Sep 15 2015

Will 2015 be the Astros’ finest hour?

“This could be the worst disaster NASA’s ever faced.” ~~NASA Director.

“With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour.” ~~Gene Kranz, Apollo 13 Mission Flight Director.

• •• ••• •• •

That classic exchange from the movie Apollo 13 puts the Houston Astros’ season into perspective.

It’s crunch time for the Astros. Time for America to find out if the 2015 version can handle the pressure, stand up to the challenges and reach its finest hour. Yes, it would be disappointing if the Astros failed to make the playoffs, but it would not be the “worst disaster” for the organization, especially given that most of the so-called experts figured the team for fourth or even fifth in the division.

Yes, Houston is involved in perhaps its most critical series of the season and after losing Game 1, you could even suggest the collective backs are against the wall.

A.J. Hinch‘s rotation is aligned perfectly with some of the hottest and best starters in the American League this season. If Texas can beat Collin McHugh, Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr., they may well deserve to win the division. The unfortunate part, however, could be that McHugh, Keuchel and McCullers all pitch well enough to win a game that the offense sputters in.

If Houston doesn’t make a success of the stretch run, the focus will turn back to Hinch’s boss, Jeff Luhnow. The assembly of an all-or-nothing offense last offseason and not really addressing/fixing that during the season will move back into focus. Adding hitters like Evan Gattis, Luis Valbuena, Colby Rasmus and even Carlos Gomez mid-season will likely cause the front office to adjust its thinking this winter.

How many prospects have the Astros given up to acquire Gomez and Hank Conger, not to mention Gattis? Would the Astros have been better to keep Dexter Fowler, who has a personal record number of plate appearances this season, rather than take on Dan Straily and Valbuena? And what of the decision to keep Chris Carter. A reasonable decision based on his second half, but certainly a huge gamble, one that Luhnow appears to have lost at this point.

At this point, the Astros have played the cards. But they aren’t the cards someone has dealt them, as they could have argued a few years ago when they were trying to clean up the mess of the 2000s. These are the cards they have dealt themselves and they will play them over the next few weeks.

Either way, despite the dramatically improved season, this winter will be another remodel. They’ll post another sign in the middle of October that will read: “Pardon our mess as we renovate. We know you will enjoy the new product much better. Thank you for your patience.”

The names will be changed to protect the innocent. But, rest assured, the names will be changed.

Couple of questions for you:

  • If the Astros were somehow to make it to the AL Championship Series and lose, where would this team rank with the great ones in your mind?
  • This question has been asked and answered many times over the season, but.
    • What or who is your greatest surprise on this team?
    • What or who is your greatest disappointment?
  • What are Luhnow’s best and worst moves since last season ended?
Advertisement

192 comments on “Will 2015 be the Astros’ finest hour?”

  1. I was going to tell everyone to get off the ledge, but you’ve apparently already jumped. Yes, this team is flawed. They’re not out of it yet. Tomorrow we send Keuchel to the mound with a chance to take back first place and solidify his spot atop the Cy Young rankings.

    However, I do agree with just about all complaints voiced. Harris shouldn’t have been in the game tonight. Velasquez and Feliz watching from the bench made me shake my head. Even Gregerson in the 9th would have made a lot more sense to me…but I don’t have a spreadsheet to help me make the decisions.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. This is unchartered waters for Hinch also. I thought he made several mistakes tonight. I didn’t like PH Tucker for Jake in that moment with 1 out and nobody on base. I wonder if Jake would have gotten the runner at home in the 9th. Why not PR for Gattis in the top of the 9th? He is your DH and you have an expanded roster. Harris looks tired and I didn’t like bringing him in the 9th. I think Hinch will learn from this, but tonight was not his best night. Well, another must win coming tomorrow. On the bright side the Twins lost tonight.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I jumped after the 2nd. Inning. When you put your team down 4 runs in the 1st inning it’s nearly impossible to get back in it. Too many hits, too many runs, and your bullpen is shot. You tell me if this team goes on beyond the end of Sept. I don’t think so.

    Like

    Reply

  5. Has anyone else noticed that Colby Rasmus has been putting together some quality ABs recently? He is hitting LHs, drawing walks and striking out less. I would not be opposed to bringing him back, but I don’t want to go multiple years with him. He probably will get a multi-year contract elsewhere, but I am seeing the benefit of keeping him. I just wouldn’t put him in CF. LOL!

    Like

    Reply

    • Yes but what was up with throwing last night, he almost looked like he might of had some adult beverages before the game. He is a strange bird top say the least.

      Like

      Reply

  6. You know Chip – getting back to your Apollo 13 analogy, I feel like if this team was on Apollo 13, that things would have played out differently.
    “Houston – our CO2 levels are rising and at some point we will go unconscious and die.”
    “Apollo 13, you have done fine up to now – we don’t see a point in changing.”
    “Houston, oxygen levels are getting dangerously low up here and we need assistance now.”
    “Apollo 13. OK, OK. Now tell us exactly what you have up there that we could help you with better processing your air?”
    “Houston, well we have the filter from the LEM that is the wrong shape, pieces of plastic from the cover of a binder, air hoses, and duct tape.”
    “Apollo 13, we really want to save all those things for a future mission. We suggest that you three take turns not breathing, maybe do a little yoga or something. Just keep doing what you are doing and expect a different outcome.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Just to rub salt in our wounds the Round Rock Express (Rangers AAA affiliate) beat the Fresno Grizzlies (Astros AAA affiliate) 9-8 in game 1 of the PCL Championship last night. It was also a walk-off win.

    Like

    Reply

  9. RF Springer, 2B Altuve, SS Correa, 3B Lowrie, 1B Duffy, LF Rasmus, DH Gonzalez, C Stassi, CC Marisnick

    This is depending on Lowrie being available. I’m also tempted to DH Tucker if I remember correctly he hits lefties fairly well?

    Like

    Reply

    • Sandy, I will ditto your line up. If we are going to go crazy on stats, Fangraphs.com has Conger at .163 vs LHP. That is so far below the Mendoza line, it got below the KKarter line. And we have to have a LHB in left field. Rasmus is a better fielder. Tucker is .200 vs. LHP – Rasmus .253. (Don’t tell Becky, but if Lowrie is out, MarGo to 3rd and DH Villar or give Carter his last 3 ABs in an Astros Uniform.) Righties for 2015 are hitting .363 against Perez. But I still do not play Gattis in that outfield. Maybe DH in lieu of the 2 above.

      Like

      Reply

    • Thats what I had penciled in. If no lowrie then margo at 3B and Ugh Gattis at DH or Villerror, he can hit decent off lefties and cant make an error as DH

      Like

      Reply

  10. If Stassi, Feliz, and Duffy were not going to get a chance to play why not leave them on the Fresno team that is currently playing for the PCL championship? I mean wasn’t Duffy the MVP of that league? I’m wondering what the FO is thinking. Sandy I love the idea of having those guys in the lineup tonight. Gotta hope and pray the Kid pitches well tonight!

    Like

    Reply

    • I’d rather he be in a 3-5 slot, but we don’t have anyone else to put there. If Steven still posted he could back this up with some stats for me, but Springer gets on base and is immediately a threat to score. He doesn’t generally chase outside the zone and the miss rate in the zone actually serves to increase his pitches per AB.

      Like

      Reply

      • Devin, I will defer to Steven or 1OP on the chase rate, etc. Springer has an OBP of .359 with Altuve .354. So the question becomes if one gets on, who has a better chance to steal 2nd (insert a name) and/or who has a better contact rate for a hit and run or a double play (insert a name). My choice would be Altuve top of the order, Springer 2nd. But I will take Correa, Springer & Altuve as my first 3 batters on my team in any order. (Altuve walks 4.9% of the time – Springer 12.1%. Altuve K’s 9.5% – Springer K’s 26.1%. Two completely different hitters)

        Like

    • George does not belong in the lead off role. I would think the best answer to that would be Tony Kemp, our next left fielder [presently playing for Fresno in the playoffs]. Tony is the prototypical lead off guy. Altuve could follow, then Springer, Correa, Lowrie, Tucker, Gattis or Tony White, Gonzales, etc.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • I’m still around just been so busy with life that I can’t even take the time to watch the Astros. I’ve been waffling in support of stats – the funny thing about them is anyone can take any set of them and use them to advance their narrative cause. Most stats guys like Bill James are convinced the batting order is fairly irrelevant. It’s moments like those that make me wonder about just how right they are.

      From a casual fan standpoint, I would want Springer in the 3-5 spot in the order because as a casual fan I love gaudy stats – something has convinced me along the way that having some guy with 35 hr and 125 rbi makes your team better, and he seems to be really the only guy we have with THAT kind of ceiling. In reality, I am not sure it’s true – Harper isn’t making the Nats a WS favorite, Trout/Pujols isn’t doing it for the Angels, and some of the teams at the top don’t have that (us included).

      From the standpoint of on the field – you have to try and win the game at bat by at bat. Altuve is probably not the best choice at leadoff as he goes up there hacking away. Springer has speed and doesn’t swing outside the zone near as much. The walks are the bonus part of it, I like my lead off hitter to set a tempo that makes a pitcher feel like he is going to have to stay a half inch closer to the zone.

      Like

      Reply

    • Based upon the players on the Astros roster today I would prefer Springer leading off and Altuve in the 2-hole. I like Springer’s plate discipline much more than Altuve and I prefer the #2 hitter to be a high contact hitter, which would open up more Hit and run opportunities. I will agree that Springer is not the ideal leadoff guy, but for now, he is probably our best option.

      Like

      Reply

  12. Batting order tonight?
    Kemp LF
    Altuve 2B
    Correa SS
    Tucker DH
    Springer RF
    Duffy 1B
    Rasmus CF
    Stassi C
    Gonzalez 3B
    Villar Fresno
    Carter Japan
    Gattis Cleveland
    Conger Antarctica

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Corpus Christi Hooks RHP Chris Denenski has been promoted to AAA Fresno Grizzlies!! Good for him, well be getting a good look at this kid in spring training!

    Like

    Reply

    • I have been as pessimistic as anyone on here the past 2 weeks, but if the Astros win tonight I think they win tomorrow and the first 2 games are an after thought as they will split the series. The offense is starting to pick it up and I can’t think of 2 pitchers I want starting these last 2 crucial games than Keuchel and McCullers. The Rangers won the 1st 2 games late with their #1 and #2 pitcher going. Now, the Astros need to return the favor. If, and this is a BIG if, they win today and tomorrow I like their chances to win the division. Let’s go Astros!

      Like

      Reply

    • I’d like to “like” your comment but I haven’t signed into a world press account!! So consider yourself LIKED!! When it comes to baseball, and politics I stand alone in my house. No problem….I still get my political jabs in when I can, and I don’t really care if my husband doesn’t like baseball…he can always turn the channel to watch the most boring game on the planet, GOLF. We’ll hang together Sandy!!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  17. I will say this about Hinch…I love how he is responding to the team’s recent struggles. He is showing no signs of panic or frustration and is staying positive. A young team like the Astros need this type of demeanor from their leader when things aren’t going well. He is handling this exactly how he should.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  18. Got bad news for you guys…..
    Luke Gregerson is on his way to his wife’s side she’s in labor, so no closer tonight. AND… Marwin is hurt, but he’s going to grit it out and play tonight anyway. WHY are you sitting a bonified 3rd baseman whose been in AAA and was your MVP this year??????? I don’t get “it”.Carter is manning 1st and Marwin is at 3rd.
    And….Conger is behind the plate…
    AGAIN!

    Like

    Reply

    • That’s tough losing Gregerson for, probably, the last 2 games of the series, but there are more important things than baseball and the birth of a child is definitely one of those things. Congratulations to Luke on the pending birth of his child.

      I am fine with MarGo starting if he feels he can go. He hits LHs well and we could use him. The only problem I have is with Conger starting, but we know that’s not going to change. Perez struggles against RH batters and we will have 8 starting tonight as the 2 switch hitters will bat right.

      Like

      Reply

      • Stassi bats right too, though. Why not start him? Conger is no young Pudge Rodriguez, where he can play 150 games or so. I can see giving him the start (in theory) because he is experienced and Stassi is a rookie, but come ON. The offense he does occasionally provide does not offset his other flaws, not by a long shot.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Billy, I am not agreeing with the decision, as I stated I have a problem with it. I am just indicating that we know, for whatever reason, Hinch is committed to Conger until Castro returns. I don’t like it either, but it is what it is.

        Like

    • All well and good…too bad they just play the SAME ONES while players who could help are sitting on the bench (see Tucker, Preston…Stassi, Max…..Duffy, Matt)

      Like

      Reply

  21. As unfair as it may be we need Dallas to be a stud tonight. He has to be the great neutralizer of the Ranger offense and keep their speed guys off the bases so Conger isn’t exposed. If he does pitch a dominant game on the road in this kind of spotlight I think the Cy Young is his to lose. What makes this game so critical is that I’m not all that excited about McCullers tomorrow night. His last outing was pretty mediocre and his last outing against the Rangers was disastrous. Going to be a challenge for him. If he answers the bell and meets the challenge I’ll be much more bullish on his future.

    Like

    Reply

  22. Under the topic of “who would have guessed” – the Astro with the most RBIs in the month of September is………….Hank Conger with 11 and it isn’t close for #2.

    Like

    Reply

  24. Really liked some comments by Becky and 1 op, but like Becky I can’t post a “like”.
    That said, let’s be cool. Bad stuff has happened before. Texas will implode shortly—they’ve had their run, and their pitching is unimpressive. LA is going nowhere. As usual, I can’t defend any of this—it’s a feeling state.
    But, as others have said, I do believe Tucker should play more regularly.

    Like

    Reply

  25. I just cannot realistically fathom why Hinch (Luhnow) insists on starting Carter over Duffy! Why pull the youngster from the PCL playoffs if you are not going to allow him to participate in a game?

    Like

    Reply

  26. I’m glad we got rid of DeShields…..he was a trouble maker at every level he was in when he was in the minors, PLUS he has a smart mouth A player like him needs to be careful what he says….you get a bad name in the majors. Kinda like PUIG with the Dodgers.

    Like

    Reply

  34. Singelton just hit a 2 run homerun….just in case your interested in the Fresno game.
    This umpire is squeezing Keuchel, and Brent Strom wants to take his head off. Did you see Strom’S body language? Oh Lord some one, or maybe two are going to get thrown outta this game, I feel it in my bones.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. If I was the manager I’d tell my guys to get mad as hell, and quit playing nice. Tell ’em to get after the Rangers pitcher and play some old time dirty ball!! You have nothing to lose at this point……play some Oakland A’S dirty ball!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  39. I know these guys care and are trying and CC is a Stud, but this whole series it has been like a really good major league team playing a decent AAA team. Many times over the last 2 months we have all talked about us winning with some smoke and mirrors and having a lot of wholes BINGO. Next year we will be better

    Like

    Reply

    • Conger looks like he was hobbling around at the top of the third. That guy won’t be catching tomorrow….he’s injured. Rangers are just a more complete team, but WE will be the complete team next year, THEN we’ll play these guys again, and I promise you we will NOT be on the short end of the stick. We don’t have a rivalry with this team……I despise them. Our rivalry is the A’s……pure and simple. I feel for Dallas Keuchel, he must feel like ground dog crap right now. JEEZE.

      Like

      Reply

  48. The Rangers just OWN the Astros. With four more games to play against them I have to allow that the Rangers will win the division. So sad that our club choked on the road.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s