This team kinda is putting it all together--I guess it depends what you mean by that. I don't think "putting it all together" means having everything clicking at the same time constantly. And I don't think this team is going to win more than 106 games (current pace). To me, it means picking guys up who are slumping, making up for issues like Fiers, etc.--because this is a 162 game season with ebbs and flows for a variety of reasons. I suppose you could be saying we could be doing what the Nats and Yankees are doing right now.. but that's such a small difference from where we're at, and I'm sure those teams going to slump some from where they're at eventually.
i find teams that end up with 110+ wins to be fascist, not 1930s Italia, but in bull durham's usage of the word. I like some adversity, coming out of nowhere to put on a late run. It's more democratic that way. It all depends on taste I guess.
Makes sense. There was a theory that wild card teams were more prepared for the post-season as they'd usually had experienced some sort of recent adversity. I don't think it played out in the end, or there needs to be more sample size to see if there's a real effect or not.
I have no problem with an Astros fascist regime that rules over Major League ball for the next few years with multiple World Series Championships. If a few Ranger teams have to be broken in the process, so be it.
Total wins isn't really my point. I mean winning games that we should, locking games down in the late innings, smart situational baseball, and beating the top teams in the AL more than they beat us. So far, it's been a success so not complaining. Yet it's clear to see we aren't clicking on all cylinders and of course I wouldn't imply that we have to be clicking on all cylinders all the time. It's more of just a feel of where we are at right now and while we are playing well, I think there are obvious things we could improve on and I think we will improve them.
makes sense. I guess I'm just saying, while those things you mention are likely to improve, I still expect some issues to pop up--whether that means Devo/Keuchel giving up some runs, someone important getting hurt for a few weeks, a prolonged slump out of a key player, etc. It's probably false hope to think that "we'll eventually fix these 3 things, and then we'll be great because nothing else will change". Definitely have to keep working to improve. The king above all the random factors is a baseline talent improvement via trade or possibly promotion, so we'll see if that factors in as well of course.
Yeah, as i stated, not really looking for all cylinders to be clicking at all times. Also, I never mentioned injuries simply because it's not in the team's control. What I mean is doing the things that win games consistently throughout the season- things within the team's control.
Altuve recently passed JR Richard in franchise WAR leaders. Joe Niekro is on deck. I've only seen 8 of the Top 24 play as an Astro... but 4 of the top 6. I believe DK might be 25th. Recall seeing him within the past year.
Astros schedule will get tougher. Our division doesn't look like much and we've played them plenty. One good thing is most our losses are 1 or 2 runs. When we lose, we barely lose. We're also capable of winning close games and blowing teams out, Blast-style.
AL West teams are above 0.500 outside division. It only looks weak because the AL West have played the Astros a lot and lost. Edit: can't do math. Almost 0.500.
Right. Was calling the division mediocre, not bad. A couple games over .500 would equal the same thought. .
On this astros off-night i came across one of the most eye-opening baseball stories I've ever read. Haven't checked the source, but its from a Baseball Prospectus chat: link.
