1989NDN

AAW, rupert3, baddog, BearCPA...we need to do something to stop the Astros three game slide. Group hug, put on rally caps, wear a lucky sports jersey, something else? We need the Astros to get back on track. Maybe tonight's game at Minute Maid Park will be the start to a new winning streak? Go Astros! P.S. Sports radio in Houston has been discussing the Astros playoff pitching rotation. Do you let JV start or bump him to a bullpen role? Framber, Kikuchi, Hunter Brown, and ??? JV or Ronel Blanco? This presumes JV is healthy and can pitch in the playoffs. Arrighetti in or out? What are your thoughts?

I agree with baddog...if Bregman is not at 3rd base, I'd go with Dubon. I was at the game last night and Jason Heyward is a big dude. He's tall and has muscle on his frame. He smoked the double down the first base line and knocked in Pena and Singleton. I hope Heyward finds his mojo and helps us down the stretch...like he did last night. Good game by the good guys.

Offensive explosion today! I'll take it. Arrighetti with another strong game. Big props to him for saving our bullpen ahead of the KC series. GO ASTROS!

The offense is feast or famine. Kyle Tucker seems done for the year. I wonder if the Astros are going to reconsider their efforts to re-sign him long term. Also, with Bregman’s elbow injury, might the Astros forego resigning him? The Astros are desperate to find production, so they are bringing in 35-year-old Jason Heyward hoping to catch lightening in a bottle, but I think he’s done. This reminds me of the Jose Abreu situation. A washed-up player who can’t hit. As pointed out above, the Astros have enough of those players already. They don’t need another old player who can’t hit. Even as the Astros fold, I’m not sure either Seattle or Texas wants to make a run. There is still time for both of those teams to get hot and catch the Astros, but maybe the Astros will right the ship and win just enough to get into the playoffs. I’m not a Dana Brown or Joe Espada fan. I’d like to get rid of both of them and tell Jeff Bagwell that he is no longer welcome anywhere near the GM’s office. We don’t need his advice to bring in garbage. Anyone have the number for Jeff Luhnow or James Click? Go Astros!

Joe Espada strikes again. Sigh. 70-61.

Nice game tonight vs. Baltimore by Gamel, Myers, and Whitcomb at the bottom of the lineup. Interesting developments since the All-Star break. Seattle fired Servais with the Mariners sitting 5 games off the lead and Texas is still 10 games back. I hope the Astros can stay hot and finish the AL west race in first place. What's everyone's thoughts about (1) the Astros possibly going to a six-man starting pitching rotation, and (2) Bregman saying his elbow may keep him from playing everyday down the stretch?

I miss Hector Neris. Pressley worries me. Abreu and Hader not so much. Thank the Lord for Alex Bregman. He on fire at the plate and remains rock solid at 3B. I hope its not too premature to get excited about Bregman and Alvarez both staying red hot and mashing BOMBS!

I agree with you with a slight modification or amplifier. President Trump picks fights with anyone who not only goes against him, but even if someone questions his policies. I think that is the issue most moderates and undecided voters have with him. If he would stop firing up his base with conclusory policy statements and do more to explain the why, when, and, most important, how he will implement his policies, and stop tearing down those who question him, it might sway more moderates and undecided voters. Saying, "I'm going to seal the boder" or implement "mass deporations" is not the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He might want to consider that his promised wall in 2016 was never finished and Mexico didn't pay a dime. What will change this time? Mass deportations sounds like Germany in 1939. Mass deportations doesn't sound like the inscription at the base of the Statute of Liberty, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Mass deportations split up families. Some families have members that are citizens and some who are not. What about those who overstayed a work visa or medical visa? How will President Trump round up the people for mass deportations? Who will be first? Mexicans? Guatamalans, Hondurans? Venezuelans? Saudia Arabians? Germans? Irish? Colombians? Chinese? Why incite division and hate? He's got some good ideas and policy discussion points on the economy, but we never get to them because he's too busy tearing down anyone who questions his say-so. He's great at firing up his base, but most Americans want a combination of strength and humanity. President Trump has the strength part down pat. He needs to work on the humanity part of the equation. That's what made President Reagan great. Strong when he needed to be, compassionate when the TV lights were on, and he was a great communciator that everyone could understand. President Clinton also had that type of mojo. Demographics are changing in America. To help them assimilate, you educate, not threaten and tear them down.

If you are not watching the 2024 Olympics, you are missing great sports performances from incredible athletes. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the women's 400m hurdles is a superstar. She set a WR. Gabrielle Thomas in the women's 200m. Her dream came true...winning the gold and wrapping herself in the American Flag! If you have a daugther or granddaughter that loves sports, let them see great role models like SML or GT. Qunicy Hall in the men's 400m...he never gave up...he came from 5th place back to win the gold. Noah Lyles in the 100m, Cole Hocker in the men's 1500m, Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles finishing 2nd and 3rd in the men's 200m, and Tara Davis-Woodhall winning the women's long jump. Simone Biles has more gold than Fort Knox. Greatest gymnast of all time? I think so. I'm not a big swimming guy, but the USA did pretty well in the water. It's events like the Olympics that can move the needle on bringing the world together. Sportsmanship still exists. Yes, there are some a-holes, e.g., the guy from Tajikistan that refused to shake the Israeli wrester's hand, but that type of jerk if far and few between. Don't let politics stop you from watching great athletes all over the world...in particluar the great athletes from the USA.

What's to compare? Neither Vice President Harris nor President Trump served in the military. If I remember correctly, President Trump received a deferment and I don't think Vice President Harris enlisted or was drafted. The issue of military service seems to be a wash. Same with education. President Trump has an undergraduate degree in economics. Vice Presidence Harris has an undergraduate degree in political science and she has a law degree. Neither one graduated at or near the top of his/her class. President Trump has had at least four business file for bankruptcy protection. Vice President Harris, none. Granted, I'm not sure that she has been an executive for any business, (I have not looked) but, that said, she hasn't had to file for bankruptcy protection in her personal or professional life. If she had, we would have read about it by now on Fox News or the political forum of www.setxsports.com. So, we know President Trump has experience riding businesses into the ground. Both candidates have allegedly had sex either outside of their own marriage or outside the marriage of their sex partner. Seems the sex life allegations are a wash. Both candidates have said things that aren't true and both candidates have said things they would probably like to take back. (Remember Trump saying he just grabs them [women] by the p---y (vagina)). Posters on this forum like to point out that Vice President Harris is "Heels Up" Harris. Seems honesty and exaggeration from both candidates are about the same. That's a wash. After you get past the personal attacks, and you look at policy, there are differences. Abortion, President Trump says he will leave it to the states; Vice President Harris is pro choice. Seems to me, both candidates are about choice. President Trump will leave the choice to the states; Vice President Harris wants to go one step further and guarantee that a woman has right to make her own choice regardless of which state she lives in. The border, President Trump's wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for, didn't happen. Vice President Harris needs to enforce the laws we have on the books. Most of America thinks than can be accomplished humanely, i.e., not separating families that have some members who are citizens and others who are not. We could could go on and on with issues like the economy, trade, foreign wars, the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, oil vs. clean energy, pipelines, taxes, Social Security, etc., but it will have to be next time. I need to get back to work. Some moderates (with a slight lean left) do work. We are not all on the governement payroll as some on the right would have you believe. Before I go, one more thing, what does everyone here think about the Cruz v. Allred race? Politics, sex, and religion...my parents' and grandparents' generations always said, don't discuss them in public. My children and grandchildren say, let's discuss. I hate being caught in the middle. Ha-ha.

The game. OK, don't lie. Who had an, "O $hi+!" moment when Seager hit that 2-run HR in the 9th off of Valdez? My wife said, "not again." Then, when Jung hit that deep fly off of Hader my wife said it again, "not again." I'll take the win but my blood pressure is going nuts during these games. Speaking of bombs, what about Yordan finally finding his groove again. He hammered that shot to right field. On the thread above, I hope Verlander isn't coasting and intentionally avoiding his return. He's a pro's pro. I don't think he would do something like that. Maybe the Astros are holding him back until the playoff race gets sorted out? What's the story with Tucker? What exactly was wrong with his shin? I never saw any report that anything was broken or that he had structural damage. It was always just a deep shin injury due to a foul ball. We need him back if we are going to keep pace with Seattle and Texas. Go Astros!

Tonight is the night the Astros get things turned around. Let's go Astros!

Friday Night Fireworks + the debut of Yusei Kikuchi. The first inning was probably not the start that Kikuchi envisioned when he gave up the HR, but he settled down and had a solid debut. 11 strike outs. According to the pitch board at Minute Maid, he threw a lot of sliders. Whatever he was throwing, it worked. Yordan's wheels on display when he got home after the Rays SS let the incoming throw get away. Go Astros!

He is supposed to start tonight vs. the Rays.

More Astros talk...good stuff. Maybe it was Robert Ford or Mike Stanton that said the Astros were in the middle of the pack in runs scored and in batting w/ RISP. In late game situations, when trailing, the Astros were trending in the wrong direction getting runs across the plate. That's what I meant about erratic. I should have said scoring and not hitting. I know I heard Robert Ford say the Astros were 11th or 12th in runs scored, which was a drop off from last season. I like your stats about the improved pitching. I enjoy the increased chatter about the Astros. Are you leaning toward a second half run? Wait and see? Or, do you think the Rangers and Mariners did too much at the deadline for the Astros to hang with them at the finish line?

I hope Verlander still has some gas left in the tank. The Astros will need him down the stretch. I'll take whatever he can give the Astros. Here's to Framber Valdez and Ronel Blanco keeping us relevant. The Astros had to eat $11.5M this year and again next year thanks to the DFA for Montero. I won't hammer Dana Brown for Montero. He inherited that mess. Bagwell was in Crane's ear to sign Abreu at first base and to resign Montero. Brown did approve the Abreu signing, so he gets some of the heat for that disaster. Trading Loperfido, Wagner, and Bloss for a middle of the road pitcher with a 4.7 ERA is on Brown. Supposedly, Crane is not upset about eating Abreu's and Montero's salaries. You'd think that choking down $40M over two years would make Crane sit up and ask, who is telling me to sign some of these players? Hunter Brown looks tired. Like he has hit the wall. The bats are still too erratic. Red hot one game, ice cold for next three games. We've got to break that cycle. I'm worried Seattle and Texas are about to go on a second half run. I hope the Astros can find a way to hang around. Even though I bitch and complain too much, GO ASTROS!!!

Again, I agree 100%. baddog, email Jim Crane and tell him you are ready to take Dana Brown's job. I'll send a follow-up email as a second to the motion. You're on the money...the Astros need another hot/clutch bat. Also, they need to preserve and build upon what little talent there is in the farm system. I think the Astros are ranked near the bottom (maybe DFL - dead freaking last) re: MLB farm systems. The international/Latin American camps have saved the Astros over the past 10-years. It's long past time that the Astros replentish the tradional MLB farm system. Glad to see a few Astros fans on the board.

Agree 100%. Dana Brown should resign. Trading Loperfido, Wagner, and Bloss for a rental pitcher with an ERA around 5.0 is professional malpractice. Brown and Jeff Bagwell calling the shots has ruined the Astros.

Tell me more about the Hall of Honor game? I presume BH will induct former greats into the BH HOF? Open to all sports? Open to other contributors outside of sports? Is there anything online about the HOF? I'm not knocking it, making fun of it, or taking any cheap shots. I think it is a good thing when an ISD recognizes the people who made it great. Back on track. Manvel should be a tough opponent for the HOF game. If BH takes care of business in September and October, it will be nice to have two OPEN weeks (back-to-back) going into the playoffs...OPEN on Nov. 1, and OPEN vs. WB on Nov. 8. Nice 14+ days to heal up for a playoff run.

Tip of the cap to PAISD. Well done. Looking forward to seeing the photographs.

I agree. The Astros have a great shot to make the first move coming out of the break. The Astros can't afford to have a slow start to the second half. With Joe Espada at the helm, I am not holding my breath. Hopefully, the Astros can overcome his inept in-game management. Yesterday, everyone in Section 128 was booing when Espada brought in Montero to pitch the 8th inning. Right on cue, Montero gives up the walk and two run bomb to Josh Smith. Montero has not been good at all this season and you bring in THAT GUY to pitch in that situation? Are you kidding me? Espada and the pitching coach Josh Miller...Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne...Dumb and Dumber.

Big three game series vs. the Rangers. Hunter Brown tonight, Arrighetti on Saturday, and Blanco on Sunday afternoon before the All-Star Break. Hunter Brown is 2-2 vs the Rangers, but the last two games have been his losses and the Rangers pounded him back in April. I don't remember if Arrighetti has pitched against the Rangers, but he's been up and down all season and the Rangers pound average to below average pitchers. Blanco has been our rock all season. Here's to the Houston bats staying hot and we get some decent pitching against a good Rangers line-up. I agree...I like the decision to have Altuve skip the All-Star Game to rest his hand/wrist. I hope the bullpen takes the week off and gets some rest. They've been used and abused for most of the season. Need Abreu, Pressley, and Hader to rest those arms. I'm hoping Verlander returns with a strong second half. I still think he has some gas in the tank. McCullers...injury plagued. Need to seriously look at letting him go or "retiring" him. He's a likeable guy, but he's frustrated fans for 2+ seasons (or longer). Go Astros!

Went to the game last night...Tuesday's $1.00 dog night. Nice post-Beryl crowd all things considered in the Houston area and southeast Texas. Blanco pitched well. 7 IP and gave up 2 runs. I'll take that. Abreu still worries me. I think he's tired from Espada over using him. I hope he doesn't have a dead arm in the second half of the season. Bright spot continues to be Alex Bregman. He's always solid at 3B and his bat has been heating up. 3 RBIs last night and he crushed the HR ball. The bottom of the line-up came to play. Myers, Dubon, and McCormick all put the ball in play with McCormick getting a big RBI. I agree with you...just stay the course, stack some wins, win each series, get some players back after the All-Star break (hello, Tucker and Verlander!!!), and then, STAY AWAY FROM ANY MORE INJURIES. Go Astros!

Poorly played game by the Astros today. Altuve commits an error in the fourth inning taking away a simple ground ball that Jeremy Pena was in position to scoop and throw to first base. That error allowed a baserunner that eventually scored because Altuve made a second error in the inning (but it was changed from an E4 to a hit) with his poor throw to home plate after Alex Bregman gave him a perfect lead for a second to home double play. Instead, Altuve throws a one hop curve ball to the catcher and the Twins tie the game 2-2. Bats went cold. Hader came in and gave up his eighth HR of the season. Christian Vazquez hammered that fastball for a walk-off winner. I haven't heard how long Yordan Alvarez may be out because of the HBP on his knee? Kyle Tucker is supposed to return after the All-Star break. Hopefully, he comes back and gives the Astros some momentum. Go Astros! P.S. If you are the GM, what move or moves do you make at the trade deadline? Add someone at first base? Another starter on the mound? Depth in the bullpen?

Polls show that Michelle Obama can beat President Trump. Obama/Harris 2024. It will rally the African-American, under 30, non-evangelical women, and independent voters. Si, se puede, part II. Can the Dems convince President Biden (Jill Biden) and Gavin Newsom to get out of the way?