Astros first one-run victory in '24. Astros first extra-inning victory in '24 Astros first 3-game winning streak in '24. Astros are still dynasty ballers. The window is wide open.
Man, we really needed that one. It was only a matter of time until something went our way in a close game, but losing this one after blowing a lead and using all of your best relievers would have been tough.
Apologies if this has already been posted, just now playing catch up on highlights. Helluva first career hit.
It was completely ridiculous how seemingly every big call went AGAINST the Stros. The bat knob foul ball called HBP. The two non-check check swings. Home plate ump stole 3 strikes from Hader meanwhile Diaz takes a low ball that gets called a strike. Missing anything?
At least Angel was also throwing some of those bad calls our way. I'll never forget France getting a strikeout throwing nothing but balls 6 inches off the plate. But yes, fully expecting a ****ing clown show tonight
It must be nice to be absolutely incompetent at your job, where EVERYONE knows it, yet nothing ever gets done about it. Charmed life!
While the offense was impressive last night, the pitching definitely wasn't. This team has got to get the pitching fixed if they stand any hope of being competitive.
Hunter was almost dominant 2-5. I really wish they'd have just been happy with the 5 innings. As it would have been huge for his confidence. It was mostly the fastball as well that they kept not being able to square up. I feel they should have him learn a change up and go away from the slider.
Looking at the results, of course you are right. And there are some that say the results are all that counts. But last night at least there are many things that negatively impacted the pitching line and made the results much worse than they should have been. 1) first inning bad luck for Hunter. If Pena is 6 inches to his right Kwan's hit (.220 expected BA) is a ground out. In any other stadium, Naylor's 3 run HR (.090 expected BA) is a flyout. Those 2 things result in a scoreless inning 80% of the time. 2) with competent management Brown is sipping Gatorade on the bench when all the damage was done in the 6th inning. Worst case Espada takes him out after Kwan's triple. Brown either finishes w/ 4 consecutive scoreless innings and a 8-3 lead or Kwan scores and he gives up 1 more run in his 5+ inning outing. The 2 other runs are squarely on Espada. 3) Hader had 3 obvious strikes called balls that, at very least, extended his outing 10+ additional pitches. Probably effects his availability today or tomorrow at least. First pitch Abreu threw was a blown check swing called a ball that may have cost him extra pitches as well. The bottom line is the calls did not go the Astros way but the pitching was not as bad as the boxscore makes you believe.
