He has also erased a lot of runners (19 caught stealing this season, 40%). Castro hasn’t had double digit CS since 2017 and his % is around 25 over that span.
Most importantly, Maldonado is a better receiver. And with Greinke on the mound, that’s important.
Castro is a better hitter but he’s not Mike Piazza despite his recent bombs. Similar to Ausmus he will see a lot of pitches so even if he doesn’t reach he will impose a tax. I like him better as a late inning PH option when a runners/runs are needed.
Now after all that watch Dusty give Castro the start.
Siri had some really good swings at pitches last night. Not sure it would continue tonight, but I’m shocked that McCormick ever makes contact with a pitch.
As for catcher…stick with Maldonado. I wish he’d lay off the high fastball that he couldn’t hit with an oar, but that is not why he’s in there.
In other news…I got a haircut today. So, hopefully that helps.
That was my thought too. At least get a glove on it and knock it down. But the error has to be assigned to someone and it was clearly a throwing error.
I missed this yesterday. If he’s playing hurt it makes no sense to have him in the field. And his bat has also not been productive. Use him as the DH and play Yordan in left or sit him for a game and let Chas have a go.
In my mind yes…he is still a tough out that typically makes the pitcher work. I don’t think the problem is our hitting as much as it is that our offense has stared at large early deficits in the last couple games. This works negatively against our hitters and positively for the Sox pitchers.
Our lineup is at its best when we make the opposing teams pitchers work…running up pitch counts and eventually drawing walks and then capitalizing on pitches in the zone when there is no place left to put another runner. Stros only worked 3-4 walks combined in the last two losses. Why? In my mind that’s because opposing pitchers knew they had a huge lead to work with and could challenge our hitters when they had to without fear. Hence the need to get at least 2-3 shots with our lineup while the margin is still close.
All of that leads to Alvarez, your cleanup hitter, hitting .300 with only a single run batted in. If that’s what you’re gonna get, the Astros do not stand a chance. Someone has to step up and start getting on base.
Altuve is the guy that really needs to get it figured out. I never have been crazy about him leading off but I don’t know who would be the better option there. But when you are down by so many runs early it makes things tough. Our pitching staff has to step up today or we will be looking at a 3-1 deficit.
I know this is common sense and I’m preaching to the choir here, but.
40-30 in playoffs since 2015
26-18 if starter goes 5+
20-14 if starter goes 6+
4-10 if starter goes less <4
4-8 in the game after starter goes <4
1-4 the day after a starter goes <4.