Look toward the offseason. This team is special and I like to enjoy the ride more then the destination at times. Of course I don’t have a choice. We got beat by an inferior team in my opinion, but the Astros will be back.
My dream scenario w/ FA signing, assuming health and max performance 1: Verlander (Chirinos) 2: Greinke (Grandal) 3: Wood (Grandal) 4: Wheeler (Grandal) Pen: LMJ, Urquidy, the rest of the relievers
The Astros probably beat the Nationals with a healthy LMJ to finish off games in 6th and 7th innings. Death by disgusting ass curveballs.
As much as we may want to dream that we don't need our cheap graduating minor league arms, we absolutely are going to ride with Urquidy as one of our 5. LMJ is not a bullpen piece. Verlander, Greinke, LMJ and Urquidy will be 1-4. The only ? is who will be #5.
Thor is 10X the injury disaster of Correa. Why in the world would Luhnow do this? SS is a huge hole to fill with Correa gone.
It really doesn't matter if Correa wants to be here or not (although I think that's a huge joke). He's going to be here the next 2 years regardless. And that's an awesome thing. Perhaps you need a re-teach on facts v. opinions?
I was talking about the playoffs. Lance = 5th starter (most likely) = the one who slides to the pen for the playoffs. I know that Urquidy is a lock to make the rotation, barring an injury, but I (yes, it's just me) really think he'd be a NASTY 8th inning set up man. Would love both Wheeler (Cole 2.0) and Wood (crafty lefty for a change of pace), but we probably only get one.
I think one of the biggest regrets the Stros will have is that extension they gave Verlander. I think it was a pre mature extension and I just dont think hes capable of pitching 200ip+ while being our ace on the mound in the postseason. Verlander will be on an inning restriction next season im sure and they'll keep him around 175IP for the postseason.
When was the last time a WS contending team traded elite players in the last year of their contract? You only do that if the team is rebuilding (see Machado trade) and contenders trade for rentals all the time. Correa may very well want to test FA or the Astros feel what he's asking is too much, but he isn't toxic nor is he demanding to be traded. Address it again in 2021 trade deadline if the Astros aren't doing it well that season.
In a perfect yet somewhat realistic world: Game 1: Justin Verlander, still throwing like an ace Game 2: Zack Wheeler, elevated to Cole-status Game 3: Forrest Whitley, who bursts onto the scene in ace fashion sometime in June Game 4: Zack Greinke, still throwing like an ace That leaves McCullers in the pen along with Urquidy, James, Abreu, Peacock, Pressly, and Osuna, among others.
