Last year, he ended up around 6th in the league in WAR, despite missing a chunk of the season. If everyone was healthy and on the same pace, he would have ended up 2nd behind Trout - ahead of Altuve. He's certainly not as good this year, but he was certainly MVP caliber last year.
Starting to think they gave a highhh ceiling for Correa (A Rod) - I don’t think he will ever be that powerful guy. Max 30 homeruns. But ya he’s not looking like a MVP caliber guy.
I'm not that upset about the loss. I think we may need a few more Giles blow ups before the trade deadline. Astros were getting too cozy stacking up wins against the bad teams in baseball. Hopefully anymore disasters will force them to make a move and get some bullpen help. Maybe scratch Britton off that potential list. He got lit up in Atlanta and blew a 4 run lead. He gave up 5 hit in 0.1 innings. Without the velocity he isn't the same.
I’m not saying they hit better at home this year. Far from it. These things do tend to be cyclical. There’s also a ton of other variables that go into why certain players play better in one setting vs another. I’d bet by seasons end, the numbers (home vs away) will be similar enough. I also think blaming the ballpark in general is a p***y move. It’s no better than back in 2000 when all the Astros pitchers showed up and shat their pants and said they couldn’t pitch in this ballpark. As far as hitting better in Oakland? Of course Reddick is going to harp on his past experience there. There was also a time where they couldn’t hit anything (or even win a damn game) in Oakland.
Like I said above, super lame... or bullshit p***y excuses.... or Jose Lima in 2000 Enron Field crap. If the players are truly affected, they’re going to let the higher ups know about it. The fans are typically reading into this far more than the players.
It is affecting other teams. Not sure what it is, but MMP is in about a 2.5 year span with batters are hitting ball weaker at MMP regardless of team after a decade or so of being close to neutral. Heard other day possibly led lights. Could be a fluky season followed by the batters eye being changed. Could he players trying to do to much. Astros could have inadvertently changed pre-game ball location into a more humid environment. Could be a weird stretch of randomness. Whatever it is, it likely is not based on dimensions of park, wind, or defense as ball just is being hit weaker.
The home offense ended up evening out as the season went on last year. It likely does the same this year... unless fringe guys like Gattis, Marwin, and whatever combo 9 hitter they come up with till Tucker is here start hitting at sub Mendoza levels again. The bottom of the lineup still remains the most significant difference between last year and this year’s lineup. Kemp has helped stabilize it... along with Gattis’ recent surge.
Until they use the WS balls that fly further, faster, spin more, and have their own wifi network. Curious to think where they could possibly store balls that are “more” humid in this city? Intentionally humidoring balls here?
As far as I can tell it has. MMP has been one of the best pitcher-friendly parks since the start of last season.
They may have put a dent in that huge gap but they still finished 2017 scoring 501 runs on the road versus 395 at home. We saw some great offensive games at home in the playoffs but it was a mix bag. Game 4 of the WS was a 2 hitter. Below average offense at home vs. the Yankees but was still good enough for a home sweep.
Air conditioners dry out air. While a place in desert may have to intentionally humidify balls, it can be done in Houston by just trying to save money by not storing balls in a well air conditioned room.
