2025 Astros

[rupert3]

Oh so true.  Just doesn't make sense.

[baddog]

Well besides McCullers laying an egg, Astros got 2 shutouts in the 3 game series. Ain’t that a kick? In the McCullers fiasco, I thought the Astros made it respectable to come back the way they did. I mean, if you give up a 10 run 1st inning, do you really think a win is possible? I think the Astros have kept McCullers too long. I think he is damaged goods snd the Stros would have trouble getting anything in return.

AAW, any thoughts on McCullers?

[rupert3]

32 minutes ago, baddog said:

Well besides McCullers laying an egg, Astros got 2 shutouts in the 3 game series. Ain’t that a kick? In the McCullers fiasco, I thought the Astros made it respectable to come back the way they did. I mean, if you give up a 10 run 1st inning, do you really think a win is possible? I think the Astros have kept McCullers too long. I think he is damaged goods snd the Stros would have trouble getting anything in return.

AAW, any thoughts on McCullers?

I hate to see any player end their career like this but the need to put the team out of their misery and let him go.  It may cost but might be worth it.  How much is left on his not cut contract?

[AggiesAreWe]

45 minutes ago, baddog said:

Well besides McCullers laying an egg, Astros got 2 shutouts in the 3 game series. Ain’t that a kick? In the McCullers fiasco, I thought the Astros made it respectable to come back the way they did. I mean, if you give up a 10 run 1st inning, do you really think a win is possible? I think the Astros have kept McCullers too long. I think he is damaged goods snd the Stros would have trouble getting anything in return.

AAW, any thoughts on McCullers?

It will be very difficult for Houston to trade him due to his contract and being damaged goods. Astros would basically expect nothing in return for him. That's not good business.

[rupert3]

Almost came back but no.  They are in lack of consistant starting pitching.  7-5 loss to Royals.

Still early.

[AggiesAreWe]

13 minutes ago, rupert3 said:

Almost came back but no.  They are in lack of consistant starting pitching.  7-5 loss to Royals.

Still early.

Not exactly. Astros pitching is in the top 5 of the AL in quality start category. Have 18 quality starts. League leader has 21.

Houston still is in top 5 in AL in team ERA with 3.51 (up from a 3.20 a week ago which was 3rd). 2nd in league in opponent OBA at .216 and leads the league in WHIP at 1.15. Tied for league lead in strikeouts with 372. 

The bats have definitely improved over the last 3 weeks. Astros have brought the team batting average from .204 to now .250, which puts them 6th in the AL. They have improved their slugging percentage greatly from a dismal .323 to now .376 which is 6th in the league. Have an OPS of .700 which is top 5. Also is top 5 in OBP (.323)

As for the division, only the Athletics have a better batting average (.259) and Rangers have a better ERA (3.34).

Astro pitching has been their strength for the first 40 games (although have fallen a bit the last 6 games) while the hitting has really started to come on. If the hitting continues to trend upward and the pitching keeps it's top 5 status like it has all season so far, Houston will be right there at the top of the division.

Like you said, still plenty of baseball to play.