Texas vs Texas A&M-CC (Recap added)

[Matt Cotcher]

I'm not the coach, so I have zero say in this, but I will tell you that there are a few changes I'd make going into practice today for this weekend, just to see what it does.

McGuire to SS (CJ to bench)

Clemens to 1B (Cantu & Tres flip between DH/C)

Stell to CF (Gurwitz to bench)

Last night's game was a perfect example of what's wrong with this team. They're overly casual through six innings, then in the 7th inning the "oh shit, we're gonna lose this game if we don't play" switch flips on. Sometimes they pull it out in the last 2-3 innings, sometimes they don't.

If they played with the same focus & intensity for an entire game that they play with in the final 2-3 innings, the sky is the limit.

This team has Top 5 talent. Whether they improve mentally or not will determine the season.

To joeywa's post - I'm not sure what wholesale changes to the lineup would do? I could be convinced that it's the kind of shakeup that the team needs.

But I also believe that the guys that are starting represent the best/most talented option at their position. Having said that, and taking into account my diagnosis of the problem, I'd rather see CJH, Gurwitz & the team improve their mindset.

 

[joeywa]

Last night's game was a perfect example of what's wrong with this team. They're overly casual through six innings, then in the 7th inning the "oh shit, we're gonna lose this game if we don't play" switch flips on. Sometimes they pull it out in the last 2-3 innings, sometimes they don't.

If they played with the same focus & intensity for an entire game that they play with in the final 2-3 innings, the sky is the limit.

This team has Top 5 talent. Whether they improve mentally or not will determine the season.

To joeywa's post - I'm not sure what wholesale changes to the lineup would do? I could be convinced that it's the kind of shakeup that the team needs.

But I also believe that the guys that are starting represent the best/most talented option at their position. Having said that, and taking into account my diagnosis of the problem, I'd rather see CJH, Gurwitz & the team improve their mindset.

I believe these two things are connected is a weird sort of way.  I think CJ & Gurwitz have been (and can be again,) leaders of this team.  Problem is, they're both scuffling at this point, and are trying to do too much at the plate.  A day off is something I think could be very beneficial in these two getting themselves back into productive position.  Get that fire back in their bellies.  And we have a guy in McGuire that was drafted by the Colorado Rockies as a SS. 

 

[joeywa]

Just came across this reel of plays from McGuire from last year while playing 3B.