A win or a loss counts as only one game in the standings. No more, no less. But some wins and losses matter more than others within the proper context. Friday’s extra-inning loss to the Brewers could sting more than others as the Astros snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Already 26-32 entering this series against Milwaukee, even in a mediocre AL West in late May, Houston doesn’t have much margin for error. A 7-3 road trip provided some hope that this team could rebound following a horrendous April. A win on Saturday or Sunday ensures a winning record in May, something that I wasn’t necessarily expecting. A solid series against the NL Central first-place Brewers would provide additional confidence for a team looking to turn the corner.
Offensively, there were the good moments (way to go, Cam Smith) and also the bad (come on, Brice Matthews…). Smith drove in two of the Astros’ four runs, with a solo home run in the second inning and an RBI double in the fourth. Jake Meyers and Nick Allen each also drove in a run in that three-run fourth inning. A 4-1 lead after four innings against this Brewers team was fun to watch.
But it didn’t last. Kai-Wei Teng didn’t have his best stuff, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks across five innings. However, a 4-3 lead looked good enough for Teng and Houston. Then Bryan Abreu happened, walking his first two hitters before eventually allowing the tying run to score in the eighth.
However, there was still a chance for the Astros. Loading the bases with one out in the ninth inning, Brice Matthews was caught looking for a strikeout, followed by Isaac Paredes popping out to second base. Alimber Santa came in and allowed two sacrifice flies that scored the Manfred runner from second base to make it a 5-4 deficit. Unfortunately, the lineup couldn’t convert when it mattered most.
Now 26-33, this one loss doesn’t torpedo the Astros’ season. But it certainly doesn’t help when it feels like every win or loss matters in this division.
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Bryan Abreu didn’t happen. Espada happened. Close game + late inning + Abreu is not a winning formula. If Espada wants to continue his Dusty imitation and build up Abreu by trusting him with the season on the line…he doesn’t belong in the big leagues. That’s what a good little league manager does, he puts the little guys first and winning second.
Abreu and the Astros are struggling badly, and Espada chooses Abreu over the Astros?
Only in Dusty’s planet “What am I going to get when later on I need Abreu?” That’s Dusty thinking.
In the end, Espada buried Abreu and the Astros, and it was predictable. Even Espada’s apologists knew it before hand.
Espada! If you like gambling, gamble with your own money.
Right.
Espada can point out that Abreu hadn’t given up a run in all of May.
Yeah, that’s fine and dandy…..but look deeper into it….
In his 8 2/3 innings before last night…..yes, zero runs allowed…..but…..
His FIP was 4.22, only 7 Ks (prime Abreu should be getting like 14 Ks in that amount of innings), 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 HBP, 1 WP…….he is STILL flirting with disaster every time you put him out there.
Like, why does nobody, other than fans, talk about the loss of velocity on Abreu’s fastball? He has never been a control pitcher to begin with. So to go to that guy, in the spot, knowing he’s not competitive….negligence at best.
Agree, that’s the reddest of the flags
Abreu’s loss of velocity and control are clear symptoms of something physical developing in his arm. We wish him well.
On Teng’s outing – which up until the third time through the order, I thought was really impressive. Lots of swings and misses and check swing strikes from batters who just couldn’t figure out his sweeper.
From McTaggart:
Teng has to get those walks under control. There is no defense for walks. Your team mates can’t help you and your outings get shorter, giving opportunities to Espada to mess it up.
It’s not just Teng. It’s the whole pitching staff. They can’t pitch to lefties. Clack brought it up before. HOU has a 6.1 BB/9 rate vs LHH. Worst in MLB by a lot.
All 4 of Teng’s walks were to lefties.
I wasnt even aware. How in the hell did Dana assemble this? Or was he just thinking Brown, Javi, Weiss, and LMJ would work fine?
Going forward, best case scenario for pitching staff:
Rotation is 5-man (not enough depth for 6) – Brown, Burrows, Arrighetti, Imai (praying last start gives him the confidence the get back to spring form) and let Lambert be the #5 until we can see what Blanco has when he comes back.
Pen: Hader, King, Okert, Santa, DLS, Blubaugh, Teng. Abreu is limited to mop up duty only until he finds his velocity again or they determine that something’s not right and goes to the IL.
That has to be phycological. LMAO.
I felt like Salazar had some responsibility for the walk too. He used up all of the Astros challenges in non leverage situations. Then when a non-strike turns out to be the difference between a walk and strike out, he doesn’t have the option anymore.