
Grossman walks
Chapman strikes out swinging
Olson rolls tailor made double play ball to SS...no one there...shiftfuck single. Grossman to 2B
Canha strikes out swinging
Joseph grounds out 4-3 on the first pitch

1-0 A’s

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve’s single in the first changed to a straight 2-base error

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Altuve’s single in the first changed to a straight 2-base error

Looked like a good throw would have had him.

[astrojo]

Wow Brantley pops up w Reddick at 3rd and 1 out.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Brantley pop up means Astros have an chance to stand even more runners.

[astrojo]

Thank you ABreg!

[Astros Fan in Big D]

0-2 Bregxit!!!

[HudsonHawk]

Brexit!

3-1 Astros

[jbm]

Damn, what a stress relief that was. I was going crazy.

[HudsonHawk]

T5:

Reddick singles to RF on the first pitch
Springer singles to LF, Reddick to 2B
Altuve grounds into FC. Springer out 6-4, Reddick to 3B
Brantley pops out to SS
Altuve steals 2B
Bregman...0-2...homers to LF...Reddick scores, Altuve scores
Alvarez grounds out 4-3

3-1 Astros

[austro]

I was sure that Grossman was going to catch that at the wall.

[HudsonHawk]

Man, if you’re Anderson, you are kicking yourself. Base open, guy you’ve owned on deck, and you hang an 0-2 curveball for three earnies.

[Tom Servo]

That was MUCH needed. Now let's see if we can shut them down this inning.

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[Astros Fan in Big D]

O BBGs
Grant us a scoreless bottom of the 5th

[HudsonHawk]

Now how about a fucking zero, Greinke!

[austro]

Now comes the litmus test. Can Greinke keep them off the board?

[astrojo]

A one out 4 pitch walk to a .204 hitter. Brilliant!

[HudsonHawk]

This is just surreal.

[HudsonHawk]

B5:

Pinder...0-2...1-2...grounds out 5-3 on a nice backhand play by Bregman
Profar...3-0...walks
Phegley...0-2...grounds into FC, Profar out 5-4, but can’t get two. Nice play all around, just not hit very hard
Semien walks, Phegley to 2B
Grossman grounds out 4-3 on a diving stop by Altuve

Not a shutdown inning, but no runs.

3-1 Astros.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Thank you BBGs

[austro]

That wasn't as smooth as it could have been, but it's a start. Nice play by Altuve for the 3rd out.

[astrojo]

Nice play by Altuve

[Astros Fan in Big D]

This is just surreal.

Can't believe they didn't get their own 3 run bomb.

[austro]

See how Carlos did that, Jose?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yuli lit a fire under Correa.

4-1.

[HudsonHawk]

Anderson our with a full count on Chirinos.  Trivino in

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Base knock,  George. That's all we need.

[HudsonHawk]

T6:

Correa walks
Gurriel doubles down the LF line, Correa scores
Chirinos...3-2...

Trainer out to look at Anderson...he’s out...looks like a blister...Trivino in

Still 3-2 count on a Chirinos, who...grounds out 5-3
Reddick...0-2...1-2...pops out to shallow LF
Springer pops out F3 in foul territory

4-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yuli sitting on 2nd with no outs and that's as far as ge gets.

I'm grateful for the run we did get, but that is still frustrating.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

To put a finer point on it,  Chirinos needs to move Yuli over.   Sit FB on Trivino and go to the right side.

4-3 gets it done while 6-3 does nothing.


Ok.  I'll settle down now.

[HudsonHawk]

Still can’t get a clean inning after scoring.

[HudsonHawk]

B6:

Chapman...3-2...grounds out 5-3
Olson doubles to LCF
Canha...0-2...strikes out swinging
Joseph strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

2 big Ks by Grienke.

[austro]

To put a finer point on it,  Chirinos needs to move Yuli over.   Sit FB on Trivino and go to the right side.

Can Chirinos not even bunt?

[astrojo]

Great play by Grossman to rob Yordan. The bastard.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Great play by Grossman to rob Yordan. The bastard.

So much room out there for a ball to drop.   But no.

[HudsonHawk]

T7:

Diekman in for the A’s

Altuve hits a screaming line drive 200 mph right at Chapman who is almost knocked over, but makes the play. Possibly the hardest hit ball all game
Brantley lines one up the middle that almost knocks Diekman over...single
Bregman...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...fouling off pitches, stayin alive...walks on the 11th pitch, Brantley to 2B
Alvarez flies out F7 on a diving catch by Grossman
Correa...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...pops out F3

At the stretch...4-1 Astros

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Diekman was in control of that Correa AB from the start.

Should have had a K but got the pop up.

Oh well.

[austro]

Greinke's reaction there was great.

[HudsonHawk]

B7:

Pinder singles to CF on the first pitch
Profar grounds onto 3-6-1 double play
Phegley pops out F5

4-1 Astros

[astrojo]

Greinke's reaction there was great.

Yes it was.

[HudsonHawk]

Greinke's reaction there was great.

I had a flash of Greinke taking that one right between the eyes.

[jbm]

Watching cannon throws is my favorite part of baseball, usually from OFers, but that was also special.

[HudsonHawk]

T8:

Buchter in for the A’s

Gurriel flies out F7
Chirinos strikes out swinging
Reddick...0-2...1-2...2-2...3-2...flies out F7

4-1 still

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Watching that guy in the rainbow gut play-chase that toddler was about the most precious thing you'll ever see on a baseball broadcast.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Pressly/Osuna?

[HudsonHawk]

Pressly in for the 8th. Excellent work by Greinke today.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Pressly in for the 8th. Excellent work by Greinke today.

Yes indeed.   Grienke was really good.

Strike 3 to Cahna was nasty when nasty was needed.

[HudsonHawk]

B8:

Pressly in

Semien grounds out 5-3 on the first pitch
Grossman...full up...singles to LCF
Chapman flies out F9 on the first pitch
Olson strikes out swinging

4-1 Astros

[jbm]

Some insurance would be welcome.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Uncle Mike shows off the wheels.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1163219386900967424?s=19

That's five consecutive multi-hit games for Brantley. He's hitting .335.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

4 hit day for Bregman.

[HudsonHawk]

T9:

Springer with a broken bat lineout to SS
Altuve grounds out 5-3
Brantley bunts for a single
Bregman singles to LF, Brantley to 2B...Bregman 4 fer 4 today
Alvarez...full count...strikes out swinging at a pitch in the dirt.

To the bottom of the 9th...Astros up 4-1

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Alvarez 0 for 5 with 3 Ks.

Probably his roughest day as an Astro.

[das]

Osuna. Really?

[Tom Servo]

That freaking gun!

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[Astros Fan in Big D]

Routine 5-5-6-3 dp.

[das]

What a DP!

[astrojo]

Looks too close to overturn to me

[austro]

Correa's arm makes up for a variety of problems.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Load the cannon and look out.

[HudsonHawk]

B9:

Osuna in to try to close it out

Canha singles to LF on the first pitch
Joseph grounds to SS, Bregman there in the shift, bobbles it, finally stabs it and tosses to Correa at 2B, who fires to 1B called out for a double play...A’s challenging...call upheld...5-6-3
Pinder grounds out 6-3

Astros win!

[Tom Servo]

A win!!  Very big one, too.

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[Astros Fan in Big D]

That definitely feels better.

Happy victory Sunday.

[jbm]

Finally, great game by all, especially Greinke and Bregman.

Shitty road trip, but that W kept it from being near catastrophic.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros needed that one. Greinke was terrific in getting his 200th career win. A couple of timely hits. No  drama from the pen. Big win.

[astrojo]

Whew. Now let’s go home and go on a win streak.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I guess I'll have to go fishing during the game tomorrow too.

[austro]

I guess I'll have to go fishing during the game tomorrow too.

It's the least you can do. Good thing you're retired.

[JimR]

It's the least you can do. Good thing you're retired.

I wonder who Yordan’s primary hitting coach is and what they are working on. He is striking out and chasing more than I thought he would, but I guess the learning curve is steep from AAA to MLB.

[HudsonHawk]

I wonder who Yordan’s primary hitting coach is and what they are working on. He is striking out and chasing more than I thought he would, but I guess the learning curve is steep from AAA to MLB.

Faced  all lefties today, I think. But he has to get used to that. He’s gonna see them a lot, especially late in games. Part of his becoming a true big league hitter.

[JimR]

Faced  all lefties today, I think. But he has to get used to that. He’s gonna see them a lot, especially late in games. Part of his becoming a true big league hitter.

His stats have been better against LHP. I would love to listen to him being coached.

[HudsonHawk]

His stats have been better against LHP. I would love to listen to him being coached.

He seems to be doing worse lately against LHP.  Maybe that's just my perception, I haven't looked anything up, so I'm just wondering if it's catching up to him, or if teams are putting together a book on him. 

As for coaching, he seems to really struggle down in the count and with 2 strikes.  Most hitters do, but Alvarez is particularly bad when he gets behind.  Back in the day, the coaching would be "attack early, but when you get two strikes, shorten up, let the ball travel, go the other way".  But I'm not sure that advice applies this day and age anymore, especially to a power guy like Alvarez.  I think it's just the typical growing pains, and not a flaw or anything.  Hopefully they can help him work through it.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

He seems to have trouble recognizing low breaking balls.  He's not unique in that respect.

[JimR]

He seems to be doing worse lately against LHP.  Maybe that's just my perception, I haven't looked anything up, so I'm just wondering if it's catching up to him, or if teams are putting together a book on him. 

As for coaching, he seems to really struggle down in the count and with 2 strikes.  Most hitters do, but Alvarez is particularly bad when he gets behind.  Back in the day, the coaching would be "attack early, but when you get two strikes, shorten up, let the ball travel, go the other way".  But I'm not sure that advice applies this day and age anymore, especially to a power guy like Alvarez.  I think it's just the typical growing pains, and not a flaw or anything.  Hopefully they can help him work through it.

That traditional advice, except maybe “shorten up,” may still be something he hears. One thing he has done since his very first game, is foul off a lot of hittable pitches he appears to be on. Everyone has raced about his discipline and his swing, but it seems to me there are things in his swing path to correct. I hope he ignores all the accolades and works to correct the flaws.

[HudsonHawk]

That traditional advice, except maybe “shorten up,” may still be something he hears. One thing he has done since his very first game, is foul off a lot of hittable pitches he appears to be on. Everyone has raced about his discipline and his swing, but it seems to me there are things in his swing path to correct. I hope he ignores all the accolades and works to correct the flaws.

My first thought on the just missing pitches is it's an adjustment to the velocity and movement of big league pitchers.  Everything is just a little quicker, pitches move just a little bit more than down even in AAA.  That it's essentially a timing issue that will get better as it becomes more and more routine.  I haven't noticed anything in his mechanics that says "wow, he needs to fix that", a la Jason Lane, but I'm not a hitting coach either.  They have hours of film on him now, so if it's an issue, hopefully they're working on it with him. 

[JimR]

My first thought on the just missing pitches is it's an adjustment to the velocity and movement of big league pitchers.  Everything is just a little quicker, pitches move just a little bit more than down even in AAA.  That it's essentially a timing issue that will get better as it becomes more and more routine.  I haven't noticed anything in his mechanics that says "wow, he needs to fix that", a la Jason Lane, but I'm not a hitting coach either.  They have hours of film on him now, so if it's an issue, hopefully they're working on it with him.

“Raced” should have been “raved.” The ones I mean are fouls on pitches he seems to have timed correctly, but he hits under the ball and fouls it. Maybe that is a movement thing. His swing looks great, and his plate discipline is good most of the time. When he squares balls up, he hits rockets, but squaring them up consistently seems to be an issue.

[Lefty]

My first thought on the just missing pitches is it's an adjustment to the velocity and movement of big league pitchers.  Everything is just a little quicker, pitches move just a little bit more than down even in AAA.  That it's essentially a timing issue that will get better as it becomes more and more routine.  I haven't noticed anything in his mechanics that says "wow, he needs to fix that", a la Jason Lane, but I'm not a hitting coach either.  They have hours of film on him now, so if it's an issue, hopefully they're working on it with him. 

Just me, or has Yordan started chasing high (out of the zone high) fastballs more than he was early and in AAA?

[JimR]

Just me, or has Yordan started chasing high (out of the zone high) fastballs more than he was early and in AAA?

I have seen him chase more balls in the dirt than out of the zone high.

[HudsonHawk]

I have seen him chase more balls in the dirt than out of the zone high.

This is what I've seen.  I didn't see him at AAA, and he chases a few high ones, everyone does, but his biggest issue has been recognizing that slider low and away.

[BizidyDizidy]

I've seen him put some high balls into low earth orbit as well.

[Lefty]

Didn't watch the last 4 games or so, I guess I was remembering/focused on a bad K he had last Wed/Thursday on a fb up in his eyes.

Is he still trying to take the outside pitch to LF, or pullhappy?  I do recall him grounding into the shift more often recently.

His ability to go with the pitch for such a young guy was one of the most impressive things I noticed this Spring and beyond.

[JimR]

Didn't watch the last 4 games or so, I guess I was remembering/focused on a bad K he had last Wed/Thursday on a fb up in his eyes.

Is he still trying to take the outside pitch to LF, or pullhappy?  I do recall him grounding into the shift more often recently.

His ability to go with the pitch for such a young guy was one of the most impressive things I noticed this Spring and beyond.

Definitely not pull happy.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Many of those shift outs have been absolutely smoked.  Just needed to be elevated.

I'm sure teams are pitching to the shift. 

[MRaup]

Many of those shift outs have been absolutely smoked.  Just needed to be elevated.

I'm sure teams are pitching to the shift.

He definitely has hit some rockets to shallow right field only to be thwarted by a waiting shifted second baseman.

[JimR]

Many of those shift outs have been absolutely smoked.  Just needed to be elevated.

I'm sure teams are pitching to the shift.

Elevating the ball is what I am wondering about. Might be risky to tinker with such a pure swing.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

If he eliminates/reduces the chases,  he'll likely pick up more walks ( a good thing).  And that's likely the tradeoff; pitchers would be foolish to let him force them more into the zone. 

Fouling off drivable pitches is another issue altogether.

[JimR]

If he eliminates/reduces the chases,  he'll likely pick up more walks ( a good thing).  And that's likely the tradeoff; pitchers would be foolish to let him force them more into the zone. 

Fouling off drivable pitches is another issue altogether.

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

[Jacksonian]

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

For me, Yordan is too high.  The league's pitchers have adjusted.  Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5.  Bregman and Brantley are red hot.  I'd leave them at 3 and 4.  Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.

[MusicMan]

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

I don’t think it makes much difference, but if you believe that Alvarez will continue hitting like this, he has to hit third.


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[Lefty]

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

This is a great problem to have, you could do the top 7 in any number of ways.

[MusicMan]

For me, Yordan is too high.  The league's pitchers have adjusted.  Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5.  Bregman and Brantley are red hot.  I'd leave them at 3 and 4.  Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.

Correa is hitting .259/.405/.603 this month. I’ll take that as “cold”.


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[JimR]

I don’t think it makes much difference, but if you believe that Alvarez will continue hitting like this, he has to hit third.


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I really am more concerned with who hits behind him than I am about where he hits. Think is, hitting 5th, he has two on so many times. If he were more consistent....

[Jacksonian]

Correa is hitting .259/.405/.603 this month. I’ll take that as “cold”.


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I call 2 for his last 23 ice cold.

[geezerdonk]

The more at bats for Alvarez the better. But he is so slow i am afraid he would clog up the bases. Don't know what the best way to balance that is.

[BlownRanger]

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

I think I want Bregman driving in Brantley.

[JimR]

The more at bats for Alvarez the better. But he is so slow i am afraid he would clog up the bases. Don't what the best way to balance that is.

He gets a bad rap on stuff like this. He goes first to third on singles just like faster players do. He also is a decent OFer.

[JimR]

For me, Yordan is too high.  The league's pitchers have adjusted.  Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5.  Bregman and Brantley are red hot.  I'd leave them at 3 and 4.  Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.

With his RBI total, he has to be 3, 4, or 5. The issues for me are two:

1. Balancing the R-L hitters

2. Having a hitter behind Alvarez who will keep the opponent from pitching around him and who will drive in the runners he does not. Bregman and Gurriel fit those criteria for me. Correa does not.

[jbm]

He gets a bad rap on stuff like this. He goes first to third on singles just like faster player do. He also is a decent OFer.

This can’t be emphasized enough.  I’m not sure why people that see him play everyday think he’s a slug and a DH only.  I’d prefer to see him in front of Bregman also, or Yuli, rather than Correa.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Alvarez was alright as far as I could tell. Now you guys have me all confused.

[JimR]

Alvarez was alright as far as I could tell. Now you guys have me all confused.

Sure, he is more than “alright,” but he can be so much better.

[jbm]

Did anyone ever hear an explanation of Altuve’s base running in the first, either from him or Hinch? 

[MusicMan]

I call 2 for his last 23 ice cold.

Fine but you don’t shuffle a guy in the order on a few days’ worth of games


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[JimR]

Fine but you don’t shuffle a guy in the order on a few days’ worth of games


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I do not call switching him and Yuli a “shuffle.” Perhaps his ego would.

[BlownRanger]

I do not call switching him and Yuli a “shuffle.” Perhaps his ego would.

It was unbelievable how long Correa was left in the cleanup spot last season.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Did anyone ever hear an explanation of Altuve’s base running in the first, either from him or Hinch?

Didn't see any explanation.

Mayfield's up and playing 2nd tonight. Regular day off per McTaggart.

[geezerdonk]

Mayfield is having a great year at AAA. 25 HRs, 75 RBIs. Hitting 30 points higher than Tucker. It would be great to see some MLB team make him their super sub next year.

[jbm]

Didn't see any explanation.

Mayfield's up and playing 2nd tonight. Regular day off per McTaggart.

Hmm.  I didn’t even realize he was brought up. I guess that undercuts the “Diaz injury is fake” theory.

[Lefty]

I think I want Bregman driving in Brantley.

Do you?  Bregman's hitting a bit over .200 with RISP.

[HudsonHawk]

Hmm.  I didn’t even realize he was brought up. I guess that undercuts the “Diaz injury is fake” theory.

Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days. 

[Lefty]

Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days. 

Cy Yo-yo

[Snuffy]

Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

....the 1st return to RR came just after he took the loss in the 12-inning game w/ Oakland. 

[JimR]

Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

He never left Oakland though.

[JimR]

Hmm.  I didn’t even realize he was brought up. I guess that undercuts the “Diaz injury is fake” theory.

Diaz’ situation sounded potentially serious to me.

[juliogotay]

Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

I suspect he was in a first-class hotel in the Bay Area for a couple of days. I'll take that mistreatment.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I suspect he was in a first-class hotel in the Bay Area for a couple of days. I'll take that mistreatment.

If he went for a walk in San Francisco he'd have to dodge a lot of turds on the sidewalks. That place is really developing a problem.

[Snuffy]

Mayfield is having a great year at AAA. 25 HRs, 75 RBIs. Hitting 30 points higher than Tucker. It would be great to see some MLB team make him their super sub next year.

I agree.  It's easy to like Mayfield's story and to definitely pull for him to get to the ML. 

But it is also easy to overlook how much Tucker has turned it around after a horrific April (.171 avg, 5 HR & 9 RBI).  His May - Aug (.295, 27 HR & 84 RBI) has brought his avg to .268 with 32 HR & 93 RBI.  He also has 28 SB. 

[JimR]

I agree.  It's easy to like Mayfield's story and to definitely pull for him to get to the ML. 

But it is also easy to overlook how much Tucker has turned it around after a horrific April (.171 avg, 5 HR & 9 RBI).  His May - Aug (.295, 27 HR & 84 RBI) has brought his avg to .268 with 32 HR & 93 RBI.  He also has 28 SB.

Tucker has been very inconsistent. Terrible in April and July.  You cleverly omitted July.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Tucker will come up in September.

If it's before that it's because something bad has happened.

[WVastro]

I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:

Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick

I hope I’m not going to far out here... but maybe this is what’s pissing off the BBG’s?

Unfortunately, as Astro fans I don’t think we get the luxury of  talking about “lineups”.  We don’t get to talk about rotations or a batting order. I’m thinking we just get to talk about the basic shit and hope we don’t piss them off.

[Snuffy]

Tucker has been very inconsistent. Terrible in April and July.  You cleverly omitted July.

Not an omission; I'm not clever.  I was tempted to mention that he was hitting .360 .333 for Aug, but didn't....

Could not find monthly totals broken out on the site but there was a search option using any two dates.  So I simply isolated the bad April from the rest of the year.

[Snuffy]

Tucker will come up in September.

If it's before that it's because something bad has happened.

Understand. 
W/ the team struggling, I love Marisnick in the OF but hate to see him filling 3-4 ABs for Reddick.

[JimR]

Not an omission; I'm not clever.  I was tempted to mention that he was hitting .360 .333 for Aug, but didn't....

Could not find monthly totals broken out on the site but there was a search option using any two dates.  So I simply isolated the bad April from the rest of the year.

He hit .194 in July. You can find month by month on the RR MiLB site.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I hope I’m not going to far out here... but maybe this is what’s pissing off the BBG’s?

Unfortunately, as Astro fans I don’t think we get the luxury of  talking about “lineups”.  We don’t get to talk about rotations or a batting order. I’m thinking we just get to talk about the basic shit and hope we don’t piss them off.

I think lineups are fair game.

Postseason rosters,  on the other hand,  are verboten until something is clinched.

[JimR]

I hope I’m not going to far out here... but maybe this is what’s pissing off the BBG’s?

Unfortunately, as Astro fans I don’t think we get the luxury of  talking about “lineups”.  We don’t get to talk about rotations or a batting order. I’m thinking we just get to talk about the basic shit and hope we don’t piss them off.

This is a regular season lineup discussion, not assuming anything about the postseason. Totally ok.

Maybe Correa’s latest ailment will cause Hinch to put Yuli behind Alvarez. Like Reddick, though, this team needs Correa’s defense. Let’s hope this soreness was long flight caused, and he’ll be back and healthy soon.

I know why the BBGs were not happy. Let’s hope we have passed through the storm.

[Snuffy]

He hit .194 in July. You can find month by month on the RR MiLB site.

Found it!
Thanks, Coach.