MAKING MEMORIES
Dear Astros: Thank you, from a lifelong Houston sports fan
Nov 2, 2017, 8:40 am
I’m tired of the cloud that hangs over Houston sports.
I’m tired of being reminded of the Renfro catch vs the Steelers in ’79.
The Phi Slama Jama losses to NC State and Georgetown.
The soul crushing loss in ’80 to the Phillies, and ’86 to the Mets.
The 1998 letdown by the best team in baseball.
Albert Pujols stealing Brad Lidge’s soul.
Damian Lillard.
The game 7 blowout vs the Mavs.
Getting swept by the White Sox in 2005.
35-3.
There’s a ton more examples I could list, but I’m tired of re-visiting them.
I’m tired of expecting things to go wrong.
I’m tired of the knot in my stomach when you know it’s not over and they can still find a way to lose.
I’m tired of letdowns.
I’m tired of the disappointment.
I’m tired of the teams I root for not getting respect nationally.
I’m tired of feeling like the teams in Houston are cursed.
I’m tired of “maybe next year.”
Some of you will read this and say, but what about 1994 and 1995? The Rockets and Clutch City? Yep, those were amazing but you can’t shake that asterisk.
* Jordan wasn’t there.
I’m tired of the asterisks.
So last night was special.
I went from tired to thankful.
I’m thankful that this time there is no no asterisk (second best record in the AL and beat the Red Sox, the Yankees and the Dodgers in the playoffs).
I’m thankful for the best game of baseball I’ve ever watched (World Series Game 5 – I think that’s when I started to think, maybe the fog over Houston Sports is lifting).
I’m thankful to the Astros for making this city believe again. For making me believe again.
Thank you for not quitting.
Thank you for being clutch.
Thank you for being there for the city during Harvey.
Thank you, Astros.
#EarnedIt
The Houston Astros walked out of Phoenix with a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, but the biggest win of the series might not have been in the standings, it could’ve been the emergence of their latest young spark plug.
Once again, the pitching carried the load. Brandon Walter continued his breakout season with another strong showing, and right now, he looks like Houston’s third starter if the playoffs began today. Behind him, Ryan Gusto and Colton Gordon have quietly helped stabilize a rotation ravaged by injuries. All three own ERAs under 4.5, a luxury the Astros couldn’t have anticipated heading into the year. Another thing they couldn't have anticipated was Lance McCullers' ERA this season being almost seven.
Walter’s rise comes at the same time the McCullers situation grows murkier. After starting the season late, he’s on the injured list again, this time with a blister on his pitching hand. Though the issue isn’t related to his arm, the “vibes” simply haven't been there. He’s struggled in four of his last five starts, and one wonders whether a "phantom" IL stint might be in his future, especially with Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti progressing in rehab assignments. The roster squeeze is coming, and McCullers might not make the cut.
Crushing dingers!
Offensively, the conversation begins and ends with Brice Matthews. The first-round pick has quickly shifted from injury fill-in to potential staple, nearly winning the series by himself with three home runs across the first two games. His athleticism has popped in the field, and while contact concerns remain, the power and energy are real. Matthews is the only prospect of his pedigree ready to contribute, so the club made a wise decision to take a shot on upside, and Matthews delivered. That's why we were so emphatic about the Astros elevating Matthews. Get him in the lineup as a DH if you have to, whatever it takes, this offense needs pop. Then lo and behold, not only does he give the offense a lift, his defense also helped seal a win against Arizona.
Veteran slugger Christian Walker might be heating up too, posting a .348 average with three home runs and an .895 OPS in July. That’s a promising development, especially in a month when the Astros have flipped their typical formula. The pitching has been average — 18th in ERA, 18th in WHIP, 21st in opponent batting average — but the offense has been elite: top-five in slugging, OPS, and runs scored.
Injury bug
Still, questions persist. Chief among them is the health of Yordan Alvarez. His recent comments about his hand injury — specifically, his uncertainty and acknowledgement that rest hasn’t helped — were troubling. If surgery isn’t an option and time off isn’t working, what is the long-term solution? At this point, fans are right to worry about whether Alvarez will ever fully return to the dominant form he once showed.
Trade deadline
With the trade deadline one week away, general manager Dana Brown has to weigh all of this. The pitching could soon be bolstered by returns from the IL. But the offense, especially with no clear return dates for Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Jake Meyers, and Isaac Paredes, might need immediate help. Despite the sweep, Houston scored just three and four runs in the final two games of the Diamondbacks series. If they’re serious about contending for a championship, another bat may be required. They'll see much better pitching in the postseason.
If the Astros do decide to add an arm, a power right-handed reliever could make sense. With Bryan Abreu the only truly dominant righty in the bullpen, a little late-inning muscle wouldn’t hurt.
Bottom line: the Astros are winning, and they're doing it in multiple ways. But with health concerns piling up and playoff positioning tightening, there’s still plenty of work ahead. Fortunately for Houston, they may have just found another foundational piece in the most unexpected place, a rookie who’s already changing the conversation.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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