It is unclear whether the Astros have turned the corner, having cut 4-1/2 games off their 10-game deficit in the AL West in the last week, or at a crossroads on the season.
Your scribe considers this to be a turning-the-corner situation. The team’s vibe seems a lot more positive right now. The team beat up a World Series contender in three straight games, and it all felt different.
Today, I will leave it to you to write this post by answering questions about the Astros’ situation.
- If Justin Verlander is out for more than a couple starts, what should they do? Promote from within or trade for help?
- When Kyle Tucker returns, the Astros have potential outfielders Tucker, Yordan Alvarez, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, Trey Cabbage, Joey Loperfido and Mauricio Dubon. Who gets sent down? Should they consider trading anyone from their surplus?
- The Astros were 14-21 in games that Jose Abreu played in (a 65-97 WL pace). They are 24-19 in games he did not play in (a 90-72 pace). Is their improvement really that easy?
- Alex Bregman in his first 33 games this season slashed .189 BA/.262 OBP/ .520 OPS with 6 runs scored/ 5 doubles/ 1 HRs / 11 RBIs and in his last 41 games he has slashed .309 BA/ .358 OBP/ .897 OPS with 27 runs scored/ 10 doubles/ 8 HRs/ 23 RBIs. Does this change how you feel about retaining him / paying him?
- Between now and the end of the season, who will bring the most value to the Astros – Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, or Joey Loperfido?
- Will Tayler Scott (1.67 ERA in 33 appearances) move himself into the back three in the bullpen during the balance of the season?
- Who is most likely to be let go after the season….Joe Espada or his hitting or pitching coach(es)?
- Who will likely be on the team in 2025 – Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander or Ryan Pressly?
- If the Astros make the playoffs, who starts the first game – Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez or Ronel Blanco?
- The Astros are 38-40. They will end the season with a _____ record.
It is your turn. The blog is within your power to comment.
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
102 responses to “Astros 2024: Questions turning the corner”
So do we get the Framber who knows how to pitch tonight? Or the confused idiot who wants to wander around between the mound and 2b looking like Joe Biden trying to find his nurse – I mean wife?
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I’ll be very curious to see what kind of a protective device Tucker will have on that leg when he does come back. I’ve always thought I would enjoy designing that sort of stuff. But life didn’t go that way.
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Dave7, great post. I confess I am not very good interpreting stats, metrics, ect on players. MLB.com splits for Bregman on RBI’s was 16/5/2 in the past 30/15/7 gms. Blum & company boast on Alex hitting over .300 the past month or so. He hits great at times with no one on base, but him hitting with RISP stinks. I am adamant about trading him at the deadline. It would be criminal to let him walk at seasons end with tms in the hunt willing to deal prospects/players for him.
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That they would keep secretive regarding the extent of Tucks injury is utter folly. To what end does it benefit them lying to fans? Blanco, Arighetti and Bloss (anybody I missed) should not be burdened with loads of innings given their short tenure’s. All the more reason to deal some of our players at the deadline to prepare for 2025 and beyond. Poor Blanco, 14 LOB’s. He could have used some of that run support the lineup failed to provide.
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About Dubon. You nailed him Dave. In one AB last night I watched him spoil P (balls), refusing to take the walk (twice) the P offered. But that’s how Dubon operates. He should have better offensive #’s if he (and Tuv), took those walks P are willing to offer. I would much rather see Dubon in the 9-hole behind Tuv, Bregman moved up when Tuck returns, to allow Yordan/Tuck rack up RBI’s if the aforementioned duo took more walks with their hits.
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The only people who are that secretive are people who know they’re doing something wrong.
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SCHN has “old man” problems. A weak stream being one of them. So I’m forced to watch the home broadcast today because of the buffering being so bad. But this can be a bit of a blessing, too.
They’re giving out stats that Blummer would not (likely he’s not allowed to). For instance, I hadn’t realized that the Astros struck out 10 times last night with Meyers being the victim thrice.
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I’m okay with Crane being a seller at the deadline. I think it would be a travesty to allow a golden opportunity to sell departing assets, who will leave for free, without loading up this roster for next year and beyond.
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I agree with you completely. Trade Valdez. Trade Bregman. Fire Espada and all the coaches. Then start all over again.
But if we have the same Ren & Stimpy clowns (God only knows for sure who) running the FO, what good is it going to do? They’ll just do more stupid deals……
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They scored that a hit? It went off his glove, for crying out loud! Even the Mets broadcasters are questioning that one….
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That was one dumb move by a pitcher more concerned about his ERA than about winning a ball game, folks. Framber is never going to be a Mensa member, but I see this as the major problem with the guy. Too much about himself.
That kind of thinking spreads through a locker room and destroys teams. Get as much as you can for him at the deadline and get him outta here.
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But TBH, these runs should all be unearned because of Altuve’s error. That doesn’t, however, change the fact that Valdez is a high maintenance head case who isn’t worth the effort.
They should get as much as they can for him and deal him before the deadline. This team isn’t going to be playing in October anyway.
They’re just not that good anymore.
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I’m not even sure if they charged Altuve with an error on that play. They should have though. That should have been his first official error of the season. Altuve has helped Framber out plenty of times this year. Framber could have picked up Altuve and battled his way out of that inning with a run. Instead he freaked out again. Throwing his glove! He should be fined. And another thing. Alvarez was out in left because Framber won’t pitch to Diaz. Framber impacts the game in many ways. Today, 10 hits and 3 walks in 4.2 innings. What does that do to our bullpen game tomorrow? We might be flying someone in from Sugar Land this afternoon as the result of Frambers performance.
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All true. And Alvarez missed that one fly ball that I can’t imagine Chas not catching, too. The ripple or butterfly effect.
Even the Mets broadcasters thought that play should’ve been scored as an E4.
Regardless of that, Valdez is simply an unreliable commodity in the club. Best to deal him before the deadline, dump the problem in somebody else’s locker room, take what you’ve got left, and build it up as best you can.
To do that, one has to acknowledge that this team is not going to go very deep in any post season play if they see any at all. Ren & Stimpy aren’t willing to do that.
I am.
Just my opinion worth no more than what you paid for it. 🙂
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After that weird comebacker DP in the b4, I think we should all accept reality. Our boy Framber is not the sharpest knife in the drawer…
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I wish I could re-post my October 16, 2023 remarks on Framber. He’s still an embarrassment. He’s still selfish. His head remains up his ass. Very rarely do we get to see a major leaguer throw his glove down like a little leaguer after making a little league play. I’m sure it will be a highlight on ESPN. Unfortunately, regardless of his total ignorance as to the concept of being team player, we need his innings in 2024 because we simply do not have enough pitching right now. But he needs to go this winter, regardless of what we get for him. I don’t want him on my team.
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I remember reading that one. IIRC, I liked it then, too. Certainly agreed with it then and now!
I can’t help but speculate how well those new extensions will go over with the Steinbrenners……
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See, Framber? It really is that simple. 1 to 3 he’s out. Do you think you could do that?
How do I say that in Spanish?
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Jon is quietly having a decent game.
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Chas is struggling against lefties batting .200 this season. Chasing every ball Diekman threw, I see why. I guess Jon’s average was worse. I doubt Jon would have swung at every ball Diekman threw.
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Jon just had an RBI single. That PH definitely is an eyebrow raiser here!
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You had ONE job, ump……
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Didn’t Earn It at the ballpark. Ain’t it great, America?
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Good job of hitting by Bregman. Almost makes up for last night’s concrete glove.
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That’s much better, Doobie! WooHoo!
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His team really really picked him up today. I hope Framber recognizes that.
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I doubt it. He hasn’t grown out of adolescense by now. Why would I think he will now?
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The record reflects that the Astros won that game. The reality is that the Mets gave it away. Bregman’s RBI single in the 8th (clutch though it was) was the only Astros hit in the inning. But we’ll certainly take it!
Back to .500 but not exactly on a roll. Didn’t notice how many more LOB today but I counted 10 more strikeouts. Not much improvement over yesterday, really. But it helps when Diekman can’t hit the broad side of a barn and Alvarez can’t catch a cold. They got lucky IOW.
Hopefully the Twinkies can do us a solid later tonight. Not sure I’ll still be awake to see it…..
Now the big question is who will be pitching tomorrow? Bullpen game? Lord help us.
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