All series talk goes in here. Non series talk goes somewhere else. No PBP, that can be found from other sources if you need it. All games are broadcast on AT&T Sports SW unless otherwise noted. 9-22 Cole Ragans (L) vs. Framber Valdez (L) 7:10 9-23 Jordan Lyles (R) or TBD vs. J.P. France (R) 6:10 9-24 TBD vs. Hunter Brown (R) 1:10
Throw out the records when these teams get together !! No really, throw out the records because this 100-loss team just beat the Astros arse last week. Houston needs a sweep to balance the bullsh1t that happened a week ago in KC.
They are basically in a 3 way tie for the division and the other 2 teams play each the next 3 days so one is guaranteed to win. Winning today is the only way to stay in first place and these 3 games are the last ones against a team not fighting for the playoffs. This team simply must win 2 of 3 and a sweep would be very welcome.
If they can sweep then magic number is 5-7 If Seattle sweeps it's 7 If Seattle wins 2 or Texas sweeps its 6 If Texas wins 2 its 5 If they sweep and Seattle loses at least 1 then there is a chance to clinch in Seattle. Clinching in Seattle woukd be so great.
The Rangers and Mariners play 7 of the remaining 10 games vs each other. And the other 3 games for the Mariners are against us. If we want the best outcome to win the division, we want those guys to split 4-3. Best chance to merely make the playoffs is if one team sweeps the other, effectively knocking the loser out of the race and guaranteeing we get in (unless we do very poorly over these next 10 games ourselves). The 3 games we play vs the Mariners could be pivotal, but only for our fate or the Mariners. If Texas does well vs the Mariners, they could make it hard on us to win the division. Lots of possible outcomes.
Well put. But starting tonight, its going to be hard to hold on to that (for me) with the schedule down to the last 10 games and every game having added significance. It will be tempting to get too into it and start creating expectations all over again.
A good start would be playing the best line up everyone of these games..... I know Valdez will want his security blanket (Maldonado), but everyone else that should start, needs to start. Dana Brown needs to take away Singelton so Baker doesn't use him to pinch hit over better players. Cole Ragans has been very good this season, but the Astros touched him up worse than anyone else has this season. Hopefully the Astros are up 5-6 runs and Valdez doesn't have to push his limit because he doesn't want Montero or Maton to come in and get lit up like the Branch Davidians did.
I actually think Singleton was the right choice there but only because Dusty wasted Dubon pinch running. That is assuming Brantley was not available. The problem was that Dusty screwed the pooch in the 8th inning. He is down 1 run and Meyers and Maldy are the first 2 batters and he is planning to pinch hit for both. Assuming Brantley is unavailable there is Yordan, Dubon, Singleton, and Kessinger on the bench. The best option is to lead off with Dubon Then you go with Yordan, hopefully with Dubon on base. If you must pinch run for Yordan (presumably because he isn't running well which was factored in to him not starting) then use Kessinger or even a pitcher but don't burn the next best bat on the bench pinch running when you know you will need another pinch hitter. Also, Altuve is behind Yordan instead of Singleton or even Dubon. Maybe he gets something to hit instead of being walked there. Just awful managing.
Here's how I see things. If this team can't sweep a horrible team like KC (especially at home and with what's riding on it) then they have no business making the playoffs. Oh I get it they may still back into the playoffs if they only take two of three but not sweeping their fate will be written (not going deep into the playoffs). It's about time (after SEVENTY-EIGHT games at home) that they TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS!!
Think I'll just peep in to look at the comments.. Not trying to ruin a lovely week ****ing with these dudes..
