Zero bite on any of Pressly's breaking ball pitches tonight and he can't complain of being over use since he's had many days off.
I know Dubon has had some spectacular diving catches but it also seems he sometimes struggles with reading the ball and running inefficient routes in CF. I think Jake or Chas catches that 2RBI-er that dropped in the 5th inning. Pena pointed up like he thought Dubon would get it. Also the one that hit short of the wall that Chas ended up picking up... it looked like Dubon thought it was out or something.
It is the fundamental problem with "old school" managers using the eye test, vs analytic ones looking at catch probability or zone rating. It is the Derek Jeter effect ... people overvalue what looks spectacular and ignore "routine" plays made routine by anticipation and speed. By any of the advanced analytic system, Chas is a better CF than Dubon. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccorch01-field.shtml https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dubonma01-field.shtml And he's a far better hitter, of course. Just as Diaz is a far better hitter and fielder than Maldy, of course. None of this matters to Dusty ... but don't complain or @Hey Now! will remind you that Alvarez was injured in May and the Astros won the WS last year.
Still very confident in Pressly, he's a boss -- but last night was utterly pathetic. Offense failed multiple times with runner on 3rd with <2 outs too. Stros are living on edge in the division/playoff race and have gassed starting pitchers incoming. JV hasn't had a good game in 2-3 weeks. Smh
Dana's plan, or whoever is in charge, to relieve gassed starters has been insane and outright sabotage. How does pitching *more* innings without any rest equate to rejuvenating a tried arm? The evidence has been there since July, yet little-to-nothing has been done in attempt to solve it. Management is literally crossing their fingers and hoping everything works out by miracle.
Then, as the Astros drifted, then nose-dived, Baker insisted there was no need for urgency. We thanked him later.
Now he says "we have a bit more urgency, but its not time to panic." So, you know, progress ... now if only someone would tell him that 1) those games in May count also, and 2) now that we finally agree urgency is actually required, perhaps we can agree to play our best player at their best positions?
Well yeah, that's why the Mets are paying most of his salary, he's a #3 or #4 pitcher at this point, not an ace... but there's still value in a 3 or 4.
