Mariners @ Astros, September 23, 2024

Astros’ first shot at clinching the division. Facing Bryce Miller. A cursory glance at the Astros hits against Miller:

Altuve 4 for 11 (.364)
Alvarez 2 for 11 (.182)
Bregman 1 for 13 (.077)
Tucker 1 for 7 (.143)
Diaz 2 for 5 (.400)
Pena 1 for 12 (.083)
Singleton 2 for 8 (.250)
Dubon 1 for 7 (.143)
Meyers 2 for 5 (.400)
Caratini 0 for 1 (.000)
Heyward 2 for 2 (1.000)

That’s a combined 18 for 82. A .219 clip, though four of those were home runs (Alvarez, Tucker, Singleton and Dubon). I’ll say they’re due.

I’ll be surprised if Alvarez is in the lineup.

I’m pretty certain he won’t be.

I agree and would guess they try and get Bregman a turn or two at DH while he is out because I’m guessing Alvarez will occupy that classification in the lineup if and when he’s able to return.

The problem with Bregman at DH is that it means someone other than Bregman playing 3B.

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Nobody “needs a turn” at DH. And certainly not an elite fielder like Bergman. DH is for an extra bat who does not have an obvious spot in the field – or maybe someone who needs a rest from fielding so somebody else can fill in defensively without a lot of drop-off. There is a reason Bergman & Pena have played almost every game at their respective positions.

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Got to find a way tonight. Tomorrow doesn’t get any easier, Logan Gilbert starts.

Jose Altuve (R) 2B
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Yainer Diaz (R) C
Jon Singleton (L) DH
Victor Caratini (S) 1B
Jeremy Peña (R) SS
Jason Heyward (L) LF
Jake Meyers (R) CF

Hunter Brown
RHP
11-8, 3.57 ERA, 171 SO

Bryce Miller
RHP
11-8, 3.06 ERA, 166 SO

Victor Robles (R) RF
Julio Rodríguez (R) CF
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Luke Raley (L) 1B
Justin Turner (R) DH
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
J.P. Crawford (L) SS
Josh Rojas (L) 3B

Caratini 1B Singleton DH? Why not swap them out? Do they just want to get Caratini more work there? He hasn’t been terrible, but Singleton has to be the better fielder there.

Maybe in case you want to pinch hit or run for Singleton later you don’t have to swap out your first baseman? But yeah, this doesn’t make much sense.

My thought was that if Diaz gets hurt you can move Caratini to catcher without losing the DH.

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Ok, got the third man engaged. Let’s just get this over with tonight and avoid any puckering.

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Are you smoking Winstons?

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Miller is the New Braunfels boy. Sorry, but go Houston.

Got the game cigar lit.

Serious question; how many times do you have to relight before you consider that thing smoked?

Depends. If I’m good, never. Just light it once and smoke it through the whole way. If I have to stop, go make a cocktail, hit the head, something where I have to put it down more than four or five minutes I’ll have to relight. Usually no more than say twice though.

And Robles with a lead off single.

Does it last nine innings or is there an eleven inning variety?

Rodriguez grounds into 6U-3 double play.