Astros 2017: ChipalattAwards for May

After putting up one of their best Aprils in history, the Astros put their pedal to the metal and smoked the competition in May with a brilliant 22-7 May. This placed them at the top of the baseball world. They are 11 games ahead of the Angels in their division, six games ahead of the Yankees (spit!!) in the AL, and four games over the Nats for the best record in all of baseball.

So, part of recognizing the team is recognizing how the individuals performed in May. So, here are May’s ChipalattAwards.

Starting Pitcher of the Month. Lance McCullers Jr. After an up and down April, young Lance had an up only May. 4-0, 0.99 ERA, 0.853 WHIP – any way you slice it one of the best months in baseball, much less with the Astros.

Runner-up. Dallas Keuchel. Even with his quick in and with an injury, Cy Keuchel again avoided a loss – going 3-0 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.

Everyday Player of the Month. Co-winners. Carlos Correa and Marwin Gonzalez. After a meh April for both men, they were both excellent in May. Correa – 24 runs scored, 7 HRs, 26 RBIs with a .386 BA/.457 OBP/ 1.130 OPS had a little better overall numbers than MarGo – 19 runs, 7 HRs, 22 RBIs with a .382/.461/1.198 slash. But if you factor in Correa having 25 more ABs – they look about even.

Runner-up. George Springer. He stepped up his game in May to show more solid leadoff numbers (despite my moaning and groaning) with a .294/.379/.884 slash and 23 runs, 6 HRs and 17 RBIs.

Relief Pitcher of the Month. Ken Giles. Giles was pretty good in April and top drawer in May. 1-0 with 8 saves, a 1.80 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP resulted in the team holding on to the leads they handed to him.

Interesting pitching stat of the month. The Starting and Relief Pitcher of the month (McCullers and Giles) shared one thing in common. McCullers K/9 IP went down from 11.2 to 9.2 and Giles went down from 12.2 to 9.9, but their other numbers improved significantly. This is probably more important for LMJ, who really needed to lower his pitch count per inning and go deeper into games.

Road Warrior. Jose Altuve. To date, Jose’s road numbers are .430 BA / .520 OBP / 1.217 OPS with 23 runs scored, 4 HRs and 14 RBIs in 23 games.

Biggest Dropoff – Yulieski Gurriel – While most of the hitters had a better May or a pretty good May – Gurriel put up a .200/.255/.566 slash in May. Maybe he needs to avoid haircuts.

Best New Face. James Hoyt. He did make 2 appearances in April, but he has cemented himself with a solid showing in May (10 games, 3.65 ERA, 15.3 K/ 9 IP) into someone, who can be called on late in games and not melt.

Critical Appearance. Brad Peacock. The Astros had lost 3 in a row at home against the Indians and had just put Charlie Morton on the DL. Cracks were showing. Peacock was brilliant in an emergency start after having pitched a maximum of 2 innings at a time all season and gave them 4.1 innings of one-hit ball. Chris Devenski, Will Harris and Ken Giles turned it into a 1-0 win and the Astros were off to a red-hot 9-1 streak.

So, are you OK with these awards? Want to add-on or change anything?

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201 responses to “Astros 2017: ChipalattAwards for May”

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    • Why thank you sir! What a gracious thing to say. I have to admit, fighting cancer has been my toughest fight so far in my life. I love this team……I’ve loved them ever since I chartered them for the first time in September 1969! It’s people like you who have given me courage to keep posting my thoughts on my private life, as well as my thoughts about this baseball team! Thank you for your friendship. Becky⚾

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    • That was a good read – interesting statistical look at them mixed with some nice observations. I liked the scattershot graph that showed the 1927 Yankees playing in another universe from all the other teams……

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  3. Oh and I left off – Coach of the Month – Dave Hudgens for finally convincing me that he can move the needle and make some guys change their approach at the plate….

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    • Eric Byrnes on MLB Network recently said that Dave Hudgens was the best hitting coach he’s ever had. I’m just putting this out there.

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  4. Dan, What is McHughs current status or timeline for a possible return? Do you think the Stros will make a move for another pitcher before the trade deadline?

    As an Astro fan since 1962, I am anxious that they cover their bases with possible injuries that might deplete their pitching depth. That said, I would hate to lose K. Tucker in attaining this pitcher.

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    • Larry – Collin threw off a mound for the first time since he was shut down exactly one week ago. He threw 10 pitches at 70% effort and felt good afterwards. The article I was reading from chron.com (spit!!) stated he is not expected back until after the All Star break. That is what I know.
      I expect the Astros to do something, it is possible they will chase someone who has not been mentioned so far who would be available because his team is underperforming. They might also chase a solid #2 or #3 – they don’t have to have a TOR if Dallas and LMJ continue to perform well and they might be able to pick up somebody solid without giving up the farm (pun intended).
      I do not want to see K Tuck play any where else – ever

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  5. If McHugh, Morton, Peacock, Musgrove, McCullers, Fiers and Keuchel are all healthy and pitching by the middle of July I would not be so excited about trading for another starting pitcher even if he is a rental. All six of those starters are under team control for 2018 and Martes or Paulino also might be ready by 2018. I would expect a trade for a good reliever, however and not give up Tucker for him.
    Remember that no team carries five starting pitchers in the playoffs and if we keep a big lead in the AL West, I like our guys in the playoffs because we could go with Keuchel, LMJ, Morton and McHugh as starters and have Musgrove, Peacock, Devenski, Giles, Harris, Gregerson, Feliz and that new Lefty in the pen and have a great bullpen that is rested because Hoyt, Guduan, Sipp, Gustave, Paulino, Martes and Fiers can be on the team in September with callups and keep all of our guys fresh.

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    • I still want a top of the rotation guy. So much will happen with injuries over the next four months. Are we good enough in house? Maybe. But I’d like Keuchel, Lance, New guy.

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    • McTaggart recently indicated the Astros are more likely to seek a MORP in a trade. This indicates to me that KTuck is not available as they should be able to get a MORP without including him. I don’t think we need another TORP as I’m very comfortable with Keuchel and LMJ fronting our rotation in the playoffs, assuming we make it. A solid #3 would be nice only to protect against injuries or McHugh not returning this year as the pitcher we expect.

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  6. I don’t count Marwin out for continued success throughout this season. And I say “hmmm”…about Hudgens being such a great hitting coach. If memory serves me, he was fired from the Mets because they lost confidence in him. Who knows, maybe he was collateral damage, for an under performing team…..he needs to show me more.
    I’m not so sure McHugh is going to make it through the end of the season. “IF” he makes it back from DL, he’s only one set back from ending the year sitting on the bench. Looking at the poor start Quintana has had…..I’m NOTputting him on my wish list. I watched Archer pitch this week against arlington, and the more I see him, the more I want to see him in an Astros uniform. BUT…..every one of you are not willing to let Kyle Tucker go in a trade, if that is the only player that would screw up a deal for a Chris Archer trade……I’m trading him. My opinion only. Becky ⚾

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    • You could be right about KTuck in a trade for Archer. If it meant a couple WS wins it would be worth it.
      Just in my mind I feel like KTuck is the next Correa – a 10+ yr guy with average, power and speed. I hate to give that up.
      This is why Jeff Luhnow makes a lot more money than Dan P.

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    • Wasn’t A.J. Hinch fired by the DBacks? Wasn’t Joe Torre fired by the Cardinals? Wasn’t Tony LaRussa fired by the White Sox? My point in this is that just because someone is fired by one organization it doesn’t make him incompetent for the rest of his coaching life. Maybe he has shown us plenty, but we just want to lay the blame on him for the few that can’t figure it out. This is just my thought regarding Hudgens.

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    • Becky I read some writer the other day say the Rays turned down 1/2 the farm system for Archer earlier. And ended it by saying if they turned all of that down he will be in Tampa a long time.

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      • Yep. The Rays are not going to trade Archer. I just read some projections that have the Rays as one of the WC teams. They lead the A.L. in HRs, have a good rotation and a very strong closer. I think they are in it to win this year.

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  8. The arlington little league DFA’D Sam Dyson tonight……shame he was always good for a couple of runs! Also…..Martes is having a full blown meltdown tonigh! He had a 10 batter 6 run third to give the Rainier a 7-1 lead. Something ain’t right with that kid.

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  9. Jason Castro knocked in the winning runs in the ninth inning and then Bud Norris walked in an insurance run as the Minnesota Twins beat the Angels 4-2 tonight. Baseball is NUTS! Oakland lost. Seattle lost.

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    • Since you brought this up again, would you consider sending me Ryan’s email? You have my email address and can do it that way. A long time ago, when you told us about White Charmist, I wrote him a note after reading it. I just never did send it because wasn’t sure how to and really not sure I should. Up to you.

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  12. Comparisons of Astros/Rangers through the first 54 games of 2017:

    Runs scored: Houston – 292 [1st in MLB]; Texas – 259 [10th in MLB]
    Runs allowed: Houston – 202 [2nd best in MLB]; Texas -249 [13th best in MLB]

    BA: Houston – .277 [1st in MLB]; Texas – .242 [21st in MLB]
    BAA: Houston – .230 [1st in MLB]; Texas – .260 [23rd in MLB]

    OBP: Houston – .345 [2nd in MLB]; Texas – .314 [20th in MLB];
    OPS: Houston -.811 [2nd in MLB]; Texas – .731 [19th in MLB]

    HRs: Houston – 82 [2nd in MLB]; Texas – 72 [11th in MLB]

    Team ERA – Houston – 3.19 [2nd in MLB]; Texas 4.23 [18th in MLB]
    Team WHIP – Houston – 1.16 [2nd in MLB]; Texas 1.38 [22nd in MLB]

    K/9 – Houston – 9.88 [2nd in MLB]; Texas 6.88 [29th in MLB]

    Let’s keep those trends rolling!

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  14. Dan read the article last night….he seems like the best manager since Garner!
    My nephew is a meteorologist in Dallas at their CBS affiliate, the chance of rain for the next 3 days…90%-80%-80%. I’m glad it’s early in the summer, and it won’t be 115 degrees down on that field!

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    • Highs in the mid-80’s are almost spring-like in Arlington – helps make it much easier if…..they don’t have a rain out and have to play 2 or play an extra game on their next trip in.

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  15. To Tim:
    Article about Luhnow, p. 2, first section, today’s Chronicle, oddly enough titled “Astronomy” per Dan’s post above. It’s a “scientific look at how Luhnow built the Astros into best team in baseball,” although habitués of this blog may not be that impressed with the interpretation. For what it’s worth.

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  16. Andrew Aplin has been DFA’d by Seattle.
    Michael Bourn has signed a minor league deal with the Angels and will head to AAA.
    No word on whether Willy Taveras will be signing with anyone. He is still playing in Mexico.

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  20. If I’m not mistaken that is Angel Hernandez umping at 1st who missed the call – which explains everything.

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  21. Dallas is dealing!! Darvish has like 79 pitches through 4 innings! Our guys have to be patient and run his pitches up, so the guys can get into their bullpen! I won’t jinx him.

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  24. Keuchel will be 9-0!!! Half way to a 20 game winner! Good thing they tacked on those extra runs…..Giles just gave up a homerun. Love these guys!!

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  26. Angels lost….A’s, lost….arlington little league lost.
    We gain a game on them…right? If so that makes us a bakers dozen in front of them!
    YAY!!! GO ‘STROS!!

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  29. He had a 10 step jump and the throw was a little high. Love it. Guys looked good last night as all the pieces fell into place. the HR Giles gave up was just a flat fast ball right in the middle of the plate. I think I could have hit it out. (on second thought). But good that Giles got some work in. Hasn’t been in since last Friday. Harris and Devo were their usual selves. Great win for the good guys.

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  30. Little things – Reddick makes a rare fielding mistake overrunning a fly ball to allow a cheap double to be the first hit off Keuchel. Reddick comes up in the next inning with 2 outs and no one on against Darvish who he has practically no success against.
    Reddick works it and works it and on the 8th pitch lines a single up the middle. Altuve then singles and Correa rips the 3 run homer.
    So many of the Astros rallies these days show case a long big pitch battle that wears down the pitcher.
    What unbelievable fun they are! Up 12.5 games in the division, 6.5 in the AL and 4 games in all of baseball.

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    • We pestered the heck out of a pretty good pitcher in Berrios the other day. Same thing with Darvish last night. I just love counting pitches these days.

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  31. The Rangers seem to relish the fact they were able to thwart the Astros’ vaunted ability to steal their signs. That’s a victory for them in 2017.
    http://www.wfaa.com/sports/mlb/rangers/this-is-fine-rangers-lose-7-1-to-astros/445389327
    Even after Brian McCann’s steal of second, Springer could not make himself attempt a stolen base later off Darvish.
    It is crazy how loud the Astros’ fans were in Arlington last night. The reverse of years past.
    Sending a relief pitcher out to face the Astros is like sending a knight in armor armed with a blunderbuss out to face General Patton. Dillon Gee was the brave knight last night.
    Gurriel must have smashed a half dozen baseballs near the 3B line last night. One was in the corner for a double, one right at Beltre and 3 or 4 were foul.
    The Astros had more strikeouts than hits, but won, 7-1. Keuchel was the difference.
    Bregman needs to clean up his defense. Last night it was his throws.
    The biggest change I see in the Rangers is that Odor has been awful.
    The Astros are 39-16. I love George springer leading off. Oh, Crow, fly into my cast iron skillet!

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  35. This 29 game stretch, which started 0 for 3 against the Indians, will end on the 18th of June against The Sox. In between, we’ve gone 11 and 1 with 40% of our rotation intact against good baseball clubs. This is about the most dominant stretch of baseball I think I’ve ever seen any team play outside of the Burlap Barrell slow pitch team in 1980. Two weeks ago, I had suggested we’d still be in good shape playing .500 ball during the big 29 game stretch.

    So I’m going to eat some crow too. Chances are pretty good now that we’ll do a bit better than playing this stretch at a .500 clip.

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  36. FYI folks…..the game will be on REGULAR FOX tonight. Not on FSN or Root Sports!!
    You’re welcome!
    Sooo will bannister start a fight with us tonight, or tomorrow? My money is on tonight.

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    • Ugh…the idea of anything Fox related being on my tv sickens me. Oh well, in this case it’s worth it

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  37. Crazy stuff happening. McCann steals a base last night; Jon Lester picked a guy off of first today. Sky is falling. Don’t jump, Billie Joe!

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    • Recorded last night’s game and watched last few innings that I slept through. Was amazed Sandy at the volume of cheers for Springer’s HR. Loved it!!

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  41. When Carlos Correa acts his age, it drives me crazy. Even Altuve was pissed at him when he dropped that big out. Fifth inning might have been much different.

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  43. Even if it’s a one run win……I do NOT want to give it to this group of idiots. In fact I’d LOVE to win by one run, just like they have done to us…over, and over again.
    I’m still waiting to see if bannister starts some crap tonight.

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  50. Hinch really wanted that win. He used the pen like it was a playoff game.
    Tomorrow would be a real bonus. I’d like to see Giles mow down guys in the ninth. Good hitters still have good at bats against him.

    Well, we got at least two out of three for Becky!

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