Deciphering latest debate around Astros bullpen conundrum, remaining options
BEST OF THE BEST
25 August 2023
BEST OF THE BEST
A debate was sparked this week when Dusty Baker opted to use Kendall Graveman to relieve Justin Verlander in the seventh inning against the Red Sox when the score was 3-0.
Ryne Stanek and Rafael Montero were used in the 8th and 9th innings, and by then the score had jumped to 7-0 in the 8th, and 7-1 in the 9th.
ESPN Houston's Jeremy Branham believes Dusty Baker trusts Rafael Montero over Kendall Graveman based on Montero getting the 9th inning to close out the game.
We're of the opinion that Dusty used Graveman in the 7th because the score was much closer, and the top of the Red Sox lineup was coming up that inning. We also suspect that the Astros had to trade for Graveman due to Montero having such a disastrous season. And Baker must have approved the trade, having managed Graveman in 2021.
Knowing exactly how Dusty Baker views his bullpen is a tricky proposition. Which made us wonder, what is the pecking order for Dusty?
When Phil Maton returns, we think this is what the order will be: Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu, Hector Neris, Graveman, Maton, Montero, and Stanek.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full conversation.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.