Deservedly so, but you really should get creative (not vulgar) with the heckling, entertainment value for those around you and whatnot.
Lance’s pop looked like serial killer Edmund Kemper when he pitched for the Padres 30+ years ago. I was a wee lad but I remember my dad telling me to not ask McCullers for an autograph based on the creep factor.
Well, Jake has recently surpassed Brett Wallace on the Astros franchise K% leader board. No doubt Brett is happy to be out of the #2 position. Jake has now struck out in 29.6% of his ABs as an Astro. Jake still has some work to do to surpass Chris Carter at 33.7%, but he has the youth to stick around and get the job done. This season, Jake's K% is ahead of Jim Deshaies' career mark of 43.5%, so he is well on the path to taking the franchise K% title.
Marisnick now has a 53%, yes 53% K rate......and not a single walk. That is completely intolerable. If he can't get that under control ASAP, it's time to see what Kemmer or Kemp can do.
Well, the lineup change made out of "panic" sort of worked. Really should've scored more than 4, but whatever. I liked seeing Lance incorporate his change a little more; at the very least, it should make opposing hitters aware that he's got another offering that they should think about. The starters have done more than their part... the lack of run support surely has to be irritating them, but ultimately that's out of their control.
I understand the financial reasons for not bringing up Tucker. That’s fine But what about Tony Kenp in place of Jake? Many pitchers could hit better than he can.
I see no reason whatsoever not to bring up Kemp. Gives you another infield option as well if you need it. He’s just more versatile and can’t possibly be any worse at the plate than Jake right now.
The ONLY reason I could think of not bringing up Kemp is that he could be out of options which would disallow us from sending him back down. If that is the case bring him up and send down Fisher. Give Kemp time up here until June or whenever we are past the point of holding Tucker for financial reasons. If Kemp is rocking and Marisnick still blows then trade/release Jake for Tucker for Tucker’s promotion. When he came up to the plate in the bottom of the 10th or 12th or whatever against the Rangers you just knew in your heart that a whif was coming to end the game. Add in last nights 4 plate appearances and 4k’s. He was never a good hitter and last year is looking like an outlier.
I for one would like to caution calling for anyone to be sent down in April. If Jake is still struggling like this come May, sure it's reasonable to send him down. Jake is a proven commodity on defense and on the base paths. That said, I'm not sure why Hinch keeps starting him instead of using him as a late game defensive or base running substitution like he did last year.
