2022 Houston Astros Thread

[tx 3 putt 74768]

1 hour ago, runthebone said:

Dusty = elite game manager

 

Look at how many moves he made to pull out the win

 

clase was just nasty

[tx 3 putt 74768]

 

[tx 3 putt 74768]

He’s a damn good person …

 

[tx 3 putt 74768]

 

Next 5 games will be very interesting 

[henrygandorf 28614]

 

had a little fun with this guy on the way into the game. he said they’ll be in the world series, i asked if he remembered how to get there, it’s been a while.

said can’t wait til thursday, he says, “what’s on thursday?”

[Mo Horn 8680]

8 hours ago, Scraps said:

Also need more Yordan in my life

Maybe just being pessimistic, but I keep expecting the announcement, any day now, that he needs wrist surgery and is done for the year. 

[Scraps 13461]

 

As much as i would like to see JV tomorrow I was hoping this was the case.

JV and Framber just need to head to Seattle.

Also no reason to give the Yankees a free look at JVs stuff. They can see it in the ALCS if the Yankees get there

[UTPhil2006 3753]

Would have rather pitched Framber and JV tomorrow.  The race vs Yanks for HFA is way more realistic than the division race.

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

Perfect shirt to wear to Dodger stadium:

Edited July 20, 2022 by Seasick Sailor

[WBT 20131]

Is it Thursday yet?

[Hank Chinaski 6305]

2 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

Maybe just being pessimistic, but I keep expecting the announcement, any day now, that he needs wrist surgery and is done for the year. 

[TonyTexas 10378]

The rules change committee has begun meeting to discuss and recommend rule changes for 2023. It’s widely believed that a pitch clock, bigger bases and a shift ban will be the result. 
The Astros are heavy users of the shift defensively. But they have a couple of players who should benefit big time. How big an effect do y’all think a shift ban will have on Yordan and Tucker’s numbers?

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

4 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

How big an effect do y’all think a shift ban will have on Yordan and Tucker’s numbers?

Tucker might win the 2023 batting title. 

[kevwun 15192]

Yeah, it's going to help Tucker a ton.  Uncle Mike will also benefit.

[UTPhil2006 3753]

16 minutes ago, kevwun said:

Yeah, it's going to help Tucker a ton.  Uncle Mike will also benefit.

For the Indians?

[Gut Wagon 8017]

MLB obviously wants more scoring if they're trying to eliminate defensive shifting. I haven't listened to any of the discussion, but why not bring back the livelier ball instead? Let the defense play seven infielders if they wish. 

[Gourmand 7761]

3 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

Maybe just being pessimistic, but I keep expecting the announcement, any day now, that he needs wrist surgery and is done for the year. 

 

[Hank Chinaski 6305]

3 minutes ago, Gut Wagon said:

MLB obviously wants more scoring if they're trying to eliminate defensive shifting. I haven't listened to any of the discussion, but why not bring back the livelier ball instead? Let the defense play seven infielders if they wish. 

I don’t know if they want more scoring per se - I think they want more hits, they don’t want every ground ball to be an out. I was watching the 1992 ALCS last night while trying to go to sleep (I know, I’m a degenerate) and the game was so different - grounders up the middle were hits, guys tried to steal bases a lot, etc. I think the thinking is that disallowing the shift would get us back to a little more of that. I don’t know if it’ll work or if we should try to make it work, but that seems to be the idea.

[kevwun 15192]

I am ok with it.  I'm not crazy about 2nd basemen fielding scalding ground balls in shallow right field for outs.

Edited July 20, 2022 by kevwun

[Wulaw Horn 18917]

5 minutes ago, Hank Chinaski said:

I don’t know if they want more scoring per se - I think they want more hits, they don’t want every ground ball to be an out. I was watching the 1992 ALCS last night while trying to go to sleep (I know, I’m a degenerate) and the game was so different - grounders up the middle were hits, guys tried to steal bases a lot, etc. I think the thinking is that disallowing the shift would get us back to a little more of that. I don’t know if it’ll work or if we should try to make it work, but that seems to be the idea.

It will make the game so much better to eliminate the shift. Hard hit balls up the middle being hits will make me so happy to see again. Best left handed hitters in the game not hitting 250 anymore. More stolen bases would be great too. Pitch clock will be awesome. This is going to be really really good for the fans. I know people will bitch bc that’s what they do, but more action, more plays, more steals and faster game times will be great. 

[TonyTexas 10378]

11 minutes ago, Gut Wagon said:

MLB obviously wants more scoring if they're trying to eliminate defensive shifting. I haven't listened to any of the discussion, but why not bring back the livelier ball instead? Let the defense play seven infielders if they wish. 

I don’t think more home runs makes for a more exciting game. 

[Texas St. Armadillos 1368]

Uninformed here, but what is the reasoning for increasing the size of the bases?

[TonyTexas 10378]

I agree with Wulaw and Hank’s posts. If they are going to do it, go all the way. They are testing a shift ban in the minors that will open up the middle even more. The area inside the pie slice must be vacant on the pitch

 

[Saint Tacky 1609]

Why punish the defense and not the hitters that are incapable of hitting the ball the other way? 

This smacks of those years the NBA rigged games for scorers and the offense by not allowing teams to play zone defense. Force hitters to adapt and punish defenses for the shift.

[TonyTexas 10378]

2 minutes ago, Texas St. Armadillos said:

Uninformed here, but what is the reasoning for increasing the size of the bases?

Safety

[Mo Horn 8680]

6 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

Why punish the defense and not the hitters that are incapable of hitting the ball the other way? 

This smacks of those years the NBA rigged games for scorers and the offense by not allowing teams to play zone defense. Force hitters to adapt and punish defenses for the shift.

I've always thought the easiest solution is to make guys earning millions of dollars to play baseball learn how to bunt to third consistently. That will stop a shift quicker than anything. No, instead they just keep trying to crank out homers and hit .220.

[henrygandorf 28614]

14 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

Why punish the defense and not the hitters that are incapable of hitting the ball the other way? 

if this is a serious post, then they should start allowing lefties to run to 3rd instead of 1st.  the shift is inherently weighted to favor righties (or at least to punish lefties) because of where the 1st baseman plays.

1 hour ago, TonyTexas said:

How big an effect do y’all think a shift ban will have on Yordan and Tucker’s numbers?

damage, inc is going public.

[Gut Wagon 8017]

18 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

I don’t think more home runs makes for a more exciting game. 

Probably would for some fans. I'm ambivalent about that part of it, as well as the whole shifting thing in general. 

How might a lack of shifting speed up the game? More baserunners would seem to only slow it down, even if there aren't 100 pickoff attempts every night. 

[tx 3 putt 74768]

21 minutes ago, Texas St. Armadillos said:

Uninformed here, but what is the reasoning for increasing the size of the bases?

because you touch yourself 

[tx 3 putt 74768]

3 hours ago, Scraps said:

As much as i would like to see JV tomorrow I was hoping this was the case.

JV and Framber just need to head to Seattle.

Also no reason to give the Yankees a free look at JVs stuff. They can see it in the ALCS if the Yankees get there

100% this 

Also, JV is a terminator on the road. Time to to put the M’s In their place. The weekend series is almost sold out 

[Wulaw Horn 18917]

24 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

Why punish the defense and not the hitters that are incapable of hitting the ball the other way? 

This smacks of those years the NBA rigged games for scorers and the offense by not allowing teams to play zone defense. Force hitters to adapt and punish defenses for the shift.

I know this is probably the majority opinion right now and mine is the minority but all I will say is avoid thinking about it in moral or “should/should not” terms and just think- would I rather see the average team hit 220 or 280 and the game is a lot more fun at 280. Jmo. 

[Wulaw Horn 18917]

27 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

Safety

Main thing. Secondary is you should see slightly more steal attempts. Slightly less space between the bases combined with less chance of losing contact with the base. 

[Saint Tacky 1609]

18 minutes ago, henrygandorf said:

if this is a serious post, then they should start allowing lefties to run to 3rd instead of 1st.  the shift is inherently weighted to favor righties (or at least to punish lefties) because of where the 1st baseman plays.

The shift is only "weighted" to address a hitter's tendencies. Right or left. If there's a high probability a hitter is going to pull the ball, why should an infielder not be allowed to at least attempt to take that away from that hitter? Punishing the shift is just as egregious and just putting your thumb on the scale of the offense because batters can't or won't adjust. It's akin to telling the corner infielders they can't guard the line because it might take away an extra base hit.

If you're tired of seeing batters pound balls into the shift or potential hits being cut off by infielders playing up the middle or in shallow right field, blame the hitters that don't take advantage of the wide open spaces the defense is giving them.

[formermav43 4599]

32 minutes ago, Gut Wagon said:

Probably would for some fans. I'm ambivalent about that part of it, as well as the whole shifting thing in general. 

How might a lack of shifting speed up the game? More baserunners would seem to only slow it down, even if there aren't 100 pickoff attempts every night. 

It’s not about length of game so much as lack of action. An emphasis on 3 true outcomes+base hits being gobbled up means that there’s nothing going on except increasingly longer at bats most of the time.

[Saint Tacky 1609]

36 minutes ago, Wulaw Horn said:

Main thing. Secondary is you should see slightly more steal attempts. Slightly less space between the bases combined with less chance of losing contact with the base. 

Do you think any of this motion towards enlarging bases is at least partially motivated by a desire to cut down on collisions, particularly at first?

What are the chances that someday we see MLB w/ two bases at first base, a la softball? One for the first baseman that's in fair territory and the other for the runner in foul territory -- on either side of the baseline. . .  ridiculous, yes, but can you rule anything out these days?

 

Edited July 20, 2022 by Saint Tacky
can't type for shit

[tx 3 putt 74768]

Enlarging bases = to help guys that are safe and come off the base for a split second. Less reviews 

[Js1 82363]

3 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

What are the chances that someday we see MLB w/ two bases at first base, a la softball? One for the first baseman that's in fair territory and the other for the runner in foul territory -- on either side of the baseline. . .  ridiculous, yes, but can you rule anything out these days?

 

MLB/Rob Manfred wants the safety base, so very likely. 

[texashorne 1176]

It also may have a unintended negative consequence on offense overall. If there is no shift allowed, clubs may weight more value in defensive players as they cover more ground and can get outs.. No longer can you stack poor defenders who can mash all on one side of the field with his teammates. So if more and more clubs start stacking up on Adam Everetts, there will be less offense. 

 

[ChickenSandwich 9749]

1 hour ago, Saint Tacky said:

Why punish the defense and not the hitters that are incapable of hitting the ball the other way? 

This smacks of those years the NBA rigged games for scorers and the offense by not allowing teams to play zone defense. Force hitters to adapt and punish defenses for the shift.

Why is there defensive three seconds in the NBA?  Or the protected circle?  Neither is needed, it they clog the paint, shoot better. 

[Hammerin Hank 1207]

2 hours ago, TonyTexas said:

The rules change committee has begun meeting to discuss and recommend rule changes for 2023. It’s widely believed that a pitch clock, bigger bases and a shift ban will be the result. 
The Astros are heavy users of the shift defensively. But they have a couple of players who should benefit big time. How big an effect do y’all think a shift ban will have on Yordan and Tucker’s numbers?

I hate the fucking pitch clock. Especially if it’s like college where you can step off and make a half ass fake pickoff to reset. I don’t think the game moves too slowly either so I really don’t see the point 

[tx 3 putt 74768]

Looooot of Soto talk. Yordan hit on Tuesday, started slow then ‘looked’ normal …..

https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/featured/sean-salisbury/content/2022-07-20-michael-connor-talks-trade-deadline-and-tells-us-if-the-stros-are-a-ws-team/

[Wulaw Horn 18917]

11 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

Do you think any of this motion towards enlarging bases is at least partially motivated by a desire to cut down on collisions, particularly at first?

What are the chances that someday we see MLB w/ two bases at first base, a la softball? One for the first baseman that's in fair territory and the other for the runner in foul territory -- on either side of the baseline. . .  ridiculous, yes, but can you rule anything out these days?

 

Yes/ player safety is #1 which is why I responded with “main thing.”  
safety is good if you doesn’t detract from the game. I guess what I’d say about two bases, the one for the runner in foul territory is does it make the game worse or change how it’s played?  I honestly don’t know. 
if  it doesn’t I’d think I don’t care one way or another but maybe I’d hate it. Can’t imagine loving it. 

[tx 3 putt 74768]

11 minutes ago, Js1 said:

MLB/Rob Manfred wants the safety base, so very likely. 

he’s a fucking idiot. The game changes / evolves naturally

Edited July 20, 2022 by tx 3 putt

[Js1 82363]

2 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

he’s a fucking idiot. The game changes / evolves naturally

He wants MLB to be the least contact sport in America.  Just adding the safety bag at first should eliminate most collisions between runner and defensive player. 

[Wulaw Horn 18917]

7 minutes ago, Hammerin Hank said:

I hate the fucking pitch clock. Especially if it’s like college where you can step off and make a half ass fake pickoff to reset. I don’t think the game moves too slowly either so I really don’t see the point 

3:30 and 3:45 9 inning games are brutal. If they can get it down under 3 that’s great. A crisply played 2:30 or 2:45 game is awesome. 
Supposedly they might be looking at limiting step off/pickoff. 
Everyone who has experienced this game, players, managers, fans etc swear by it. Say it’s so much better. 

[Guadaloopy 10757]

28 minutes ago, Saint Tacky said:

The shift is only "weighted" to address a hitter's tendencies. Right or left. If there's a high probability a hitter is going to pull the ball, why should an infielder not be allowed to at least attempt to take that away from that hitter? Punishing the shift is just as egregious and just putting your thumb on the scale of the offense because batters can't or won't adjust. It's akin to telling the corner infielders they can't guard the line because it might take away an extra base hit.

If you're tired of seeing batters pound balls into the shift or potential hits being cut off by infielders playing up the middle or in shallow right field, blame the hitters that don't take advantage of the wide open spaces the defense is giving them.

I used to think this way, but the shift really is unfair to LH hitters.  For a large percentage of players, power comes mostly when they pull the ball.  
 

RH hitters are not forced to adjust to the shift and can hit more frequently with their naturally more powerful pull swing.  LH hitters are forced to adjust to the shift more and give up that natural power to the pull side.  A fair sport should not have an inherent advantage in the primary offensive activity based on left- or right-handedness.  

[Guadaloopy 10757]

9 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

he’s a fucking idiot. The game changes / evolves naturally

The safety bag will also make the the runner’s lane in foul territory make sense.  Why does the runner’s lane not actually intersect with the bag? It’s tangential.  To be safe, the runner has to break the rule in the last few strides so they can actually touch the bag.  

[DaysOff 7671]

Jesus. Do they even spend time bunting in spring training anymore?

[Js1 82363]

2 minutes ago, Guadaloopy said:

The safety bag will also make the the runner’s lane in foul territory make sense.  Why does the runner’s lane not actually intersect with the bag? It’s tangential.  To be safe, the runner has to break the rule in the last few strides so they can actually touch the bag.  

That’s been my gripe. If you have to run to first in foul ground, the first base bag should extend 

[henrygandorf 28614]

33 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

Enlarging bases = to help guys that are safe and come off the base for a split second. Less reviews