Astros Smash Cleveland, Guards Whiff Back

My wife once asked me how long it took for Chicago to get over the whole Black Sox betrayal. I pointed out how few people went to the World Series parade. That goes on to reason that it’ll be long after I’m dead that certain players on the Astros will have an at-bat and someone doesn’t boo.

Series Results

We need to discuss the batting order sooner or later. De Lauter is hitting well, but he could be better protecting José than Manzardo, who has yet to get hot. You could always swap ’em later. My thought right now is:

1. Kwan
2. Martinez / Schneemann
3. Ramirez
4. De Lauter / Schneemann
5. Hoskins / Fry
6. Manzardo
7. Naylor
8. Valera / Schneemann
9. Rocchio

I left off Brito on purpose.

Game Results

Game 1 (22) – LOST

• When we lose, gosh we lose hard.
• Cecconi is not as performant as last year. He’s either got a tell, or he just can’t attack. Pitchers need to be bold.
• Rocchio is doing amazing. His BA is going up, and he’s a perfect 9-slot hitter now! Also he got his first stolen base.
• We may need to talk about Kwan though… he seems to be trying to hit for power, and he’s not good at it.
• Also Brito may be fielding himself out of a job at this rate. He can hit, which is great, but he’s pretty bad at second.
• I don’t fault Hoskins for trying to stretch his single for a double given how everyone else after him is hitting.

Game 2 (23) – WON

• No one expected Messick to go back to back with No Hitter attempts. He did 5 innings, it’s fine.
• I’m surprised Hedgey was pulled for Naylor, given how well Hedges has been hitting.
• José has had back to back nights with a flubbed double play ball that ended with runs scored.
• While they didn’t get the out, Manzardo and Schneemann had an amazing play, where Manzo deflected a ball and Schee threw it to the pitcher covering first.
• Chase De Lauter broke his dry streak for a bases clearing triple which started a 6 run rally.

Game 3 (24) – LOST

• An incredibly low scoring game.
• There isn’t much to say here, other than we gotta get our bats working.