Defense

[astrojo]

The defense was spectacular last night and, really, the whole series. Reddick’s scorpion catch on that sinking liner, Brantley’s double play, and Correa’s throw to first to complete the other double play were all just so what elevates this team over the others. Baserunning has been elite as well.  I love watching this team do all the little things right to win games. And Maldonado laying down the surprise bunt was superb!

[Craig]

After Brantley's amazing catch, the grass stains on his uniform acted like a green screen for the cameras. When he came up to bat there were silvery patches where it looked like his magic was leaking through.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I am so grateful that this franchise values defensive prowess in addition to all the other analytic-era metrics.

[juliogotay]

After Brantley's amazing catch, the grass stains on his uniform acted like a green screen for the cameras. When he came up to bat there were silvery patches where it looked like his magic was leaking through.

I saw one on his jersey and couldn't figure out what that was exactly until he faced the camera.

[JimR]

The defense was spectacular last night and, really, the whole series. Reddick’s scorpion catch on that sinking liner, Brantley’s double play, and Correa’s throw to first to complete the other double play were all just so what elevates this team over the others. Baserunning has been elite as well.  I love watching this team do all the little things right to win games. And Maldonado laying down the surprise bunt was superb!

Don’t forget Altuve’s amazing feed to Correa to start the dp.

[Navin R Johnson]

Underrated defensive performance this post season.  Yuli.  He has been fantastic.

[dickntx]

Don’t forget Altuve’s amazing feed to Correa to start the dp.

And because Altuve knows Correra has a cannon he can feed him a nice easy lob where I've seen many middle fielders botch that play with a hurry-up throw.  It's also quite a luxury for Bregman, Correa, and Altuve to know if they get it anywhere near Yuli he will scoop it up (it's almost as if he was born to play that position).

[Limey]

And because Altuve knows Correra has a cannon he can feed him a nice easy lob where I've seen many middle fielders botch that play with a hurry-up throw.  It's also quite a luxury for Bregman, Correa, and Altuve to know if they get it anywhere near Yuli he will scoop it up (it's almost as if he was born to play that position).

I swear Correa’s throw was accelerating as it reached Gurriel. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Don’t forget Altuve’s amazing feed to Correa to start the dp.

What a tough ball to field cleanly for the chance to turn it.

Great feed to Correa. Knew he just needed to load the cannon.   And clear the decks.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Underrated defensive performance this post season.  Yuli.  He has been fantastic.

Agree.  Scoops,  the swipe tag on Bregman's throw,  the diving stop for the 3-1 putout.

Yuli Gurriel is a fine all around baseball player.

[MusicMan]

And because Altuve knows Correra has a cannon he can feed him a nice easy lob where I've seen many middle fielders botch that play with a hurry-up throw.  It's also quite a luxury for Bregman, Correa, and Altuve to know if they get it anywhere near Yuli he will scoop it up (it's almost as if he was born to play that position).

We forget how rough Yuli’s first year at 1b was. What a pro.


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[juliogotay]

I swear Correa’s throw was accelerating as it reached Gurriel.

And rising.

[Lefty]

We forget how rough Yuli’s first year at 1b was. What a pro.


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I remember arguing with Mark (or was it abuse?) about him his first year and how much work he needed to get tolerable with his feet and reads around the bag.  Good times.  I think he turned out ok.

[MRaup]

I remember arguing with Mark (or was it abuse?) about him his first year and how much work he needed to get tolerable with his feet and reads around the bag.  Good times.  I think he turned out ok.

You could see pretty early on that the mechanics were there to be a good if not great 1B. But he was rouuuuuugh that first year figuring it out.

[BizidyDizidy]

Not sure if this was mentioned anywhere, but I read that Correa's throw on the DP was the fastest ever recorded by Statcast (94.5 mph)

[BlownRanger]

Not sure if this was mentioned anywhere, but I read that Correa's throw on the DP was the fastest ever recorded by Statcast (94.5 mph)

According to Phillips/Nitkowski on MLB Radio this morning, it was the highest velocity on an infield throw in StatCast era.  There have been higher ones on throws from the outfield (I believe including relays be Correa).  They said Aaron Hicks hit triple-digits once.

[doyce7]

According to Phillips/Nitkowski on MLB Radio this morning, it was the highest velocity on an infield throw in StatCast era.  There have been higher ones on throws from the outfield (I believe including relays be Correa).  They said Aaron Hicks hit triple-digits once.

Correa has hit(I think) 98 on relays before, but that was the fastest recorded throw to first base, is what I saw.

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[Gizzmonic]

Does anyone think Reddick could've brought back LeMahieu's home run? I think yes.

[JimR]

Does anyone think Reddick could've brought back LeMahieu's home run? I think yes.

No. He is not as tall as Springer who played it perfectly and just missed.

[MRaup]

No. He is not as tall as Springer who played it perfectly and just missed.

If Springer had been able to take one more step before he jumped, he would've caught it at the apex and made one of the greatest plays in ALCS history.

I don't think Reddick is faster than Springer at tracking balls, and Springer had a bead on it all the way and went to the fence and leapt, so I doubt him being in right would've made any difference.

[Gizzmonic]

Thanks Raups! Wanted to hear it from someone with actual scouts' eyes.

[BudGirl]

Does anyone think Reddick could've brought back LeMahieu's home run? I think yes.

I thought he would have had as much of a chance as Springer.  I felt Reddick's advantage would have been his having played RF throughout the season.  But, if it had been caught then there would have been no Altuve HR.  Which to chose??  One would have been awesome and one was awesome.

[VirtualBob]

I thought he would have had as much of a chance as Springer.  I felt Reddick's advantage would have been his having played RF throughout the season.  But, if it had been caught then there would have been no Altuve HR.  Which to chose??  One would have been awesome and one was awesome.

Two roads diverged ...

[Limey]

I thought he would have had as much of a chance as Springer.  I felt Reddick's advantage would have been his having played RF throughout the season.  But, if it had been caught then there would have been no Altuve HR.  Which to chose??  One would have been awesome and one was awesome.

It would’ve been great for Springer to rob them there, but the way it ended was mucho mas macho.

We took their best punch...smiled...and then laid them out cold. 

[JimR]

I thought he would have had as much of a chance as Springer.  I felt Reddick's advantage would have been his having played RF throughout the season.  But, if it had been caught then there would have been no Altuve HR.  Which to chose??  One would have been awesome and one was awesome.

Springer played it perfectly. Reddick would have barely missed also. Like you, I like the ending just the way it was. Give LeMahieu credit for hanging in barely on tough pitches and for barely sneaking a fly ball over the wall. That allowed Altuve to add to his postseason legend.