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The Astros need to win — Period!

My son sent me one of those writeups yesterday that went over all the tiebreaker scenarios the Astros could get caught up in from two-way to three-way to four-way ties between the Astros, the Mariners, the Rangers, and/or the Blue Jays. My head started throbbing from the gazillion possibilities, and I work in engineering for a living. There were multiple ways for the Astros to win the division, win the second wild card, win the third wild card, or go home. There was no scenario for taking the first wild card as that is tucked neatly away for the Tampa Bay Rays, who are currently 12 games better than the AL Central-winning Twins, but unable to catch the AL East and best record in the AL, Baltimore Orioles.

The Astros came out of Thursday with a tighter race than they faced heading into it. The M’s flipped a game in the ninth and drew within one of us. One very possible scenario is the M’s win 2 of 3 with the Rangers the Astros lose two against the D’Backs, and the Blue Jays win at least once – Astros go home.

But instead of beating my head against the door jamb, I am going to the KISS method with my advice to the team (and that advice is not to Rock and Roll all night and party every day). It’s the keep it simple, stupid method. The Al Davis method. Just win, baby.

If the Astros take care of their business this weekend, the scenarios go away. Sure, if they win all three against the Diamondbacks, their playoff spot could vary, but they will be going onward. If they don’t take care of business, they are at the mercy of multiple teams who would love nothing better than to see the Astros sitting at home this postseason.

So, the Astros need to win….period. Take the power away from the other teams.

J.P. France not as good as Zac Gallen? Kick their butts anyway.

D’Backs playing at home in front of gonzo crazy fans? Kick their butts anyway.

D’Backs playing out of their minds to go back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017? Kick their butts anyway.

It is absolutely in the Astros hands to move forward into the postseason. They just have to bone up their carpe diem selves and seize the day.

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52 responses to “The Astros need to win — Period!”

  1. I still don’t know what the schizo kookie Astros will do. Same as Wednesday. Anything can still happen with all four teams involved. There is a real possibility that I won’t like tonights line up, but what’s new about that? Can Frenchy’s little brother pitch? Can we hit tonight? I just don’t know, but will try to stay awake tonight.

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  2. Yep, Dano, that’s pretty much it. I think it’s going to be a tougher series in AZ than it was in Seattle, starting against Gallen tonight. And there’s no telling what’ll happen between the Rangers and Mariners. Seattle might just surprise us all and sweep, and heaven help us if that happens. So like you said, our guys just need to go out and do what they need to do. Period. GO ASTROS!!!! 🙂

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  3. That’s pretty much the advice I’ve been giving all year long. But here we are.
    I’ve come to the conclusion that telling DF Baker anything is an exercise in futility. He already knows everything he needs to know about anything that’s worth knowing.
    Unless you ask him what he’s going to do to help the team win. That’s when he doesn’t know.
    He’ll just stand there with his toothpick, shrug, and say; “That’s baseball.”

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    • That answers a bunch of questions for me.
      By the way, JP France has been scratched from tonight due to a family emergency.
      Jose Urquidy is the starting pitcher.

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  7. I sure hope the family issue that necessitated France rushing home ends in a positive outcome.

    I’ve already read too many Twitter posts condemning Stanek for going on paternity leave. The polite ones questioned his math skills.

    It looks like Diaz has caught his last game in 2023 unless the Astros clinch early or get knocked out before Sunday. As it turns out, we got the immaculate line up just one time; Altuve, Bregman, Alvarez, Tucker, Abreu, McCormick, Brantley, Diaz, Pena. Dana Brown pretty much asked for that line up today but if the quote was accurate, it was all up to the manager.

    I’m sure not writing off Jose Urquidy tonight. He’s pitched big games before.

    I’ll say this for Dusty Baker. In sprite of his remarkable inconsistency all year long, he has not waivered in his steadfast commitment to Martin Maldonado in spite of every bit of statistical evidence that he’s used the wrong catcher. That will be his legacy.

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  10. Here’s my take on it. Of the Rangers last 3 games:

    If TEX win all 3 then HOU are through even if they win 0 (WC)
    If TEX win 2 then HOU are though if they win 1 (WC)
    If TEX win 1 then HOU are through if they win 2 (WC with SEA losing out) and if HOU win 3 then HOU win the division (TEX the WC)
    If TEX win 0 the HOU are through if they win 2 (WC with TEX losing out and SEA sun the division) and if HOU win 3 then HOU win the division (SEA the WC)

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    • You know, in my younger days, I did shear stress and bending moment calculations in my head. But now that I’m old, I’ll just wait until Sunday night and see how it works out. Gotta be some kind of advantage to all this arthritis crap……

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    • Simon I wanted to clarify that by saying through – you meant through into the playoffs – here in the colonies through can mean done for

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  11. Thoughts
    – As Blummer and TK said last night that was playoff level baseball.
    – That was an amazing performance by Urquidy against the D’Back ace. He had not gone 6 innings since his return from the IL in August. Way back in April he had 6 innings of two hit shutout ball against the Pirates. And he had no idea he was going to be starting until yesterday. Kudos to Jose!
    – Speaking of Jose – Jose Abreu hit a mammoth Yordan-esque blast to knock in those two runs. How friggin’ high is that fence? And he made a nice pick-up on Jeremy Pena’s six star play to save the game. A great play to even keep the ball in the infield and then to quick hop up and laser a throw to first, just terrific.
    – Speaking of Jose – C’mon Jose Altuve – starting the ninth inning with a two run lead missing a simple high bouncing ground ball put a lot more stress on your closer.
    – I sure hope Neris doesn’t get suspended (I assume they could appeal it – but that might put it into the playoffs) – because they don’t have Stanek and I don’t trust Montero.
    – Today we face Houston local boy Merrill Kelly who has had a very good season up against JV. We can make the playoffs by winning today as best I can tell.

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    • They said Abreu hit a 432 foot double. Why would any power hitter want to play in that park? Kind of like back in the old days when Yankee stadium had a 467 measurement somewhere out in the centerfield zip code. Course in the House that Ruth built it was also just 296 down the right field line.

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  12. Oh, we have the mysterious meandering strike zone again tonight, I see. I have seen some pretty strange sights out in the desert before. But this is ridiculous.

    Robo umps!

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  14. So this suit is saying that starting Tuesday, it’s gonna be Space City Home Network instead of AT&T Sportsnet and there won’t be any noticable changes to viewers.

    So we can expect the same buffering, buffering, buffering crap and untimely interruptions in the stream that Grandma Bell was sending out.

    Wonderful. Who cares? STFU and call the game…..

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  15. It’s a good thing Framber did not have to throw to the home plate ump tonight.

    Tough, tough pitching over the past couple of games with Neris bailing guys out twice more tonight.

    It sure would be nice to win the division tomorrow, but I don’t think the Seattle club is going to have the stomach to try and help.

    I also don’t know where Texas gets the pitching from tomorrow, but they desperately need a win and the rest that would come with it.

    Do we get a fresh bat or two in the line up tomorrow?

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  16. Is our 1Bman finally at full health now? He really Creamed another one off the CF wall:

    Jose Abreu – killin’ what pitch is thrown to you
    He’s a big load of trouble in orange and blue
    In our own mad minds we’re in love with you
    With you
    Now what you gonna do?
    Jose Abreu – killin’ what pitch is thrown to you

    He’s some kind of demon; hits ‘em out of our view
    If you don’t watch out he’ll stick it to you
    To you
    What kind of fool are you?
    Jose Abreu – killin’ what pitch is thrown to you

    A good bat in the middle of a raging team
    Reckless pitchers beware if you let him be
    Ignored
    How many runs will we score?
    Jose Abreu – killin’ what pitch is thrown to you

    Jose Abreu, Jose Abreu, Jose Abreu, Jose Abreu
    Jose Abreu – killin’ what pitch is thrown to you!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftgytmgQgE

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  17. Thank you AstroNut for commenting. I thought perhaps the site was shutdown, mine being the only other post following the post season clinching 1-0 win last night. As a group we seem about as enthusiastic as our Astro bats have been the past two nights. Low expectations? Weariness? Who cares?

    Seems the D-Backs will go with a bullpen game today, saving what they can for their opening WC game on Tuesday. Sure would be nice if the Astros could score a bunch of runs early and reduce Javier’s workload a bit. Otherwise he won’t be available at any point in the Wild Card round if that’s how things end up today. Rangers are starting Dunning. M’s Kirby. The Rangers will come out loose and happy and the M’s likely won’t give a crap.

    A division win would be a real comeback for the Astros. But I think the Rangers need it more than us. We’ll see.

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    • Sorry, was too busy watching the Ryder Cup. Great attempt at a comeback from the USA. But a solid victory for us Europeans 🙂

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  18. I was just tired last night – had spent the day with my mom belatedly celebrating her 88th birthday. Good genes, her mom lived to two weeks shy of 95. Got home late watched highlights from the game and hit the sack.
    Yes, I think we are a little spoiled – not like those years of sweating it out for an appearance after many years absent.
    They did say the Astros clubhouse celebration was a bit muted – contrasted with the D’Backs celebrating in their outfield swimming pool. But the guys know, and I think the fans know they are just at a starting point.
    – The Astros continued this insane run of playing so much better on the road with their 4th win in 5 tries this road trip.
    – Despite another passed ball, I am afraid that Maldy has cemented his spot behind the plate with his handling of the pitchers with 1 run in 18 innings in Arizona and his huge ninth inning throw out of the runner last night.
    – Jose Abreu, showed why they may have wanted him the last couple of nights as he pumped up his RBI total to 88 for the season. He still is hitting off-speed a lot better than the fast balls. Not sure what it means long term, but hoping he plays less injured next season.
    – I did not see much of the game last night. Looked at some of the pitch locations for the first 4 or 5 innings and it seemed like that there were a number of bad pitch calls by the ump and they almost all went against us. Verlander was not throwing with great control any way which is the bigger reason he only went 5 innings. He was a bit disappointed in that after the game, but he said if he had to choose, he would rather have good stuff like he did last night than pin point control – but he wants to hone in on both.
    – I’m actually excited. This team has the pedigree to go far and all that came before this is merely prelude. Let’s see if they take the division today and get a bye.

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    • It was a tough game to watch. As I noted last night, I’m not sure if Framber would have remained composed as all the missed ball/strike calls were going against the Astros early. Maldy is catching after the night game. And with Alvarez dealing with a right elbow issue (he confirmed it) and can’t play left, that pretty much means Diaz is a pinch hitter the rest of the way. I’m not going to lament line up decisions at this point, it is what it is.

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  19. Early on it looks like the Astros have a pretty big advantage. The Snakes are not at all worried about winning this game.

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  20. Dan, by the way, having your mom still with us at 88 is pretty cool. Happy belated Birthday to her. Why don’t you get her to start chiming in here at Chipalatta?

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    • Sure was. Of course, now Houston is stuck with DF Baker another year. I hate to root for the Twinkies again, but I just can’t get behind a Baker team anymore. Still have the camo Twins cap my BIL sent me years ago.

      Time to break it out, I guess……

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  24. I will root for Tucker to hit #30 in the ninth, though. He deserves it for that inside the park homer. The AZ scorer is being an azzhat……

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      • Being a big fan of Rod Carew in my childhood days, I’ve always considered an inside the park home run and the stealing of home to be the two most exciting plays in baseball. Got to see a few of them, too. Ballparks were bigger in those days.

        But Tucker didn’t deserve to get screwed by the scorer in that situation. That’s pretty lowdown….

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  25. Daveb – my mom is an 88 year old who never has been on a computer – never wanted to and now never will.
    TOF – ya gotta let it go and in some ways I guess you have. I don’t like some of the things Baker has done but this is my team – I love the guys and always will.

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    • Yeah, pretty much have. I’ll likely just go back to lurking once in a while.

      As you know, I’m not a lifelong Astros fan. Only adopted them since they switched to the good league. But even if I were, I cannot, in good conscience, support a man who I see as inherently evil and reprehensible. I’ll support the Stros again when he’s gone.

      I don’t need to wish y’all luck since he’s already made his deal with the devil. Meanwhile, win Twins!

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  26. Hooray! I will take a heaping plate of Ol’ Crow! I did not see the Astros winning the division. Deep down, I always pulled for them but my eyes said differently. On to the World Series!

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  27. If you had given me the odds on the Astros winning the West on Friday morning I’d had probably said slim and none but now you know why I’m not a betting man. And look at the guys who came through. We have been down on Abreu and Maldy all season and rightfully so and then they do what they did this weekend to get us to the ALCS West Championship. Maybe we’ll win another WS and then again maybe not but this has got to be one of the up and down seasons that I can remember since Houston came into the league. I know we’ve been down on the team and it’s players, Manager, and Coaches but for the time being let’s celebrate another Division win.
    Just amazed at Texas and Seattle and the way they just couldn’t get across the finish line. I know Seattle fans are disappointed as are Texas fans for not winning the Division but they’re in the WC. Now it’s the Second season so lets see what happens next for our Astros.
    Congratulations!

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  28. I am still trying to wrap my mind around Tucker’s inside-the-park homerun being ruled a triple and fielder’s choice. I thought a fielder’s choice involved an out being created by the fielder unless an error was made by the same fielder. I did not observe an out being made nor an error being made. Ugh.

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  29. The script that played out in the last six days was unbelievable to me and probably a lot of others. But that is the reason why I have been so frustrated this year. This team has what it takes to win it all and haven’t played like that. Until this week. Playoff time, playoff winning, playoff attitude. Suddenly. it shows up and now they have six days to set their rotation, roster, lineup, bench and bullpen.
    One other thing, This team has six legitimate starting pitchers available. Not six aces, but real major league guys who won games as starters this year. That means they have extra arms to get them to their best relievers. JV, Framber, Javier, Urquidy, France and Brown. They will rest and get ready and they are going to have a deep bullpen.
    They are already tested by fire this season, as they had the tightest race of any division in baseball and came out on top.
    I jumped up and down all year in frustration. And, yet, the Astros are right there in the same place they were last year at this time. They did it. I’m so happy for us here and for the three million fans who paid their way into MMP and now get a shot at some more.

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    • 1oldpro, no team will be looking forward to playing the Astros. We’ve got a very talented club when they show up. I’ll simply try not to lament the way personal will be utilized going forward. We already know who and who will not be in the field.

      Just one thing. If we need a forth starter at some point, I think I’d go with Urquidy. Freshest arm on the club, has pitched big games. If he’s on, let him go. If he’s off, we’ve got other options on stand by.

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