ASTROS (69-90) AT METS (77-82)
FINAL SERIES OF 2014.
And so it ends in Queens. After not playing the Mets at all last year for the first time in franchise history, it’s time to stand on line for the 7 train, grease down our mustaches, grab a slice and a knish and step right up and greet the Mets. Just think, if the Astros drafted Jeter instead of Nevin, Jeets might have actually ended his career playing in NYC.
A sweep would see the Astros return to an auspicious 72-90 record, which would be significantly more encouraging than the last time the team held that record during the disastrous 2000 Enron Field season. At least the 2000 campaign inspired “72-90,” one of the greatest musical creations to have graced this Web site. The staccato “Lima Time” repeating for every one of the 48 homers Jose gave up that season is sheer genius. If someone can dig that up and find a way to post it again the world would be better off for it.
And what a year it was! I didn’t see much of it, but it sure sounded fun. Personally, this season marked a low point in actually seeing the team play. The TV issues have been discussed to death. Usually we’ll get out to 15-25 games a season, but I think this year we made it to only one game, and that was in April. Between the baby, a very busy summer at work, and the inability to watch the games on TV, I can’t remember a time since moving to Houston where there has been less Astros in my life and that depresses me. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to engage with the team better.
Regardless, the Astros have still been a source of entertaining distraction and there’s plenty to be pleased with this season, even from afar. The emergence of Altuve as a legitimate impact player has been a blast, setting the team record in hits, leading the AL in hits and stolen bases, and likely becoming the first Astro to win a batting title. If that pans out, Altuve will be the first player since 1945 to lead the league in those three categories and will no doubt earn many much-deserved down-ballot MVP votes. Chris Carter has been a revelation since June 1, sitting at 37 homeruns on the season heading into the weekend with the second most homeruns in the league, three behind Nelson Cruz. On the mound, Keuchel and McHugh provided a shutdown one-two punch, and McHugh should receive some ROY votes. Feldman, once he recovered from his April injury, brought the veteran leadership and stability expected when he signed on. With Tropeano and Folty possibly moving to the rotation next year that is a promising starting five. The bullpen hasn’t been completely awful, Qualls and FIELDS and Sipp have picked up some of slack left by season long injuries to Crain and Albers (mostly). Fowler has been a good addition, when healthy (which seems to be his m.o.). Corporan is a delightful backup catcher. Marwin is doing yeoman’s work filling the hole at shortstop and Marisnick looks like he can possibly contribute at a Steve Finley-like level one day.
On the other hand, Singleton, Castro and Dominguez have disappointed. Injuries to Springer and Correa have dampened the excitement of next year. The pu pu platter of the likes of Grossman, Hoes, Presley, Krauss and Guzman aren’t much more than lineup fodder. That being said, if Singleton can pull it together, if Castro can get back closer to his 2013 offensive contributions, and Springer and Correa can recover from their injuries, there is a good chance that the next few years could be a lot of fun. Castro, Singleton, Altuve, Dominguez, Correa, Fowler, Marisnick, Springer and Carter is far from an awful lineup offensively and actually pretty decent defensively (especially Carter at DH). The pitching could continue to improve with more prospects in the pipeline. There’s actually a way to see this all come together if you squint and drink enough.
Regardless, we can all take some measure of satisfaction that several players have blossomed, the team has certainly improved this season and there are encouraging signs that the Luhnow-plan is working. It’s much more enjoyable to follow a team that is merely awful rather than abjectly so. Hell, next year we may even be able to watch the fucking games on TV.
Let’s hand out some team awards:
MVP: Altuve
Cy Young: Keuchel
ROY: McHugh
Rolaids Relief-man: Qualls for the most part. Anyone else when facing the A’s.
Most improved: Carter
Biggest disappointment: Singleton
Saddest development: Oh no, not Correa!
Manager of the year: Tom Lawless
Front office ambassador of the year: Mike Fast
Let’s not forget the important RACE FOR THE LID update:
In play we have Reuben sitting on 69 in case the team just can’t bring themselves to finish the season without a soul-sucking losing streak that they are half way into already. Hudson Hawk has 70 if the good guys can only take one in Queens. Believen at 71 wins with a winning series and yours truly will take home the lid if the Astros can pull off the sweep.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Citi Field, 6:10 CT
Brad Peacock (4-9 4.82)
Peacock was knocked around by Seattle in his last start, surrendering 7 runs (2 earned) and 10 baserunners in just three and a third. Only four Mets have faced him before, with Ruben Tejada getting the only hit. In his last nine starts he’s 1-3 with a 5.65 ERA, allowing 43 runs and 25 hits in 43 innings with 37 strikeouts.
Jonathan Neise (9-11 3.50)
Niese has been pitching well his last three starts, averaging 7 innings and less than 2 runs over that time frame. He’s looking to finish the year establishing a career low in ERA and a career high in innings pitched.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Citi Field, 6:10 CT
Samuel Deduno (0-1 5.79)
Did you know Deduno is making his first start for the Astros? I think we claimed him off waivers from the Twins earlier this season. He’s 2-4 with a 6.52 ERA, including a loss to Houston in games he started this season.
Rafael Montero (1-3 4.38)
Montero is a rookie but has pitched well in his last few appearances with 9 K’s over 6.2 innings to a tune of a 1.35 ERA. Obviously no Astro has faced him in the major leagues.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Citi Field, 12:10 CT
Nick Tropeano (1-2, 3.78 ERA)
Nick has pitched well since his callup and gets the final call for the good guys’ campaign. Fitting that it should end in the hand of someone who should be a big part of the team’s near future. Also, Tropeano is from nearby West Islip, NY and will get the honor of pitching in front of friends and family in the big leagues.
Bartolo Colon (14-13, 4.08 ERA)
A seventeen year career! And he’s still somehow getting it done for the most part. He’s been scuffling lately dropping two out of his last three starts. Historically he’s gone 6-3 with a 3.50 ERA and 43 K’s in his career against the Astros. Altuve has hit him to the tune of .3357 over 14 at bats. Castro has gone 6-9 against Colon in his career including a homerun, but he’ll probably sit this one out.
It’s always sad to say goodbye to the baseball season, but this season for the first time in many years there is actually quantifiable reasons to be excited for the promise of next year. In the meantime, Astros lose 2-1. Hudson is always right.
The Void beckons. Damn us all.