7 walks and an hbp by Astros pitching.
5 of those and the hbp by the pen.
They’ve lost games in just about every they could too. But the bullpen has been guilty often.
They’re 22-22.
Feels worse than that probably because they’ve streaked down to .500.
Could be that I’ve become spoiled.
Dusty: “we’re pitching Murphy like he’s Johnny Bench.”
More Dusty, on bringing James in: what choice was there? (Peacock not available, didn’t want Castellanos in that situation)
The other choice was Paredes. I get that James had to pitch at some point, but who do you want to bring in with base runners? I’m not sure I bring James in, just off the IL, in a high leverage situation like that. I’d rather him start an inning fresh.
Dead on.
Sometimes it helps to hear a “scouting” report from foreign sources.
Last night, the A’s announcers concluded - after watching Garcia take 28 & 29 seconds between pitches - that he was not just wasting time, but rather appeared to be refocusing himself and returning to his plan for the batter. (They were also impressed.)
Tucker butchered what should have been the third out. That one was not on James.
From his reaction, he expected to make that catch.
Strom
Mike Stanton said on postgame a head-first catch attempt was more controllable. He made a similar catch four days ago, and according to the postgame discussion, Tucker makes that play 90% of the time
I know how frustrating and late these games are, and while I don’t post much in the GZ, I really appreciate being able to read the thread the following morning. Thanks to all for keeping it up.
I read a quote in SI back in the 80s or 90s. Some baseball guru (coach/manager/scout; can’t remember which) was talking about sliding catches. He felt they were usually a poor choice and reflected either a bad jump or laziness or poor technique.
I can’t remember his full theory but he clearly separated dives from slides and didn’t like the latter. I’m sure there are exceptions (going into corners etc).
I totally agree with that guy.
It depends. Sometimes you can get too close to dive, yet too far to bend down and reach while on your feet. Depends on the angle of the ball, the angle of the fielder’s path and the handedness of the player too, line drives are better for diving with the glove up, loopers are better for the basket catch.
All I know is that Tucker butchered that one. He had a great sliding play a few games ago.
Did not have to dive or slide. Run hard through the ball and catch it between the foot and knee.
Brutal,
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