I know it's early, but I really feel like our bullpen can be a weapon this year. Might not be a Tampa Bay type bullpen, but I feel really good this year, moreso than most years where we've had to patch up our pen at the deadline. This year, assuming Pressley gets back to health: - Pressley - Neris - Maton - Montero - Stanek - Abreu - Taylor Our 7-8-9 at full health is pretty money. Maton was nails last year and has had 1 or 2 rough outings, I expect he'll improve as the season goes on. Neris has been better than expected, I really like him. And hopefully Pressley's knee and his stuff returns to form. Montero hoping he's turned a corner in his career, always had the stuff, with a little coaching and stability I think he can be that guy to come in and get out of jams. Abreu seems to have taken a step forward this year, it'll be a big year for him to prove he can stay up here, but the stuff is electric. Taylor is kinda solid but unspectacular, might not be in for huge situations but he's been pretty good over the past 2 years And then there's Stanek. Kind of a wildcard, but his stuff is unhittable when it's on. Even when he's not on he's a tough guy to face. This doesn't even include Javier, but I hope we can keep him in the rotation
I hate and I am fascinated by the changes in the ball. It hurts some of the Astros hitters (though favors the younger guys relative to league). For pitching though, woo doggie it helps the Astros. Taylor is having a horrible year locating, but dead ball plus the wiggle on his fastball has kept the ball in the park mostly. He's rocking a 1 ERA. I expect he'll pitch better, but not get quite as lucky and have a sub-3 ERA.
Only problem I’ve had with the pitching this year is maybe not getting the most out of Javier. I really think he’d be better fit as a permanent starter and maybe kick Urquidy to your long guy or tandem starter. Feel like Urquidy stuff plays up only 1 time through the lineup.
Playoff pitching staff: SP: Verlander, Valdez, Javier, Garcia BP: Pressly: 9th high leverage Neris: 8th high leverage Montero: 7th high leverage McCullers: multiple inning high leverage Stanek, Maton, Taylor: matchups, extra innings, or single inning low leverage Odorizzi, Urquidy: multiple inning low leverage Abreu would be 1st up as injury replacement Obviously they could be disadvantaged against some teams with our 2-3-4 SP depending on how the rest of the season goes for Javier, Framber, and Garcia but overall that staff looks STACKED. Also would not surprise me if Hunter Brown, Peter Solomon, Forrest Whitley, or Shawn Dubin made a case to be included in the postseason bullpen.
Lowest bullpen ERA currently with Pressly having a 5+ ERA. 8th in FIP so there may be some regression there.
I remember seeing Abreu earlier in the season and he took a huge step in just throwing strikes. That's all he ever needed to do. And he kept getting better and better. If Montero leaves this offseason, Abreu steps into that 8th inning role and maybe Hunter Brown steps into Abreu's old role as a multi-inning reliever. Abreu really reminds me of a young Lidge, and maybe Hunter Brown can be similar giving you 90 innings out of the pen. Depending on the health of the staff next year, maybe he's a Javier/Peacock guy to keep him stretched out with the hope that he can make it as a starter eventually.
Abreu really managed to fly under the radar all season despite his numbers, and underlying numbers, being amazing. People are gonna give a ton of deserved credit to Luhnow for this title, but the BS that Click did nothing but coat tail needs to end.
This is the best bullpen in baseball history. As for Click, the best thing he did was not panic and let the prospects he inherited blossom. It’s not a slight, most GM’s wouldn’t have been as patient as Click has been and it has been the BEST move, and he has a ring to prove it. While I don’t agree with him having Gross run his scouting department or letting Campo leave… he has the League banners and a ring and deserves all the credit he gets.
I think Montero has pitched himself out of the Astros budget. Especially with Pressly and Neris on bigger $$$ (for RP) contracts. 2023: Closer: Pressly Set up: Abreu, Neris Next up: Stanek, S. Martinez Token lefty: Mushinski or Taylor Last piece: Maton, Dubin or Paredes.
We should let him walk. We don't need another 8 million RP. We can always get a rental if we need it at the deadline. Remember we got both Graveman and Montero for Toro.
