DUSTY GONNA DUSTY

Here are the Astros last options to fade Dusty Baker’s curious managerial decisions

Jun 27, 2023, 10:50 am

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Astros manager Dusty Baker took a lot of heat over the weekend for once again using Rafael Montero in a high leverage situation that almost cost the team a win. Baker also took more criticism for his reluctance to pinch hit for Martin Maldonado late in the game when the team needed offense.

And his refusal to move Jose Abreu down in the lineup, when he's literally in the top five for worst OPS in baseball, has fans super frustrated.

Baker's managerial style may have worked perfectly last year, but this season he is clearly not pushing the right buttons. And the Astros have a much more difficult path back to the playoffs with a much stronger division to win. Houston is currently five games behind the Rangers, with an epic clash looming this weekend in Arlington.

Which begs the question; how much longer can the Astros fade Dusty's poor decisions and unwillingness to play his better offensive options? Plus, these issues appear more dire with Yordan Alvarez unable to contribute. So his mistakes are more glaring.

Don't miss the video above as we address what options the team has to get more out of their manager, and better production from the team overall.

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How the Deshaun Watson trade is still paying dividends for Houston Texans

After another poor performance from former Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns' season is starting to look like an uphill climb. Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is out for the year, and Cleveland fans aren't too pleased with the way Watson is playing, especially considering the massive contract extension he signed with the team. And we didn't even get to the off the field drama that comes with Watson.

However, Houston fans are invested in the Browns' season outcome as well, with the Texans holding the Browns' first round pick in 2024, and having sent their own first rounder to the Cardinals in the Will Anderson trade.

So each loss for the Browns, means a better draft pick for the Texans!

For Houston, it looks like they have their QB of the future in CJ Stroud. And he'll be on a less expensive rookie contract for the next several years, giving the Texans more cap space to upgrade the roster.

With all of this in mind, is it fair to question if the Texans dodged a bullet when Watson demanded a trade?

DeMeco Ryans vs. Lovie Smith

Plus, we're only two games into the season, but Lovie Smith's defense was much better (with a similar roster) than what DeMeco Ryans' defense has shown thus far, and DeMeco has the benefit of Will Anderson rushing the QB.

Are the struggles on defense more about the roster GM Nick Caserio has put together, or does this slow start fall on DeMeco?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!

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