Chipalatta Awards for July: Pre-Zack

The Astros had a solid 16-8 month in July as the wounded (Carlos Correa, George Springer, Joe Smith and Aledmys Diaz) trickled back to the team. There was plenty to admire in the Astros position players and starting pitchers for the month. The relievers? Not so much.

Starting Pitcher of the Month. Tie – Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Justin Verlander. In a month when the heat was on the top three in the rotation to perform, while the bottom two spots were a rotating whirl of replacements, they were each excellent. Cole continued his dominance from June (4-0, 1.85 ERA, 0.882 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 IP). Verlander (4-1, 2.25 ERA, 0.875 WHIP, 13.8 K/ 9 IP) stepped it up after he struggled the month before. Miley (3-0, 2.03 ERA, 0.968 WHIP, .541 OPS against) snuck in under the radar, but was just as effective as his two compadres. The Astros had too many other pitching problems to worry about these three and luckily they it was not necessary.

Runner-up.  N/A this month

Last Month. Cole was the winner and Brad Miley was the runner-up.

Positional Player of the Month.  Yuli Gurriel. Yuli talked to Carlos Beltran and then let his bat do the talking as he put up a tremendous month of July. He put up a slash of .398 BA/ .427 OBP/ 1.264 OPS which paired with 18 runs scored, 12 HRs and an unbelievable 31 RBIs helped him carry the team for the month.

Runner-up.  Tie – Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley – Jose came off the IL in June at a .235 BA raised it to .269 to start July and ended the month back where he belongs at .300 BA. For the month he slashed .388 BA/ .434 OBP/ 1.087 RBIs with 18 runs scored, 8 doubles, 6 HRs and 17 RBIs. Steady Eddie, Brantley put up another solid month (.349 BA/ .421 OBP/ 1.036 OPS with 19 runs, 7 doubles, 5 HRs and 18 RBIs).

Last Month. Yordan Alvarez was the winner and Robinson Chirinos was the runner-up.

Relief Pitcher of the Month. Joe Smith. This was a tough one to pick with so few decent performances, but Mr. Smith in a small sample of 5 appearances coming off the IL held the opponents scoreless (0.00 ERA, 0.923 WHIP) and gave AJ Hinch an option that did not explode like a trick cigar.

Runner-up.  Jeez, I’m looking for some help here. I can either pick Cy Sneed who had a 1.50 ERA in 6 innings and 2 appearances or Chris Devenski who seemed to pitch every other day and had a decent 3.86 ERA. Heck we’ll give it to Devo this time around.

Last Month – The winner was Will Harris and Collin McHugh was the runner-up.

Biggest Surprise (Positive). Yuli Gurriel. He entered July putting up fairly anemic numbers (.267 BA/ .726 OPS/ 8 HRs/ 37 RBIs) especially on the power side for playing a corner position. He looked like a candidate to not be the first baseman for long. He ended the month (.299 BA/ .856 OPS / 20 HRs/ 68 RBIs) on fire and off any potential trade list.

Runner-up.  Yordan Alvarez – Hey, I love the kid, but figured that whatever film got around on him from his hot start in June would point out the weaknesses the opponents would be exploiting in July. So, he put up a .333 BA/ .419 OBP/ 1.045 OPS slash with 7 doubles, 5 HRs and 15 RBIs for July. Now his .455 BABIP (batting average for balls in play in July) points to unsustainable numbers, but when you hit the absolute heck out of the ball, maybe he will keep those numbers up down the stretch.

Last Month – Myles Straw was the winner with Cy Sneed as the Runner-up

Biggest Disappointment.  Max Stassi. Now no one thought he would turn into Johnny Bench, but was it too much to expect him to do better than he did. He only had 23 ABs in July, but he came close to a total goose egg – .130 BA/ .130 OBP/ .361 OPS – 0 runs, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs. In this case the eye test did match reality on the former Astro.

Runner-up.  Josh Reddick. His hot start to the season seems a decade ago and he was a constant rally killer in July. He put up a small slash .205 BA/ .267 OBP/ .524 OPS with 6 runs/ 0 HRs/ 6 RBIs. (Hector Rondon was a real consideration here too….)

The surprising stats award.

  • Zack Greinke was good in July with a 1-1 record, 2.90 ERA, 0.968 WHIP and low .211 BA against and .614 OPS against. With all that he would have been only the Astros 4th best starting pitcher in July as Verlander, Cole and Miley were all better. The fans can’t wait to see how rolling these four out every five games is going to go. I mean Astros fans, not fans of the opposition.
  • It is very rare to see a hitter like Alex Bregman play almost every day and hit only .233 BA but get on base at a .402 OBP clip. It helps to have 21 walks in 22 games.
  • Both Chris Devenski and Collin McHugh had the exact same WHIP for the month of 1.371 (WHIP is basically a measurement of how many people get on base by hit + walk + hit by pitch on the average each inning). But Devo’s ERA was 3.86 vs. McHugh’s 6.17 ERA. This was basically because Devenski was giving up more walks and less clutch hits plus homers…..

Anyway, bottom line, do you agree with these awards?

Want to propose awards of your own?

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114 responses to “Chipalatta Awards for July: Pre-Zack”

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  2. The “I Tried to Dance, You wanted to Play Tag Award” goes to Jake Marisnick.
    The “I hurt my back lifting Yordan Award” goes to Tony Kemp.
    The “Get this phone out of my ear Award” goes to Jeff Luhnow.
    The “I Dream of Biagini Award” goes to AJ Hinch.
    The “What the Hell Good is Framing For Award” goes to Max Stassi.
    The “Better Than Pretty Good Award” goes to Jose Altuve.
    The “I Fixed You, Now I’m going to Fix Me Award” goes to Alex Bregman.
    The ” I Skipped AAAA and Went Straight to the Majors Award” goes to Alvarez.
    The “Why Didn’t You tell Me I Could Skip AAAA Award” goes to Derek Fisher.
    The “Kate, Gerritt And Zac Works For Me Award” goes to JV
    The “Beltran’s phone number costs $5000 Award” goes to Yuli.
    The “Imitate Devenski and Get Optioned Award” goes to Strawman.
    The ” Tell Michelle to Stay Away from My Personal Scoreboard Award” goes to Julia Morales.
    The “Maybe the Astros Get Bad Soon Award” goes to Texas Rangers Fans

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  3. Yuli is so hot, last night the broadcast crew was laughing that when Sprnger got to the park in street clothes, he put on Yuli’s game jersey. That was good enough luck for 1 hit and 3 BBs. So I think everyone should put it on for a few minutes tonight.

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  5. On today’s website is an article informing us that the Astros are the “new Yankees,” ready to win and be hated by all other fans. This bothered me to the point that I wrote a poem, which strikes fear in Dan’s heart because I am unable to write poetry.
    Thankee
    But to be frankee
    I don’t want to be a Yankee
    Sorry if I sound crankee
    But not even Denis Menke
    Could on me pull rankee
    And you can take that to the bankee
    Please don’t drive me to drankee
    I don’t want to be a Yankee
    (I’m just glad we got Greinke)

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  6. Dan, you are tireless in your efforts to keep us motivated and talking. If you had time to look back though, and you don’t, you’d note that these monthly awards just don’t get much of a reaction out of me. While I’m blown away by the things our guys continue to do, I just have a hard time recognizing efforts until the full body of work is realized. So to change the subject, I think ( and I might be wrong) the guy with no monthly award is the guy we need most. And by that I mean for five years.

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  9. That was pretty fun to watch! George with 4 hits tonight and that’s WITHOUT a homerun! Lordy we gotta get McHugh fixed, the guy walks a tight rope every time he pitches. I think it’s pretty unamious that most of us, and the fans that fill Minute Maid park….that the Astros HAVE to lock up George Springer. No if’S ands and buts about it, lock him up.

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  10. Maybe a few suggestions for Awards for July:

    A. Jake awarded the “Bowling for Less Dollars Plaque”
    B. JL awarded the “Bret Maverick Trophy.”
    C. JV and Cole co-awards for “Ring Toss Game Trophy.”
    D. CC awarded the Gabe Kaplan role in the remake of “Welcome Back, Correa.”
    E. Laz Diaz awarded first prize in “Blind Man’s Bluff” game.
    F. And Brent Strom has now retired the “I’ve Got A Secret Award.”

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  11. Interesting list on Baseball Reference for WAR for this season.
    1. Verlander 4.9
    2. Bregman 4.8
    3. Springer 4.1
    4. Cole 4.0
    5. Brantley 3.5
    6. Miley 3.4
    7. Chirinos 2.7
    8. Correa 2.2
    9. Altuve 2.1
    10. Yuli 2.1
    11 Yordan 1.9
    12. Jake 1.7

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  12. Pressly 1.6, Osuna 1.3, Peacock 1.1, Harris 1.0, Diaz 0.9, Reddick 0.9, and 8 more with positive WAR. Then 2 with 0.0 WAR.

    Followed by the rest with Negative WAR lead by Tyler White at -0.8, and 9 others.

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  13. WAR is an interesting stat in that it allows comparisons between offense and pitching, but it is hard to grab hold of in my head how accurate it is. Thoughts:
    – Cole is trailing Verlander by 20% in WAR. He’s pitched one inning less than JV, his ERA is 0.1 higher, he has one less win (and wins are not always in their control) has struck out a ton more, given up 6 less homers, but gives up more walks and hits. If they had him 5% less I could buy that
    – Hats off to daveb and his love for our leadoff man, it shows Springer’s worth that he could miss that much time but is so near the top
    – Chirinos is higher than you would think – shows how much he has meant to this team that he’s above Correa, Altuve and Yuli
    – What if Bregman had not been scuffling with runners on – he would be around 6.0 already I believe
    – How big a hole was Yuli in that he could have such a crazy July and be still pretty so-so in WAR?
    – Tough for relievers to show their worth in this system. Somehow I believe that someone like Pressly is worth a lot more than 1.6 wins better than his average replacement from the minors (up until his injury)
    – It is telling that Reddick who has played the whole season is the lowest ranked regular and tied with part timer Diaz who missed a month or so

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    • What I find hilarious is that he is not saying the obvious. He hit this way before the All Star Break – this other way since. What changed? He competed in the Home Run Derby.

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    • So here is the real question: Is Bregman with a .265 BA and 35 HR more valuable than with a .300 BA and 20 HR?

      My opinion is that AB should let the big boys rattle the fences and set the table for them with lots of line drives and walks. He will still get his share of HRs and RBIs.

      I think we will see AB adjust his approach down the stretch and start using the whole field again.

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      • Vewill1, your post is spot on. It was the latter that made AB an MVP candidate 2018. Currently he is 13 HR’s shy of hitting 40. I saw another article addressing his 40 HR potential. Hitting 40+ bombs is great but I think most of us would rather see the AB of 2018.
        GS was the rave of tv analysts for MVP pre inj & last night’s game reminded us why. Altuve has his legs back & is raking like JA of old. Yuli did a torrid version of Stevie Wonders hit album “Hotter Than July”. YA should hit his way into a ROY award. Brantley will be Brantley & CC is back. Reddick in the 9 hole should turn the lineup over for the Top Guns. I predict this tm will continue racking up monthly trifecta’s Dan, and I hope, all the way to another WS.

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      • I sure like the 50 double version of Bregman, but OBP and the OPS remain sparkling, so I’ll live with this version as long as he becomes again the clutch guy we used to know. Someone said his BABip is around .240. If that’s the case, isn’t he due to go crazy?

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  16. Here are my 5 bold predictions for the remainder of the season:

    1) Tucker will be up when rosters expand and will supplant Reddick as the everyday RFer before the end of the season.
    2) Sanchez will follow the path of CFM and Pressly in relying on the curve and will be a pivotal piece of the staff down the stretch.
    3) Maldanado will carry the bulk of innings behind the plate, leaving Chirinos with fresh legs come playoff time.
    4) CC will catch fire and be the Astros most valuable player going into the playoffs.

    And last……….
    5) Whitley will force his way onto the 40 man and be a vital bullpen piece going into the playoffs. Rondon will make this possible by pitching himself off of the roster (DFA).

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    • I think #1 is overly bold. Reddick is excellent in right field. With all the bats we have already, his defense is enough for me. We don’t need Tucker out there this October.

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      • That’s a fair consideration too. Especially since Jake has an OPS quite a bit better than Reddick’s. But if there is one thing we know about Hinch by now, he’s not going to change things without a real need to. And he likes Jake late. Now if we end up in the Bronx with a lefty on the mound, then I think we would see Jake in center and George moved over.

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  18. I just listened to an interview with Brent Strom…..he is beyond excited about getting Sanchez and Greinke in the fold! He said he has a lot of video on Zack but he needs to know the man. I’m looking forward to see the magic he accomplishes with these guys! And…..no he will never be allowed to retire!
    Reminds me of Dave Duncan when he was the pitching coach with the Cardinals.
    You know, I know baseball is a business but I gotta tell you I was VERY sad when Jonathan Lucroy was let go from the Angels the day he came off the IL. Not cool.

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  20. Assume all know it’s HOF weekend. Nolan Ryan and Art Howe just interviewed. Not in depth but at least you get to see them and hear a few words. Tuve just boomered.

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  22. Good grief. It should not be so easy. Certainly, Sanchez is not suddenly fixed, but the Jays have to be feeling pretty stupid right now. Throw more breaking balls. Throw the fastball at 92. Can he really throw 100? And Seattle has been playing pretty good ball. Their line up is not bad either. Regardless, a quality outing from our new 5th starter.

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  23. Do they run people out of town on rails anymore? What do you think the Blue Jay fans are doing with their GM and coaches after Sanchez’s performance?

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  26. How’s that for a new club debut! Sanchez has trouble with blisters, fortunately we have a pitching coach that knows how to stop those! I can’t wait to hear the guys rave about Sanchez tonight! You know he’s walking on cloud 9 now!

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  27. Billy Wagner was in the booth tonight with Robert Ford and Sparks……I have soo many good memories of him as opening day starter! He still lives here, and says he sneaks in every once in a while to see these guys.
    How did Sanchez look tonight ya’ll?

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  28. Biagini says he was promised therapy puppies as part of the deal and hasn’t seen them yet. He’s a character all right. Hope not too much of one for this clubhouse.

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  29. Oh Lordy…..do you REALLY have that much confidence in Devo to protect a *o
    Hitter? Nope….I don’t. Cross your fingers and toes😨

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  33. My God I was not expecting that. I’m feeling this is a team of destiny. 2017 all over again… except we’re actually better now.

    Great game…props on the no hitter!!!

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  34. The game was stunning from the start. Sanchez’s curve was wicked. Brantley’s ability to change his swing and power a ball off the LF fence. The inadequacy of Seattle’s left fielder to find a way to play the ricochets off that wall.
    Altuve’s huge swings all night, resulting in an oppo home run.
    The little girl jumping up and down when handed the home run ball.
    Astros pitchers racing off the mound to cover the 1B bag and beating Mariner’s baserunners by 30 feet.
    All night the electric baseball being played by the entire team.
    It was stunning.

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  35. My apologies to all. Was out of touch with media all day Saturday and at the time I was posting on the game last night, I didn’t know about El Paso or obviously, later, Dayton.

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    • Don’t apologize. Making you change your life or losing your happiness is the goal of people like this and I refuse to do it.
      My family, my farm, my Astros are my life and the no-good slime doing these things are not going to make me stop living and loving. I pray for those who lose their lives, wish for the bad guys to be put away forever and then I move on in absolute defiance of their purpose.

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      • OP, please let me thank you. I turned on TV this morning and within an hour I was as stressed as if I’d driven to the office and gone to work. There is no peace even in my tiny little apartment. Thinking back, I can recall at least three other Sundays turning on TV to a massacre. Maybe more. It’s not just one’s own problems anymore. It’s the world in your face 24/7. It’s basically too much for the human psyche. Or I guess I should speak for myself: It’s too much for mine. Anyway, Greinke got ‘xiety? Hey, man, join s’ciety. This morning’s paper had long story about Hinch letting every man be himself and praise Hinch for that. If
        Greinke is introverted and care worn, so what? The ‘Stros will let him be that in spades. If Biaginni needs therapy pups, so be it. Human woes don’t stop at the Show. Although a fist o’ green can and does help ease the way and let’s don’t kid ourselves about that. Thanks again, OP. Enjoy your family and your farm.

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      • very well said op. i totally agree and will never give in to these types. the best defiance we all can display is no change to our daily lives.

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      • I understand. But at some point we all end up putting blinders on for our own mental well being or self preservation. It used to happen every now and then, then it was every month. Now, it seems to be weekly. If we don’t figure something out, then one day soon, we will, or our own loved ones will become victims. It’s only a matter of time.

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      • daveb7, it always amazes me when somebody says “I didn’t think it could happen here.” Are you kidding me? Are you talking to me? Why would you not think it could happen to you? The amazing thing by the grace of God is that it has NOT happened to you.

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  36. Color me DaveB Jr. We had friends over last night. Ate and talked. Turned on the game and with it 9-0, it made sense that Devo was pitching the 9th. He gets a fly to Reddick and the place goes nuts. WHY??? They don’t get in a line for a high five. They hug about 5 different players to include. They hug Maldonado. Why???

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  37. As I said, Aaron Sanchez is not ready to be slotted into our rotation, and Brent Strom has his work cut out for him if he is ever going to make that happen.

    Or not.: )

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    • It sounds like they had him pitch just like Morton and Verlander. 4 seamers up – throw more curves – and less 2 seamers.
      They said he has the 4th highest spin rate among “qualifying” starters – those with more innings than the team has played games

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  38. So how do you interpret that Roberto Osuna has not pitched since Wednesday and is not called out to hold onto the no-hitter in the 9th?

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    • At the end of the 8th last night, being an old pitching coach, I actually pondered who I would call on for the 9th if I were Hinch. Since it was 9-0, I decided I would not call on Osuna, who I want to keep fresh and focused to close games that are . . . well . . . close. I went through the list of available guys. Not Rondon – he’s been a train wreck lately. Not McHugh – he gives up too many hits. That leaves me Smith or Devenski. Smith threw last night; Devenski did well his last time out [closing out a 7-1 victory Thursday against the Indians, 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K.]. Answer: Devenski!

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  39. What else could go wrong….Brent Strom had emergency surgery last night for Gastroenteritis. I’ve been there, done that, and got the T shirt….it ain’t fun. Before Sanchez went out last night he carried some advice from Strom…leave your two seam fast ball in the clubhouse, and use your 4 seamer and your breaking ball! Sanchez credits Strom for the action on his breaking ball! Hurry up and get well Strommy….the pitchers NEED you!!
    This is where I’m at:
    I asked our Lord to bring all of those wonderful people who have died to Heaven.
    Forgive them of their trespasses…and wrap His arms around their families.
    All I can do in my small little world is pray….and I have done a lot of that lately.
    I love my wonderful husband
    I love my children
    I love my grandchildren
    I love my Astros.
    I love my Lord
    And….I love all of YOU.

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  40. By the way, as we celebrate a no-hitter, rumor has it that some tall, lanky guy named Forest Whitley is slated to starts today’s game for the Corpus Christi Hooks.

    Last night, the Hooks won 5-1 behind strong outings by Tyler Ivey and Nick Hernandez. New acquisition Andrew Scrubb struck out the side in the 9th [along with 2 other batters in previous innings] to notch a save. Colton Shaver hit a 3 run bomb for all the scoring the Hooks really needed.

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  41. In other news, Brad Peacock’s first rehab start didn’t go well – at least for the Round Rock Express. He pitched 1.1 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 3 hits (1 homer) and 2 BBs. He did strike out 2, and threw 20 of his 33 pitches for strikes. I can neither confirm nor deny that he needs another rehab start or two to get things back on track.

    Don’t stress, Brad. Mr. Sanchez will be happy to leave the light on for you.

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  43. If any of you did a post above for the previous 15 or 20, please go back and give yourself a “Like” because my button has been muted plus each you outdid yourselves.

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      • That’s worth a like! My like button does not work on Apple stuff. What’s the secret 45?

        Watching the Yanks and Sox tonight. We can certainly fail in October. Short series are scary. But our club is much more athletic and much more talented than any other 25 men in the American League. We have guys that can hit like lumberjacks and can also play stunning defensive. We’re going to have a pitching staff that two or three good guys will be left off of. Jake (or Reddick Vewill) might be the worst guy on out team, excluding our back up catcher.

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  44. Well I believe the M’s have not had a hit since the 6th inning Friday night – so after a hitless 1st they are like 13+ hitless innings and counting.
    Yeah this rookie Verlander looks pretty good. He may turn Brad Peacock into the next Wally Pipp….

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  45. We won’t see Reymin Guduan is suspended the rest of this season for breaking team rules. He is a liability look for him to be traded or released…THANK GOODNESS!

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    • Lifetime Tommy has 200 less Ks than innings pitched. We sure are making him look good. Are our guys all hung over from celebrating the No-No last night?

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      • I’m feelin you Mr. Bill. This tm can, at times, make mediocre pitchers appear like Cy Young candidates, aggravating.

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    • If anyone had a teenager (male or female) that can throw a baseball 75-80 mph, they can be an “Astro Specialist.” I am amazed how they look so bad against junk ballers.

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  47. How does this tm improve it’s RISP stat? Ugggg! Two leadoff walks, no outs and both men get cemented on the bases because our backend guys can’t lay off curvy balls a foot out the zone on 3-2 counts (Yuli gets a pass). I know, there’s a reason those guys hit last. But it ain’t always them & the offense is in great shape.

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  49. Well, the offense forgot what city they are in, but Verlander was Verlander – and the Mariners were the Mariners. We’ll take the W any way we can get it, and only wince a little when we look at one another and say ‘good game’.

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  50. Whitley pitching well this afternoon in CC. 1 hit, 1BB and 3K through 3. Unfortunately his 1 hit was a HR on a misplaced FB. He looks really good. Command is good, secondary stuff is nasty and he is bringing serious heat. Let’s hope he keeps it up.

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