Jake Meyers literally is the best story of this season. And Jose Altuve destroying the Yankees. Astros beating the Dodgers was Amazing too
The team has enough experience that experience shouldn't be weighted much. Unless someone gets hurt, the defense isn't needed. What is needed is for someone to hit for Maldy late in games. I'm not sold on Jones, but it would seem the bat is the most needed skill from the 13th position player. So I'd guess the last spot without injuries will be the best bat or Stubbs so Dusty will actually have a safety blanket 3rd catcher to allow him to use a pinch hitter for Maldy.
I don't think so. There's a number of situational purposes where defense is needed particularly late in games which also ties into experience and in the playoffs those are absolutely factors. I'm leaning Marwin gets the last spot for the 13th player. We will see how he looks in the coming weeks
Josh Reddick is experienced... but he lost 3-4 steps. So has Marwin. Diaz and Gurriel can do everything Marwin does but better. Chas can play all outfield positions. We need some pop off the bench in late inning situations.
Josh Reddick has sucked for awhile. he's not here so not even sure why hes mentioned. Diaz and Yuli have nothing to do with Marwin. They're already part of the guys who will be on the playoff roster. Chaz won't even be on the playoff roster
Yes, defense is needed late, but Chas is a better defender in the OF. Brantley probably is too (but close). I don't see them pulling Correa or any of the other IFs for a defensive replacement. If they do need a defensive IF replacement, Diaz is the first choice as he is both a bat and a meh defensive player. If Marwin wins the last spot, it will be because they trust his bat.
There's a number of situational purposes where defense is needed particularly late in games. Unlike Marwin, Chas is a good defender.
There's only 1 spot for the 13 hitters that's up for debate. The other 12 spots are already pretty much established. I don't think Chas has much of a shot, especially when he's been hurt
Chas is making the playoff roster. 4th outfielder with above average speed and decent glove that can competently play all 3 OF positions. Tucker can barely play center. Brantley is corner OF only. Alvarez is LF-only (as is Marwin, Diaz, Yuli). Marwin does the same thing as Diaz does for this current team... play 5 positions or more when needed. Marwin has a good arm still, but he doesn't have the range... and has also been awful since 2017. He could make the team, but Taylor Jones is ahead of him. As is Stubbs since we tend to have a 3rd catcher every playoffs, and Stubbs can play 2B and LF. Roster is also 26 players, and with extra day offs... you are going with no more than a 12 man bullpen. If everyone is healthy (please... please... please...) ... C - Maldy/Castro 1B - Gurriel 2B - Altuve 3B - Bregman SS - Correa LF - Brantley CF - Meyers RF - Tucker DH - Alvarez UTIL - Diaz OF4 - McCormick Backup C - Castro Emergency C - Stubbs 1 - Valdez 2 - McCullers 3 - Greinke 4 - L. Garcia Long - Urquidy Left 1 - Raley Left 2 - Taylor Mid - Javier Mid - Y. Garcia Mid - Stanek Set - Graveman CL - Pressly On the bubble: J. Odorizzi, P. Maton, J. James, B. Abreu, M. Gonzalez, T. Jones
Unless I'm missing someone this is who I have as definitely making it. Top 9: Yuli Altuve Correa Bregman Tucker Meyers Brantley Yordan Maldonado 10. Diaz 11. Castro 12. Chas 13. Some infielder Also have factor in the possibility that opposing teams might figure out Meyers and he could struggle at the plate to end the year. While I'm not a huge Chas fan, he still has a .784 OPS
Marwin's defense is solid (I would say meh as in not horrific, but not great enough to be good) at 2B and 3B. Though, I expect Altuve, Bregman, Diaz, and Yuli are higher on the pecking order for those spots, and won't get pulled for a defensive replacement. If Chas is out for the playoffs, the Astros will bring up a person that can play CF, and be a defensive upgrade at the corners. I'm not completely sold on Marwin not making roster, but if he does, it will likely be because they think he can hit RHPs even though he's struggled this year batting lefthanded (i.e., I think Maldy is most likely to face RHPs).
My mistake. I think I was counting Jake twice when I was counting the 9 starters, so chas actually does indeed have a shot assuming he returns from injury in time @The Real Shady @Joe Joe
