By: Joshua Reese
Spring Training for the Houston Astros this year, won't be filled with many hotly contested position battles. Most of the jobs going into Spring Training are locked up by either returning starters or big-named veterans brought in by Jeff Luhnow and his staff during the offseason.
While it doesn't look like there is much room for a non-roster invitee to come in a wow A.J. Hinch and win a job, he does know he might need some help down the line.
"I'm looking forward to (Francis) Martes," A.J. Hinch said during the team's annual luncheon. "Just because I know over the course of the entire season and the development track that he's been on there's an opportunity he may help us at some point, similar to how (Lance) McCullers or similar how (Chris) Devenski did last year."
Baseball America rated Francis Martes as the 15th best prospect in all of baseball and the Astros best overall prospect.
At 21 years old Martes has really come on to the seen for the Astros over the past two years and just last year at double-A he posted a 3.30 ERA in 22 starts.
During the offseason, it was rumored that teams were calling and checking in on Martes, including the Chicago White Sox who were willing to trade Jose Quintana for a package that included him but the Astros turned it down.
Martes seems to clearly be a part of the teams future, depending on how impressive he is this Spring, he could be making an impact on the team sooner than expected.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Astros see Dallas Keuchel bouncing back
By Joshua Reese
2106 was not the greatest of seasons for Houston Astros starter Dallas Keuchel. Just a year earlier he was one of the most dominat pitchers in the game and was rewarded with the A.L. Cy Young, but in 2016 Keuchel had an up and down year and was ultimately shut down at the end of the season.
At times Keuchel showed he was that Cy Young level pitcher, but he wasn't able to sustain that same level throughout the year and with weeks left in the regular season, the Astros shut him down in order to give his arm a break.
Now with pitchers and catcher just days away, the question is can Keuchel return back to the ace level starter fans had grown accustomed to seeing the past few seasons?
"He's a good pitcher there is no question about that and even last year he showed it at times," Jeff Luhnow said. "He was dealing with some health issues last year and that's why he got shut down at the end (of the season), he's feeling good, he's feeling confident."
The Astros are hoping that last season was more of a regression to the mean after the unbelievable 2015 had when he posted career numbers everywhere including pitching an extra 32 more innings than he had been used too.
"We saw it with Corey Kluber," Luhnow said drawing a parallel between the Cleveland Indians ace and Keuchel.
What Luhnow is referring to is Kluber's poor 2015 which was sandwiched in between a 2014 Cy Young and a third place finish for the award in 2016.
Kluber, however, wasn't shut down in 2015, like Keuchel was this past season, but the theory by Luhnow is pretty solid.
All signs from 2016 do point towards Keuchel's arm being over taxed, so with the added rest, it's not crazy to think that the breaded lefty can't regain his form.
The Astros don't plan on using Keuchel very much during Spring Training so the guy that will show up opening day should hopefully look a lot closer to the guy he was in 2014-2015 than the guy he was last year.
2106 was not the greatest of seasons for Houston Astros starter Dallas Keuchel. Just a year earlier he was one of the most dominat pitchers in the game and was rewarded with the A.L. Cy Young, but in 2016 Keuchel had an up and down year and was ultimately shut down at the end of the season.
At times Keuchel showed he was that Cy Young level pitcher, but he wasn't able to sustain that same level throughout the year and with weeks left in the regular season, the Astros shut him down in order to give his arm a break.
Now with pitchers and catcher just days away, the question is can Keuchel return back to the ace level starter fans had grown accustomed to seeing the past few seasons?
"He's a good pitcher there is no question about that and even last year he showed it at times," Jeff Luhnow said. "He was dealing with some health issues last year and that's why he got shut down at the end (of the season), he's feeling good, he's feeling confident."
The Astros are hoping that last season was more of a regression to the mean after the unbelievable 2015 had when he posted career numbers everywhere including pitching an extra 32 more innings than he had been used too.
"We saw it with Corey Kluber," Luhnow said drawing a parallel between the Cleveland Indians ace and Keuchel.
What Luhnow is referring to is Kluber's poor 2015 which was sandwiched in between a 2014 Cy Young and a third place finish for the award in 2016.
Kluber, however, wasn't shut down in 2015, like Keuchel was this past season, but the theory by Luhnow is pretty solid.
All signs from 2016 do point towards Keuchel's arm being over taxed, so with the added rest, it's not crazy to think that the breaded lefty can't regain his form.
The Astros don't plan on using Keuchel very much during Spring Training so the guy that will show up opening day should hopefully look a lot closer to the guy he was in 2014-2015 than the guy he was last year.
Astros happy with where Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers are at
By Joshua Reese
If the Houston Astros are going to get where they want to go (a deep playoff run), the offense needs to hit home runs and starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers need to stay healthy.
Last year both were not healthy and both did not finish the season. Without them, it was no surprise the Astros failed to make that final push in the final month of the year, falling just a few games shy of the second wild card spot.
Both McCullers and Keuchel were shut down last year and now both guys are starting to get back into the swing of things again. With Spring Training imminent, the Astros are just fine with where both their stud pitchers are with their health.
"They're both on the mound, they're feeling good, and I'm expecting them to be in our rotation come the start the season," Jeff Luhnow said.
The Astros will be smart with both guys and they aren't expecting either to throw a ton in Florida.
"We're not going to extend them in Spring Training," Luhnow said. "They'll probably be among the last guys to start games."
While they won't be getting much work in Palm Springs the Astros say it's for good reason, they want both to pitch for them a long time.
If the Houston Astros are going to get where they want to go (a deep playoff run), the offense needs to hit home runs and starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers need to stay healthy.
Last year both were not healthy and both did not finish the season. Without them, it was no surprise the Astros failed to make that final push in the final month of the year, falling just a few games shy of the second wild card spot.
Both McCullers and Keuchel were shut down last year and now both guys are starting to get back into the swing of things again. With Spring Training imminent, the Astros are just fine with where both their stud pitchers are with their health.
"They're both on the mound, they're feeling good, and I'm expecting them to be in our rotation come the start the season," Jeff Luhnow said.
The Astros will be smart with both guys and they aren't expecting either to throw a ton in Florida.
"We're not going to extend them in Spring Training," Luhnow said. "They'll probably be among the last guys to start games."
While they won't be getting much work in Palm Springs the Astros say it's for good reason, they want both to pitch for them a long time.
With a bigger and better team the Astros are ready for what's ahead
By: Joshua Reese
With the Super Bowl over, the world will now turn its attention on to baseball.
If you've checked out of baseball news to focus on football, let me first welcome you back and secondly let me tell you the Houston Astros are going to enter spring training - which is days away - with some sky high expectations.
One of the many reasons the Astros had a down year was because they had some key positions underperforming. So General Manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff spent the whole offseason making upgrades.
Goodbye underproductive outfielders Carlos Gomes and Colby Rasmus, hello proven veterans Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick, and Nori Aoki. Audios Jason Castro and his strikeouts, hello Brian McCann and his home runs.
All four bats were brought in to help solve the team's top-heavy lineup.
Last year most of the offense came from George Springer, Jose Altuve or Carlos Correa - in the later part of the year they got more contributions but for the lion share, that was about it - now with the additions, Luhnow has helped extend A.J. Hinch's lineup and help make the offense dangerous 1-9, something that could not be said in season's past.
"We've added some credibility on the position player side, to fill in some of the gaps on the guys that we have lost, we're going to miss the free agents that we lost but we responded some guys that have done some things in this game," A.J. Hinch said. "(Josh) Reddick's played a lot of playoff games, McCann has played in some huge markets and some really big games, Aoki's played in the world series, you can't just substitute that type of experience."
What killed the Astros last season was the slow start that they had. The team started off the month with seven wins in April and from there on they had an uphill battle the rest of the season.
Now with all the veteran additions to the team, Luhnow believes they are much better equipped if the Astros get off to another slow start.
"A.J. is going to have more weapons, last year Carlos (Gomez) got off to a slow start, Colby (Rasmus) got off to a slow start, but those were regular players, there really wasn't anybody to take their spot, this year if someone gets off to a slow start there's another player there and you can give him a shot," Jeff Luhnow said.
With the Astros on paper markedly better, the feeling is now World Series or bust and while Sports Illustrated did predict that 2017 would be the year they make it over the hump, Hinch understands he can't put the cart ahead of the horse.
"The A.L. West goes through Texas (Rangers)," Hinch said. "They've won the last two seasons, they've earned the distinction of entering every season as the favorite."
Something the Astros have not been able to do the past couple of seasons is beat those pesky Texas Rangers. In the two years that Hinch has skippered the team, the Astros have gone 10-28 against their I-45 north rivals.
The key going into every season isn't beat the Rangers and they'll be fine. But just last year instead of winning only four games against them, had they picked up just six more wins, you're looking at 90 wins and a playoff team.
This season Hinch will have a much better arsenal for the Rangers.
While spring training does breed plenty of hope for the upcoming season, the Astros on paper have positioned themselves to be one of the elite teams in all of baseball.
If the Astros take care of business like they hope, people in Houston might not only witness a Super Bowl this year, but they also might see a few World Series games as well.
With the Super Bowl over, the world will now turn its attention on to baseball.
If you've checked out of baseball news to focus on football, let me first welcome you back and secondly let me tell you the Houston Astros are going to enter spring training - which is days away - with some sky high expectations.
One of the many reasons the Astros had a down year was because they had some key positions underperforming. So General Manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff spent the whole offseason making upgrades.
Goodbye underproductive outfielders Carlos Gomes and Colby Rasmus, hello proven veterans Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick, and Nori Aoki. Audios Jason Castro and his strikeouts, hello Brian McCann and his home runs.
All four bats were brought in to help solve the team's top-heavy lineup.
Last year most of the offense came from George Springer, Jose Altuve or Carlos Correa - in the later part of the year they got more contributions but for the lion share, that was about it - now with the additions, Luhnow has helped extend A.J. Hinch's lineup and help make the offense dangerous 1-9, something that could not be said in season's past.
"We've added some credibility on the position player side, to fill in some of the gaps on the guys that we have lost, we're going to miss the free agents that we lost but we responded some guys that have done some things in this game," A.J. Hinch said. "(Josh) Reddick's played a lot of playoff games, McCann has played in some huge markets and some really big games, Aoki's played in the world series, you can't just substitute that type of experience."
What killed the Astros last season was the slow start that they had. The team started off the month with seven wins in April and from there on they had an uphill battle the rest of the season.
Now with all the veteran additions to the team, Luhnow believes they are much better equipped if the Astros get off to another slow start.
"A.J. is going to have more weapons, last year Carlos (Gomez) got off to a slow start, Colby (Rasmus) got off to a slow start, but those were regular players, there really wasn't anybody to take their spot, this year if someone gets off to a slow start there's another player there and you can give him a shot," Jeff Luhnow said.
With the Astros on paper markedly better, the feeling is now World Series or bust and while Sports Illustrated did predict that 2017 would be the year they make it over the hump, Hinch understands he can't put the cart ahead of the horse.
"The A.L. West goes through Texas (Rangers)," Hinch said. "They've won the last two seasons, they've earned the distinction of entering every season as the favorite."
Something the Astros have not been able to do the past couple of seasons is beat those pesky Texas Rangers. In the two years that Hinch has skippered the team, the Astros have gone 10-28 against their I-45 north rivals.
The key going into every season isn't beat the Rangers and they'll be fine. But just last year instead of winning only four games against them, had they picked up just six more wins, you're looking at 90 wins and a playoff team.
This season Hinch will have a much better arsenal for the Rangers.
While spring training does breed plenty of hope for the upcoming season, the Astros on paper have positioned themselves to be one of the elite teams in all of baseball.
If the Astros take care of business like they hope, people in Houston might not only witness a Super Bowl this year, but they also might see a few World Series games as well.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Jim Crane wants a starter, chances are he'll get it.
By: Joshua Reese
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has made it known he wants another big time pitcher. He shared this vision with me early in the offseason and just recently during the "Diamond Dreams Gala" he shared this mantra again.
"We've made some great additions this year, we hope the guys live up to expectations," Houston Astros owner Jim Crane told Mark Berman of Fox 26. "Hopefully, we'll add another pitcher or two."
The edict from the owner is there, and the reports have been out there that the Astros are looking.
Usually, where there is smoke there is fire.
Going into spring training, the Astros have a lot of options.
1 - Dallas Keuchel
2 - Lance McCullers
3 - Collin McHugh
4 - Mike Fiers
5 - Charlie Morton
6 - Joe Musgrove
7 - Brad Peacock
8 - Chris Devenski
Of those names, only Keuchel and McCullers are guys that can or have the potential to carry a staff. But Keuchel is coming off a down season and McCullers is coming off of an injury-shorted season.
If they can add more arms that could help the Astros go from being a legit contender, to just give them the damn championship now.
The Astros won't lack offense going into next season, but having a cache of good to great pitchers is something that they just don't have.
Last year the two World Series participants had one common theme, great pitching.
The Chicago Cubs who would end up winning the championship had five great starters.
Defense, er pitching wins championships and right now the Astros aren't on the same level as other teams.
I've chronicled in the past the pitchers the Astros could be on.
The names that are out there hasn't changed and no doubt general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff are probably engaged in daily trade talks with multiple teams. While nothing has happened yet, chances are Luhnow will eventually find out the combination that will get something done.
The Astros are set up for plenty of years to come but snagging one or two top of the line starters could put them on a Cubs level of contention.
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has made it known he wants another big time pitcher. He shared this vision with me early in the offseason and just recently during the "Diamond Dreams Gala" he shared this mantra again.
"We've made some great additions this year, we hope the guys live up to expectations," Houston Astros owner Jim Crane told Mark Berman of Fox 26. "Hopefully, we'll add another pitcher or two."
The edict from the owner is there, and the reports have been out there that the Astros are looking.
Usually, where there is smoke there is fire.
Going into spring training, the Astros have a lot of options.
1 - Dallas Keuchel
2 - Lance McCullers
3 - Collin McHugh
4 - Mike Fiers
5 - Charlie Morton
6 - Joe Musgrove
7 - Brad Peacock
8 - Chris Devenski
Of those names, only Keuchel and McCullers are guys that can or have the potential to carry a staff. But Keuchel is coming off a down season and McCullers is coming off of an injury-shorted season.
If they can add more arms that could help the Astros go from being a legit contender, to just give them the damn championship now.
The Astros won't lack offense going into next season, but having a cache of good to great pitchers is something that they just don't have.
Last year the two World Series participants had one common theme, great pitching.
The Chicago Cubs who would end up winning the championship had five great starters.
Defense, er pitching wins championships and right now the Astros aren't on the same level as other teams.
I've chronicled in the past the pitchers the Astros could be on.
The names that are out there hasn't changed and no doubt general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff are probably engaged in daily trade talks with multiple teams. While nothing has happened yet, chances are Luhnow will eventually find out the combination that will get something done.
The Astros are set up for plenty of years to come but snagging one or two top of the line starters could put them on a Cubs level of contention.
Monday, January 16, 2017
The next Houston Astros super-duper star
By: Joshua Reese
Jose Altuve is a star. Carlos Correa is a star. Alex Bregman has so much hype behind him that he might as well be a star.
It's hard to think that Altuve will get much better, with having 26 home runs and 96 RBI's last season. Correa has had back to back 20 home run season's and is still one of the best shortstops in the league. Bregman's potential is unlimited but it's still unknown what he can do year after year.
The one person who often gets overlooked on the Astros is George Springer, but he's on the cusp of becoming baseball's next super duper star.
Springer does not get the same love as the others, but he's improved season over season and this year he's likely going to be adding center fielder to his title.
Since coming to the majors Springer has been an above average right fielder and there is no reason to think he can't continue his great defensive play in center.
Being a great center fielder is a bigger deal than being a great right fielder.
Defensively Springer will be fine, but it's offensively where he could take the next step.
Last year he had nearly 30 homers, but ultimately finished the season with 29 homers and 82 RBI's while scoring 116 runs (seventh most in the MLB).
When Springer debuted in the majors he stuck out a lot, like a lot, lot, 33% of the time in fact. In the past two season's he's cut that down nearly 10%, he still strikes out at a high margin but it's not nearly as bad as when he broke into the bigs.
Last year Springer did a fine job batting leadoff, but he needs to go back to batting farther down the lineup. If he moves to clean up with Altuve, Bregman, and Correa in front of him, Springer could be looking at 120 RBI's pretty easily.
In 2013 before Springer got to the majors, he fell just short of having a 40/40 season, finishing with 36 homers and 39 stolen bases.
He hasn't had many stolen bases since coming to the big leagues with 30 in three years, but he can steal bases.
Springer has the power to hit 40 home runs, the speed to steal 10-15, hell maybe 20 bases and the potential to drive in 125 runs and if he's able to have a season like that he'd be entering Mike Trout territory.
When you think of the Astros you instantly think of Altuve or Correa, but if Springer is able to continue progressing like he has been, there is no reason to think he can't get to their level or maybe even slightly higher.
Jose Altuve is a star. Carlos Correa is a star. Alex Bregman has so much hype behind him that he might as well be a star.
It's hard to think that Altuve will get much better, with having 26 home runs and 96 RBI's last season. Correa has had back to back 20 home run season's and is still one of the best shortstops in the league. Bregman's potential is unlimited but it's still unknown what he can do year after year.
The one person who often gets overlooked on the Astros is George Springer, but he's on the cusp of becoming baseball's next super duper star.
Springer does not get the same love as the others, but he's improved season over season and this year he's likely going to be adding center fielder to his title.
Since coming to the majors Springer has been an above average right fielder and there is no reason to think he can't continue his great defensive play in center.
Being a great center fielder is a bigger deal than being a great right fielder.
Defensively Springer will be fine, but it's offensively where he could take the next step.
Last year he had nearly 30 homers, but ultimately finished the season with 29 homers and 82 RBI's while scoring 116 runs (seventh most in the MLB).
When Springer debuted in the majors he stuck out a lot, like a lot, lot, 33% of the time in fact. In the past two season's he's cut that down nearly 10%, he still strikes out at a high margin but it's not nearly as bad as when he broke into the bigs.
Last year Springer did a fine job batting leadoff, but he needs to go back to batting farther down the lineup. If he moves to clean up with Altuve, Bregman, and Correa in front of him, Springer could be looking at 120 RBI's pretty easily.
In 2013 before Springer got to the majors, he fell just short of having a 40/40 season, finishing with 36 homers and 39 stolen bases.
He hasn't had many stolen bases since coming to the big leagues with 30 in three years, but he can steal bases.
Springer has the power to hit 40 home runs, the speed to steal 10-15, hell maybe 20 bases and the potential to drive in 125 runs and if he's able to have a season like that he'd be entering Mike Trout territory.
When you think of the Astros you instantly think of Altuve or Correa, but if Springer is able to continue progressing like he has been, there is no reason to think he can't get to their level or maybe even slightly higher.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
The Astros forgot to upgrade centerfield, but don't fear they'll be ok
By: Joshua Reese
With all the upgrades the Houston Astros made this offseason, the one that was missed was centerfield, and without some sort of blockbuster move, it's going to be filled in-house.
The Astros started off 2016 with Carlos Gomez and we all know how that worked out. They ended the season with a mix of Jake Marisnick, Colby Rasmus, and Teoscar Hernandez playing in center.
George Springer last year patrolled right for the Astros, and now with Nori Aoki, Carlos Beltran, and Josh Reddick the team finally has enough starting quilty outfielders to free him up.
For years fans have yearned to see Springer roaming centerfielder but the Astros have seemed hesitant to unleash him. In three seasons of baseball, he's played nearly 3,000 innings in the field, but only 142 of them have been spent in center.
Going into this upcoming season the person you trust to handle centerfield is Springer.
Beltran has the most background playing centerfield but he seems destined to spend the majority of his time playing DH.
Marisnick is the best overall fielder on the team but his defense doesn't outweigh his offense. He's good, but he's not quite Adam Everett good.
Springer's defense while extremely flashy is just underneath Marisnick's, but he does bring much more to the plate offensively.
Marisnick will get playing time, probably at all three spots, but the opening day centerfielder will be Springer.
Below are clips of Springer's defense, look for it a bunch in center next year.
With all the upgrades the Houston Astros made this offseason, the one that was missed was centerfield, and without some sort of blockbuster move, it's going to be filled in-house.
The Astros started off 2016 with Carlos Gomez and we all know how that worked out. They ended the season with a mix of Jake Marisnick, Colby Rasmus, and Teoscar Hernandez playing in center.
George Springer last year patrolled right for the Astros, and now with Nori Aoki, Carlos Beltran, and Josh Reddick the team finally has enough starting quilty outfielders to free him up.
For years fans have yearned to see Springer roaming centerfielder but the Astros have seemed hesitant to unleash him. In three seasons of baseball, he's played nearly 3,000 innings in the field, but only 142 of them have been spent in center.
Going into this upcoming season the person you trust to handle centerfield is Springer.
Beltran has the most background playing centerfield but he seems destined to spend the majority of his time playing DH.
Marisnick is the best overall fielder on the team but his defense doesn't outweigh his offense. He's good, but he's not quite Adam Everett good.
Springer's defense while extremely flashy is just underneath Marisnick's, but he does bring much more to the plate offensively.
Marisnick will get playing time, probably at all three spots, but the opening day centerfielder will be Springer.
Below are clips of Springer's defense, look for it a bunch in center next year.
"#George #Springer robs #Jose #Abreu of #ahome #run" #baseball #mlb #sports pic.twitter.com/rD8ZUuxR8g— RussellHodson2 (@RussellHodson2) December 1, 2016
Ridiculous, George Springer. Just ridiculous. (Vine by @MLB) https://t.co/MKcpOU7uQz— alvadi vita (@AlvadiV) August 28, 2016
You probably don't want to run on George Springer... pic.twitter.com/CX3DalRL7J— 120 Sports (@120Sports) August 7, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Dallas Keuchel getting back to work
By: Joshua Reese
The road back to the Cy Young - or at least somewhere near - for Dallas Keuchel begins a few days before the new year.
Tuesday, Keuchel shared a video of him back on a mound throwing.
Per the former Cy Young winner, It was the first day he's been able to throw without pain.
Earlier in the month Keuchel told the Houston Chronicle he had been cleared to throw again. But seems like Tuesday was the official start of Keuchel ramping up for the new season.
With Spring training a little over a month away, having the lefty back in action will be a welcomed sight.
The road back to the Cy Young - or at least somewhere near - for Dallas Keuchel begins a few days before the new year.
Tuesday, Keuchel shared a video of him back on a mound throwing.
Seeing the lefty back at work is a welcome sight after his 2016 season. Not only was Keuchel not able to finish the year, he also had a down year considering the two years he had before being shutdown.Greatest gift this holiday season to me? .... the gift of a pain free 1st throwing session. ✅. Throwing routine has officially started! pic.twitter.com/JKuSwvjR7t— Dallas Keuchel (@kidkeuchy) December 27, 2016
Per the former Cy Young winner, It was the first day he's been able to throw without pain.
Earlier in the month Keuchel told the Houston Chronicle he had been cleared to throw again. But seems like Tuesday was the official start of Keuchel ramping up for the new season.
With Spring training a little over a month away, having the lefty back in action will be a welcomed sight.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Time to return Jose Altuve back to lead off
By: Joshua Reese
Jose Altuve batting third last year lit up the major leagues and finished in the top three in the A.L. MVP race, but now it's time to return him back to his roots, he needs to leadoff for the Houston Astros in 2017.
In the Dark Knight detective Jim Gordon said it best when he was referring to Batman, "he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now."
Altuve was the hero the Astros needed last year. They needed offense, so he stepped up to the plate and belted out a career-high 24 homers and 96 RBI's but that's not what they need any more from him.
After the Astros massive offseason when they grabbed boppers, Josh Reddick, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, driving in runs doesn't have to fall solely on Altuve's shoulders anymore.
The bigger need for the team going into 2017 will be having baserunners on for all of the heavy hitters in the middle of the order.
George Springer did a fine job for the Astros last year leading off, but he's not a guarantee to get on base the way Altuve has been throughout his career.
Altuve gets on base 40% of the time and on top of that, more often than naught he's going to be on second or third base because of his ability to steal bases.
The Astros have a whole lot of options to bat third next season and while none are Altuve, they'd do just fine in his stead.
Having Altuve bat leadoff would not only serve as a big upgrade over Springer, but it's also somewhere he can have a pretty big impact.
Jose Altuve batting third last year lit up the major leagues and finished in the top three in the A.L. MVP race, but now it's time to return him back to his roots, he needs to leadoff for the Houston Astros in 2017.
In the Dark Knight detective Jim Gordon said it best when he was referring to Batman, "he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now."
Altuve was the hero the Astros needed last year. They needed offense, so he stepped up to the plate and belted out a career-high 24 homers and 96 RBI's but that's not what they need any more from him.
After the Astros massive offseason when they grabbed boppers, Josh Reddick, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, driving in runs doesn't have to fall solely on Altuve's shoulders anymore.
The bigger need for the team going into 2017 will be having baserunners on for all of the heavy hitters in the middle of the order.
George Springer did a fine job for the Astros last year leading off, but he's not a guarantee to get on base the way Altuve has been throughout his career.
Altuve gets on base 40% of the time and on top of that, more often than naught he's going to be on second or third base because of his ability to steal bases.
The Astros have a whole lot of options to bat third next season and while none are Altuve, they'd do just fine in his stead.
Having Altuve bat leadoff would not only serve as a big upgrade over Springer, but it's also somewhere he can have a pretty big impact.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Who should close in 2017?
By: Joshua Reese
One of the things the 2016 Houston Astros did well, was getting lots of different guys saves. Three "closers" had 10 or more saves last season, and while it's nice everyone had a chance to lock down the job, nobody did.
Luke Gregerson started off the season in the ninth but he faltered. Ace reliever Will Harris took over had some early success but like Gregerson, he also started to slip. Ken Giles the team's top offseason acquisition would get the final stretch, but despite his electric arm even he struggled.
As a team, the Astros converted 44 saves, even more than the season before when they went to the playoffs.
The problem is they had 20 blown saves, which is the 13th worst in the majors.
The Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Washinton Nationals, and the Chicago Cubs were the four teams with the fewest blown saves last season - spoiler alert all four made it to the postseason.
Blown saves are just a part of the game, your closer is going to have a rough game every once in a while. But lockdown closers just will have a lot less of them than others - see the 2016 Astros.
So the question is, who's closing on the Astros in 2017?
Unless the team goes out and lands a prime closer, which they still can. In spring training A.J. Hinch will likely have a few different guys to choose from.
Giles, Gregerson, and Harris are likely the favorites to land the job out of the gate. But there should be three more names added to this eventual competition.
Lance McCullers, Christopher Devenski, and Michael Feliz should also get a look at the job.
McCullers is pie in the sky and while he probably could be very effective in the role the Astros don't seem to have any interest in moving him out of a starting role despite arm concerns.
Devenski has earned a larger role on the team but the question is how large of a role. He was great last year and when the Astros needed an out he was the guy Hinch turned to.
While Devenski is consistent and solid, Feliz is more unpolished but he has a lot of electricity in his arm and showed a lot of flashes of being a great reliever.
With so much being invested in making the 2017 Houston Astros so much better, it's time to think beyond the retreads of Giles, Gregerson, and Harris.
Michael Feliz should be given the chance to spread his wings and prove that he's the next big thing in closing. Standing at 6'4, Feliz just looks like a closer on the mound.
His upper 90's fastball is hard to square up and his wicked slider is damn near unhittable as batters only were able to get a .163 batting average against it.
While Feliz may have just about the same electric stuff that Giles has (ended the season as closer), my trust goes to the bigger rightie.
Last year it was pretty easy to tell when Feliz was on or off, either he was throwing 98-99 and blowing people away or he was throwing 95-97 and getting hit.
Giles was more of a gamble and harder to figure out, consistently he was the same pitcher throwing the ball, just some days he'd get hit and you never really knew why. On top of that whenever someone would reach base for whatever reason, things just seemed to go downhill from there.
Feliz also had is problems but it seemed more manageable in terms of maybe he just needed more rest that day or something while for Giles it seems more random.
If you look through Feliz and Giles game log. You'll see that when Giles gave up a run, it usually meant a bad week for him, Feliz on the other seemed to bounce back more often after bad outings.
Feliz like Devenski last year pitched in a lot of "dirty work" games, either when the team was trailing or in extra innings. He may have been a little less consistent than Devenski but it's easy to think Feliz will continue getting better.
Just because the Astros gave up a lot to get Giles does not mean he should just be given the spot.
The pressure of closing on a playoff team will their form you into a diamond or crush you into dust. I know for me I'd much rather see what Feliz can do in the ninth, then any other option that's currently on the team.
One of the things the 2016 Houston Astros did well, was getting lots of different guys saves. Three "closers" had 10 or more saves last season, and while it's nice everyone had a chance to lock down the job, nobody did.
Luke Gregerson started off the season in the ninth but he faltered. Ace reliever Will Harris took over had some early success but like Gregerson, he also started to slip. Ken Giles the team's top offseason acquisition would get the final stretch, but despite his electric arm even he struggled.
As a team, the Astros converted 44 saves, even more than the season before when they went to the playoffs.
The problem is they had 20 blown saves, which is the 13th worst in the majors.
The Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Washinton Nationals, and the Chicago Cubs were the four teams with the fewest blown saves last season - spoiler alert all four made it to the postseason.
Blown saves are just a part of the game, your closer is going to have a rough game every once in a while. But lockdown closers just will have a lot less of them than others - see the 2016 Astros.
So the question is, who's closing on the Astros in 2017?
Unless the team goes out and lands a prime closer, which they still can. In spring training A.J. Hinch will likely have a few different guys to choose from.
Giles, Gregerson, and Harris are likely the favorites to land the job out of the gate. But there should be three more names added to this eventual competition.
Lance McCullers, Christopher Devenski, and Michael Feliz should also get a look at the job.
McCullers is pie in the sky and while he probably could be very effective in the role the Astros don't seem to have any interest in moving him out of a starting role despite arm concerns.
Devenski has earned a larger role on the team but the question is how large of a role. He was great last year and when the Astros needed an out he was the guy Hinch turned to.
While Devenski is consistent and solid, Feliz is more unpolished but he has a lot of electricity in his arm and showed a lot of flashes of being a great reliever.
With so much being invested in making the 2017 Houston Astros so much better, it's time to think beyond the retreads of Giles, Gregerson, and Harris.
Michael Feliz should be given the chance to spread his wings and prove that he's the next big thing in closing. Standing at 6'4, Feliz just looks like a closer on the mound.
His upper 90's fastball is hard to square up and his wicked slider is damn near unhittable as batters only were able to get a .163 batting average against it.
While Feliz may have just about the same electric stuff that Giles has (ended the season as closer), my trust goes to the bigger rightie.
Last year it was pretty easy to tell when Feliz was on or off, either he was throwing 98-99 and blowing people away or he was throwing 95-97 and getting hit.
Giles was more of a gamble and harder to figure out, consistently he was the same pitcher throwing the ball, just some days he'd get hit and you never really knew why. On top of that whenever someone would reach base for whatever reason, things just seemed to go downhill from there.
Feliz also had is problems but it seemed more manageable in terms of maybe he just needed more rest that day or something while for Giles it seems more random.
If you look through Feliz and Giles game log. You'll see that when Giles gave up a run, it usually meant a bad week for him, Feliz on the other seemed to bounce back more often after bad outings.
Feliz like Devenski last year pitched in a lot of "dirty work" games, either when the team was trailing or in extra innings. He may have been a little less consistent than Devenski but it's easy to think Feliz will continue getting better.
Just because the Astros gave up a lot to get Giles does not mean he should just be given the spot.
The pressure of closing on a playoff team will their form you into a diamond or crush you into dust. I know for me I'd much rather see what Feliz can do in the ninth, then any other option that's currently on the team.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Now the Chris Sale is off the market, who else should the Astros target
The Houston Astros missed out on the Chris Sale sweepstakes as the Chicago White Sox traded him over to the Boston Red Sox.
With starting pitching still on the agenda, not landing Sale, doesn't mean the Astros are now out of options.
Sale might have been the goal for every team, but there are still plenty of top of the rotation starters still waiting for new homes.
Below are three "aces" general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff should target.
1) Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (33 years old)
Santana is still an above average pitcher plus he's under team control through 2019 making 14 million a year. When he's on his A-game he can lead a staff, but he's better off being a really good second or third starter.
Another good thing about Santana is that you certainly aren't giving up Lance McCullers or Alex Bregman. The Twins would probably return phone calls if you offered AAA outfielder Derek Fisher, right-hander Jandel Gustave and a player to be named later.
2) Oakland Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray (27 years old)
He had a down year last year, but since breaking into the majors he's been a stud, from 2013-2015 he had 2.88 ERA which was 10th best in baseball.
Gray is just now entering arbitration so he'll be under team control for a while so he's going to be costly. It won't cost you "untouchable" prospects, but major league middle infielder Tony Kemp and reliever Michael Feliz, plus A-ball outfielder Daz Cameron could be enough to make a deal.
3) Tampa Rays Chris Archer (28 years old)
Rumored to be moved this offseason, the only problem is reports say that the price tag for Archer is pretty high.
Archer has been a top pitcher in A.L., he's just been stuck on bad Rays team, in 2016 his ERA was just a touch over 4, but in years prior he's been on the cusp of being a dominant pitcher.
With Archer under control through the 2021 season, the Rays are probably holding out for a Sale like deal and If the Astros are to get involved this is where it might cost an "untouchable".
If you want Archer; Bregman or George Springer, AA third baseman J.D. Davis plus last years number one pick pitcher Forrest Whitley could be enough to start a dialog.
Options are out there for the Astros, it just depends on what is the price Luhnow is willing to pay, what is too high?
With starting pitching still on the agenda, not landing Sale, doesn't mean the Astros are now out of options.
Sale might have been the goal for every team, but there are still plenty of top of the rotation starters still waiting for new homes.
Below are three "aces" general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff should target.
1) Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (33 years old)
Santana is still an above average pitcher plus he's under team control through 2019 making 14 million a year. When he's on his A-game he can lead a staff, but he's better off being a really good second or third starter.
Another good thing about Santana is that you certainly aren't giving up Lance McCullers or Alex Bregman. The Twins would probably return phone calls if you offered AAA outfielder Derek Fisher, right-hander Jandel Gustave and a player to be named later.
2) Oakland Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray (27 years old)
He had a down year last year, but since breaking into the majors he's been a stud, from 2013-2015 he had 2.88 ERA which was 10th best in baseball.
Gray is just now entering arbitration so he'll be under team control for a while so he's going to be costly. It won't cost you "untouchable" prospects, but major league middle infielder Tony Kemp and reliever Michael Feliz, plus A-ball outfielder Daz Cameron could be enough to make a deal.
3) Tampa Rays Chris Archer (28 years old)
Rumored to be moved this offseason, the only problem is reports say that the price tag for Archer is pretty high.
Archer has been a top pitcher in A.L., he's just been stuck on bad Rays team, in 2016 his ERA was just a touch over 4, but in years prior he's been on the cusp of being a dominant pitcher.
With Archer under control through the 2021 season, the Rays are probably holding out for a Sale like deal and If the Astros are to get involved this is where it might cost an "untouchable".
If you want Archer; Bregman or George Springer, AA third baseman J.D. Davis plus last years number one pick pitcher Forrest Whitley could be enough to start a dialog.
Options are out there for the Astros, it just depends on what is the price Luhnow is willing to pay, what is too high?
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Hey, remember me?
General manager Jeff Luhnow Saturday afternoon added another piece to his 2017 ball club by bringing back, old friend, outfielder/DH Carlos Beltran on a reported one-year deal worth 16 million dollars.
Houston Astros' fans may have spent the last decade plus booing Beltran every time he came to the plate, but now none of that matters anymore. He came back and that's the only thing that counts.
At nearly 40 years old, Beltran has proven that he still has "it" hell last season he was an all-star for the ninth time in his career. While his days of stealing 20-30 bases are long gone, it's not out of the question that he could crank out 30 home runs in 2017 with an extra short porch in left field.
It's no telling what position Beltran will play when the roster and roles are set in spring training. But if the team uses him as their DH (which is likely), he'll easily become the best in the Astros short American League history.
Also by adding Beltran he's now the fifth player added by Luhnow this offseason with postseason experience - yes Charlie Morton has pitched in the playoffs - an Astros team with the right combination of young talent and big-time vets, it could lift the team from the fringe of the playoffs to a deep postseason run.
The Chicago Cubs gave Astros the blueprint, it was the additions of veterans Jon Lester and Dexter Flower mixing with their youth that put them over the top.
In 2004 Beltran nearly single handily carried the Astros to a world series appearance, but ultimately fell short. Now 12 years later and his career closer to the end than the beginning, Beltran will get a chance to finish what he started in Houston so many, many, years ago.
Houston Astros' fans may have spent the last decade plus booing Beltran every time he came to the plate, but now none of that matters anymore. He came back and that's the only thing that counts.
At nearly 40 years old, Beltran has proven that he still has "it" hell last season he was an all-star for the ninth time in his career. While his days of stealing 20-30 bases are long gone, it's not out of the question that he could crank out 30 home runs in 2017 with an extra short porch in left field.
It's no telling what position Beltran will play when the roster and roles are set in spring training. But if the team uses him as their DH (which is likely), he'll easily become the best in the Astros short American League history.
Also by adding Beltran he's now the fifth player added by Luhnow this offseason with postseason experience - yes Charlie Morton has pitched in the playoffs - an Astros team with the right combination of young talent and big-time vets, it could lift the team from the fringe of the playoffs to a deep postseason run.
The Chicago Cubs gave Astros the blueprint, it was the additions of veterans Jon Lester and Dexter Flower mixing with their youth that put them over the top.
In 2004 Beltran nearly single handily carried the Astros to a world series appearance, but ultimately fell short. Now 12 years later and his career closer to the end than the beginning, Beltran will get a chance to finish what he started in Houston so many, many, years ago.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Chris Sale is the gem of the offseason and he'll be hard to snag
One of the biggest trade targets in baseball this offseason is White Sox ace Chris Sale.
In seven years with the Sox, he's been in the Cy Young conversation each of the last five years. He's truly considered one of the best not just in the American league but in all of baseball and he wants out of town. Last season Sale even went as far as cutting up his team's jersey before a start, just hours before the trade deadline. I mean if that's not a plea for "get me the hell out of here" I don't know what is.
The problem with landing the crazy good lefty is he's under team control for a few more seasons and since he won't be a free agent till 2020 the cost could be epic.
Everyone knows Sale's resume, he's a true ace. Since 2012 only Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and, David Price have a higher pitchers WAR than Sale.
Jeff Luhnow and his staff have pulled off plenty of deals before but those moves are Minnows compared to the Whale that is Sale.
Getting the lefty ace will no doubt have to be painful for the Astros.
A good reference for Luhnow and his staff to go by could be the deal the Rangers made for Cole Hamels a few years back.
However, there are a few key differences and they do not favor Astros.
The Phillies who traded Hamels and White Sox who will be trading Sale are in different positions. The Phillies were looking to add to the minors and rebuild their depth. The White Sox are pretty close to being in playoff contention and will want major league ready talent.
Plus the ages between the two are quite different, Hamels was 31 at the time of the trade while Sale will only be 27 if/when he gets moved.
Hamels netted four prospects included the 3rd, 5th, and 13th best prospects from the Rangers farm.
The Astros cost could be a little higher and likely to include starting pitcher Lance McCullers or third basemen Alex Bregman just to get the White Sox brass to even return their phone calls.
This is a package that could get the White Sox attention. Pitcher Francis Martes (#1), outfielder Derek Fisher (#5), third basemen Colin Moran (#7) and, Bregman.
The Astros 1st, 5th, and 7th best prospects, plus Bregman would be enough to wow any general manager.
It might be a little steep but if you want to snag the prize of the offseason season going bold is the way to go.
In seven years with the Sox, he's been in the Cy Young conversation each of the last five years. He's truly considered one of the best not just in the American league but in all of baseball and he wants out of town. Last season Sale even went as far as cutting up his team's jersey before a start, just hours before the trade deadline. I mean if that's not a plea for "get me the hell out of here" I don't know what is.
The problem with landing the crazy good lefty is he's under team control for a few more seasons and since he won't be a free agent till 2020 the cost could be epic.
Everyone knows Sale's resume, he's a true ace. Since 2012 only Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and, David Price have a higher pitchers WAR than Sale.
Jeff Luhnow and his staff have pulled off plenty of deals before but those moves are Minnows compared to the Whale that is Sale.
Getting the lefty ace will no doubt have to be painful for the Astros.
A good reference for Luhnow and his staff to go by could be the deal the Rangers made for Cole Hamels a few years back.
However, there are a few key differences and they do not favor Astros.
The Phillies who traded Hamels and White Sox who will be trading Sale are in different positions. The Phillies were looking to add to the minors and rebuild their depth. The White Sox are pretty close to being in playoff contention and will want major league ready talent.
Plus the ages between the two are quite different, Hamels was 31 at the time of the trade while Sale will only be 27 if/when he gets moved.
Hamels netted four prospects included the 3rd, 5th, and 13th best prospects from the Rangers farm.
The Astros cost could be a little higher and likely to include starting pitcher Lance McCullers or third basemen Alex Bregman just to get the White Sox brass to even return their phone calls.
This is a package that could get the White Sox attention. Pitcher Francis Martes (#1), outfielder Derek Fisher (#5), third basemen Colin Moran (#7) and, Bregman.
The Astros 1st, 5th, and 7th best prospects, plus Bregman would be enough to wow any general manager.
It might be a little steep but if you want to snag the prize of the offseason season going bold is the way to go.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Dodgers fire sale, Astros gain?
It's being reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers need to shed cash, with the highest payroll in baseball they need to cut around a 100 million in the next few years.
The question is with the Dodgers many, many, massive contracts is there anyone the Houston Astros would be willing to pick up.
Of course, teams would want Cy Young regular Clayton Kershaw but that won't happen and no one is trading for outfielder Andre Ethier or veteran pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
So who else is left that the Astros would be interested in?
1) Right-hander - Kenta Maeda
The Astros originally made a run for him before the Dodgers signed him and he had a good rookie season. He wasn't perfect but he looked pretty good and he's under contract till 2023 with a very team friendly contract.
2) 1st/DH - Adrian Gonzalez
He's a good hitter and he's been one for a while. The real problem is he is making a lot of money but if the team is willing to take it all, maybe it would not cost them as much in terms of prospects.
3) Left-hander - Alex Wood
A very good pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, but his tenure with the Dodgers a little up and down. The Astros have a few left-handed starters already, but he could make a nice pick up if he returns to form.
Gonzalez might be a little tougher of a fit then Wood or Maeda, but for his bat, manager A.J. Hinch would find a way to put him in the lineup.
The question is with the Dodgers many, many, massive contracts is there anyone the Houston Astros would be willing to pick up.
Of course, teams would want Cy Young regular Clayton Kershaw but that won't happen and no one is trading for outfielder Andre Ethier or veteran pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
So who else is left that the Astros would be interested in?
1) Right-hander - Kenta Maeda
The Astros originally made a run for him before the Dodgers signed him and he had a good rookie season. He wasn't perfect but he looked pretty good and he's under contract till 2023 with a very team friendly contract.
2) 1st/DH - Adrian Gonzalez
He's a good hitter and he's been one for a while. The real problem is he is making a lot of money but if the team is willing to take it all, maybe it would not cost them as much in terms of prospects.
3) Left-hander - Alex Wood
A very good pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, but his tenure with the Dodgers a little up and down. The Astros have a few left-handed starters already, but he could make a nice pick up if he returns to form.
Gonzalez might be a little tougher of a fit then Wood or Maeda, but for his bat, manager A.J. Hinch would find a way to put him in the lineup.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
The Astros offseason has been great, but it could be better!
By: Joshua Reese
Since the end of the world series, Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff wasted no time in making the Houston Astros a better team.
On the cusp of a playoff run in 2016, Luhnow swapped some of the inconsistent offensive weapons from that team and upgraded them, getting supercharged versions.
The catcher position was improved by swapping Jason Castro for New York Yankees power-hitting backstop Brian McCann.
Colby Rasmus was a postseason hero in 2015 but spent most of 2016 injured and was ineffective. The Astros went out and signed a carbon copy of Rasmus, but one that just doesn't strikeout as much in Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josh Reddick.
The team even added a Nori Aoki a high-contact outfielder through a waiver claim and signed a starting pitcher in right-hander Charlie Morton.
By far this is the most aggressive the team has been in years.
After wondering for years, will the Astros spend when the time comes? We finally know, yes they will.
To date, the Astros have added roughly around 30 million to next season's roster.
The question is will the team try and land the crushing blow in the remainder of the offseason and snag themselves a top of the rotation ace and a top flight closer.
Morton is fine, but in his career, he's been just barely over a replacement level pitcher with a 7.6 WAR in nine-ish seasons of baseball.
The free agent pitching market is pretty weak this year and while Morton may have been one of the best, the trade market this time of year always starts to heat up.
Names like former Cy young winner Diamondbacks Zack Greinke has been rumored to be available, along with top pitchers in the Athletics Sonny Gray and WhiteSox Chris Sale.
Some deals might be harder to pull off than others, i.e. Greinke is owed 32 million until he's 38 years, and while I applaud the Astros willingness to spend, taking on that contract might be pure insanity.
Along with snagging a true ace, finally getting a closer would be very helpful in making the Astros a serious contender in 2017.
The Astros were the only team in the majors last season to have three relievers get 10 or more saves. Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson, and Will Harris all had a crack at one of baseball's most prestigious positions, but none could hold on to the job as each ended up faltering. Giles may have the stuff to be a closer but the Astros can't bank on him figuring it out.
The good news is, unlike the starting pitching market, there are plenty of free agent closers waiting for good homes.
Greg Holland, Mark Melancon, and Aroldis Chapman are all top-shelf closers and some of the many, many names out there waiting for the right team to come along and offer them a fat paycheck.
The offense is pretty set 1-9 with the additions of McCann and Reddick, but the pitching staff is still an area on the team the Astros can still improve on.
Just picture the Astros offseason ending with the additions of Holland and Sale or Chapman and Gray, can someone say, yes, please!
Since the end of the world series, Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and his staff wasted no time in making the Houston Astros a better team.
On the cusp of a playoff run in 2016, Luhnow swapped some of the inconsistent offensive weapons from that team and upgraded them, getting supercharged versions.
The catcher position was improved by swapping Jason Castro for New York Yankees power-hitting backstop Brian McCann.
Colby Rasmus was a postseason hero in 2015 but spent most of 2016 injured and was ineffective. The Astros went out and signed a carbon copy of Rasmus, but one that just doesn't strikeout as much in Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josh Reddick.
The team even added a Nori Aoki a high-contact outfielder through a waiver claim and signed a starting pitcher in right-hander Charlie Morton.
By far this is the most aggressive the team has been in years.
After wondering for years, will the Astros spend when the time comes? We finally know, yes they will.
To date, the Astros have added roughly around 30 million to next season's roster.
The question is will the team try and land the crushing blow in the remainder of the offseason and snag themselves a top of the rotation ace and a top flight closer.
Morton is fine, but in his career, he's been just barely over a replacement level pitcher with a 7.6 WAR in nine-ish seasons of baseball.
The free agent pitching market is pretty weak this year and while Morton may have been one of the best, the trade market this time of year always starts to heat up.
Names like former Cy young winner Diamondbacks Zack Greinke has been rumored to be available, along with top pitchers in the Athletics Sonny Gray and WhiteSox Chris Sale.
Some deals might be harder to pull off than others, i.e. Greinke is owed 32 million until he's 38 years, and while I applaud the Astros willingness to spend, taking on that contract might be pure insanity.
Along with snagging a true ace, finally getting a closer would be very helpful in making the Astros a serious contender in 2017.
The Astros were the only team in the majors last season to have three relievers get 10 or more saves. Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson, and Will Harris all had a crack at one of baseball's most prestigious positions, but none could hold on to the job as each ended up faltering. Giles may have the stuff to be a closer but the Astros can't bank on him figuring it out.
The good news is, unlike the starting pitching market, there are plenty of free agent closers waiting for good homes.
Greg Holland, Mark Melancon, and Aroldis Chapman are all top-shelf closers and some of the many, many names out there waiting for the right team to come along and offer them a fat paycheck.
The offense is pretty set 1-9 with the additions of McCann and Reddick, but the pitching staff is still an area on the team the Astros can still improve on.
Just picture the Astros offseason ending with the additions of Holland and Sale or Chapman and Gray, can someone say, yes, please!
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Dallas Keuchel wins 3rd straight gold glove
Houston Astros Dallas Keuchel kicked off baseball's award season by snagging his third straight gold glove. Keuchel got the win by beating out other top pitchers in Toronto Blue Jays R.A. Dickey and Detroit Tigers Justin Verlander.
Per FanGraphs, Keuchel had seven defensive runs saved which tied with New York Yankees Masahiro Tanaka for the most in the American League.
Keuchel was also one of only 11 pitchers in the A.L. who had 0 errors on the year (including teammate Collin McHugh).
One of the things Keuchel has been known for throughout his gold glove reign is the way he plays the position. He isn't just worried about making a great pitch, but if you chop the ball anywhere near him, more times than naught he'll be the one making the play on the ball.
With the win, Keuchel is the first three-time winner in either league since Chicago White Sox Mark Buehrle 2009-2011.
Per FanGraphs, Keuchel had seven defensive runs saved which tied with New York Yankees Masahiro Tanaka for the most in the American League.
Keuchel was also one of only 11 pitchers in the A.L. who had 0 errors on the year (including teammate Collin McHugh).
One of the things Keuchel has been known for throughout his gold glove reign is the way he plays the position. He isn't just worried about making a great pitch, but if you chop the ball anywhere near him, more times than naught he'll be the one making the play on the ball.
With the win, Keuchel is the first three-time winner in either league since Chicago White Sox Mark Buehrle 2009-2011.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Michael Feliz being wasted
Michael Feliz is a swell pitcher. Hell, he's young up and coming, talented flame-thrower. Yet Feliz is relegated to middle relief bullpen work. He is getting more and more added to his plate in terms of high-pressure situations, but it's clear as day this young right-hander can have such a bigger impact on the Astros and help them out in so many other ways.
Before I get too carried away, Feliz did come into the game Monday and was not able to hold on to the lead.
Starting off the seventh inning he allowed back to back singles - one a super weak bouncer through the hole - putting runners on the corners. With no outs, Rougned Odor (of course) drove in a run with a deep sac fly. Feliz would recover and get back to back strikeouts to end the inning and his night, but not before the game getting tied up.
He finished his night tossing 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, a run and struck out two.
A couple of things off the bat before I get to my main point. Feliz was bound to give up a run or two at some point. He is great and amazing but as cliche as it sounds, it's baseball, a run will come across the plate sooner or later, it's not like he's Will Harris. Plus it's the Rangers if any team is bound to get score a run off of you, it's them, no one is safe. Anything and everything will happen when the Astros face the Rangers.
So now that we explained away Feliz not being able to hold the game by allowing a run. Let's revisit the Astros are wasting him, portion of this story.
Feliz is electric and if he doesn't have the best stuff on the team he certainly has the second best. So far this season he's striking out guys at a crazy high rate, 13.32 per nine innings, good enough to make him one of the most dangerous relievers in the major leagues.
Feliz rocks a great fastball, his changeup is improving a lot and his slider induces a lot of swings and misses or if someone does manage to make contact he gets weak hits off of it.
In his current role with the Astros, whenever a starter can't make it five/six/seven innings he's normally the first guy out of the pen. Of late he is entering in more games when the team has a lead so he is able to get the hold. His other role is getting the ball in extra innings and he's able to give the Astros a few innings because he can go long. That's pretty much it for the young right-handed flamethrower. So you have this amazing arm, who's blowing people away and he's a factor in the bullpen, but he's not the biggest factor back there...
So if he's not a big player out of the pen, he was a starter in the minor leagues, he's conditioned to go plenty of innings. Feliz could help the Astros as a starter if asked, Mike Fiers who's has been hit and miss this year and would be a prime candidate to get swapped. Let's be honest, Dallas Keuchel has not looked very hot this year, I'm not saying move him to the bullpen, I'm saying maybe he needs some time off. There are roles to be hand in the starting rotation if the Astros were so inclined.
But if you don't want to start Feliz because you think batters would start to figure him out after a second or third time seeing him. Ok, I'll buy that, but I'd still rather seem him get a chance, you can't grow if you aren't given a chance.
If you are afraid and you want to keep him in the bullpen, fine. But there is almost no reason you can't have him closing games. Asking him to get three outs, would be almost too easy, like a slicing butter with a hot knife. Who's going to stop him, he's tossing a 96-98 mph fastball and then has an 87 mph slider that dips out of the strike zone, you'd get saves for days.
Feliz ever since re-joining the Astros after getting sent down to the minors has come back to light the world on fire. Last season and the early part of this year before getting sent down, Feliz was a different pitcher, but since coming back he found his fastball life, and he's been dominate.
In April: 5.1 innings, 10 runs, 3 home runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
In May/June: 21.1 innings, 2 runs, 0 home runs, 2 walks, 33 strikeouts
Feliz is a different man since he's cut loose, and the Astros haven't really capitalized on him. For a while maybe they weren't sure if he would revert back to his old self, but 21 innings of top notch work is nothing to sneeze at.
The Astros going forward look like they are going to go closer by committee, and if you want Harris to continue closing games I won't argue with you. He's earned a shot, Harris has been one of the most consistent bullpen arms in baseball since last year. Ken Giles might also get a shot at the job every so often depending on matchups and I think that would be wrong. He's been better since his awful April, but he's still not in the same solar system that Feliz is in.
Feliz has earned the shot at having a bigger impact on games, he's proved he can be very effective out of the pen. In the minors, he proved he can be effective as a starter becoming one of the Astros top prospects after being signed as a 16-year-old amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic.
Right now there are a lot more uses you can use Feliz in he's your swiss army knife. He's better than just giving you a sixth/seventh inning here or there or pitching in extra innings.
I understand the middle relief and extra inning roles are very important and if you don't have him doing it someone is going to have too. The bigger point is he can have a higher impact than just "holding" the game.
He can win it for you by starting a game and going five-six-seven innings giving you good pitching. Or he can pitch in the ninth and help you save games.
It's clear he's handled his current role on the Astros. It's time they start taking the leash off of him and trusting him more and in bigger spots. If it's starting great, if it's saving games even better, if it's the eighth inning ok fine (at least it's about as high leverage as you can get).
He's better than what he's been given so far, let him go out and prove it.
Before I get too carried away, Feliz did come into the game Monday and was not able to hold on to the lead.
Starting off the seventh inning he allowed back to back singles - one a super weak bouncer through the hole - putting runners on the corners. With no outs, Rougned Odor (of course) drove in a run with a deep sac fly. Feliz would recover and get back to back strikeouts to end the inning and his night, but not before the game getting tied up.
He finished his night tossing 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, a run and struck out two.
A couple of things off the bat before I get to my main point. Feliz was bound to give up a run or two at some point. He is great and amazing but as cliche as it sounds, it's baseball, a run will come across the plate sooner or later, it's not like he's Will Harris. Plus it's the Rangers if any team is bound to get score a run off of you, it's them, no one is safe. Anything and everything will happen when the Astros face the Rangers.
So now that we explained away Feliz not being able to hold the game by allowing a run. Let's revisit the Astros are wasting him, portion of this story.
Feliz is electric and if he doesn't have the best stuff on the team he certainly has the second best. So far this season he's striking out guys at a crazy high rate, 13.32 per nine innings, good enough to make him one of the most dangerous relievers in the major leagues.
Feliz rocks a great fastball, his changeup is improving a lot and his slider induces a lot of swings and misses or if someone does manage to make contact he gets weak hits off of it.
In his current role with the Astros, whenever a starter can't make it five/six/seven innings he's normally the first guy out of the pen. Of late he is entering in more games when the team has a lead so he is able to get the hold. His other role is getting the ball in extra innings and he's able to give the Astros a few innings because he can go long. That's pretty much it for the young right-handed flamethrower. So you have this amazing arm, who's blowing people away and he's a factor in the bullpen, but he's not the biggest factor back there...
So if he's not a big player out of the pen, he was a starter in the minor leagues, he's conditioned to go plenty of innings. Feliz could help the Astros as a starter if asked, Mike Fiers who's has been hit and miss this year and would be a prime candidate to get swapped. Let's be honest, Dallas Keuchel has not looked very hot this year, I'm not saying move him to the bullpen, I'm saying maybe he needs some time off. There are roles to be hand in the starting rotation if the Astros were so inclined.
But if you don't want to start Feliz because you think batters would start to figure him out after a second or third time seeing him. Ok, I'll buy that, but I'd still rather seem him get a chance, you can't grow if you aren't given a chance.
If you are afraid and you want to keep him in the bullpen, fine. But there is almost no reason you can't have him closing games. Asking him to get three outs, would be almost too easy, like a slicing butter with a hot knife. Who's going to stop him, he's tossing a 96-98 mph fastball and then has an 87 mph slider that dips out of the strike zone, you'd get saves for days.
Feliz ever since re-joining the Astros after getting sent down to the minors has come back to light the world on fire. Last season and the early part of this year before getting sent down, Feliz was a different pitcher, but since coming back he found his fastball life, and he's been dominate.
In April: 5.1 innings, 10 runs, 3 home runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
In May/June: 21.1 innings, 2 runs, 0 home runs, 2 walks, 33 strikeouts
Feliz is a different man since he's cut loose, and the Astros haven't really capitalized on him. For a while maybe they weren't sure if he would revert back to his old self, but 21 innings of top notch work is nothing to sneeze at.
The Astros going forward look like they are going to go closer by committee, and if you want Harris to continue closing games I won't argue with you. He's earned a shot, Harris has been one of the most consistent bullpen arms in baseball since last year. Ken Giles might also get a shot at the job every so often depending on matchups and I think that would be wrong. He's been better since his awful April, but he's still not in the same solar system that Feliz is in.
Feliz has earned the shot at having a bigger impact on games, he's proved he can be very effective out of the pen. In the minors, he proved he can be effective as a starter becoming one of the Astros top prospects after being signed as a 16-year-old amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic.
Right now there are a lot more uses you can use Feliz in he's your swiss army knife. He's better than just giving you a sixth/seventh inning here or there or pitching in extra innings.
I understand the middle relief and extra inning roles are very important and if you don't have him doing it someone is going to have too. The bigger point is he can have a higher impact than just "holding" the game.
He can win it for you by starting a game and going five-six-seven innings giving you good pitching. Or he can pitch in the ninth and help you save games.
It's clear he's handled his current role on the Astros. It's time they start taking the leash off of him and trusting him more and in bigger spots. If it's starting great, if it's saving games even better, if it's the eighth inning ok fine (at least it's about as high leverage as you can get).
He's better than what he's been given so far, let him go out and prove it.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Three takeaways from the Diamondbacks series
Two games in Arizona and two games in Houston, it may not exactly be a "series" but it should be considered one. So after snagging three wins against the Diamondbacks the Astros have won three series in a row after the poor home sweep against the Rangers a couple weeks back.
The Astros are playing much better, and while they aren't getting near the top of the A.L. West it's certainly good to see, small steps baby!
Here are a few takeaways from the four games with the Diamondbacks.
George Springer really likes batting first
After the Astros win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, I told George Springer the stats say he likes batting leadoff, then I asked him if there is there a reason for it? Without having the exact quote he pretty much said, now it's his job to get on base for Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.
This season Springer is batting .409 leading off and .260 batting second. It may just be a hot streak but for whatever reason he's proven over the past two years leading off batting .297 that it suits him.
Springer batting lead off is a big reason the Astros are doing so well of late. His offense is finally starting to catch up to his amazing defensive game.
Time for a new closer
During the four-game series, Luke Gregerson only blew one game and the Astros still ended up winning the game. The series isn't alone a reason to call it quits on the Gregerson project, but it's time to seriously start thinking of a plan B.
The Astros have a couple of good relievers in the bullpen. Will Harris has been the Astros most solid relief pitcher since last season and it's unlikely they would move him away from his seventh/eighth inning role. But there are still four other guys you can give the ball too and it not be completely crazy.
1) Scott Feldman has done pretty well coming out of the bullpen, even found some extra speed on his fastball. If you must require a veteran to close games Feldman would fill that role.
2) Ken Giles was brought to Houston to be the closer, he's not perfect but is now the time to give him a shot?
3) Chris Devenski seems to profile more as a starter but they keep using him in the bullpen, he's very effective, why not give him a shot?
4) Michael Feliz has got the nastiest stuff on the team and while they are using him in bigger roles little by little he's still not in the prime seventh/eighth/ninth inning roles.
Finally two catchers
Evan Gattis since getting a shot at catching has done a great job behind the backstop. You know what you are getting in offense from Gattis, a .240-.250 batting average with 15-20 homers.
Jason Castros has also done a bang-up job on the offensive end in the month of May with an on-base percentage over .400 and a batting average .268 (148 points higher than April).
For so long, the Astros have had Castro and insert random name of a backup catcher. None have really been very exciting offensive options. Now with Castro seemingly retapping back into his 2013 form and Gattis showing he can catch, the Astros could have a really interesting one-two punch.
Would you rather have Max Stassi or Erik Kratz over Gattis? Ok, so that's not much of choice but feel free to tell me what backup catcher is better than Gattis, not sure you are going to find many.
The Astros are playing much better, and while they aren't getting near the top of the A.L. West it's certainly good to see, small steps baby!
Here are a few takeaways from the four games with the Diamondbacks.
George Springer really likes batting first
After the Astros win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, I told George Springer the stats say he likes batting leadoff, then I asked him if there is there a reason for it? Without having the exact quote he pretty much said, now it's his job to get on base for Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.
This season Springer is batting .409 leading off and .260 batting second. It may just be a hot streak but for whatever reason he's proven over the past two years leading off batting .297 that it suits him.
Springer batting lead off is a big reason the Astros are doing so well of late. His offense is finally starting to catch up to his amazing defensive game.
Time for a new closer
During the four-game series, Luke Gregerson only blew one game and the Astros still ended up winning the game. The series isn't alone a reason to call it quits on the Gregerson project, but it's time to seriously start thinking of a plan B.
The Astros have a couple of good relievers in the bullpen. Will Harris has been the Astros most solid relief pitcher since last season and it's unlikely they would move him away from his seventh/eighth inning role. But there are still four other guys you can give the ball too and it not be completely crazy.
1) Scott Feldman has done pretty well coming out of the bullpen, even found some extra speed on his fastball. If you must require a veteran to close games Feldman would fill that role.
2) Ken Giles was brought to Houston to be the closer, he's not perfect but is now the time to give him a shot?
3) Chris Devenski seems to profile more as a starter but they keep using him in the bullpen, he's very effective, why not give him a shot?
4) Michael Feliz has got the nastiest stuff on the team and while they are using him in bigger roles little by little he's still not in the prime seventh/eighth/ninth inning roles.
Finally two catchers
Evan Gattis since getting a shot at catching has done a great job behind the backstop. You know what you are getting in offense from Gattis, a .240-.250 batting average with 15-20 homers.
Jason Castros has also done a bang-up job on the offensive end in the month of May with an on-base percentage over .400 and a batting average .268 (148 points higher than April).
For so long, the Astros have had Castro and insert random name of a backup catcher. None have really been very exciting offensive options. Now with Castro seemingly retapping back into his 2013 form and Gattis showing he can catch, the Astros could have a really interesting one-two punch.
Would you rather have Max Stassi or Erik Kratz over Gattis? Ok, so that's not much of choice but feel free to tell me what backup catcher is better than Gattis, not sure you are going to find many.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Evan Gattis is balling behind the dish
Well if you worried about Evan Gattis's knee's from catching don't. The Astros might end up using him in three straight games, and in three straight days. Quite a long journey for a guy who took a year off from catching - not exactly his idea - and DH'd all of last season.
"He's done a tremendous at preparing, he really cares back there, he tries to get the absolute most out of every pitcher he catches," A.J. Hinch said of Gattis behind the plate, "it means a lot to the pitching staff, he's back there blocking, he's back there sweating like crazy trying to squeeze every ounce out of his pitcher, and everybody can feel that, so I love the fact that he's bouncing back."
In the five games, he's been able to catch this year his catcher's ERA is 3.06 and his career catcher's ERA of 3.20 (MLB average is 3.87).
Wednesday night, Gattis was able to nail two runners who tried to steal a bag off of him, Jean Segura (a speedy guy) and Yasmany Tomas (who probably shouldn't be trying to steal bags). Mike Fiers did have two wild pitches and one looked like Gattis probably should have been able to get it. The only run Fiers allowed came off from a wild pitch.
"He's very smart behind there, he knows these hitters, he studies them, he does a lot of work of the field where he's in the video room looking at these guys, and it shows out there," Mike Fiers said of having Gattis behind the plate for him for the first time, "I didn't really have to shake him off too much, it was spots here and there but he's great at blocking the ball, throwing the ball, just doing everything a catcher suppose to do."
Gattis over the past few games has done a great job behind the plate. He's blocked lots of pitches in the dirt, he's pulled a few for strikes and by all accounts he calls a pretty good game.
In five games behind the plate, Gattis has snagged four batters (small sample size I know), but it's more than Jason Castro has thrown out in 43 games. Maybe teams are trying to run on Gattis to check out his arm but for whatever the reason, he's showing teams that it's not very wise to try and run on him.
You might not want to overuse Gattis, but right now he's a pretty great dual threat behind the plate. Gattis career offensive WAR is
Cliff Johnson holds the title for the highest offensive WAR (55.7) for a catcher in Astros history - if you can guess when he played for the team, bonus points for you - but Gattis manning the backstop could eventually make him the best ever for the team.
"He's done a tremendous at preparing, he really cares back there, he tries to get the absolute most out of every pitcher he catches," A.J. Hinch said of Gattis behind the plate, "it means a lot to the pitching staff, he's back there blocking, he's back there sweating like crazy trying to squeeze every ounce out of his pitcher, and everybody can feel that, so I love the fact that he's bouncing back."
In the five games, he's been able to catch this year his catcher's ERA is 3.06 and his career catcher's ERA of 3.20 (MLB average is 3.87).
Wednesday night, Gattis was able to nail two runners who tried to steal a bag off of him, Jean Segura (a speedy guy) and Yasmany Tomas (who probably shouldn't be trying to steal bags). Mike Fiers did have two wild pitches and one looked like Gattis probably should have been able to get it. The only run Fiers allowed came off from a wild pitch.
"He's very smart behind there, he knows these hitters, he studies them, he does a lot of work of the field where he's in the video room looking at these guys, and it shows out there," Mike Fiers said of having Gattis behind the plate for him for the first time, "I didn't really have to shake him off too much, it was spots here and there but he's great at blocking the ball, throwing the ball, just doing everything a catcher suppose to do."
Gattis over the past few games has done a great job behind the plate. He's blocked lots of pitches in the dirt, he's pulled a few for strikes and by all accounts he calls a pretty good game.
In five games behind the plate, Gattis has snagged four batters (small sample size I know), but it's more than Jason Castro has thrown out in 43 games. Maybe teams are trying to run on Gattis to check out his arm but for whatever the reason, he's showing teams that it's not very wise to try and run on him.
Castro has done a good job late batting .268 to go with an on-base percentage of over .400 in the month of May. While that's so much better for him than how he started the season and how last year went. If Gattis catching game can stay trending upwards, we all know he can hit and hit for power, he might need to start playing more.Gattis with a 1.95 pop time. 85.5 MPH arm strength on the throw. https://t.co/wlufKa0xRU— Daren Willman (@darenw) May 29, 2016
You might not want to overuse Gattis, but right now he's a pretty great dual threat behind the plate. Gattis career offensive WAR is
Cliff Johnson holds the title for the highest offensive WAR (55.7) for a catcher in Astros history - if you can guess when he played for the team, bonus points for you - but Gattis manning the backstop could eventually make him the best ever for the team.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Astros, on the right train tracks!
Most the time when you are about to hear of someone going streaking. It can usually be followed by stories about that person ripping off their clothes, dancing across some sort event only to end up being tased by police officers. Well, the Astros are streaking and it won't end in a tasing, but rather high fives and at-a-boys.
In the past 10 games, the Astros have went seven and three and they are winners of four in row for the first time all season. The mood and the feeling is the team is finally back on the right track.
This has been one of the few times all year the Astros have mixed everything together and got great results. The starting pitching has been solid (minus one start) the bullpen has kept improving and the offense is finally pulling their weight.
Since moving George Springer to leadoff, he's batted nearly .500, Jose Altuve is getting on base like he's normal self. But the offense is better not just because those two guys, while that's great and helpful, the rest of the lineup is starting to come through. Luis Valbuena who bats in the bottom half of the lineup is batting .400, and even Jake Marisnick who has been absent batting wise all year has started to turn it on.
For a while, I myself have asked, begged even, for the Astros to do some major shaking up to the lineup. While flip-flopping Altuve and Springer isn't exactly what I pictured, it's worked. The Astros have been "lit" as the young kids say, going seven and one since moving the two. Springer has just been unreal!
"He's taking some singles up the middle, he's hitting some homers, bullet doubles to start the game," A.J. Hinch said, "his job as a leadoff hitter is to be a good hitter first, and what comes with that is a better hitter."
Springer early on in the year batting second had been a little up and down but he has seemed to find a home at the head of the Astros attack.
"Whether it's mental or physical I don't really care," Hinch said trying to give reasons to why his new leadoff hitter is going bananas, "I like the look of it, and I think he's made a conscious adjustment to set the table for Altuve (and) Correa."
The pitching has also been bang up as well, outside of a Mike Fiers hiccup (7 runs in 3.2 innings), the starters have been fantastic. They have given you what you have needed to win games with each guy giving up three runs or less. With the offense doing well, only allowing three runs is a winning combo.
The bullpen has also kept stepping up, getting strong performances from all over the place. Michael Feliz is nails, hasn't allowed a run since the year 1965. Ken Giles is still a little hit or miss but the rest of the relievers have been great.
Last year the Astros had a 10 game win streak and it helped power them all the way to the playoffs at the end of the season. Right now the Astros are playing their best baseball of the season, they haven't had a 10 game win streak but seven wins in their last eight games is nothing to sneeze at.
"It's nice to see us play consistently, we could have even had a better month if it had not of been for some one-run losses, I think six of them this month, our team has played well for going on four weeks," Hinch said via MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, "we can pretend it's May tomorrow or we can move to June and continue the momentum into another good month, we've got to play consistently for month to month to month to get to where we want to get."
The Astros had a really poor April winning only seven games, but so far May has shined on them as they have more than doubled up the wins, winning 16 games. If not for such a poor start, you could be looking at the Astros being frontrunners in the A.L. West.
In the past 10 games, the Astros have went seven and three and they are winners of four in row for the first time all season. The mood and the feeling is the team is finally back on the right track.
This has been one of the few times all year the Astros have mixed everything together and got great results. The starting pitching has been solid (minus one start) the bullpen has kept improving and the offense is finally pulling their weight.
Since moving George Springer to leadoff, he's batted nearly .500, Jose Altuve is getting on base like he's normal self. But the offense is better not just because those two guys, while that's great and helpful, the rest of the lineup is starting to come through. Luis Valbuena who bats in the bottom half of the lineup is batting .400, and even Jake Marisnick who has been absent batting wise all year has started to turn it on.
For a while, I myself have asked, begged even, for the Astros to do some major shaking up to the lineup. While flip-flopping Altuve and Springer isn't exactly what I pictured, it's worked. The Astros have been "lit" as the young kids say, going seven and one since moving the two. Springer has just been unreal!
"He's taking some singles up the middle, he's hitting some homers, bullet doubles to start the game," A.J. Hinch said, "his job as a leadoff hitter is to be a good hitter first, and what comes with that is a better hitter."
Springer early on in the year batting second had been a little up and down but he has seemed to find a home at the head of the Astros attack.
"Whether it's mental or physical I don't really care," Hinch said trying to give reasons to why his new leadoff hitter is going bananas, "I like the look of it, and I think he's made a conscious adjustment to set the table for Altuve (and) Correa."
The pitching has also been bang up as well, outside of a Mike Fiers hiccup (7 runs in 3.2 innings), the starters have been fantastic. They have given you what you have needed to win games with each guy giving up three runs or less. With the offense doing well, only allowing three runs is a winning combo.
The bullpen has also kept stepping up, getting strong performances from all over the place. Michael Feliz is nails, hasn't allowed a run since the year 1965. Ken Giles is still a little hit or miss but the rest of the relievers have been great.
Last year the Astros had a 10 game win streak and it helped power them all the way to the playoffs at the end of the season. Right now the Astros are playing their best baseball of the season, they haven't had a 10 game win streak but seven wins in their last eight games is nothing to sneeze at.
"It's nice to see us play consistently, we could have even had a better month if it had not of been for some one-run losses, I think six of them this month, our team has played well for going on four weeks," Hinch said via MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, "we can pretend it's May tomorrow or we can move to June and continue the momentum into another good month, we've got to play consistently for month to month to month to get to where we want to get."
The Astros had a really poor April winning only seven games, but so far May has shined on them as they have more than doubled up the wins, winning 16 games. If not for such a poor start, you could be looking at the Astros being frontrunners in the A.L. West.
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