Over 2017 and 2018, White has hit very well over 157 plate appearances (quarter of a season's worth of PAs of near 0.300 BA with a pace for 40 homers). He should get another 60 or so plate appearance with Gurriel and Gattis starting most games. If over next 60 or PAs he continues to walk more than either Gattis or Gurriel, hit for more power than Gattis, and hit for average like Gurriel over those 60 at bats, I think Astros have to consider benching one of them for White.
If Tucker is what he is projected to be that is who logically he is going to replace. So far Tucker has shown little to nothing. From what we have seen so far the best time to give Tucker his shot is at the first of next year. I would trade Reddick for whatever we could get for him. He may be untradeable because of his contract I do not know. I just don't think he brings that much anyway to this team.
I’m all for benching Gattis for White. Gattis is cool when he has his multi-HR game per month and occasional one torrid stretch per year, but otherwise he sucks as a DH.
Let's hope Gattis is about to start one of his torrid streaks. This coming road trip would be perfect timing.
Playing in AL parks does NOT mean no double switches. You can pinch hit for, say, Maldonado, leave White (or whoever pinch hits) in the game, and have Stassi fill in for someone else. I've seen AJ do that multiple times. I say White gets some 1B time next year, while Yuli moves into a more utility role. Hopefully Gattis goes, and most likely, I envision Alvarez at DH, and Beer at 1B by the end of 2019, and to start 2020.
I'd definitely leave Gattis off the WS roster if we make it. No DH at NL parks means potentially up to 4 games he's useless aside from ONE pinch hit appearance, while Tyler White does offer decent defense at 1B.
I like that we are on ESPN2 tonight. Although they look a lot smaller, I like how they are swinging the bats.
Read/heard two interesting Astros tidbits today. Sorry no links. One article from a NY paper worried that Astros would drop into wildcard and Verlander who owns the Yankees would end their season in one playoff game. The other was someone on national radio (didn't listen long enough to hear who it was) saying the Red Sox were built to win lots of regular season games, but in a Series vs Astros, they would be at a disadvantage due to 2nd,3rd,4th starters. Playoff pitching and having a game plan to attack a team can overcome the hitting advantage.
