Here Comes the Rain Again! (Preventing the Astros' Season From Shrinking Away)
An Annie Lennox/Eurythmics reference seemed appropriate for today's post. So here we are, Astros fans. Only 19 games left to play in the regular season, and the team now finds themselves going from 2 games out to 3.5 games out in the wild card race. All of this after losing 2 out of 3 to the Chicago Cubs this past weekend. They're only 4-6 so far in September, and now have to open up the last 3 game series against in-state divisional rivals, the Texas Rangers over the next 3 days.
Meanwhile, to add insult to injury, the other division rival Seattle Mariners just got back into a tie with the Astros for second place in the division. And after winning their last five, if things don't change soon, Seattle will retake second place again. Possibly, even get one of those two coveted wild card spots for postseason play.
As much faith as I have in my spacemen, it's not really looking that great at the present time. In addition, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis is only slashing .167/.231/.458 over the past 7 games. His defensive runs saved has also gone down from 4 to 2. Factor in the hurtful fan reaction that never seems to want to go away even when he does well, and you have another slump that looks something like THIS:
Shrinkage of any kind is never a good thing, But there have been silver linings in the dark clouds, which are things that I always seek to find. Ever the optimist I am, right?! Anywho, one of which happened last night courtesy of Sr. El Oso Blanco! You can take a look at it HERE!
Meanwhile, to add insult to injury, the other division rival Seattle Mariners just got back into a tie with the Astros for second place in the division. And after winning their last five, if things don't change soon, Seattle will retake second place again. Possibly, even get one of those two coveted wild card spots for postseason play.
As much faith as I have in my spacemen, it's not really looking that great at the present time. In addition, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis is only slashing .167/.231/.458 over the past 7 games. His defensive runs saved has also gone down from 4 to 2. Factor in the hurtful fan reaction that never seems to want to go away even when he does well, and you have another slump that looks something like THIS:
That's right, folks! Even with the clobbering that the Chicago Cubs, hands down the best team in all of baseball right now, gave to the Astros pitching staff throughout the game, two big bombs in the 9th inning helped to breathe in some life to this ball club and fan base. Yuli Gurriel set up one nicely off of Trevor Cahill to start the 9th, and then the Big White Bear launched a bomb of his own! Not to brag, but Gattis' shot went further across the train tracks!
Just for fun, let's see Evan's BIG BEAR BOMB one more time!
Evan Gattis already has 25 home runs and 60 RBI on the season, and is on pace to reach that all important 30 home run mark that everyone keeps holding him to. Despite the recent slump, especially while in Cleveland, I have every last bit of faith in my bear buddy! Hey Astros organization, I think you're looking at next year's starting catcher. (wink, wink!)
Not to mention this whole team, whom I really believe can still turn it around even with time running out. 3.5 games is a lot more manageable of a number to get one of the wild card spots than 9.5 will be for the division. They do have a lot of work to do. For starters, the starters themselves have got to find a way to extend their innings. Overuse of the bullpen has been apart of the recent struggles. The offense already seems to be going full steam. Just get the pitching to catch up, and things should be fine.
And once they get to October baseball, THIS will quickly happen: A GROWING SURGE!
Original Photo Credit: Le Hoang Nguyen
The spacemen can still grow back into the playoff hunt from this seemingly shrinking slump. And I plan to help all I can by combating the haters!
Comments
Post a Comment