How polarizing comments from Astros GM have us feeling a certain way

This “back of the baseball card” nonsense won't go away. Composite Getty Image.

One of the hottest topics involving the Astros has been the discussion over Justin Verlander's role in the playoff rotation should they hold on and win the division.

Verlander has struggled since returning from the injured list, and has an ERA over 5 for the entire 2024 season. JV should still have around three more starts to shake off the rust before the postseason, but it's hard to argue he's any better than the club's sixth starter currently.

But based on GM Dana Brown's latest comments, it sounds like the team is going to give Verlander every opportunity to land one of the starting spots in the playoff rotation.

When asked about Verlander on the flagship station on Wednesday, Brown went back to one of the most hated phrases according to Astros fans. That's right, the old “back of the baseball card” was dusted off and used when discussing JV.

“Look, pay attention to the back of the baseball card. These guys will show up. They will get it done,” said Brown.

As someone that likes Dana Brown, this just felt gross to hear. How did the “back of the baseball card” statement work out with Jose Abreu? Why would you possibly remind your fanbase of the team's complete failure to accept the reality Abreu's decline?

Here were some reactions on X to Brown's comments:

This is the 2nd time this year I’ve heard the “back of baseball card” nonsense…we released the 1st guy and the team immediately got better.

Let’s come up with something new and perhaps start with “it’s time our big money players show up day 1, spring training, ready to go!”
— Keith Jones (@KeJo4286) September 11, 2024

Here's another reply.

Isn't that exactly what he said about Abreu? I believe JV will fix it too, but come on.
— Trey Gadler (@TreyGadler) September 11, 2024

It's good to know us Astros fans are all thinking the same thing. JV might get his act together and pitch well moving forward, but when you lump him in with a highly scrutinized Jeff Bagwell phrase used to defend the failed signing of Abreu, you lose all credibility.

Brown went on to say he would be more concerned if Verlander wasn't hitting 97 MPH. He believes command is the main issue, and that's something he can work through in what the team is considering a second “Spring training” for Verlander.

The one thing they don't bring up when they use this ridiculous phrase is how they ignore portions of the back of the baseball card when it suits them. Abreu was awful in 2023, but they didn't talk about that.

Verlander hasn't just been under performing since returning from his second injury. His ERA for the season is over 5 like I mentioned above.

At some point, you have to trust the results you're seeing from players. Especially those well past their prime when you have better options to turn to.

To be clear, I'm one of the few that does give JV a chance to regain his form and be a serviceable option in the rotation. I discuss it in the video below. But he has to show us something over his next three starts.

That's what I want to hear from Dana. Just tell us you have confidence in him. There's still time left in the regular season, and we'll see where he's at in a few weeks.

It's not that hard. Not to mention, if I'm Verlander, that last thing I want to hear associated with my name is the lame line Bagwell used about Abreu up until his release.

Want to hear more thoughts on this topic?

We discussed the Verlander situation in the latest edition of our Stone Cold 'Stros podcast. If you missed it, you can check it out below.

Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Longhorns host Georgia on Saturday night. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

By any measure, from the official statistics to the informal eye test, top-ranked Texas' defense has been dominant.

The Longhorns rank No. 1 in total defense and scoring defense. They are top 10 in first downs allowed, tackles for loss and passing yards. Much of that is built against opponents starting former walk-on quarterbacks ( Michigan ) and freshmen ( Mississippi State and Oklahoma.)

But the level of quarterback play Texas will face, in both talent and experience, is about to get much better over the second half of the season.

Texas hosts No. 5 Georgia on Saturday night in the first matchup of top five teams in Austin since 2006, before playing the next week at Vanderbilt. Bulldogs senior Carson Beck was a preseason first team Associated Press All-America pick, and standout Vanderbilt transfer Diego Pavia has carried the Commodores to a surprising 4-2 start, including a historic win over then-No. 1 Alabama.

Quite simply, Texas hasn't defended this caliber of quarterback all season.

Beck is a player on the doorstep of the NFL, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said.

“There's nothing in the throw game (Beck) can't do,” Sarkisian said. “He's played enough football now, too. It's kind of hard to confuse guys when they've played that much football.”

Texas (6-0, 2-0 SEC) has allowed just one team to pass for more than 200 yards this season. Beck passed for 459 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions last week in a 41-31 win over Mississippi State. His 36 completions set a Georgia record.

Even when Beck struggled early in Georgia's loss to Alabama, he rallied the Bulldogs to a late fourth-quarter lead. He finished with 439 yards in the loss where Georgia's rally ended with an Alabama interception in the end zone in the final minute.

Sarkisian recruited Beck when the Texas coach was an assistant at Alabama. Beck had initially committed to the Crimson Tide before switching to Georgia.

Beck is 18-2 in his career as a starter, and 6-2 against top 20 opponents.

The Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1) will need another exceptional game from him Saturday. A second SEC loss could threaten any chance of playing for the SEC championship, and raise the alarms on the College Football Playoff as well.

Texas has all but overwhelmed opposing quarterbacks so far.

In last week's 34-3 thrashing of rival Oklahoma, the Longhorns sacked Sooners freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. five times, and held him to 27 yards on 20 carries. Texas allowed just 225 total yards.

Hawkins was the first Sooners freshman to start at quarterback against the Longhorns in the 120-year history of the rivalry and was quickly swallowed up by a relentless pass rush.

By the numbers, the Longhorns program is on pace for a historic season. Sarkisian has said his favorite stat is points allowed, which is not many.

Texas has surrendered only three touchdowns all season. Opponents have snatched four turnovers inside Texas territory, but none have produced points.

That ability to snuff momentum can drain an opponent, Sarkisian said.

“We're so composed as a defense,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “We're so confident, that no matter what happens, everything is going to be alright.”

The only time Texas has trailed this season was a 3-0 early deficit against Oklahoma. Several Longhorns starters were still on the field when the Sooners' final drive stalled at the Texas 6-yard-line as the game ended.

The stars emerging for the Longhorns have been second-year linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and freshman edge rusher Colin Simmons.

Hill leads the team in total tackles (42), sacks (4 1/2) and tackles for loss (8 1/2). His sideline-to-sideline speed and move this season from the edge to the middle of the Texas defense has drawn comparisons to former Longhorns All-American Derrick Johnson 20 years ago.

Simmons has four sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for losses, second on the team in both categories.

“Size, speed,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in summing up the Texas defense.

“They’re the complete package on defense," Smart said. "The consistency you watch them play with, it reminds me of some of our best teams here.”By any measure, from the official statistics to the informal eye test, top-ranked Texas' defense has been dominant.