GAME 114: Phillies 10, Astros 3
GAME 115: Phillies 6, Astros 5
GAME 116: Astros 4, Rangers 3
GAME 117: Astros 8, Rangers 3
GAME 118: Rangers 6, Astros 2
It's always a bit of a challenge to find good things to say when your team gets swept. But the Astros' series sweep by the Phillies was not all bad -- if you ignore losing all the games. First of all, two of our starters, Keuchel and McHugh, had very good starts, although it was ultimately in a losing effort. The losses did not occur on their watches, at least. So that's a plus for the future Astros team.
On the other hand, Brad Peacock continued in his effort to convince the Astros that he's not Major League material, with yet another horrid start. He gave up 5 runs in the first inning alone, and ultimately 8 runs in 5. Given the known outcome of this season, the Astros can keep running Peacock out there and let him try to fix his pitching problems in front of the fans. But expect an outcry from the fan base that they want to see another deserving young pitcher get a chance. That would be the fan version of the "F" word - Foltynewicz! A starter who can throw 100 MPH fast balls seems wasted, when he is relegated to an occasional inning of relief pitching. The Astros' Powers That Be want to give him a taste of the big leagues, late this season, before letting him try for a rotation spot next spring. But I'd bet that he gets a chance at a start before the end of this season.
GAME 116: Astros 4, Rangers 3
GAME 117: Astros 8, Rangers 3
GAME 118: Rangers 6, Astros 2
It's always a bit of a challenge to find good things to say when your team gets swept. But the Astros' series sweep by the Phillies was not all bad -- if you ignore losing all the games. First of all, two of our starters, Keuchel and McHugh, had very good starts, although it was ultimately in a losing effort. The losses did not occur on their watches, at least. So that's a plus for the future Astros team.
On the other hand, Brad Peacock continued in his effort to convince the Astros that he's not Major League material, with yet another horrid start. He gave up 5 runs in the first inning alone, and ultimately 8 runs in 5. Given the known outcome of this season, the Astros can keep running Peacock out there and let him try to fix his pitching problems in front of the fans. But expect an outcry from the fan base that they want to see another deserving young pitcher get a chance. That would be the fan version of the "F" word - Foltynewicz! A starter who can throw 100 MPH fast balls seems wasted, when he is relegated to an occasional inning of relief pitching. The Astros' Powers That Be want to give him a taste of the big leagues, late this season, before letting him try for a rotation spot next spring. But I'd bet that he gets a chance at a start before the end of this season.
Meanwhile, thank Heavens for the Rangers, without whom the Astros would not have any dust eaters. Not getting a sweep over the Rangers was the biggest disappointment of this weekend's continuation of the cross-state rivalry. After I missed watching Friday's game and half of Saturday's game, due to Sabbath observance, I was really psyched up to watch Sunday's series conclusion with our best pitcher on the mound. For three innings, I was hoping that it would be more than a sweep -- it would be that no-hitter that I'd been waiting for Keuchel to throw. He only gave up a walk in his first pass through the Rangers' lineup, while the Astros eked out a couple of runs for a 2-0 lead. But then the wheels came off, and it turned out to be one of Keuchel's rare poor (and relatively short) starts -- 5 runs in 6 innings on 6 hits ad 3 walks. Meanwhile, with little additional Astros offense to make up for it, it turned out to be an 8th loss for Keuchel. Bummer.
However, the Astro did get a series win off the Rangers. Oberholtzer had a shaky start on Friday, giving up 2 runs in the first inning, before settling in and throwing 6 more scoreless innings. But he missed figuring for the decision, as the Astros waited until an 8th inning homer by Robbie Grossman to take the lead. Veras got the win, and Qualls earned the save, despite attempting to blow it, giving up another 9th inning run.
On Saturday night, I tuned in when the Sabbath ended, about halfway through the game, just in time for the Astros to take a decisive lead with a 4 run fifth. Despite the 8 runs, the Astros scored on the littler stuff in this game - no homers, 2 doubles, 10 singles, and 6 walks. Lots of little stuff. Feldman had another quality start, giving up 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Folty threw a scoreless ninth inning, mostly on his blazing fastball, including a few pitches that hit the 100 mark. This time, however, he did mix in a few curve balls to show the fans that he's not just a one pitch wonder.
However, the Astro did get a series win off the Rangers. Oberholtzer had a shaky start on Friday, giving up 2 runs in the first inning, before settling in and throwing 6 more scoreless innings. But he missed figuring for the decision, as the Astros waited until an 8th inning homer by Robbie Grossman to take the lead. Veras got the win, and Qualls earned the save, despite attempting to blow it, giving up another 9th inning run.
On Saturday night, I tuned in when the Sabbath ended, about halfway through the game, just in time for the Astros to take a decisive lead with a 4 run fifth. Despite the 8 runs, the Astros scored on the littler stuff in this game - no homers, 2 doubles, 10 singles, and 6 walks. Lots of little stuff. Feldman had another quality start, giving up 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Folty threw a scoreless ninth inning, mostly on his blazing fastball, including a few pitches that hit the 100 mark. This time, however, he did mix in a few curve balls to show the fans that he's not just a one pitch wonder.
The Astros are still battling their DL, with the trio of center fielders still out. Altuve gave a scare with a sore neck that kept him out for a couple of games, but he was back in Sunday's game with a pair of hits and a stolen base. Altuve's still leading the league in BA, hits, and stolen bases.
DUST EATERS COUNT: UP TO 2!
The Astros record is now 49-69 (.415) - that's about 100 points better than where they ended up last year. That series win over the Rangers helped keep them eating our dust at .393. Over in the NL, there's an equally awful team playing in Colorado. 
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for commenting on my blog! Go 'Stros!