(https://media.giphy.com/media/su92xt7FuJI7j55qAm/giphy.gif)
Braves will start Matt Olson at first for the next 2 years, after which there is hope he may cut them a hometown discount. This also frees up some cash for Soler, Rosario, and maybe another starting pitcher. Freeman apparently was asking too much.
Today, I am heartbroken. I'll always be a Freddie Fan, no matter where he goes.
Cool, let the games begin.
Saw where Crain is negotiating resigning Correa...... $300M just won't buy you what it used to. :silly:
Yep! I don't have the details, but I've heard the same.Don't watch the team like I used to, but that $300M over that supposed 10 years is going to create some shitty salary cap issues, when Alvarez and Tucker become FA eligible.
I lot of Houston fans are upset that Correa may go, but I saw Jeremy Pena in Sugar Land last year.
I ain't worried.
WTF is about having a designated hitter in the National League? Is that because great National League pitchers who move to the American League get slapped around the ball park?
88kleenix
Tomorrow, I will be excited about Matt Olson.
Today, I am heartbroken. I'll always be a Freddie Fan, no matter where he goes.
Yep! I don't have the details, but I've heard the same.
I lot of Houston fans are upset that Correa may go, but I saw Jeremy Pena in Sugar Land last year.
I ain't worried.
Happy Opening Day!!!
(although I kind of object to this graphic from MLB because the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRAVES are not represented for some stupid reason...)
Son just called me to tell me a full 162 game schedule will be played, season opens a week later than scheduled.
Also said that "The Shift" is hereby outlawed.
Punch n' Judy hitters everywhere are ecstatic! :laugh:
Happy Opening Day!!!
(https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/t_w2208/mlb/clj5kpkk6fs5iz3x0ajg.jpg)
(although I kind of object to this graphic from MLB because the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRAVES are not represented for some stupid reason...)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FP8ARMHWUAAI1Yb?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Happy Bobby Bonilla Day everyone!
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5F1WkNK/Shohei-Ohtani-with-RISP.jpg)
:thud:
Just amazing.
To me, his body is like a Japanese Ken Griffey, Jr..
Bat speed and arm/leg whip are 2nd to none.
The NATIONALS' Juan Soto has refused a 15yr/$450M offer.
Who can blame him?
They let:
1) Bryce Harper
2) Anthony Rendon
3) Trey Turner
4) Max Scherzer
and
5) Kyle Schwarber
all leave
Is it the lack of a DOME? I realize the Summers are horrid!
My prediction is that he's going to become a NEW YORK YANKEE!
Personally, don't think any "position" player is worth $450M...which is about $47K per PA (plate appearance)
Rumblings here that he may be an an orange uniform....
@GrouchoTexThere are some Triple A players that could be up now, but the roster is pretty crowded.
LOL! Who in the world are you going to throw 'Our' way in any deal?
But, he'd be a hoot in that dome! I can still 'see' him hit it onto the railroad tracks in Left Field...OPPOSITE FIELD!!
There are some Triple A players that could be up now, but the roster is pretty crowded.
Heck, they Have 6 starters up now, and Lance McCullers Jr. set to come back.
We didn't get caught overpaying for Correa. Guy's agent is Bora$$. I'd pass. Geez the guy is hitting .250 this year. He not worth anywhere near 450 million freaking dollars, or depleting the farm.
Let the yanquis overpay.
We didn't get caught overpaying for Correa.
Jeremy Pena has a higher WAR thus far.
@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex
How do y'all feel about the trades the Astros made?
@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex
How do y'all feel about the trades the Astros made?
I think Brent Strom shared enough with his successors about how to tweak a pitcher who may have some very fixable glitches.@AllThatJazzZ
If they can tweak Will Smith (from the Braves) like I am hoping, the Astros wil end up with a lefty-righty closer set up never seen in playoff history. (Pressley-Smith).
And we all know the importance of that come October.
@Bigun
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@GrouchoTex
@jmyrlefuller
I understand why many of us have lowered our heads regarding professional sports in general, but
this trade of Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres???
I thought that the Astros may go after Josh Bell, but Mancini wasn't a bad pick up for them at all.
It...it...it...has me almost as excited as Chris Matthews' reaction to Barack Obama's winning the presidency.
But not as excited as Rachel Maddow vibrating 6 inches above her/his seat.
There are just a few major league teams that hold your attention on your TV screen.
The PADRES are now at the top of the list! LOL! Talk about "swagger"??
Who's going to pitch inside to Juan Soto? LOL! I'll bet we'll see a manager walk in a run rather than let him hit with the bases loaded. happy77
I'm sorry @AllThatJazzZ but I don't feel anything at all. I haven't watched an inning of pro baseball or a down of pro football in quite a while and feel no need to do so ever again.
I think Brent Strom shared enough with his successors about how to tweak a pitcher who may have some very fixable glitches.
If they can tweak Will Smith (from the Braves) like I am hoping, the Astros wil end up with a lefty-righty closer set up never seen in playoff history. (Pressley-Smith).
And we all know the importance of that come October.
@AllThatJazzZ
I like them.
Vasquez will take the place of Jason Castro, who is out for the year. He's a solid veteran who can hit a bit better than our current crop of catchers.
Mancini is the same, a solid veteran who can DH, Play left Field, and 1st Base. Hate to say it, I love Yuli Gurriel, but father time may have caught up with him.
Will Smith gives us a left-handed arm out of the bullpen, which we haven't had all year.
I agree with @catfish1957, that the new pitching coach learned well from Brent Strom, and that will bode well for Will Smith, (not to be confused with the fresh Prince of Bel-Air).
@Bigun
Apologies for the ping. I'll try to remember that you're the one who has sworn off baseball, but I can't promise you won't get pinged by me again. First, y'all all look similar on the message board, and, second, I'm old. So if I hit you up again, just consider that my advanced age is causing me to slip up every now and again. And again. And again.
@GrouchoTex@AllThatJazzZ
Thanks. Another encouraging comment. I have to admit that it's a little strange to see all these new faces in Astros uniforms and wondering what team I'm looking at.
I hear what you're saying about Yuli, but I hope you're wrong. I hope it's a slump. I have no athletic skills, so I don't actually understand when players go from hot to cold. I find myself wondering if it's a mechanical thing or if it's the ability to read the pitch(er) that waxes and wanes that cause irregularities. Then I wonder if there's someone on the team who can spot the problem and point it out. Athleticism is something that confuses me because I can't relate.
The gutsiest play in all of baseball is stealing home. After watching the video below, I was amazed to see this many attempts in recent history.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDpguPbfB4)
There have been three players born since the end of WWII (as far as I can tell) that have stolen home ten times or more. Can anyone name them?
@Hoodat
But it's a private video? :shrug:
Where were you a month ago? Here's another one.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdahb4ioRfw)
I just wish going to the games was more like it was when I first started going to the games. Back when the Astros were the Colt 45s I got free tickets from school. Then when the Astrodome was built and they changed their name to the Astros, parking was $2.00 and Pavilion outfield tickets were 50 cents for 14 and under. On Ladies Nite it was 50 cents for the Ladies. We would take a picnic basket of food with us to the games and sometimes we'd go 3 times in a week.
@Elderberry
Sounds like great memories! You have a long history with our 'Stros (ahem, AL West Division winners 5 of the last 6 years). Were you faithful through the lean years?
Houston was so different back then. I went to one game at MMP. Took the bus which dropped me off right at the park. Still, it was a lot of trouble and a required a large chunk of time, unlike sitting on my couch. I felt irked that I couldn't see replays or even grab my remote and create my own replays. Most irksome was having to do my hair and makeup, not to mention being away from my dog for all that time.
I'm really glad I experienced a game in person, but at my advanced age, I'm opting for TV coverage. Besides, I enjoy the game MUCH more when TK and Blummer are in the booth. I feel like we're in the sweet spot of the Astros' golden era. I can't promise to pledge my loyalty in terms of investment of time if/when this era ends. I'm here as long as Altuve is. After that, who knows?
I just wish going to the games was more like it was when I first started going to the games. Back when the Astros were the Colt 45s I got free tickets from school. Then when the Astrodome was built and they changed their name to the Astros, parking was $2.00 and Pavilion outfield tickets were 50 cents for 14 and under. On Ladies Nite it was 50 cents for the Ladies. We would take a picnic basket of food with us to the games and sometimes we'd go 3 times in a week.
I remember getting mad when parking at the dome went from 1 dollar to 3 dollars!
It can be as high as 50 dollars now, depending on where you park.
Plus fighting traffic downtown near Minute Maid is almost to enough to swear off the game by itself.
I missed the quick and ease of jumping on 610 to get home quickly.
I missed the quick and ease of jumping on 610 to get home quickly.
I have cut/pasted this post from a fellow member of a Baseball Forum I particpate in.
"I stole this from Facebook. Could be complete BS or could be pretty interesting...
"A baseball buddy of mine has been talking about a MLB story from back in June, and has continued to talk about it. . . .
Aaron Judge hitting 61 HRs doesn't mean a thing to me...same as Barry Bonds' and Mark McGwire's HR totals.
THE BALL IS JUICED!!
I'm just going to leave this right here.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9F17XJnv/ATL-Div-Odds.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Rhy2wcs9/NYM-Div-Odds.png)
@Polly Ticks
:beer:
Very impressive. Gotta admit that earlier in the year I thought Atlanta was in deep yogurt. Then I watched as they slowly started climbing out of the hole. We'll see who finally wins the division, but my money's on Atlanta. I wouldn't mind another Astros-Braves WS, but with an entirely different outcome this year.
Best of three starts tomorrow afternoon:
Rays @ Indians
Phillies @ Cardinals
Mariners @ Blue Jays
Cardinals @ lolMets
Best of three starts tomorrow afternoon:
Rays @ Indians
Phillies @ Cardinals
Mariners @ Blue Jays
Cardinals @ lolMets
Agh! Sorry - Padres are scheduled to beat the Mets.
Perhaps it's trying to make lemonade from lemons but the typical starting pitcher
has one outing in five where he gets bombed and has no ability to make in-game adjustments.
Both Max Scherzer AND Jacob DeGrom had their 'shitty' starts last week for Buck Showalter and his METS.
Tonight, it's Scherzer vs Darvish in Game 1
Forcing me to go with head and not my heart...the METS will sweep 2-0.
Feel sorry for Cardinal fans... That was truly some of the worst pitcher management I have seen in a long time.
What a demoralizing loss, I don't see the Red Birds recovering.
TB's bats have gone ice cold at the wrong time.
They've been cold all year. Excellent pitching staff, but their offense is like a team from 1968.
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/435/406/ecc.jpg)
I'm happy for the Phillies for purely sentimental reasons.
Would like to see Bryce Harper advance...as well as Kyle Schwarber.
And I just plain hate the dangerous St. Louis Cardinals in any postseason series.
I think the Phillies could be a cinderella team this year. They seem to play with joy.
Darvish has historically been pretty shaky post season wise. I will admit I am surprised tonight.
Seems there is always one team who defies what is on paper and surprises. Is this the team this year.
Scherzer is fricasseed, but the Mets are still on the hook for $87M over the next two years. Now the pressure is on deGrom --- if he tanks, one of them will be dumped so the Mets can sign a home run hitter.
Doesn't sound too fricasseed to me. Tonight seemed like a location issue to me. But again ther might be no chance for redemption in a 3 game series
Can anyone tell me what happened to Easy Ace?
The EarGate breakdown is out.
As we all laugh at the "ear" shine substance check, I want to remind you why there is a strong distaste in my mouth for Molina of the St. Louis Cards.
I'm not digging the expanded playoff. What is the point of playing 162 games if some team can stink it up, get hot for a short series in October, and eliminate a team that dominated their division? The lolMets won 101 games, tied for first place ... but Scherzer throws a couple of meatballs to the Padres, and bye bye? It all seems pretty silly.
MLB has gone full NBA.
This format? and 5 days off for Byes?, Look already the Braves are losing, and Verlander gets rockedfor 4 earned runs in 2 innings?
Got to wonder how the layoff is impacting the teams.
MLB has gone full NBA.
This format? and 5 days off for Byes?, Look already the Braves are losing, and Verlander gets rockedfor 4 earned runs in 2 innings?
Got to wonder how the layoff is impacting the teams.
Having my roof replaced today. It's loud and driving me nuts, so I'll quickly pop in to share this before I leave the house:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yaYIB0pxsE
It couldn't have been scripted any better. Verlander was off his game like I've never witness. I'd have pulled him after the 3rd but he pitched 4. Altuve was 0 for 4. We had our moments, still the Mariners were pretty much having their way with us. But the Astros! Just sayin'. Everything aligned just right for this outcome. Such a thrill!
Leaving the house now before the noise drives me mad. I'll catch up later.
P.S. @Polly Ticks Thought the Braves were going to come back. Next time.
I left work early to watch the last of the Astros-Mariners game.
It was one of the best games I've ever seen.
Having my roof replaced today. It's loud and driving me nuts, so I'll quickly pop in to share this before I leave the house:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yaYIB0pxsE
It couldn't have been scripted any better. Verlander was off his game like I've never witness. I'd have pulled him after the 3rd but he pitched 4. Altuve was 0 for 4. We had our moments, still the Mariners were pretty much having their way with us. But the Astros! Just sayin'. Everything aligned just right for this outcome. Such a thrill!
Leaving the house now before the noise drives me mad. I'll catch up later.
P.S. @Polly Ticks Thought the Braves were going to come back. Next time.
Like Bud Selig, all Manfred cares about is money. He would sell you his daughter for $5.
3 games in Astos post season history are epic in my eyes....
Yesterday....
Game 6 of the '17 WS when we won 13-12 in extra innings and
Games 6 of the 1986 NLCS when we lost to the Mets 7-6 in 16 innings.
Dodgers are done. I wonder if Manfred will rethink his playoff expansion if this comes down to Cleveland and San Diego.
Dodgers are done. I wonder if Manfred will rethink his playoff expansion if this comes down to Cleveland and San Diego.
Especially if the Yankees get eliminated. I think 3-4 days off for byes actually hurt the better record teams.
That's silly, since they can get their rotation in gear, over teams who had to play a three-game series before hand.
Yanks seek home cooking after Judge's near-HR
https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-lose-alcs-game-2-2022?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share (https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-lose-alcs-game-2-2022?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share)
Potential go-ahead shot in 8th inning would've been a homer at Yankee Stadium
The Yankees’ last, best chance to depart with a split of this American League Championship Series rocketed off Aaron Judge’s bat in the eighth inning on Thursday. His opposite-field drive drew a gasp from the sellout crowd at Minute Maid Park, soaring like so many of the 62 home runs that the slugger launched during his regular-season chase for history.
Judge’s teammates leaped toward the dugout’s top step; this one would land in the seats, they seemed certain. But Judge felt the wind would keep it in, and soon after Kyle Tucker’s spikes crunched into the warning track, the rest of the world knew for sure. The Yankees’ hopes for ALCS Game 2 were dashed four outs later, absorbing a 3-2 loss to the Astros as the pennant showdown prepares to shift venues to the Bronx.
“We’ve got a great offense; I think we’ve just got to get back to what has gotten us to this position and what helped us win the division,” Judge said. “If that’s contact, moving guys over, coming up with that big hit -- we’ll figure it out and be ready.”
It was a cruel dagger for the visitors that, according to Statcast, Judge’s 345-foot fly ball would have been a home run in precisely one Major League ballpark: Yankee Stadium.
Nope....
Baseball is designed to be a day in day out 162 game grind with one day off every 10 days or so.
It's all about being locked, with repetition, and keeping timing keen. When you are trying to time 102 mph fastballs, being off competitive live pitching is tough to readjust back to.
The rust even whacked the Astros, if you see how they came out the gate in Game 1. So many micro-second swings and misses early. It was obvious. And Verlander's worst start of the season? The man is a slave to habit and repetition. Yeah...it hurt him too.
I will grant maybe the only advantage one might extract from a bye might be if you have an arm tired pitching that desperately needs an addtional few days of rest. In the case of the Yankees, Astros, Dodgers, and Braves..... That wasn't the case.
Don't get me wrong, I think the bye and its HFA and rotation adjustment is a plus for the winners, but once it all gets processed, I'll be willig to say its possibly a wash.
It was a cruel dagger for the visitors that, according to Statcast, Judge’s 345-foot fly ball would have been a home run in precisely one Major League ballpark: Yankee Stadium.
@catfish1957
:beer: could 'talk baseball' forever with you!
You remind me of my USENET days back in 90's, on the alt.sports.baseball newsgroups.
Used to argue all the time with "statheads" who dismissed abstracts as "chemistry" and "momentum".
LOL! Eff the Yankees! ...with a capital EFF!!
Even in defeat, the ESPN and MLB writers have to push the pinstripes!.
Who wouldn't be happy to see the PADRES and the ASTROS in the WS?? :shrug:
Should have been a 3 to 0 shutout.
When the idiotic TBS play by play/analysis team spent an entire half inning rehashing the '17 cheating scandal G1?
I have always been a semi-conspiracy theorist that the entire Selig/Manfred era has been an organized cabal of furthering the east coast NYY/BOSOX efforts.
SD v. Hou in WS? COB Schendenfreud at its best if it happens.
Schendenfreud is seeing Tatis sitting on his ass through the entire WS and then not getting a ring.
(Please God...tell me players on suspension and not on the active roster do NOT get championship rings!!)
The bigger scandal is that NYY and BOSOX were pretty much cheating as much as the 'Stros, and were basically let off the hook. A lot of insider scuttlebutt has that Cora was the brainchild of this whole stupid scheme in the first place.
Sure he didn't bring that to Boston in '18 did he? :thud:
Fan interrupts Astros-Yankees Game 2 to hug Jose Altuve
Moments before he took his position at second base to finish off the Yankees in Game 2, Jose Altuve received some affection.
In the middle of the ninth inning of the Astros’ 3-2 Game 2 win Thursday night, a fan briefly delayed proceedings while running onto the field.
The fan, wearing a white Craig Biggio Astros jersey, took to the field and approached Altuve. With the Minute Maid Park security seemingly taking its time to get out and apprehend the fan, he was able to share a hug with Altuve, wrapping his arms around the star while on both knees. A few moments later, as security finally arrived on the field, he attempted to take a selfie with Altuve.
https://nypost.com/2022/10/21/fan-interrupts-alcs-game-2-to-hug-jose-altuve/ (https://nypost.com/2022/10/21/fan-interrupts-alcs-game-2-to-hug-jose-altuve/)
(https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/1435181220.jpg?quality=75&strip=all)
Idiot delayed Pressley's warm up, and closer routine. Which in turn could have cost us the game.
Hope he spends a few days in jail,and rethinks his station in life.
The YANKEES!! Such little bitches and whiners.
They've been bitching non-stop for 24 hours about Aaron Judges 113mph off-the-bat liner that was caught at the top of the right field 'wall' last night in the ALCS.
TWO WORDS for Aaron Judge AND Aaron Boone:
Jeffrey Meier.
RF to LF winds will do that sometimes.
The sad truth was the roof was opened on behalf of the Yankees and their lackey commish to temper the Minute Maid Park crowd noise.
They have only themselves to blame.
LOL! I would have told the Commissioner: "WE WON 106 GAMES FOR HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE! THE ROOF STAYS CLOSED!"
...and then I would of course,...open the roof! :bolt:
We are still considered MLB cheating pariahs. Crane will do whatever Manfred wants.
Even with the only position players left from that '17 team are Altuve, Bregman, and Gurriel.
Baseball Trivia - Name the only two teams to win two Game 7s (pennant series and World Series) in the same post-season.
@Hoodat
@catfish1957
@Elderberry
@Polly Ticks
The Scenario: A HOF player officially retires after fulfilling team contract. He stays in shape merely out of habit/routine. In October, a World Series contender wants to sign him to replace an injured player.
Tried to Google "MLB signing deadline date" but get all kinds of unrelated nonsense regarding fantasy and stovetop leagues.
Is this possible?
Postseason Roster Rules & Eligibility
Definition
In a typical season, any player who is on the 40-man roster or 60-day injured list as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 31 is eligible for the postseason.
Those on the restricted list at that point are also eligible if they haven't been suspended for performance-enhancing drugs during that season. (All players who have served a suspension for PEDs in a given season are ineligible for postseason play that year.)
A player who doesn't meet said criteria for postseason eligibility can still be added to a team's roster in the postseason via petition to the Commissioner's Office if the player was in the organization on Aug. 31 and is replacing someone who is on the injured list and has served the minimum amount of time required for activation. (For example, a player on the 10-day injured list who has been on it for at least 10 days, or a player who has been on the 60-day injured list for at least 60 days.) Players who are acquired in September or after are ineligible.
Postseason roster rules
Teams submit a 26-man roster (it was 25, prior to 2020) prior to each round of the postseason comprised of postseason-eligible players. A club may request permission from the Commissioner's Office to replace a player who is injured during the course of a series, but that player is then ineligible for the rest of that round and the subsequent round, if there is one. A pitcher may be replaced only by another pitcher, and a position player only by another position player.
Teams carry extra players throughout the postseason in the event of injuries, and those players, as well as players on the injured list, can be in the dugout during games, within reason.
https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/postseason-roster-rules-eligibility (https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/postseason-roster-rules-eligibility)
Thanks, @Polly Ticks ! :beer:
Watching Christian Javier mow thru the Yankee lineup with nothing but hard heat...it was hilarious seeing the Yankees unable to catch up with it.
So I thought...why not bring somebody out of retirement for your roster if you know you're looking at a SHORT SERIES to get to the World Series?
Who couldn't throw as hard as Nolan Ryan for an inning? :shrug:
@Hoodat
@catfish1957
@Elderberry
@Polly Ticks
The Scenario: A HOF player officially retires after fulfilling team contract. He stays in shape merely out of habit/routine. In October, a World Series contender wants to sign him to replace an injured player.
Tried to Google "MLB signing deadline date" but get all kinds of unrelated nonsense regarding fantasy and stovetop leagues.
Is this possible?
Playoff rosters are usually set at the end of August when rosters are expanded to 40 players.
Aaron Judge has 44 playoff games under his belt, and the results are not worthy of a $400 million contract. The Yanks have to think about letting him walk. I don't envy Brian Cashman right now.
The Judge 'issue' keeps the fundamental disagreement about winning baseball, alive.
Great Pitching trumps Great Hitting! Every. Single. Time.
I would pay a Cy Young winner all day before I would pay a position player for the money being thrown around today.
Of course, you're taking a chance...look at the freaking NATIONALS. Forty percent of the rotation is worthless/injured.
Well put. And right now fully up and down Houston has maybe the most "stacked" pitching staff in MLB playoff history.
Start with Verlandar, Valdez, Javier, McCullers, and Uriquidy..... 1st 4 might be a No.1 or 2 pitcher, Elswewhere.
Then add 9 of 10 in the pen that would be setup/closers elsewhere.
On the offensive side... Pena, Bregman, Tucker, and then add these two getting out of their slump (Altuve & Alvarez)
Yeah, I know anything can happen in a 4 of 7 series, but I sure like their chances.
On the Phillie side, what scares us the most is they are now on"house money" No.6 NL seed has nothing to lose. No one expected them here. There is minimal pressue for them. They bring youth, anger, and hunger. Sometimes that whacks talent, but complacency.
The Phillies scare me a little more than the Padres would have.
Still, with the arms we have stacked up, we should be the favorite.
But it is a short series.....
Yeah well Houston ought to be awarded the trophy by default. They battled for six months. Philly went 16-3 against the Nationals. No 3rd place team should be allowed into the postseason. But rest assured, everyone outside of SE Texas will be rooting for the stoopid Phillies!
I'm rooting for the Phillies. Love Texas and all, but I will not root for any gay-ass AL team ever. But if you roll the clock back to the NL days of Bagwell, Biggio, and my main man Billy Wagner, then I'm all in.
Lance McCullers Jr. is, at best, a barely major league caliber pitcher but someone in the Astros organization is in love with him. Why, I have NO idea.
Lance McCullers Jr. is, at best, a barely major league caliber pitcher but someone in the Astros organization is in love with him. Why, I have NO idea.
Photos I've seen show...on a breaking ball his rising left leg stays parallel to his body (below the knee)
On a fastball, it points to the 3rd base dugout.
Harper called Marsh over just before his AB and whispered something in his ear. When asked about it mid-inning in the dugout, Marsh simply refused to say.
Anyway...first pitch, it was in the left field stands in less than 3 seconds. :laugh:
He's had his moments, though.
I saw him live at Minute Maid in 2017.
He was perfect through 5, allowed a single in the 6th.
24 curveballs in a row to close the Yankees down in the 2017 playoffs.
Maybe he just won't fully recover from the injuries.
When he's on, he's pretty darn good.
That's what we are hearing in Houston, too.
I thought it was the other long haired kid Harper told it to.
I am sure the whole dugout knew before long.
Smoltz mentioned a tell last night, but didn't elaborate.
Hey, Astros did it to Darvish in 2017 as well.
It does happen.
Bad timing, of course.
He'll have the off-season to work on his mechanics. I hope he's able to discover and overcome the problems he's having and comes back next year as hot as a firecracker because no one in all of baseball looks better from the backside than Lance does -- or as my friends and I call him, "Mr. Buns." :yowsa:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/11/04/astros-win-game-5-world-series-phillies-verlander-pena/8262155001/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/11/04/astros-win-game-5-world-series-phillies-verlander-pena/8262155001/)
Justin Verlander, Astros bullpen fight off Phillies in pivotal Game 5 of World Series
Forget the starting pitchers, the offensive stars that have been alternately celebrated and vilified over the last six years and pause your sentimental feelings over their 73-year-old manager for just a moment.
The Houston Astros are one win away from the second World Series title in their history because of the greatest bullpen in postseason history. And they showed no better time to prove their mettle than a taut, gut-wrenching and possibly Series-turning Game 5 on Thursday night.
One night after covering the final three innings of the first combined no-hitter in World Series history, the Astros’ relief corps took up for their 39-year-old ace who was good for just five innings, stared down a fearsome group of Philadelphia Phillies sluggers and survived until their offense could provide just enough wriggle room.
Lance McCullers Jr. is, at best, a barely major league caliber pitcher but someone in the Astros organization is in love with him. Why, I have NO idea.
Edit to add: I didn't even watch last night after I heard McCullers was going to be on the hill. I knew what the result would be.
My bad...You're right! It was Bohm in the 2nd inning! :beer:
LMJ is toast 4 out of 5 starts if his hook isn't finding the strike zone. He is easily not one of our best of 5 in the starting department.Pretty amazing, when you realize how many scouts overlooked Valdez, Javier, Urquidy, Garcia....
OTOH, our entire staff of Latin Pitchers are BAD ASS.......
Pretty amazing, when you realize how many scouts overlooked Valdez, Javier, Urquidy, Garcia....
I've always thought that at best, LMJ was the #3 guys, but he's not there this year.
I'm not an apologist for him, but I've seen him do well in the past.
Tommy John, followed by the wrist injury, may have been just too much.
Maybe the off-season gets him back to #3.
Not based on the world series but for the season (which LMJ missed most of), I would have Verlander, Valdez, Javier, McCullers, Garcia, in that order..
World series?
Definitely the performances would be order of Javier, Valdez, Verlander, McCullers.
Anyway, how about that catch by Chas McCormick last night?
I drew a blank trying to remember his name, other than the other long-haired kid>
:cool:
Maybe the off season will get him a brand new Skeeters uniform to show off his man bunns in!
LOL, I live 1 mile from there.
I get mini-season ticket packages every year.
I've seen a lot of these guys, and a lot of rehab starts.
Saw Pena at the end of last year.
Correa leaving?
I wasn't worried...
My two cents regarding the ASTROS' chances...
Do you save Christian Javier for Game 7, if necessary?
Or, do you blow your wad on a great Game 6?
Because...if by chance he gets his ass handed to him tomorrow night, it will completely mess up the Astro Dugout going into Game 7 :shrug:
@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@Bigun
@Elderberry
@AllThatJazzZ
Trivia time: What player played in more major league parks than any other?
Haven't given it much thought, but if I were in charge (LOL!) we would stick with the regular rotation for Saturday but the starter would be on a VERY short leash. @DCPatriot
I'm just a strong believer in "momentum".
Imagine the Phillies playing from behind tomorrow thinking..."Geesh and we have to face Javier tomorrow?"
as opposed to the Phillies somehow getting to him tomorrow and have the Astros think..."Here we go again!"
And then face Nola?
Somehow I doubt that the Stros are anywhere near as worried about facing Nola as you seem to think they are @DCPatriot
The entire rotation will be available on Sunday for a Game 7. Isn't just "Nola".
Anything can happen in a Game 7. Talk about tightened sphincters... :laugh:
I'm going to take a WAG and say Lance McCullers Sr.
Trivia time: What player played in more major league parks than any other?
My two cents regarding the ASTROS' chances...
Do you save Christian Javier for Game 7, if necessary?
Or, do you blow your wad on a great Game 6?
Because...if by chance he gets his ass handed to him tomorrow night, it will completely mess up the Astro Dugout going into Game 7 :shrug:
@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@Bigun
@Elderberry
@AllThatJazzZ
A WAG from me too....
There was a flurry of new stadium builds in the '90's.
Since Nolan Ryan played 27 years, and had an early and late stint in the AL (CA and TEX), plus an early and late stint in the NL (NY and HOU).
That's my guess.
Ryan never faced the Rays or the Diamondbacks. Again, look for someone still playing after 1998.
(Another hint: Someone who faced the Nats before and after they moved to Washington.)
My two cents regarding the ASTROS' chances...
Do you save Christian Javier for Game 7, if necessary?
Or, do you blow your wad on a great Game 6?
Because...if by chance he gets his ass handed to him tomorrow night, it will completely mess up the Astro Dugout going into Game 7 :shrug:
@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@Bigun
@Elderberry
@AllThatJazzZ
You got me stumped. I also thought maybe Clemens, but he didn't play in the time frame in your clue.
Orosco maybe?
Gave this some thought, and if I was the Manager, I would call the entire pitching staff into a meeting and say.....
We don't want a repeat of the Nationals series and lose Game 6 and 7 at home.
1. I am splitting the entire pitching staff into Team A and Team B. Team A will be on call tonight.
2. Check you Egos at the door, even if you are a future HOF'er. We will apply sabermetrics on pitching, (location and speed) and bat exit velocity. If you are apprently off, we will yank you.
3. If you are on Team A, and haven't pitched, and we lose, you are on Team B in G7. And beleive me we will pull out all the stops.
4. More than one walk in an IP, you are pulled. More than one hit in an inning.... you are pulled.
The two we lost were the inability of starters to work out of Jams -(JV) or just basically getting your ass kicked (shelled)- McCullers.
Dynasty! Love 'em or loathe 'em, the World Series champion Astros are an all-time team
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34957834/2022-world-series-houston-astros-mlb-dynasty (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34957834/2022-world-series-houston-astros-mlb-dynasty)
The ongoing iterative process of a great team remaining great while re-inventing itself one move at a time begs the question: How long can the Astros be vilified? This has nothing to do with forgiveness or redemption. It's all about a recognition of a unique, high-functioning baseball machine.
Does this championship allow the Astros to completely turn the page on the scandal? The truth is, they don't have to, because that happened a long time ago. All of the Astros, those who were there and those who were not, have heard it all over the last few years. It no longer really matters.
"We don't really care what the fans think," Pressly said after Game 5 in Philadelphia, where the vitriol was almost tangible. "Everywhere we go, we get booed. It's Houston versus y'all."
Amid all of the indignation and controversy and often overheated disdain, the Astros have remained just a baseball organization -- better than most, sure, and perhaps the best of all. In doing so, they have become what that 2017 team seemed very capable of becoming: A dynasty.
Dynasties can disappear rather quickly -- history is littered with examples of those who dominated for a long time and then suddenly vanished. It could happen to the Astros as well, but don't bet on it happening any time soon.
I might be a tad biased, but with all the shit from the haters?..... They can stick the asteriks up their ass!!!!!
I might be a tad biased, but with all the shit from the haters?..... They can stick the asteriks up their ass!!!!!
That blast by Alvarez? Almost gave my cat a stroke!!
Congratulations, @catfish1957
:beer:
PS: Phillies batters struck out 71 times in the six game series! Tell me again how great hitting can beat great pitching! **nononono*
My two cents regarding the ASTROS' chances...
Do you save Christian Javier for Game 7, if necessary?
Or, do you blow your wad on a great Game 6?
Because...if by chance he gets his ass handed to him tomorrow night, it will completely mess up the Astro Dugout going into Game 7 :shrug:
@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@Bigun
@Elderberry
@AllThatJazzZ
That blast by Alvarez? Almost gave my cat a stroke!!
Congratulations, @catfish1957
:beer:
PS: Phillies batters struck out 71 times in the six game series! Tell me again how great hitting can beat great pitching! **nononono*
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/312226119_902723754283713_1045822123551086984_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=I0kpbzwCNpEAX98d8XR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDaJs6xIhS6eR-qM5jAT3zo8pB-ZOTimqfW7VZaNV655A&oe=636CF04F)
Trivia time: What player played in more major league parks than any other?
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/312226119_902723754283713_1045822123551086984_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=I0kpbzwCNpEAX98d8XR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDaJs6xIhS6eR-qM5jAT3zo8pB-ZOTimqfW7VZaNV655A&oe=636CF04F)
OK, that made me spit coffee.
:rolling:
Major League Baseball used at least two types of balls again this year, and evidence points to a third
Well on his way to his second World Series title, Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander shouldn't have had any complaints about his dominant, storybook season. And yet on a sunny June day in The Bronx, the 39-year-old three-time Cy Young winner knew something was off.
Before warming up with his team for a hotly anticipated match against the New York Yankees, Verlander made a point of confronting a Major League Baseball official on the field. With a wry grin that belied a long-simmering frustration he and many other players have felt, he ambled up to the official and asked within earshot of a reporter:....
http://www.insider.com/mlb-used-two-balls-again-this-year-and-evidence-points-to-a-third-2022-12
MLB is as corrupt as our government.