Fans of the 2018 Astros: What’s bugging us?
Astros 2018: The week in review, the week ahead
Astros 2018: Weekend wonderings
Astros 2018 stat leaders: What a difference a year makes
The Astros’ week in review and the week ahead
Astros’ ChipalattAwards for August
Astros 2018: Two for Tuesday on a Wednesday
Random Thoughts on an Astros’ August
Opportunity awaits: Astros need to go full throttle to the All Star break
The Astros had a 13-11 record for the month of July. Looking at the offensive numbers for the month that almost seems like a miracle. But there are some folks we do need to celebrate or lament, so it is time to give the Chippy Awards for the month of July.
Life and work are getting a bit crazy right now so this will be a quick hitter of a post today. Let’s look at a couple topics…..
There is little doubt in the minds of Houston Astros’ fans that the team as currently configured may well be the most talented and deepest in their history. There is no doubt in those same minds that this team has not played up to its potential this year. They have been very good, but have blown chances to be transcendent.
Over the years, the city of Houston’s sports teams have opposed the mantra of former Astro manager Leo Durocher: “Nice guys finish last.” (By the way, it is probable that “The Lip” actually said something about his opponents the Giants being “nice guys and nice guys are in seventh place”, but later he claimed the more concise quote for the title of his autobiography).
One of the wonders of the Houston Astros wonderful 2017 offense was the strength up and down the lineup. Even the weak link, DH Carlos Beltran put the ball in play and moved the runners over or hit a sacrifice fly once in a while. The Astros were first in almost everything (Runs, hits, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS) and were a true juggernaut. This season…..not so much.
The Astros have played very good ball up to now in the 2018 season. There have been some ups and downs, bumps here and there, some injuries (Carlos Correa and Brian McCann) and even a few personnel “situations” (Ken Giles). But the Astros are still on pace to win more games than they have ever won in any regular season. However, the next five weeks look especially tough and should give the Astros a true test of where they may be headed this season.
Just some random thoughts/questions on a steaming hot July day.
