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Astros’ youth movement is in full swing
In the dark, early days of the 2014 season a Houston Astros’ lineup might contain the names of Jesus Guzman, Robbie Grossman, Matt Dominguez, L.J. Hoes, and Alex Presley. While quite a few people in the lineup were youthful, this was not quite what the fans were hoping for when it came to a youth…
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Three areas of concern for Astros: Rookies, McHugh, Altuve
So, 64 games in the Astros are 36-28. In those first 64 games, there have been some good runs (late April through mid-May) and some not-so-good runs (the most recent East Coast road trip). But, with just under 100 games to go, if this is who the Astros are, that’s a 91-win team. Warts and…
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Sunday Update: Astros’ rotation could be the team’s downfall
After 63 games, the Astros have used 60 different batting lineups, seven cleanup hitters, four shortstops, seven left fielders, and 36 players overall. Perhaps the most glaring number, however, is the number of starting pitchers A.J. Hinch has penciled into his lineup. After 63 games, Houston has used 10 different pitchers to start a game,…
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What they said, what they meant: Mixed Edition
Let’s face it. The Astros and their fans are in a best of times / worst of times bipolar funk lately. The Astros are in first place. / The lead is shrinking fast. The Astros’ bullpen is one of the best in the league. / The bullpen let the team down three times in the last week. George Springer…
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Free Blog Weekend: Time to entertain those not-so-fun thoughts
So the Astros are on a seven-game losing streak. Time to consider some not-so-fun thoughts. Can 2015 still be a lost season? Yes, possibly, but not in the sense of a 100-loss season. Jeff Luhnow assembled a crazy, high K, low OBP, high homer type of roster. Early on, there were days when the roster…
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Astros’ bullpen: From gas cans to firemen in 2015
There can be little argument that the Astros’ improvement this season is riding on three factors: Better fielding. More runs scored per game; and, A light-years better bullpen. There should also be little argument that the bullpen is responsible for the biggest chunk of that improvement. Perhaps nothing points to the importance of the bullpen more…
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2017 has arrived for Astros, but what are the missing pieces?
Make no mistake. The Astros are in the hunt for 2015. Someone tell Jim Crane to go ahead and get the checkbook ready. So, a little check up on this Tuesday following Marvelous Monday in which two top prospects joined the Astros and Houston had a landmark draft which could mark its final Top 10…
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The Astros’ 2015 draft: Two picks in the first five
One season after drafting and not signing the first overall pick the Astros will have the second and fifth overall picks in the first round in Monday’s draft. Last season, the Astros backed down their offer to Brady Aiken due to fears of future injuries to his arm, fears which proved warranted as Aiken underwent…
