These 2 examples of Twitter mob mentality show toxicity towards Astros players
OUT OF LINE
15 June 2023
Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly joined ESPN 97.5 in studio this week and was asked about, among other things, what makes Martin Maldonado so valuable. We published the full length interview on YouTube, and also made a 60-second short for social media.
Some Astros fans on Twitter had an issue with the short-form video and believed the context of the conversation was changed by the edit. Thinking, the video was changed to show Martin Maldonado in a more favorable light. When, in reality, Pressly was just answering a question about Maldy.
Maldonado has become a hot button topic these days, with many fans wanting Yainer Diaz to get more playing time, with Martin struggling at the plate as he typically does.
So we ask you to be the judge of the edit and watch the video above.
Plus, we've noticed a lot of toxic comments about Lance McCullers after news came down about his forearm surgery that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Some Astros fans are even calling for him to be cut, despite Lance being under contract for several more years and nothing can be done about the guaranteed salary.
Others are suggesting he should have had the surgery after the 2021 season, when his post-Tommy John forearm injury first popped up. Had he done so, he probably wouldn't have pitched at all last year. And even though he wasn't good in the World Series, he was a big contributor who got them there, and the team won two out of the three playoff games he pitched in. He also started 8 games in the regular season, just for context.
Finally, we also discuss the hypocrisy around fans being upset at Justin Verlander for not pushing through and coming back to pitch in the playoffs in 2021, but those same people criticize McCullers for battling through the injury to help secure another World Series for Houston.
So what's with all the hate for Maldonado and McCullers? Check out the video above as we react!
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content.
Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
Nolan Jones scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by pitcher Steven Okert in the seventh inning, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Steven Kwan followed with a sacrifice fly, plating Bo Naylor, as Okert (1-2) allowed two runs in his lone inning. Houston had tied the game at 2-all in the top of the seventh on Cam Smith’s two-run double against Tanner Bibee.
Cade Smith (2-2) retired all five batters he faced, striking out three. Emmanuel Clase worked the ninth for his 14th save.
Naylor matched his season high with three hits, including a two-run homer in the second off Brandon Walter. The Guardians had lost eight of their previous 12 games.
Walter, who was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land earlier in the day, allowed two runs in six innings. Jake Meyers matched a career high with four hits for the Astros, who went 4-2 on a six-game trip and have won 10 of their last 14.
Bibee, who carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh, struck out six without a walk over 6 1/3 innings.
Key moment
Okert cleanly fielded Will Wilson’s sacrifice bunt in the seventh, but flung the ball past first baseman Christian Walker, allowing Jones to race home from second. Naylor also advanced to third on the error.
Key stat
Guardians third baseman José Ramírez extended his on-base streak to 34 games with a single. It’s the longest for the franchise since Jason Kipnis’ 36-gamer in 2013.
Up next
Astros: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 4.44 ERA) opens a three-game series and a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.
Guardians: RHP Luis Ortiz (3-6, 4.02) starts Monday as longtime Cleveland manager Terry Francona returns to town with the Cincinnati Reds.
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