I simmed the first 2 games at minute maid then switched to 98 being home at the dome for the rest of the 9 sims I did. Yes I did 9 games and 19 won 8 of them. I think if it allowed for an actual series it wouldn’t be so lopsided but at least according to this sight, 19 is miles ahead of 98.
1 Like
Aside from Johnson, the ‘19 lineup eats the ‘98 rotation alive.
2 Likes
Mike Hampton in particular did not fair very well at all.
I played one game, and 98 pounded JV.
Chicago has 18 hits in the series.
All singles.
1 Like
3 Likes
From the Sun Times article: “How did the Astros win only 95 games and not 162?”
Makes me think of how many more wins we would have had than the 2 darlings of the NL West if our woeful bullpen had not squandered all those late inning leads. There had to be a dozen or more, too many to count.
plus Play 7-8/9th of the optimal lineup every day
plus Don’t be a dumbass with the bullpen
= a few more wins at least
There were also long team-wide slumps.
A young starting rotation with no bonafide ace.
Significant time lost to injury (esp Bregman, but also Brantley, Yuli, and Tucker).
But probably most significantly there seemed to be an organizational commitment to pacing itself thru the regular season.
If all that adds up to them playing their best baseball in the postseason we’ll of course take it.
Of course in baseball Plan A doesn’t always lead to outcome B
2 Likes
If AJ Hinch was managing this team this year, they would have won 100+ games. I am sure of it.
I am hopeful, to say the least, that Espada is the manager next year.
5 Likes
It may be that the only way to get rid of Dusty is to get him a WS ring.
Inversely, how do you not renew the contract of a World Series winning manager that says publicly that he wants to return? Which Baker has said.
I think the implication is that Dusty would retire for good if he gets a ring.
You have a private conversation with him and explain that you don’t want to lose Espada, and give him the opportunity to announce that he has changed his mind after accomplishing his goals.
Not gonna happen. Dusty’s back if he wants to be back.
1 Like
A guy can dream.
“Manager In Waiting” Joe Espada
Maybe the team your guys played in the last two games was NOT the same team that played 162 games during the regular season.
Or maybe 2 games aren’t representative of 162 game season.
Classic postseason attitude. Your team wins a game, it feels like they can’t be beat. The lose a game, and it feels like they’ll never win again.
7 Likes
Yep! The good feeling vaporizes w/ the Game #3 warmups…