Astros: Foot on the throat time

This may seem like a Debbie Downer post,  but despite the Astros wonderful, dominant 8-2 bookend wins over the Boston Red Sox, they have a lot of work to do.

It is critical that the Astros step on their opponent’s throats right away. They don’t need to give the Sox any life in this series. They don’t need to bobble game three and/or four and hobble into the next round tired or out of sorts. And they really don’t need to start the next series with anyone, but Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel as their Game 1 and 2 starters.

Think back to 2005 when the Pujols home run forced the Astros to use Roy Oswalt to finish off the Cards rather than start the World Series against the White Sox. Did it change the ultimate outcome? We will never know.

There is praise to be handed out after two solid home wins by the good guys.

  • Alex Bregman made his first playoff swing of the bat count as he gave the team a 1-0 lead two batters into the first game.
  • Jose Altuve was not Jose Altuve when the Astros played the Royals in the 2015 ALDS. His 3 for 22 performance stuck in his craw for a long time. This time his unbelievable 3 HR first game and 5 for 7 performance through the first two games should have cleared that craw.
  • Verlander and Keuchel were good, not great through their first games. However, looking around at the starting pitching carnage throughout the playoff teams, they had the best two teammate starts to date.
  • Carlos Correa and George Springer played outside the festivities of the first game, but came back strong in the second game to help salt that game away.
  • Marwin Gonzalez‘s 2 run double may have been the biggest hit in the opening win and Evan Gattis has continued his late season solid hitting.
  • Josh Reddick continues to go contrary to his career numbers and is hitting left handed pitchers in the playoffs as he did during the season.
  • The bullpen gave up a single run in a solid 6.1 IP of work.
  • A.J. Hinch did a masterful job of getting a bunch of his playoff newbies game time and the team should be rested and ready going forward.

So, bottomline, the Astros need to go to Boston, whip a dog who is down and move on to the next round of the playoffs.

←
→

213 responses to “Astros: Foot on the throat time”

Newer Comments »

  1. Let them put the pedal to the metal and get this series over with because Cleveland is looking to bury the Yanks sooner rather than later. EE is day-to-day but Clv is still a formidable tm with or without him. In order to be the best the Astros must beat the best. I like their chances against any tm they face, AL or NL

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  2. I don’t see a problem with the Astros blowing them out tomorrow. We will hit. We’ve got Peacock and then two other guys that are great at going three innings each. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? I want every Red Sox fan in Fenway to be very discouraged when they leave the park tomorrow.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Brad Peacock is 8-0 on the road this year.
    The Astros are 53-28 this season on the road.
    The Astros are 3-1 this season in Fenway.
    The Astros team slash line on the road is .284/.351/.483/.834. All four of the percentages are tops in baseball.
    The Astros hit when Brad Peacock is on the mound.
    I like the Astros chances to win Game 3.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. I’ve been critical of Hudgens in the past but Reddick’s improvement vs left handed pitchers thus year along with our strikeout numbers does deserve credit

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. And no need to screw around with the lineup. Let’s go three games in a row. Good chance Beltran gets a start and Gattis sits though. But I hope not.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  11. Come on people, take a deep breath on Carlos Beltran. He is like Miss Congeniality in a beauty pageant. Not Miss America on this team, but still very “pretty.” I would take him over Rasmus at the plate and they made similar monies. (One person’s opinion).

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I’m fine with Beltran getting the start today. I wish we could see Gattis at catcher as he seems to be heating up, but I know they like McCann behind the plate during these very important games and it is tough to argue with this.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Collectively, the Astros lineup today has a .321 career BA against Fister. I think they want McCann’s LH bat against Fister, as well as his experience behind the plate. After all, McCann did have a day off Saturday.
        Brian McCann knows the Red Sox.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Agreed. I just wanted to find a way to keep Gattis in the lineup, but he may get a chance to PH today, but either way I am fine with the lineup.

        Like

  12. After watching the team lately you have to feel like they will go out and play good offense today. They have such depth in that lineup that you believe that 4 or 5 will have good games on any given day.
    Saw a stat on the TV that 16 runs is the most ever scored in the first two games of a playoff series.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. I just have a vibe right now that the Astros are going to make a real offensive statement today. I think Fister’s last outing against us was a fluke and we will be in the pen early. I want to see our guys pile to on and empty seats.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. The key is for them to be confident but focused. They can’t think they’ve won it by just showing up, but they can think they will win it by showing up and playing hard and smart like the first two games.
    Of course if they bring in David Price we should immediately surrender and name him MVP. The announcers still have my goat…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I’m with you on the announcers Dan, they have gotten on my nerves anointing Price some kind of patron saint. Can’t argue with the fact he’s pitching lights out thus far but boy are they slanted Boston Red, giving our tm little love

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. So, can Beltran channel some of that career playoff success .327/.434/1.082 – 16 HRs and 41 RBIs?
    Well 8 of those HRs were in his insane 2094 performance with the Astros. We would take a few hits at the right time.

    Like

    Reply

  16. Jake Kaplan quoted Peacock’s wife in an article in the spit.com where she says they thought they might end up in Japan this year.
    After JD Martinez and Peacock, the Astros need to review every player carefully every spring and see what they didn’t like the previous year and what that player did about it.
    It isn’t just about what Peacock did this year. It’s also about what he could mean to the club for several more years.

    Like

    Reply

  17. Man oh man – Springer with a single , moves up on a wild pitch and Reddick drives him in and moves up on the close throw at the plate.
    1-0 with no out.

    Like

    Reply

  20. Fister walks Beltran and then Yuli lines a single in the second. McCann hits a screamer right at the CF and they pull Fister 4 outs into the game.

    Like

    Reply

  24. Whoa – Peacock let’s the first 4 guys on base with 1 run scored and then stopped them there – heading to the 3rd – 3-1

    Like

    Reply

  27. Peacock gives up 2 long doubles in a row and Marwin has the second one go off his glove. Hinch panics, in my opinion and brings in Liriano who gives up the go ahead 2 run homer. 4-3 Boston heading to the 4th.

    Like

    Reply

  28. Well it’s not going to be a laugher. We’ve got to learn to win the tight ones. Might as well be today. It really is a game of inches.

    Like

    Reply

  29. Not hitting in good luck today. Reddick hit his shot to the deep part of RF – would have been half way up the stands in MMP.
    Bregman nailed one to right center that would have been a run and Betts just barely ran it down.
    One of those games where I have a bad feeling.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Ok, that Budweiser commercial with the fisherman? I’m not a big fan…some of us are trying to watch a mid-Sunday afternoon game with our little ones…

    Like

    Reply

      • It was an “ironic” one where the fish has a line attached to a beer can, the fisherman finds it, opens it, gets hooked through the cheek, and pulled thrashing into the water. It was a bit graphic, but I guess better than the walking dead commercials we saw during college football last weekend.

        Like

      • Yikes. My daughter would’ve probably gotten a kick out of it, but she is kind of an odd bird for a ten year old*….but that is definitely not what one would call an “afternoon commercial”.

        *How odd? Well she actually used to watch the Walking Dead (she is obsessed with anything involving zombies and is much of a horror fan as I was at her age) but quit this past season because it has become (in her words) “poorly written and pretentious”. Same girl whose favorite artists include Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, and the late Tom Petty. When I was 10, I liked Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers. She watches music documentaries ,horror and sci-fi movies, and taught herself to play the piano at age 7. Doesn’t like watching sports too much but plays them. Doesn’t care for modern video games but plays classic games from the 80s and 90s on an emulator she downloaded and installed herself on her laptop. Kids these days.

        Like

  32. McCullers started pitching well – got hit with a batted ball and struggled but got out of the inning and then used a double play to get through a quick 5th inning. The Astros strand Yuli in the top of the 6th.

    Like

    Reply

  33. Every time Beltran bats, a kitten cries. Will someone please think of the kittens and not start his tired old @$$? We don’t need an automatic out thus time of year.

    Like

    Reply

  36. I have an ear plug in one ear, and listening to the game in the other. I absolutely can NOT STAND the guys calling this game. If you are not the Red Sox, or Yankees you are no one. I’ve gotten so used to hearing Robert Ford by now, I won’t listen to a clearly biased crew call this game. I’m still hopeful that the guys can finish it today, but it doesn’t appear that will be the case with the bases loaded and no outs in the 7th.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  37. Between the pulling of peacock to fast, giving up 4 at bats with Beltran, and letting LMJ pitch to one guy to many, a big piece of this loss in on Hinch.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I would have patted Lance on the butt after his three excellent innings and handed the ball to Devenski to start the 7th. But honestly, I worried for this game when we lost a three run homer on an almost routine catch. My gut tightened up. That changed the whole affair. And our manager showed some playoff jitters today too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  40. When it rains, it pours. Gosh how I despise the RedSox. Totally mismanaged game by Hinch and not able to come through with the clutch hit to put them away. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  41. I am going to try and be nice here, but I think the situation with Peacock/Liriano is some hindsight managing by the fans. Peacock was getting hit fairly hard and if he left in Peacock and he gave up a HR I am guessing many of the fans would be second guessing Hinch for leaving in Peacock, especially against a tough LH as Peacock struggles against LHs, and not using his rested bullpen. It is basically a damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Hinch probably couldn’t have won that decision, in my opinion.

    Like

    Reply

    • But leaving McCullers in too long wasn’t? No crying in baseball……they were just hungrier than our guys were today. Mooky Betts has taken 4-5 runs away today, so you tip your cap to him. I’m sure he was trying to atone for the error he had in that second game, when our guys blew it wide open. They still have to win the next two games……we only have to win *ONE*!!

      Like

      Reply

      • How did he leave McCullers in too long? Did Ferrell leave Price in too long? Up to that point McCullers had pitched a bit better than Price and was very rested.

        I can understand questioning the Liriano decision, but McCullers was dominating until that last inning. Hinch probably should have had the bullpen ready to go at the start of the inning, but leaving McCullers in there for 1 more batter was not the difference in this game.

        Like

      • I think we watched different games. Price was commanding his fastball and keeping his slider down. McCullers couldn’t throw his fastball for a strike and I’m not sure he was getting his curves/sliders where he wanted them with consistency either.

        Like

  42. I cant think of they guys name, but he leads the league in Hitting lefty on lefty, I guess so much for saber metrics today. Hinch gets an F today on Multiple decisions. He is human he just gets an F today, that’s all. next game.

    However Gurriel shoed up big time.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  43. Tim I love you man but Peacock has battled through problems many times – even in the previous inning. I wanted him to get that out and to go a couple more innings like he has done many times this season. I didn’t like the move as it was happening and I would have admitted it if Peacock failed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Fair enough. I am not referring to you on this, but I just think Hinch would have been skewered by fans (other blogs and on the Chronicle, for example) if he decided to let Peacock pitch to Devers and gave up the HR. I would have been fine letting Peacock pitch there, but I was fine with bringing in Liriano as he has been very good over the past month, especially against LHs. However, I understand your reason for wanting to stick with Peacock and I can’t dispute those reasons as he has been very good all year.

      Like

      Reply

  44. Let’s settle down. We can all complain if it is 10-0 in game 5. Baseball is fickle. Several balls hit by Astros would have been extra bases or HRs most days. Not today. Reddick alone had a 6 run turnaround. Still in just as good a shape as before this game. Just need 1 win.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • That’s right. Just one more win.
      Boston must be hurting for pitchers. Seems like they’ve used about 20.
      Price surely can’t pitch tomorrow so Sale or Pomeranz?

      Like

      Reply

  45. Tim that also gives us two pretty good guys to go with on regular rest. I’ll take that development. I can’t condemn Hinch and won’t. It’s easy now to say that Peacock should have been pitching to Devers. But I do think Devenski would have been more comfortable, and we would have better off having a new look on the mound to start the 7th after a trip through the lineup by Lance.

    But baseball remains the most remarkable game. Another foot or so and the series is likely over in the second inning. I give the Boston fan who backed off trying to catch that shot by Reddick some credit. Too bad we didn’t have another Bartman out there in the front row.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I would’ve thought Devo would have been a better option against Devers. Devers hits LHs well and Devo is lethal against LHs. I know it was early in the game, but it was a pivotal moment and Devo could have gone multiple innings there. However, I’m with you that I am not going to condemn Hinch. You have to manage the playoffs completely different than you would the regular season and Peacock was starting to get hit hard so I can see the reason for taking him out.

      Like

      Reply

  46. I just hate that if Reddick had hit his ball in any other stadium it would have been an easy HR. And the one that went off his glove would not have been anywhere close to a HR elsewhere.

    Like

    Reply

    • It certainly is a unique ballpark. And the inches went the other way today. I’m sure Marwin would say he should have caught the ball that got over him. That would have made Peacocks life much easier at that point. And our guys were not able to string hits together. This was not a crushing blow through. We’re in good shape. We’re hitting and we’ve had mostly good pitching. And Peacock could be heard from again in game five for a big out or two if it goes that far. One thing to keep in mind. The Sox have not had a good start yet. And Price is going to have to sit for at least a day or two. I’m sure Boston is collectively hoping for rain.

      Sad to see J.J. Watt go down tonight. That is a crushing blow. How many times can he get back up again and play at his level?

      Like

      Reply

  47. Not so much with LMJ, just a bit frustrated with pulling Peacock. Dirker used to leave guys in there too long but I saw no reason to pull Peacock that quickly in the game. Yes, he was getting hit but some of those were cheap hits. The big thing I saw was that his pitches didn’t seem to have as much movement on them today as they usually do. Maybe he was trying to be too precise but here’s the big question.Given the same scenario would Hinch have done the same with a Verlander or Keuchel? I think not. Yes I know Paecock is not a JV or DK but unless there was something else wrong he should not have been pulled. To me it looked like we were desperate which we really had no reason to be. One thing about Peacock I noticed was that his “arm slot” position seemed to have dropped down somewhat.With Betts catching the Riddick home run ball and the home field advantage you could feel the momentum shift. I just think Peacock could have pitched through it. And our inability to convert our RISP into runs when we had the opportunity. Definitely a “Team” loss.
    But it’s a moot point now since we’re going to a game 4. Let’s go get ’em tomorrow guys.

    Like

    Reply

    • That’s well-written. Z

      On arm slots, I’ve seen arm slots drop down by McHugh, Fiers and LMJ this season, resulting in flatter pitches, safer-feeling release points.

      Bottom line was jitters! There’s a ton of pressure on young guys, hence the move to the veteran Liriano. I would’ve gone with Harris, if at all because even though Peacock gave up solid contact, there’s no reason to *necessarily* believe he couldn’t pitch out of it. In a sense, why are we afraid to pull a guy if he gives up the lead. Sheez! Look at our offense. Anyway, I’m not second guessing for real. It’s baseball and prone to the craziest of outcomes, given your best game plan — anything can and will happen (it’s a joy to behold).

      I thought a HUGE key play was Marwin’s miss-timed jump and angle approach on the ball over his head. I know it was bang bang, and I’m more praiseworthy of Gonzales as anyone, but his angles continue to be feast or famine. There’s no doubt he brings a different athletic element in the OF, but make no mistake he belongs in the dirt. It came at a time where if he makes the grab, it’s a different game… it takes years of practice to hear the ball and know where it will land as an outfielder. The biggest defensive loss we have is Marisnick. What if yesterday was a Jake day?!

      Keep in mind all the late inning studs the Astros ruined in the midst of their domination of the rest of the league. Seattle’s Diaz, Aroldis Chapman etc etc. This is just one game in hostile territory beaten by a team that also snuck in a win with Pomeranz last, who we then overcame in Gm 2.
      Is it truly scary that they will pitch Sale, when we pasted 7 up on him already?

      We got this. Rain or shine! The Yanks put it on them Tribers. Let’s see if they each can deplete one another, and let us watch their rubber game from the weight room!

      Getting ready for Game 1 of the 2017 ALCS with the best team in baseball hands-down Houston Astros!

      Like

      Reply

  48. Here are a few things I know:
    1. Charlie Morton throws almost as many ground ball as Dallas Keuchel.
    2. These guys have already beat Porcello, once this year…handedly.
    3. Verlander, Porcello, and Fister made up most of the Tigers rotation when they went to the world series….and if anyone can tell you how to beat Porcello, it’s Verlander.
    *4*. Beltran has big numbers against Porcello, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Hinch put him back in there to DH tomorrow.
    5. This team WILL win this, but watching the Yankees/ Indians series, it’s gonna be a dog fight.
    6. It’s *O K* to have your own thoughts about A. J. Hinch!! That’s what this blog is ALL about. If you want to vent by all means, go for it. Not all of us see the game the same……OK?
    7. I’m not gonna wash this dang orange Springer shirt until this series is over!! Except for today…..I’m calling it my lucky shirt!! Becky⚾

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  49. Apparently, we are heading back to how it was a month ago. Apparently, it is fine to vent if you disagree with Hinch, but if you post your own message (do not reply to anyone) and agree with Hinch that is when someone replies to you disagreeing with that sentiment. I thought we had moved past this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • If I could count the amount of times everyone changes their opinions anyway. It’s the players who either make the Mgr a genius, or (old term) goat. No reason to feel offended about whether you agree with a decision, or not. It’s just your opinion, which can hopefully change if you see what happens on the field then articulated in a way you hadn’t approached it before. Nothing personal.

      Hinch is an awesome manager! It’s hard to make perfect decisions. But it’s still on the dang players to get it done. You know what I mean. Plus, Round ball and rounded bat. Who has a crystal ball? Today’s a new day.

      I totally tip my cap to BOS. And maybe they’ll tip theirs soon, too.

      One other point about your excellent comments, Tim (and others). If Peacock didn’t have his full arsenal yesterday (brought on by whatever means), then perhaps Hinch just wanted him to have “happy thoughts” knowing we’d get out of the inning — he’d done a good job. Because WE NEED HIM. Yesterday was an aberration vs his body of work. I still think he will win a playoff game or two.

      Btw, what did anyone make of Hinch’s outburst when pulling Devo?! I could’ve swore he was hammering him over not throwing the pitch they called! He was absolutely fuming in the dugout afterwards, and Devo kept saying Yes Sir.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • I am fine with disagreeing, but it appears I was being called out from the comment above for supporting Hinch’s decision to bring in Liriano (I didn’t reply to anyone’s comment, but just posted my own comment so the response above seems odd). The boxscore shows 6 hits over 2.2 IPs, but it doesn’t show several hard hit outs. I would’ve pulled Peacock in that situation. What I would’ve done differently is bring in Devo to face Devers, but I can fully defend bringing in Liriano as well since he is better against LHs than Peacock. I think this move told me that Hinch really only trusts Giles and Devo in the late innings so he was hoping to use Liriano to bridge the gap to McCullers who would be a bridge to Devo then Giles to close out a win. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned.

        I didn’t see any reason to pull McCullers until the inning he was pulled, but I thought he should’ve had the bullpen warming before the inning so he could’ve brought in someone once McCullers walked the first batter on 4 pitches. Otherwise, I agreed with letting McCullers start the 7th inning. He was completely dominating the Red Sox up to that point, even more than Price was dominating us.

        Like

      • We’re all on the same page as far as one thing goes. And that is a series win and eventually a WS victory. No team gets there without a little discord or disagreement and we’re no different. Yes one of our favorite games is “shoulda, coulda, woulda.” If we were the players on a team we might have a few “get in your face moments” but in the end we get back to the task at hand. It’s human nature.
        Many years ago I let my mouth overload my brain and our regional VP pulled me aside and intimated that I should be fired for what I said. Instead he chastised me (not in public) and told me why I shouldn’t have said what I did. He then shook my hand and then said, “Now that this is over, let’s head down to the restaurant for drinks and dinner.” That meant a lot to me and as you can see, I never forgot it.
        After we win today, let’s head to the Chipalatta Restaurant and Bar for a posting celebration.

        Liked by 2 people

  50. 62 times this year I was disappointed the Astros lost.
    I wish they had won Sunday, but I’m ready for the next game.
    103 times this year I have been ecstatic after a win. I am way ahead and ready for the next one.
    It’s the playoffs. We are playing against the best. We are one of the best.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a reply to Becky⚾ Cancel reply