Astros ALDS

[Johnstark23]

So pretty much 1 inning does both teams in. The Eighth on Sunday in Houston and the Seventh today in Toronto. I like your little team Joeywa there is youth to spare and Hinch can manage.

 

[drgilbert]

Congrats Astros on a great year!

 

[Grandpa Zorro]

I know I've said this before but no one expected the Astros to be playing October baseball this year.  These kids were fun to watch this year and I expect the next few years to be the best in franchise history.

 

[Embrey]

I've slept and the sun did rise this morning. The dissatisfaction has tempered into appreciation.

My optimism for the future of this team is almost without limit, almost.

I would like to see us upgrade at several positions:

Catcher - Castro's defensive skills and his arm are fantastic. The liability is his bat. It is easy to say 'Let's go get a great catcher.' In truth, they are worth their weight in gold. Either Castro improves at the plate or we have to move on.

3rd base - Valbuena had a great first couple of months at the plate and Lowery is also above average at the hot corner but I boy could this team use a Caminiti.

1st base - Other than Gonzalez, who I absolutely believe we have to keep, we need to upgrade from the .200 ish season turned in by Carter. I like Carter. If he can lay off the bad pitches like he did the last few weeks he might be able to keep his job but he needs to be on avery short leash.

Middle Relief - The Astros proved they could cobble together a sufficient pen to make the playoffs but they also learned how the quality of batter is exponentially better once they are in the playoffs. I can go forward with Sipp, Harris, Velazquez, Fiers and possibly Fields. We need an upgrade from Qualls and Neshek and probably Perez.

Staff Management - This is the most subjective part of my 'wish list'. Hinch has been presented the opportunity to learn from our losses this postseason. If I could boil it down to one sentence, The game you are playing is a season in and of itself and it must be won at all costs. We had our opportunity versus KC in Game 4 and it passed us by. I don't blame Hinch but I did question his staff management when things got sketchy. He is young and I am confident he will learn and adapt.

So many positives:

Correa and Rasmus in the playoffs.

The young and improving rotation.

Altuve.

Gattis and Gomez continuing to improve.

The ridiculous depth in the outfield.

Thank you to the Astros for a fantastic 2015.

 

[Juan]

Colby Rasmus still celebrating as of Halloween

 

[joeywa]

You look MUCH younger than I envisioned, Juan. 

 

[BevoBlake]

Colby Rasmus still celebrating as of Halloween

DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE US AGAIN!