2018 Houston Astros Season Thread

[Mez2 4021]

Agree with lots of what has been said already.  Just not the same team or drive this series, played tentative, uptight, and maybe even scared. 

I see lots of changes coming but think we're gonna get a legit hitter to lengthen out the line-up. I can go back to hating Tyler white now.

[Wishbone 4731]

1 minute ago, Victor Lazlo said:

Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits. 

We definitely didn’t have the mojo of last year in the ALCS. 

Got to get healthy and improve the bottom of the lineup and bench. 

I said last year that winning it all once in my lifetime would be enough. I’ve found that not to be true. 

Got to give it to the Red Sox. They have a hell of a team. 

Tried to give you props but I’m drunk. Anyway, you deserve many for correct recitation of George Carlin’s 7 words you can’t say on television (then). I do believe it was his “School Days” album.

[FondrenRoad 4378]

3 minutes ago, Mez2 said:

Agree with lots of what has been said already.  Just not the same team or drive this series, played tentative, uptight, and maybe even scared. 

I see lots of changes coming but think we're gonna get a legit hitter to lengthen out the line-up. I can go back to hating Tyler white now.

Astros cant afford to buy a legit hitter. Gonna be tough to hold onto the ones we have eventually. Winning caused revenue to change a little bit but it doesnt put us in the big league buyers market. 

Still a lot of guys on the farm though. Thats how we did it. Thats how we have to do it. Really though, if Altuve and Correa werent crippled, this is a different seried. I assume we are keeping both of them next year. 

Edited October 19, 2018 by FondrenRoad

[UTexasFight 9376]

Who will be left unprotected in the Rule V draft that we need to be worried about?

 

Thank god no one last year saw this coming with James.

 

[FondrenRoad 4378]

Also, Stros need to keep Marwin. Dude is like a yo yo, but he is a puzzle piece you can fit in anywhere, and both a streaky and timely hitter.  Perfect hitter at 6.

Stros need a true cleanup hitter. Maybe at DH. I heard a commentary about Cecil Fielder back in the day that said every AL team needs a fat guy that hits home runs. We just need a better fat guy than White or Gattis. 

[YChang 3430]

This is BS.  Last night was a fight to the end.  Astros had their chances tonight and kept us all watching.

Dude, I’m not being that literal.

[Planet Houston 4923]

10 minutes ago, Mez2 said:

I see lots of changes coming but think we're gonna get a legit hitter to lengthen out the line-up. I can go back to hating Tyler white now.

Other that the unattainable (Harper, Machado), all of the FA bats are aging vets that don’t move the needle too much for me. 

Murphy, A. Jones, Markakis, Donaldson, etc really aren’t that promising unless you’re looking to overpay for a two-year deal and hope to god they don’t get injured. 

[UTexasFight 9376]

So are we assuming someone is going to overpay for Marwin?

I would be surprised if we didn’t make a very serious run at re-signing him.

 

 

 

Edit: what Fondren said

[Rimbo 25773]

37 minutes ago, Planet Houston said:

Great season, frustrating end.

See you boys in April!

that's about it

[Tommy Nobis 905]

We need another bat in the outfield. Hope tucker wins the job in spring training but I’d like to see us add a veteran bat or 2 or 3.

[Fozzz 152]

10 minutes ago, UTexasFight said:

So are we assuming someone is going to overpay for Marwin?

I would be surprised if we didn’t make a very serious run at re-signing him.

 

 

 

Edit: what Fondren said

I doubt we give him a QO. Need that money to sign Grandal. 

Edited October 19, 2018 by Fozzz

[Fozzz 152]

Thank God we won it all last year or I’d be really down right now. This was a special group but the playoffs are what they are - a crapshoot.

Lot to be excited about though with our FO and the talent they have put together up and down the organization. It’s a good time to be an Astros fan. 

[Victor Lazlo 1760]

Yeah, Marwin had a career year in 2017. 

Regressed to the mean this year. 

He is a Swiss Army Knife kind of player but I’d be shocked, especially in this analytics age, if a team broke the bank signing him. 

To me, he’s a complimentary player as opposed to an everyday, front line player. For a Championship type team.

I’d like to keep him, but as a back up, jack of all trades like he was for most of his career.

 

[Jshep34 2304]

Never thought id live to see our Astros win a WS title. So im happy. Injury bug got them. Im looking forward to next year. Had 2 extra tickets to each WS game this year strictly for surly members. Ill be getting a fat refund tomorrow.  Side note now i have to focus on lilsheps bday party in 2 weeks. 

HOOK EM and GO ASTROS

[utxmike05 1825]

Probably the worst game I attended this season. So disappointed being swept at home. Embarrassing.  Cut me deep

[Honeysucklerose 957]

There are a ton of people pissed off at their mattress tonight. 🤣

[ERhine 1894]

Yeah, Marwin had a career year in 2017. 
Regressed to the mean this year. 
He is a Swiss Army Knife kind of player but I’d be shocked, especially in this analytics age, if a team broke the bank signing him. 
To me, he’s a complimentary player as opposed to an everyday, front line player. For a Championship type team.
I’d like to keep him, but as a back up, jack of all trades like he was for most of his career.
 

You’re wrong. Someone will sign him for way more than we’d offer.

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

 

[Victor Lazlo 1760]

25 minutes ago, ERhine said:

You’re wrong. Someone will sign him for way more than we’d offer.

I don’t disagree. I have no doubt that some team will sign him to be an everyday player, paying more than the Astros would be willing to. No doubt  

Im saying that I don’t believe he will get a multi-year contract at 15-20 million a year, which is what I’d call breaking the bank for him.

 

 

 

 

[Fudge Nuggets 19147]

11 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

I agree with his evaluation.  Unfortunately Boston is also better than last year’s team and this year’s Astros.

[henrygandorf 29174]

it was a fun season, with notable breakouts from cole, bregman, pressly, and some fun little streaks from white, gattis, and some pitchers.  boston seems like they've had recent success, but that was 5 years ago, and that was a totally different team.  these guys were hungry, they wanted it more, and they played like it.  we, unfortunately, did not.  the bats went cold, the injuries showed, and the breaks beat the boys any way you slice it.  i don't know if they were much better than us, but they played much better than us, and that's what counts right now.

time to take a baseball break for a while.  nice to be able to care about the astros until october 18th.  it used to not be like this.

it's been a fun thread.  we'll have to get the band back together in a few months.  i won't be hard to find. 

see ya on the breadlines, fellas.

[DallasGatr 216]

Someone will give....

Dallas 4-50 (He will get a QO)

Marwin 3-25

Gattis 2-10

Morton-I think he either retires or takes a 1 year Astro deal

Sipp 2-10

Any others?


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[henrygandorf 29174]

marwin will get closer to zobrist money, but not from us.

[Fudge Nuggets 19147]

Not a big difference between this year's team and last year's.  Last year's team seemed to be able to get the clutch hit when required and avoided the injury bug a little better.  They also got some breaks that this year's team was in short supply of.  Maybe we used them up in 2017.

The "clutchness" of 2017 Astros was remarkable.  No way Benintendi catches Bregman's ball last year and the fan interference call would not have been made... hell, Correa's HR in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yankees was a closer call than Altuve's potential HR.

[Telegraph_it 3354]

We need to play all road games in the playoffs. 

[Mez2 4021]

7 hours ago, Planet Houston said:

Other that the unattainable (Harper, Machado), all of the FA bats are aging vets that don’t move the needle too much for me. 

Murphy, A. Jones, Markakis, Donaldson, etc really aren’t that promising unless you’re looking to overpay for a two-year deal and hope to god they don’t get injured. 

Goldy, assuming we are willing to depart with some assets

[Rockethorn1978 6061]

People keep saying we can’t afford some free agents and I’m just curious if Fran said something about not spending over a certain number? I always read he has said he will spend whatever it takes and I know within reason but what’s the total cap he won’t cross?

[Bull Horn 118]

Helluva ride and we are set up nicely for a long run of contention - can’t ask for much more than that. Go ‘Stros!

[Js1 85095]

2 hours ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Not a big difference between this year's team and last year's.  Last year's team seemed to be able to get the clutch hit when required and avoided the injury bug a little better.  They also got some breaks that this year's team was in short supply of.  Maybe we used them up in 2017.

The "clutchness" of 2017 Astros was remarkable.  No way Benintendi catches Bregman's ball last year and the fan interference call would not have been made... hell, Correa's HR in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yankees was a closer call than Altuve's potential HR.

Not that great at home

2 of 4 best hitters injured

Untimely luck

 

Baseball is a cruel mistress. - Augie

[Fozzz 152]

7 hours ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

I agree with his evaluation.  Unfortunately Boston is also better than last year’s team and this year’s Astros.

The Astros were the better team during the regular season and 162 game sample > 5 game sample.  Based on this series, would you say Jackie Bradley Jr and Rafael Devers are better hitter than JD and Mookie?  Of course not, although JBJ and Devers both significantly outplayed JD and Mookie this series.  Mookie couldn't hit for shit this series (.262 wOBA), and that fact means absolutely nothing when judging him as a player.   

[mbtex 683]

Hell of ride. Get to hear all the band wagoners at work talk shit about them is pissing me off. Can't wait until pitchers and catchers report. Let hope Correa figures it out and all get healthy.

[AtticusFinch 155]

10 hours ago, Guadaloopy said:

Astros free agents are Keuchel, Morton, MarGo, Gattis, Sipp, Maldonado.  Everyone else is back.  McCann is under contract through next year.

ETA - McCann's option for 2019 did not vest so he will likely be a free agent.  He didn't catch enough games this year.

There is a rumor floating around that McCullers might need Tommy John surgery 

[Mez2 4021]

bregman alluded to it also, wouldn't surprise me at all. always seemed like lance was on borrowed time until it happened, if true

[tx 3 putt 76331]

It was a good season 

One of the regulars needs to start the offseason thread.

 

RiP regular season thread 

[runthebone 7932]

Also, fix the batters' eye

[Planet Houston 4923]

48 minutes ago, AtticusFinch said:

There is a rumor floating around that McCullers might need Tommy John surgery 

 

44 minutes ago, Mez2 said:

bregman alluded to it also, wouldn't surprise me at all. always seemed like lance was on borrowed time until it happened, if true

LMJ's post-game comments made it pretty clear that he'll be missing a lot of time, if not all of next year.  I'll be surprised if this isn't the case.  Sucks.

[theaveragejon 974]

What’s the reality of Whitley being ready for the show? 

[Fozzz 152]

I just don't get how someone could pitch for weeks, and look healthy doing so, with that serious of an injury.  How many other players have played like that with a torn UCL?  From what I recall from injuries to other players, a severe UCL sprain or tear is accompanied by a shit load of forearm/elbow pain and very limited effectiveness.  It's not something that you can just hide or play through.  

[Planet Houston 4923]

^^ He better be ready.  We're gonna need him.

Also, just spitballing here, but if LMJ does need TJ surgery, then maybe he shouldn't have come in with the bases loaded in a one-run game.  I'm a HUGE Hinch fan and defender (probably to a fault), but if this is the case, he needs to answer some difficult questions.

[mbtex 683]

1 minute ago, Planet Houston said:

Also, just spitballing here, but if LMJ does need TJ surgery, then maybe he shouldn't have come in with the bases loaded in a one-run game.  I'm a HUGE Hinch fan and defender (probably to a fault), but if this is the case, he needs to answer some difficult questions.

I hear you. Hinch seemed to off in his use of the bullpen this playoff run.

Planet Houston can you start the off season thread

[Fudge Nuggets 19147]

1 hour ago, Fozzz said:

The Astros were the better team during the regular season and 162 game sample > 5 game sample.  Based on this series, would you say Jackie Bradley Jr and Rafael Devers are better hitter than JD and Mookie?  Of course not, although JBJ and Devers both significantly outplayed JD and Mookie this series.  Mookie couldn't hit for shit this series (.262 wOBA), and that fact means absolutely nothing when judging him as a player.   

Is there a point to your post?  Not sure how you can say the Astros were the better team during the regular season when the Red Sox had a better overall record because like you said 162 game sample > 7 game regular season head-to-head record.

I have no idea what the JBJ / Devers / Betts / Martinez comparisons have to do with anything.

Edited October 19, 2018 by Fudge Nuggets

[Fudge Nuggets 19147]

10 minutes ago, theaveragejon said:

What’s the reality of Whitley being ready for the show? 

I hope he's "readier" than Tucker.  Tucker looked lost.

[Fozzz 152]

2 minutes ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Is there a point to your post?  Not sure how you can say the Astros were the better team during the regular season when the Red Sox had a better overall record because like you said 162 game sample > 7 game regular season head-to-head record.

I have no idea what the JBJ / Devers / Betts / Martinez comparisons have to do with anything.

The Astros accumulated more WAR and had a markedly better third order winning percentage and BaseRuns winning percentage than the Red Sox, each of which are far better measures of which team was better this season than overall record, which is more subject to noise from run/hit clustering.  The reference to JBJ and Devers is meant to illustrate that the result of this series is also not a good basis for concluding that the Red Sox are better.  

[mbtex 683]

Red Sox were better when it counted most. Are  they an overall better team? That is up for debate.

[FondrenRoad 4378]

9 hours ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

I agree with his evaluation.  Unfortunately Boston is also better than last year’s team and this year’s Astros.

Bregman is wrong. Last year's team was better than this one. Every single hitter in our lineup not named Bregman is worse than last year.  Some because of injuries and others because of regression.

On the mound, we look better than last year until you start to see what injuries have done there too. 

The records dont tell the whole story. This year, we were in a prolonged battle for the division. Last year we werent.

Maybe Bregman is thinking of it from an "if we weren't injured perspective" but injuries are part of the game. Last year's team was better. It had a healthy Altuve, Correa, Lance, and Morton. This one didnt. It had a better Keuchel too. And a better Springer, Gurriel, Gonzalez, and Reddick.  This one's only clearly apparent upgrade is Cole, but that is countered by a worse Keuchel and a wiped out Lance. 

Edited October 19, 2018 by FondrenRoad

[kevwun 15631]

This team had the potential to be better, but yeah the injuries and players like Marwin not having career years means it wasn't actually better.  Altuve and Correa by themselves guarantee it wasn't.

[Fozzz 152]

I think they were better than last year, even with their injuries.  They just came up a little short and the wave of injuries in the second half didn't help.  The AL is also pretty tough right now with the accumulation of talent among a handful of super teams.  

[AtticusFinch 155]

Our personnel had better years last season.  We had more injuries.   I think we had a better pitching staff this year top to bottom.  I think they need to resign Morton if they can.  Keuchel is replaceable.  McCullers is a wild card.  This team will be back in playoffs next year.  Just need to get hot at the right time and get clutch hits.  Boston simply had a rediculous amount of 2 out hits.  That may not happen again for them.  Anyway...good season

[AtticusFinch 155]

1 hour ago, Planet Houston said:

^^ He better be ready.  We're gonna need him.

Also, just spitballing here, but if LMJ does need TJ surgery, then maybe he shouldn't have come in with the bases loaded in a one-run game.  I'm a HUGE Hinch fan and defender (probably to a fault), but if this is the case, he needs to answer some difficult questions.

I cant imagine Hinch putting McCullers in the game knowing the extent of his injury nor McCullers putting himself at risk.  McCullers is a potential $20M a year pitcher.  I dont but it.

[kevwun 15631]

It is also possible he re-injured it in his last appearance and needs the surgery now.