Tigers at Astros- August 20, 2019

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Leadoff homers for both teams.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Altuve makes it back to back jack!

All 3 homers in the game landed in the first few rows of RF seats.

[das]

Nice AB by Yordan to come back and get the BB after being down 0-2.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yep.

1st, 2nd, 1 out.

Tigers discussing it on the mound.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Blech.

First pitch gidp for Yuli.

[HudsonHawk]

Gurriel grounds into 5-4-3 double play on the first pitch

2-1 Astros

[MRaup]

Gurriel grounds into 5-4-3 double play on the first pitch

2-1 Astros

Sure would be fucking nice if the Astros would put their foot on someone's throat for a (recent) change. 2 on, 1 out and Yuli just flails his way in to a double play.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Hard dive from Josh.

Sanchez might want to rethink the leadoff extra base hit strategy.

[MRaup]

Wow. Thank you, dummy.

[austro]

Hard dive from Josh.

Sanchez might want to rethink the leadoff extra base hit strategy.

Hey, he cut the total bases in half. Give the guy a break.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Wow. Thank you, dummy.

Good manners from the visitor.

[JimR]

My vote for SS for the IL period is Mayfield, not Straw.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

My vote for SS for the IL period is Mayfield, not Straw.

Agree.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Can't believe Yuli let this guy off the hook.

He just walked Machete for crying out loud.

[HudsonHawk]

My vote for SS for the IL period is Mayfield, not Straw.

I like Mayfield's defense, but his .143 OBP is gonna be hard to stomach long term.

[HudsonHawk]

I like Mayfield's defense, but his .143 OBP is gonna be hard to stomach long term.

...he says as Mayfield doubles...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

...he says as Mayfield doubles...

Well done

[HudsonHawk]

Well done

Mayfield has 7 hits this season...one single, five doubles and a home run.

[JimR]

I like Mayfield's defense, but his .143 OBP is gonna be hard to stomach long term.

Mayfield can hit. Be patient. Look at his AAA stats. Defense matter more at SS anyway.

[Tom Servo]

I see the numbers they show for driving a runner in from third with less than two outs, but I have no idea what is considered good and bad.  Anyone know what the league average is on that?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That's Tiger Baseball 2019 in a nutshell.

[HudsonHawk]

Altuve with a swinging bunt single drives in Machete...3-1

[HudsonHawk]

2-run double from Brantley!

5-1

[MRaup]

Hinch would've successfully challenged that Brantley's double stuck under the wall and should've held Altuve at third.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Of course the ball gets stuck under the padding eliminating any chance they had at making a play at the plate.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Hinch would've successfully challenged that Brantley's double stuck under the wall and should've held Altuve at third.

All the RFer had to do was raise his hands,  right?

[HudsonHawk]

Hinch would've successfully challenged that Brantley's double stuck under the wall and should've held Altuve at third.

On a side note:  after getting caught lollygagging the other night, Altuve was on his horse.

[MRaup]

All the RFer had to do was raise his hands,  right?

Hinch successfully challenged one a few games ago that just literally just did that. No hands thrown up or anything.

Also, those white on white hats they showed in the shop are fucking hideous.

[HudsonHawk]

Hard dive from Josh.

Sanchez might want to rethink the leadoff extra base hit strategy.

Yeah...he's gonna stick with that strategy...let's see if it pays off.

[austro]

Huh. I expected Correa's bobblehead to be made out of crystal.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Sanchez is consistent with leadoff hitters.

[MRaup]

Huh. I expected Correa's bobblehead to be made out of crystal.

It's actually made of cotton candy.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Huh. I expected Correa's bobblehead to be made out of crystal.

Golf clap.

[MRaup]

Sanchez is motherfucking infuriating to watch pitch.

[HudsonHawk]

So Sanchez responds to a crooked number by giving up a leadoff double and walking the next guy

[MRaup]

Also, go fuck yourself Astros Promotion Lady...

Half price is STILL fucking expensive for beer in MMP.

[HudsonHawk]

Infield shiftfuck single on a would be double play ball...Tigers with the bases loaded, nobody out

[HudsonHawk]

Also, go fuck yourself Astros Promotion Lady...

Half price is STILL fucking expensive for beer in MMP.

Well that's a little harsh...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bill Brown is working with Ford on the radio side tonight. Synched the radio up with the muted telly.

[WVastro]

Nice play by Mayfield.

[MRaup]

Well that's a little harsh...

Considering the amount of money I've spent on beer in that ballpark already, AND considering this is the first time they've done it all season, I stand by my statement.

[HudsonHawk]

Sanchez walks in a run...still nobody out, as Peacock is up in the pen

[MRaup]

Holy shit.

Astros in all white and Angels in all black for Player's Weekend? That sounds fucking horrid.

Also, fuck Aaron Sanchez. This is pathetic.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Nice play by Mayfield.

Yep.

HPU gifted Sanchez a strike on 3-0 pitch.

Walked him anyway.

[austro]

I think Sanchez gets one more batter. No out, no more chances.

[HudsonHawk]

IFF gets one out...bases still juiced...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Those unis are terrible.

They look like tennis outfits.

[HudsonHawk]

And that's it for Sanchez...Peacock inherits the bases loaded.

[WVastro]

And that's it for Sanchez...Peacock inherits the bases loaded.

Correct decision.

[HudsonHawk]

Those unis are terrible.

They look like tennis outfits.

Those are worse than the light blue they made the Astros wear two years ago.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Well that was really pathetic.

Strom has his work cut out for him.

[JimR]

Wow. Took him out after an out. This  had better work. Shiftfuck and got squeezed.

[MRaup]

Wow. Took him out after an out. This  had better work. Shiftfuck and got squeezed.

That grounder wasn't going to be an easy double play. It was pretty deep in the hole.

And he's missed terribly a LOT.

[HudsonHawk]

Wow. Took him out after an out. This  had better work. Shiftfuck and got squeezed.

Not exactly instilling confidence in Sanchez's ability to work out of a jam.

[Snuffy]

Jack Morris (Tigers announcer) observes Sanchez FB @ 89 w/ "normally that would be up to 95.  Not the same pitcher I have seen before..."

Is Sanchez OK?

[HudsonHawk]

That grounder wasn't going to be an easy double play. It was pretty deep in the hole.

And he's missed terribly a LOT.

It was in the hole because Mayfield was shifted way over to 2B.  It's an easy two at normal positioning.

[HudsonHawk]

Jack Morris (Tigers announcer) observes Sanchez FB @ 89 w/ "normally that would be up to 95.  Not the same pitcher I have seen before..."

Is Sanchez OK?

Morris must be on the sauce.  I don't think Sanchez every threw 95

[HudsonHawk]

Slow roller to SS gets an out at 2B, but another run scores...5-3

[JimR]

That grounder wasn't going to be an easy double play. It was pretty deep in the hole.

And he's missed terribly a LOT.

Shift. Straight at a regular SS.

[WVastro]

I think Sanchez was toast. Savy move by Hinch. Regardless of how this inning plays out.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

That was just a good old fashion shit-fuck single.

[HudsonHawk]

Peacock walks another to re-load the bases...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

2 runs in with just one ball out of the infield. Idiotic walks and the aforementioned shiftfuck will do that.

[HudsonHawk]

What a shitty inning

[JimR]

I think Sanchez was toast. Savy move by Hinch. Regardless of how this inning plays out.

Disagree

[austro]

Maybe we can pick up a pitcher or two before the Aug 31 deadline.

[HudsonHawk]

Peacock gets an extremely generous strike two call, and then the punchout to end the shittiness.

5-3

[WVastro]

Disagree

Sanchez was throwing slop.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Needed a gift strike two but got three legitimately.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Peacock gets an extremely generous strike two call, and then the punchout to end the shittiness.

5-3

Extremely generous may be too generous for the hpu.

That was a shitty call.

[HudsonHawk]

Extremely generous may be too generous for the hpu.

That was a shitty call.

Maldonado got him that call.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Maldonado got him that call.

Probably the 3-0 call to Miggy also.

[HudsonHawk]

Yordan with a 4-pitch walk in the bottom half...we're gonna be here all fucking night.

[JimR]

Sanchez was throwing slop.

Disagree. Of course, you are the pitcher.

[HudsonHawk]

Gurriel smashes one past the second baseman...Yordan to 3B...that ball got by the fielder in a hurry.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yuli smashes one thru the right side.

Corners/0 outs.

[Snuffy]

Alvarez smooth from 1st to 3rd to Yuli's single to RF.

[WVastro]

Disagree. Of course, you are the pitcher.

I saw what I saw. In Hinch I trust.

I wonder if Sanchez could become a bullpen weapon before this is all over?

[JimR]

Reddick is trying to get Tucker called up.

[austro]

I'm not sure Josh can get any worse.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I saw what I saw. In Hinch I trust.

I wonder if Sanchez could become a bullpen weapon before this is all over?

Not if he can't be trusted to throw strikes.

[austro]

I wonder if Sanchez could become a bullpen weapon before this is all over?

I want my bullpen weapons to throw strikes.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Reddick is trying to get Tucker called up.

Caveat to the Mayfield discussion:
It would be much,  much,  much more palatable offensively if Josh was simply average at the plate.

This is painful.

[JimR]

I saw what I saw. In Hinch I trust.

I wonder if Sanchez could become a bullpen weapon before this is all over?

Not if he throws “slop.”

[MRaup]

KEVIN! STOP TRYING TO ANTICIPATE WHAT BLUM IS GOING TO SAY AND SAYING IT OVER HIM, YOU FUCKING SCHMUCK!

[WVastro]

I want my bullpen weapons to throw strikes.

I get that, more thinking long term with some Strom influence and whatnot. I don’t want him in the rotation.

[HudsonHawk]

Well that inning went "thud". 

[MRaup]

Hooray for more shitty at bats with RISP!

[austro]

1st and 3rd, no outs. No runs. I'm getting tired of that.

[WVastro]

Not if he throws “slop.”

I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him on the past but tonight he was struggling to say the least. I’ll go on the record... I’m glad Hinch pulled him when he did.

I also don’t know shit.

[HudsonHawk]

Hooray for more shitty at bats with RISP!

To be fair, Maldonado hit the shit out of his line drive...just right at Lugo.

[JimR]

I get that, more thinking long term with some Strom influence and whatnot. I don’t want him in the rotation.

Bullshit. He is the 5 starter long term. That is the reason for the trade.

[HudsonHawk]

HPU is just flipping a coin

[MRaup]

To be fair, Maldonado hit the shit out of his line drive...just right at Lugo.

2 outta 3 ain't bad... or great in this case.

Maldonado gets a pass. The other two, woof.

[HudsonHawk]

0-2 hits bug the shit out of me in general.  Even moreso when the umpire has a...shall we say..."generous" strike zone.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

To be fair, Maldonado hit the shit out of his line drive...just right at Lugo.

Yep.

1 hard hit ball from 7-8-9 may be the best we can do for awhile.

[geezerdonk]

Who is the home plate umpire? He isn't making 50%.

[HudsonHawk]

Who is the home plate umpire? He isn't making 50%.

Stevie Wonder.

[JimR]

Peacock getting a lot of help from the Tigers.

[JimR]

2 outta 3 ain't bad... or great in this case.

Maldonado gets a pass. The other two, woof.

Reddick is a mess right now.

[WVastro]

Bullshit. He is the 5 starter long term. That is the reason for the trade.

Yup. He is. But if this team is lucky enough to be involved in anything after the last day of the regular season then Sanchez could be a weapon out of the bullpen. He certainly won’t be starting.  If he’s just here to hold down the #5 spot then great... I have a hunch that the “”brass” might be expecting more though. He has crazy stuff, that ball moves. Tonight he didn’t have it.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Stevie Wonder.

Ah, Stevie Wonder is black. Must be Ronnie Millsap.

[JimR]

Yup. He is. But if this team is lucky enough to be involved in anything after the last day of the regular season then Sanchez could be a weapon out of the bullpen. He certainly won’t be starting.  If he’s just here to hold down the #5 spot then great... I have a hunch that the “”brass” might be expecting more though. He has crazy stuff, that ball moves. Tonight he didn’t have it.

Of course he is not a starter for the postseason. I did not say he was. They traded for his stuff and potential. I like the trade.

[WVastro]

Of course he is not a starter for the postseason. I did not say he was. They traded for his stuff and potential. I like the trade.

I agree. I like the trade. Mostly just saying that I think Hinch made a good move tonight. Using the word “slop” likely doesn’t translate well to people that have played/coached. 

[JimR]

I agree. I like the trade. Mostly just saying that I think Hinch made a good move tonight. Using the word “slop” likely doesn’t translate well to people that have played/coached.

The shift kept him from getting out of the inning.

[HudsonHawk]

Yordan late on a 90 mph center cut meatball...

[WVastro]

The shift kept him from getting out of the inning.

I just didn’t like what I was seeing. Again, I don’t know shit.

[JimR]

Yordan late on a 90 mph center cut meatball...

This is what I wonder about.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yordan late on a 90 mph center cut meatball...

And took strike 3 for ball 4.

[HudsonHawk]

This is what I wonder about.

Our earlier conversation is what I was thinking about too.  I'm wondering if something is up

[MRaup]

This game just reeks of a late inning loss right now.

[HudsonHawk]

Astros leave the bases loaded...another disappointing inning.

[JimR]

And took strike 3 for ball 4.

No. Low.

[WVastro]

Is Yuli hurt? Didn’t like his reaction at 1st b

[Astros Fan in Big D]

That was some f'd up camera work.

Yuli got himself in trouble flailing at that ball at his eyes.

[MRaup]

No. Low.

It was at the knees, it just completely crossed the catcher up so badly it looked terrible.

[WVastro]

Our earlier conversation is what I was thinking about too.  I'm wondering if something is up

What conversation is this? He’s obviously not going to be Barry Bonds in his first season... but I do have high hopes.

[HudsonHawk]

What conversation is this? He’s obviously not going to be Barry Bonds in his first season... but I do have high hopes.

The one about him missing hittable pitches.  That was a 3-1 fastball, a mediocre one, right down the center of the plate, and he was late getting to it.  He should have been right on it. 

[JimR]

What conversation is this? He’s obviously not going to be Barry Bonds in his first season... but I do have high hopes.

On this board. Fouling off pitches he should drive.

[Jacksonian]

The one about him missing hittable pitches.  That was a 3-1 fastball, a mediocre one, right down the center of the plate, and he was late getting to it.  He should have been right on it.

Not watching but wondering if he was looking curveball.

[MRaup]

I'm a little sad Miggy didn't just pick up Altuve as he ran by and take him with him on that 3rd out.

Also, this game is 2 hours old in the middle of the 5th. Jesus.

[WVastro]

Not watching but wondering if he was looking curveball.

He does seem like a hitter that “guesses”. Like Berkman.

[HudsonHawk]

Not watching but wondering if he was looking curveball.

Maybe.  But he shouldn't have been. Hopefully that's part of his coaching up.

[JimR]

He does seem like a hitter that “guesses”. Like Berkman.

BASIC: look fastball, adjust to off speed.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Machete!!

[HudsonHawk]

Machete!!!

That ball is no longer round. 

[MRaup]

Maldonado says "Fuck this hitting balls right at people shit".

[austro]

Maldonado says "Fuck this hitting balls right at people shit".

Yeah, the 3rd baseman wasn't going to get that one.

[HudsonHawk]

Alright, I gotta hit the sack.  Don't fuck this one up.

[Jacksonian]

Alright, I gotta hit the sack.  Don't fuck this one up.

No worries.  You'll be waking up when the 9th starts.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

McHugh gives up 2 hits but gets out unscathed.

Is he coming around?   

[MRaup]

20 years ago today, Chris Carter walked 4 times in a game.

Yordan just did it tonight.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Alvarez up with no one on,  2 outs.

3-1, misses a hanging slider.  Fouls off 2 FBs (98, 97).  Walks on a pitch in the dirt.

[WVastro]

BASIC: look fastball, adjust to off speed.

Sure. It seems to me that he’s pretty good at his guessing (good instincts)

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Score one for the net.

[MRaup]

Rodriguez , their first baseman, has a little giggle at a ball that deflects right above him off the netting behind first.

Then Yuli takes one off the elbow pad on the next pitch.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yuli hit squarely on the elbow pad.

That's gotta sting.

[MRaup]

Jesus Fucking Christ, josh.

Maybe TRY and hit one the other way now and again?

He's just slapping at the ball.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Poor Josh.

I think tmw night Ric Flair is throwing out the first pitch.   Maybe that will break the slump.

[WVastro]

Poor Josh.

I think tmw night Ric Flair is throwing out the first pitch.   Maybe that will break the slump.

Personally, I’m done waiting on Josh. What we see is what we have. Obviously there’s potential, but he doesn’t seem to be able to work it out.

[JimR]

Personally, I’m done waiting on Josh. What we see is what we have. Obviously there’s potential, but he doesn’t seem to be able to work it out.

I’ll say one thing, your posts are consistent.

[The Spleen]

Since "discomfort" is the what all the cool kids are doing now, I'm wondering if Josh is trying to play through some of it...

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Pressly on in the 8th.

Springer made a nice diving catch on a soft liner.

Next batter reaches on an infield single.

Pressly gets ahead 0-2, unleashes filth for the swinging K.

Again ahead 0-2, slider is fouled off, next one is tipped/not caught,  third one is smashed foul,  Machete out to discuss things.   Still 0-2, Pressly catches him looking and a slider on the outside corner.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Since "discomfort" is the what all the cool kids are doing now, I'm wondering if Josh is trying to play through some of it...

He's batting poorly with no homers since June.  Wouldn't surprise me at all if there's a physical issue.

[jbm]

Since "discomfort" is the what all the cool kids are doing now, I'm wondering if Josh is trying to play through some of it...

He’s been looking pretty frustrated/pissed off in the last few weeks.  I would expect different reactions if he knew it was caused by an injury. Looks like he could use a few days off.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Altuve flies out.

Brantley pops out.

Bregman Ks by uncharacteristically chasing one way up out of the zone.

To the 9th.

[WVastro]

I’ll say one thing, your posts are consistent.

Love his defense but his offensive output as an Astro has been a bummer overall. He has the upside of a Springer.

My posts are infrequent and likely not consistent.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Osuna pitching.

First batter flies out to center

Next batter Ks swinging after a long leg hang

Cabrera flies out to right

Astros win 6-3

Winning pitcher ?

[JimR]

Peacock with the scorer’s decision.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

6 pitchers used.  Peacock picks up the W for his 1.2 innings of work.

Hope we get some innings out of JV and Cole.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Peacock with the scorer’s decision.

Seems appropriate.  He limited the bases loaded damage.

[doyce7]

Love his defense but his offensive output as an Astro has been a bummer overall. He has the upside of a Springer.

My posts are infrequent and likely not consistent.

Reddick at his absolute best, is not close to a Springer, not close at all.

That said, he's also not what he's been lately and I have faith things will turn around. Less faith than a few weeks ago, mind you, but he's a good ballplayer.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[WVastro]

Reddick at his absolute best, is not close to a Springer, not close at all.

That said, he's also not what he's been lately and I have faith things will turn around. Less faith than a few weeks ago, mind you, but he's a good ballplayer.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Then that’s my problem. I always thought he could be.

[JimR]

Then that’s my problem. I always thought he could be.

Seriously? The equivalent of Springer? No way. Not on his best day, but he is a very good player.  Springer is elite.

[das]

He's batting poorly with no homers since June.  Wouldn't surprise me at all if there's a physical issue.

It's been a pretty precipitous falloff from late May.  .333 average thru the first 46 games, .214 average in the ensuing 66 games.  Only one multi-hit game since July 1st.  4 doubles, 1 three-bagger and no home runs in the same period.  Severe power outage to go along with the super low OBP.  In April and May, he was going opposite field all the time.  Then he tried to pull everything and went into the tank.  Now he appears to be just slapping at everything, trying to get a simple base hit.   Just a dreadful, long summer so far.

[das]

BTW, this nearly made my head explode yesterday when Altuve said it:

“We’ve gotten stronger,” Altuve quipped when asked why the club was hitting so many home runs. “I see a lot of homers by Springer when I’m on deck and I love it. I think the fans love it, too. We need to keep hitting homers.”

No, my friend.  You need to "not keep hitting homers".  Please, please, please just focus on getting good pitches to hit and taking good swings.  Geesh.

[JimR]

It's been a pretty precipitous falloff from late May.  .333 average thru the first 46 games, .214 average in the ensuing 66 games.  Only one multi-hit game since July 1st.  4 doubles, 1 three-bagger and no home runs in the same period.  Severe power outage to go along with the super low OBP.  In April and May, he was going opposite field all the time.  Then he tried to pull everything and went into the tank.  Now he appears to be just slapping at everything, trying to get a simple base hit.   Just a dreadful, long summer so far.

Yes, now it looks to me he is trying to guide the ball.