EVERY-THING SPORTS
Rockets would feel the heat from this bold move, but it's worth it
Feb 10, 2021, 11:18 am
EVERY-THING SPORTS
After their 130-101 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Houston Rockets stand at 11-13. That puts them 12th in the Western Conference and near the bottom (14th place) in the draft lottery. The only way the Rockets keep their first round pick this year is if it is in the top four. In a rebuilding phase like the Rockets are clearly in, it begs the question: should they compete for a playoff spot, or make moves to tank and get a high draft pick?
On the one hand, Rockets' fans would like to think this team, when fully healthy and all hands on deck, is a playoff contender. They're hoping John Wall stays healthy, Jae'Sean Tate, David Nwaba, Mason Jones, and Sterling Brown all improve enough to make them competitive in the Western Conference this season. They're also banking on Christian Wood's continued growth as a future superstar in the league, while Victor Oladipo progresses as an established star.
On the other hand, some are hoping guys like Oladipo, Wall, and others are traded for future assets and expiring contracts (like Oladipo's). If the Rockets' pick is in the top four selections of the draft, they keep their own pick. In my eyes, this draft isn't shaping up to be much, but a top four pick is better than not having one in any given draft, especially when your team is devoid of talent.
So which option is better? Should the Rockets make a run at a playoff spot? Or should they trade away assets and "tank" to see if they can get and keep a top pick in the draft to help with the rebuild? In my opinion, I think they should trade assets and aim for the draft pick. I highly doubt they make enough of a run in the regular season to make a decent seed. Even if they make the playoffs, it's even more doubtful they will make it out of the first round, which would result in them not having that first round pick to help them rebuild. Add that to the fact that they won't have cap space to offer a max contract free agent a spot, and you get a team in purgatory.
This is why I believe they should tank, get the high draft pick, and have that assist in the rebuild assuming the lottery falls their way. Sure, I'd love to see them in the playoffs, but this team isn't built for a playoff run. Look around at the Western Conference. Can this Rockets team honestly beat the Jazz, Clippers, Lakers, or even the Suns in a seven game series in the first round? If you think so, I have a therapist I can refer you to. While they're only three games out of the fifth seed in the West at this time, I can't see them making any waves. I also don't see them keeping guys around, especially since Oladipo has an expiring contract that could prove very attractive come the trade deadline. Here's to hoping they do the right thing for the team's future, whatever you, or I believe that looks like.
The Houston Astros are looking to avoid an unexpected sweep Wednesday night as they wrap up their three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park.
Winners of six of their last ten despite back-to-back losses, the Astros (55-37) turn to left-hander Brandon Walter (1-1, 4.15 ERA) to steady the ship and salvage the finale. Walter has been reliable in his recent outings, and he’ll face a Guardians lineup that has struggled to string together hits, batting just .204 over their last 10 games.
Cleveland (42-48) entered the series on a 10-game losing streak, but now has a chance to sweep the AL West leaders and take the season series. Slade Cecconi (3-4, 3.56 ERA) gets the start for the Guardians. The 26-year-old righty has kept his ERA under 4.00 this year and will look to neutralize a Houston offense that leads the American League in batting average at .260 and is hitting .295 over the last 10 games.
All eyes remain on Jose Altuve, who has driven in 16 runs and slugged four homers over his last 10 games. He’s been the heartbeat of the Houston offense, while Isaac Paredes continues to deliver steady power at the top of the lineup. The Astros have scored five or more runs in eight of their last ten games, but the bullpen faltered late in both of the first two games of this series.
Cleveland counters with the steady presence of Carlos Santana and the always-dangerous Jose Ramirez. Though Ramirez is just 6-for-38 in his last 10 games, he’s delivered key home runs in the series and remains the Guardians’ biggest threat.
With the season series now 3-2 in favor of Cleveland, Wednesday’s matchup carries added weight for the Astros as they look to regroup and avoid letting momentum slip further. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -144, Guardians +121; over/under is 8 runs
Astros lineup for the finale
What stands out? First off, Jake Meyers returns to the lineup after missing a couple of games with a calf issue. With Meyers back in the two-spot, Cam Smith returns to hitting cleanup. Caratini is playing first base again and hitting fifth, followed by Yainer Diaz (C), Cooper Hummel (DH), Taylor Trammell (LF), and Mauricio Dubon (SS).
Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.
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