Texans Do Something That Makes Sense
Texans re-sign Bradley Roby
Mar 15, 2020, 5:35 pm
Texans Do Something That Makes Sense
Head coach Bill O'Brien has made numerous missteps. The only one who's outdone him is general manager Bill O'Brien. However, the latter has made a move to distance himself some from the former. In what was thought to be a forgone conclusion of him leaving, Bradley Roby has resigned with the Texans. GM O'Brien gave Roby a three year deal worth $36 million dollars.
With cap space to spend and an obvious need at corner, this move made so much sense. Roby was clearly the Texans best corner last year. When you're without good draft picks in the next couple drafts, but you have cap space, moves like this make sense.
GM O'Brien is hitting around .250 when it comes to signings and resignings. Lots of bloop singles, hit by pitches, and fielders choices. This was a no-doubt upper deck homerun. He gets his fair share of screw ups, but managed to get this one right when so many thought he'd screw this up too. I'm pretty sure he heard the trash can bang and knew what was coming.
While we kill O'Brien for his ineptness, we (begrudgingly) must give him credit here. GM O'Brien still has more pressing needs. If he manages to resign Laremy Tunsil, he'd hit a three-run homerun. Deshaun Watson resigning would be the walkoff grand slam to win a playoff series. Time for him to wear a buzzer, bang trash cans, watch video monitor, or use an Apple Watch because he needs all the help he can get dealing with those two.
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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