LANCE ZIERLEIN

Stream of consciousness with Astros, Rockets, and Texans

Stream of consciousness with Astros, Rockets, and Texans
A.J. Hinch is the man, but even he isn't perfect. Jason Behnken / Getty Images
  • A.J. Hinch is one of my favorite managers/coaches of all-time in Houston. Probably at the top spot, however, he made all the wrong moves in a critical game and many of those moves were easily avoidable.

  • It’s easy to second-guess Hinch for pulling Dallas Keuchel based on the way Keuchel had been dealing after his first-inning blues, but the come in with Joe Smith? Of all the arms in the bullpen, Joe Smith? He wasn’t even on the playoff roster for the ALDS. He can’t be in on a clutch situation.

  • Ron Darling was really, really excited about Nathan Eovaldi being from Alvin and having the King of Alvin - Nolan Ryan - in the front row behind home plate. It consumed Darling.

  • What is happening with these catchers? It’s both sides too. You aren’t catching knuckleballers, guys! Wild pitches are one thing, but this many passed balls is ridiculous.

  • For all of Alex Bregman’s greatness at the plate, his greatness in the field deserves almost as much attention. That guy is a human vacuum. Hoovers it up and has release quickness and arm strength to make the difficult look routine. And the way Boston is pitching around him? That’s Barry Bonds stuff. The respect Alex Cora has for Bregman after watching him all last season is obvious.

  • I honestly don’t even know if Whitney Mercilus is playing for the Texans anymore. Is he wearing some type of hobbit cloak that turns him invisible or something?

  • With all of the pine tar / sunscreen videos out there and the reports about the Astros trying to spy on opposing dugouts, I’ve just come to realize that “gaining competitive advantages” is not only understood in baseball, but condoned. The sport is built on that very premise. It will never change.

  • While I wasn’t very excited about the addition of Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets roster, I would be lying if I didn’t say I was very interested in seeing how this plays out. I had some doubts about Chris Paul and James Harden sharing the ball and that was never an issue. Hope I’m wrong again.

  • The Rockets best shot at winning a title is if Clint Capela takes yet ANOTHER leap forward as an NBA talent. With all of the dunks, rebounds and blocked shots he should pile up, Capela is a sneaky All-Star candidate this year.

  • I thought Ozark Season 2 was okay, but I wasn’t in love it. I am, however, hyped to watch Making a Murderer 2 on Netflix starting October 19th.

  • Plantar fasciitis can suck the hole. Every morning when I wake up and put my right foot on the floor for the first time, it’s like I’m stepping on a nail. It stays like that for about 7-10 minutes. I hope many of the Red Sox get this.

  • I know the Jaguars have been terrible defensively over the last two games, but I don’t have great confidence that our Houston Texans can keep them reeling in that area. Houston just doesn’t matchup well against the physical nature of the Jaguars defensive front and Jalen Ramsey does a good job on Deandre Hopkins. I hope I’m wrong, but I see a bad result coming on Sunday.

 

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We've entered a new era of Astros baseball. Composite Getty Image.

Astros fans have now had a few days to process what the signing of Christian Walker means for the organization moving forward. Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker will not be returning, and their bats have been replaced by Isaac Paredes and Walker.

Clearly, defense was also a priority for Houston. Jose Altuve's defense has fallen off significantly, and the hope is adding a Gold Glover like Walker will help to hide some of his deficiencies.

Houston may have lost a Gold Glover with Bregman leaving, but at least they gained one at first base. Speaking of Bregman, Astros fans are kind of in a weird spot with him. They're fully aware he's not returning to the club, but don't know which team he's going to play for.

The loss of Bregman probably won't fully sink in until he officially joins another organization. Which makes us curious about Altuve, who pleaded with the front office to bring back Breggy.

We have to wonder what Altuve really thinks about these moves behind closed doors. He can be disappointed about Jim Crane's philosophy on long-term deals, but contracts are a two-way street.

Altuve gave the 'Stros a hometown discount, and that's why he'll be an Astro for the foreseeable future. His former teammates weren't willing to do that, and that's why they're no longer with the club. Plain and simple.

Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss the new-look Astros, their current World Series odds, if the team is done making moves this offseason, and much more!

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