Game of the Week: July 10 - Oakland at Houston
Apr 3, 2020 21:37:55 GMT -5
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Post by Grubs - Philly on Apr 3, 2020 21:37:55 GMT -5
Oakland A’s (51-39) at Houston Astros (49-43)
OAK: Jose Berrios, (7-4, 3.13)
HOU: John Gavin, (4-4, 2.72)
Both the Astros and A’s are playing well, a tick above or right at their expected win totals. Unfortunately, they’re laboring behind Seattle’s ascendant season. If they’re not chasing Seattle – Oakland is 3 ½ back and Houston 3 more from there – they’re chasing the Wild Card and each other. Oakland is hungry for playoff glory, while Houston contends they’re in the midst of a rebuild, not the middle of a contending season.
The Athletics are one of four AL teams within a half game of both Wild Card spots. They don’t see the Mariners again until mid-August, so they’re anxious to make up ground where they can. The team is making moves approaching the deadline, as Oakland jettisoned 2B stalwart Franklin Barreto, sending him to the Dodgers for a package of mid-level prospects. The team has been slotting in Travis Blankenhorn, who’s been excellent in a very small sample, but has a modicum of experience with the big league club.
The team is buoyed by Blake Rutherford, who’s been playing out of his mind with a .352 average and a muscular 1.030 OPS. Rutherford doesn’t play a great center field, but the A’s are trotting him out because Ryon Healy has been swinging a good stick and Matt Olson’s power has been a siren song. Nick Thurman has taken over primary catching duties despite sub-par numbers behind the plate, because at it, he makes Rutherford look sane. Thurman is hitting .371 with a .466 OBP and phenomenal 1.167 OPS. It’s only 146 plate appearances, but it’s enough to see what’s out there.
Jose Berrios is having his best year since 2019’s Cy Young campaign, with a 3.13 ERA and solid control metrics keeping him steady at the top of Oakland’s rotation. He’s not likely in line for hardware this season, but he’s backed by A.J. Puk and a surprising Norge Ruiz, who give the A’s depth on the mound.
If the A’s have traded offense for glove work, Houston’s defense has been its calling card, and the team ranks first or second in the league in all of the major metrics. The Dansby Swanson-Freudis Nova-Ajani Dimanche double play combo has connected almost 70 times this year. So while the team FIP isn’t impressive, the fielding part is dynamite, and the Astros ERAs and runs allowed reflect it.
John Gavin is a bit of an enigma, whose stuff grades out well despite not having much movement or velocity. His keys are his pitch mix and control, both of which play well into his defense. He gives up more than his share of longballs, but when he keeps it in the park, his BABIP has been exceptional.
The team can also thump, with 3B Joe DeCarlo at 21 roundtrippers, Conner Uselton has 18, Mike Zunino has smashed 16 and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo has swatted 15. The Astros lead the American League in home runs. The team doesn’t run a lot, but when they do, they’re successful (Dansby Swanson notwithstanding).
Questions for Creig McBride
What’s your plan for filling the hole left by Barreto? You gained some good depth in the minors through the trade, but is the job Blankenhorn’s to lose?
You’ve let Matt Olson swing away against lefties, but he hasn’t rewarded your patience. Will you shuffle your lineup soon or let it ride?
Are you looking to improve your defense before the deadline, or does this combination of bats and pitching feel like it’ll be enough to get you to the playoffs?
Questions for Andrew Sutphin
Even you are surprised by your team this year. They’ve jelled in the field and are making enough noise at the plate that you’re competing. Is this a soft rebuild or are you selling high?
In a similar vein, Dansby Swanson seems like an odd big contract in the midst of a rebuild. Are you moving him or do you like what you see enough to make him a centerpiece?
How much is defense a part of your game plan and are there spots where you feel you can give a little to pick up your bats?
TRIVIA: Ricky Henderson played for nine different teams in his 24-year career. How many different stints did he have for the A's?
OAK: Jose Berrios, (7-4, 3.13)
HOU: John Gavin, (4-4, 2.72)
Both the Astros and A’s are playing well, a tick above or right at their expected win totals. Unfortunately, they’re laboring behind Seattle’s ascendant season. If they’re not chasing Seattle – Oakland is 3 ½ back and Houston 3 more from there – they’re chasing the Wild Card and each other. Oakland is hungry for playoff glory, while Houston contends they’re in the midst of a rebuild, not the middle of a contending season.
The Athletics are one of four AL teams within a half game of both Wild Card spots. They don’t see the Mariners again until mid-August, so they’re anxious to make up ground where they can. The team is making moves approaching the deadline, as Oakland jettisoned 2B stalwart Franklin Barreto, sending him to the Dodgers for a package of mid-level prospects. The team has been slotting in Travis Blankenhorn, who’s been excellent in a very small sample, but has a modicum of experience with the big league club.
The team is buoyed by Blake Rutherford, who’s been playing out of his mind with a .352 average and a muscular 1.030 OPS. Rutherford doesn’t play a great center field, but the A’s are trotting him out because Ryon Healy has been swinging a good stick and Matt Olson’s power has been a siren song. Nick Thurman has taken over primary catching duties despite sub-par numbers behind the plate, because at it, he makes Rutherford look sane. Thurman is hitting .371 with a .466 OBP and phenomenal 1.167 OPS. It’s only 146 plate appearances, but it’s enough to see what’s out there.
Jose Berrios is having his best year since 2019’s Cy Young campaign, with a 3.13 ERA and solid control metrics keeping him steady at the top of Oakland’s rotation. He’s not likely in line for hardware this season, but he’s backed by A.J. Puk and a surprising Norge Ruiz, who give the A’s depth on the mound.
If the A’s have traded offense for glove work, Houston’s defense has been its calling card, and the team ranks first or second in the league in all of the major metrics. The Dansby Swanson-Freudis Nova-Ajani Dimanche double play combo has connected almost 70 times this year. So while the team FIP isn’t impressive, the fielding part is dynamite, and the Astros ERAs and runs allowed reflect it.
John Gavin is a bit of an enigma, whose stuff grades out well despite not having much movement or velocity. His keys are his pitch mix and control, both of which play well into his defense. He gives up more than his share of longballs, but when he keeps it in the park, his BABIP has been exceptional.
The team can also thump, with 3B Joe DeCarlo at 21 roundtrippers, Conner Uselton has 18, Mike Zunino has smashed 16 and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo has swatted 15. The Astros lead the American League in home runs. The team doesn’t run a lot, but when they do, they’re successful (Dansby Swanson notwithstanding).
Questions for Creig McBride
What’s your plan for filling the hole left by Barreto? You gained some good depth in the minors through the trade, but is the job Blankenhorn’s to lose?
You’ve let Matt Olson swing away against lefties, but he hasn’t rewarded your patience. Will you shuffle your lineup soon or let it ride?
Are you looking to improve your defense before the deadline, or does this combination of bats and pitching feel like it’ll be enough to get you to the playoffs?
Questions for Andrew Sutphin
Even you are surprised by your team this year. They’ve jelled in the field and are making enough noise at the plate that you’re competing. Is this a soft rebuild or are you selling high?
In a similar vein, Dansby Swanson seems like an odd big contract in the midst of a rebuild. Are you moving him or do you like what you see enough to make him a centerpiece?
How much is defense a part of your game plan and are there spots where you feel you can give a little to pick up your bats?
TRIVIA: Ricky Henderson played for nine different teams in his 24-year career. How many different stints did he have for the A's?
