He is a Houston GOAT

However, his defensive mistake helped sink the Astros’ postseason hopes. With a 2-1 lead in the eighth, he couldn’t field a grounder from Vierling, which let the Tigers tie the game on a wild pitch and then take the lead with a three-run double from Ibanez.

At 34, Altuve’s defense has really dropped off, costing the team 13-15 runs a year since 2022. He’s one of the worst second basemen in the league right now, and it raises big questions about what the Astros will do with him next season. He’s a solid DH, but it’s time to rethink his role.

Remember, Yordan was so terrible in the 2019 postseason that he was getting pinch hit for in the world series. Then in 2022 he is demolishing teams single-handedly.

The playoffs are small sample size by nature, it's fine for fans to criticize players but trades definitely should not be decided by playoff performance. It is not predictive.

And don't forget Tucker's 2 homer game in game 1 of the 2022 world series, he's absolutely capable of dominance and it's not his fault they went on to blow that game.

Hello all! A quick note to confirm the final standings for the HRC game in 2024. 190 people got at least one successful call this year, with 82 getting at least two.

It was a close one at the top, but /u/TexasHot is your winner for 2024 with 13 successful calls. This is for the most part another 'Yordan 2nd PA' deal - seems like that is the code, and once he gets a good look at a pitcher he's locked in for the second time through the order.

/u/VampireSlayerGrinch was just pipped to the post, with 12 successful calls, and /u/skeetskeet69 completes the podium with 9.

Thanks again to everyone for participating, and barring a remarkable resurrection of /u/HRCbot I'll be back next season for the sixth year of this iteration of the game.

The full leaderboard is archived here.

Enjoy watching the rest of the postseason if you can. 131 days until pitchers and catchers report.

I feel like we didn't have the "magic" we've enjoyed the last several years, which seems to have addes more pressure every time I've watched them.

As a Houston native (27 years old) who just got into sports last year with the Texans and the Rockets, this year is my first year watching this team. Even though I’m sad that we lost, I enjoyed watching them all year. I’m looking for old Astros games alongside watching the MLB playoffs. I’m looking for really great or just really memorable games whether it’s regular season or postseason. I’m open to recommendations.

Should we bring him back to Houston to try and keep the golden age alive?

Who has the picture of all of the Astros trophies on the field?

F*ck you, Alexa!

There seems to be a lot of discussion on trading Kyle Tucker, an MVP level caliber player because he hasn’t performed in the playoffs. So my question is, are you paying a player for the 162 or are you paying him on what he may or may not do in the playoffs.

This is not a Bregman vs Tucker argument. It genuinely is what are people’s thoughts on what it is you’re paying a guy for.

I could probably fill out a lineup card of current MVP or close to it type players who really haven’t done well in the playoffs, or made it to postseason for that matter.

This argument isn’t exclusive to Tucker, I’m just using him as the example because it’s relevant right now.

IMO, you pay the guy to produce for the 162 and if he comes through in the playoffs, maybe that’s a bonus that you bake into the next extension.

So going into the year, the plan was simple:

1)- Starter goes 6, gives us a quality start

2)- Abreu takes the 7th, holds the lead

3)- Pressly takes the 8th, holds the lead

4)- Hader wraps it up in the 9th with a save.

After doing some research I was shocked to find this only happened FIVE times during the regular season.

#April 19th: 5-3 Win at Nationals

Verlander: 6 IP, 2 ER (Win)

Abreu: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Pressly: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Hader: 1 IP, 1ER (Save)

#May 24th: 6-3 Win at Athletics

Verlander: 6 IP, 1 ER (Win)

Abreu: 1 IP, 1 ER

Pressly: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Hader: 1 IP, 0 ER (Save)

#June 19th: 4-1 Win at White Sox

Brown: 6 IP, 1 ER (Win)

Abreu: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Pressly: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Hader: 1 IP, 0 ER (Save)

#July 12th: 6-3 Win vs the rags

Brown: 6 IP, 2 ER (Win)

Abreu: 1 IP, 1 ER

Pressly: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Hader: 1 IP, 0 ER (Save)

#July 19th: 3-0 Win at Mariners

Brown: 6 IP, 0 ER (Win)

Abreu: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Pressly: 1 IP, 0 ER (Hold)

Hader: 1 IP, 0 ER (Save)

Yankees fan coming in peace. I have no intention of talking about the game last night other than to compliment the teams radio broadcaster. Was listening to the game last night instead of watching it and color me impressed at his ability to paint a perfect picture and use such descriptive language to really describe every little thing that’s going on. From letting the listener know that a hitting was bouncing his bat off his shoulder to telling interesting and relevant facts and stories, I really enjoyed listening to him. Just curious how the fan base feels about the broadcast team?

After 2023 I had a bad feeling that the dynasty was ending. We had some real questions about our pitching staff. This year we found a lot of solid guys who answer those questions. Hunter Brown finally found his footing and has evolved into this team’s ace, we have him till 2028. Spencer Arrighetti developed incredibly quickly into an extremely solid pitcher, IDK how long we have him but I assume even longer than Hunter. Ronel was extremely solid for this whole year until he finally started to get gassed at the end. If we can resign Yusei then that means we just answered a ton of questions at SP. What about the BP? Well Bryan King emerged and was super solid all year. Our pitching coaches proved that they are some of the best in the league this year. After 2023 I was worried our pitching staff was gonna be in a consistent decline if some guys didn’t step up, but they did! If any of Garcia, Javier, Urquidy, or LMJ come back next year then some guys can get moved to a long relief role in the BP and give even more depth at SP if anyone gets hurt.

As for hitting/fielding, we have some prospects there. The way our staff talk about OF Jacob Melton, who is projected to arrive in 2026 right as Tucker leaves, has me very excited to see what he brings. IDK how Janek is doing in the minors, but depending on how quickly he develops he could take over at C by 2026 or 2027 and we could move Diaz to 1B, which would solve a lot of problems. We still need a few more good OFs and 1B will probably be an issue in 2025, but for the future I think we will be okay.

Espada had a rough start as manager but rallied the team and got us another AL West crown after being 10 games back. I think next year we start much better which will allow us to get a much better record. Dana Brown has had some mixed results, but after the Kikuchi trade and how good he was I think I’ll just shut up and let him cook. He’s made some bad moves (Hader 5 years 95 mil is the first that comes to mind🤦‍♂️), but he’s also made some good ones. Too early to tell with him, but he earned some trust with the Kikuchi move. If he can resign Breggy and Kikuchi I’d feel way better about him. BTW this whole post hinges on Breggy being resigned, if we don’t resign Breggy I think we are cooked.

Dear October,

We haven't talked in a while. I've spent the last 7 years fully pre-occupied by a bunch of men playing baseball. I promise we will talk more this year.

How have you been? Who are you these days? I know, I know. I should know who you are, but can you blame me? I've been forced to watch 7 straight ALCS runs by the Astros!

I'm free this year, and I'm here to get to know you better. I promise this year I won't have the constant anxiety of wondering how people I don't personally know will play a sport, I won't constantly have a high heartbeat staring at the TV, and I won't turn down invitations in the name of baseball. October, I'm all yours this year.

Let's rekindle what we once had. Show me about this "Halloween" thing that I've been too distracted to enjoy. I heard there are movies that are scary? No way! Prove it.

Mostly, October, for the first time in 8 years I am excited to understand what life with only you is like.

Yours Truly,

Astros Fan

Use this thread to reflect on the season and, if you're watching, discuss Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series.

Today's game:

18:08 CT: Mets @ Brewers on ESPN

We all hate Yankees fans for a reason. I understand it doesn’t feel good right now. I’ve seen a lot on social media about booing the team, screaming at them, getting rid of the roster. This is exactly why we hate Yankees fans. Please don’t be like them.

This years FA class is weak all around. After diggnig through the potential options, I have identifed 2 new targets (along with 2 familiar faces) that I think will enable us to retool our roster immediately and position ourselves well with payroll to be able to sign or extend Tucker before he hits FA in 2026.

New Targets:

Ryan O'Hearn:

• Slashed .264/.334/.427 (119 wRC+, 1.7 fWAR). Very low K%, WHiff%, and Chase %. Above average BB%.
• Plays 1B and OF. Put up 3 OAA in 2023, -2 this year. Potential is there.
• Will be everyday 1B. Can platoon OF or DH
• Spotrac estimates a $14mil price tag

Michael Conforto:

• Will be a cheap option a $4-5mil. Has excellent batting value on Statcast page.
• Slashed .237/.309/.450 (112 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR).
• Doesn't chase much, but has below average K% due to average to below average Whiff%.
• Slightly above average BB%
• Hits the ball hard and graded in 88th percentile for xSLG.
• -4 OAA is only downfall. Play him in LF. Has an excellent arm to overcome defensive shortcoming.

Familiar Faces:

Alex Bregman:

• I think we struggle to make the playoffs in 2025 without Alex Bregman. Signing him should be our TOP priority. I estimate $31mil AAV.
• Excellent defense (6 OAA), excellent K%, WHiff%, BB%, and Chase %.
• We all know about him. Pay the man.

Yusei Kikuchi:

• I was VERY vocal in my support og trading for him. I knew the Astros would turn him into a quality rotation piece. We made him an ACE.
• Sign him to bolster the rotation.

https://preview.redd.it/j60mly4klgsd1.png?width=1353&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e18bc2acaeb542c1f6a21ed4da8ae3f6de76839

Making the moves I outlined should keep us in decent shape for the CBT, retool the roster to have a VERY solid 1-9, and run a 6 man roation with key injured players returning. When 2026 hits, there will be $57mil free from the dead money table above. This will enable us to sign Tucker when the time comes.

Seeing r/Dodgers and r/Mariners and r/NYYankees celebratory threads pop up in my main Reddit feed tonight actually made me feel a lot better. It’s so easy to just focus on this game and forget the last 7 amazing years. Thanks to them for reminding me.

The rest of the league is still working through their personal traumas from that period. I plan to bask in the Astros’ golden era legacy for at least as long as they keep honoring Houston by rooting against us.

Go Stros!

He was still wearing his Astros game hat. I still remember how much of a little bitch move it was when Cole was wearing a Boras hat after the '19 WS loss. It was just nice to see him still wearing it.

So, understand the context from which I’m coming here. My following question is a total hypothetical and I’m not taking one side or the other. I think people may have wildly differing ideas so thought it would be an interesting thing to find out your opinions.

What do we look like if we re-sign Bregman and trade Tucker for a better-than-solid 1B, CF, and prospects? You’d pull at least 1 superstar somewhere out of that. And let’s face it, it’s a lot easier to sign a solid corner outfielder than a comparable CF / 1B.

Tucker is an absolute generational talent but since we don’t know what will happen with him after this year, the legitimate situation is that this is about 2025 and that’s it. Ideally you’d want a Tucker signing ASAP, and additional FA signings to fill CF / 1B, but how far will Crane go?

I would never consider trading a future HOF in his prime other than in this situation, when there’s a single year left on his contract, meaning the consideration is really only how it affects the 2025 team.

What do you guys think?

How much of this payroll is coming off the books next year? Most likely Bregman. Verlander almost assuredly. Anyone else that can get us in a more flexible financial position?

Think of all the memories these Astros have given us since 2017 alone. Most fans hate us but don’t get that in their lifetime, let alone the last 7 years. The last time we didn’t make the ALCS, the Cubs won the World Series. This team’s window is far from over, but today especially, enjoy being a part of one of the best dynasty’s in baseball history.

This season was far from a disappointment like most people believe. Did we underachieve? Yes. Did we rally back when we were in a slump at the beginning of the season? Yes. Safe to say, we just got cold at the wrong time and lost to the better team. I have no doubt in our team but something has to change. We need a leadership guy to rally everyone. We had that with Correa.

With the off-season, the main priority should be where we stand with Tucker and Bregman. Tucker's proved to be a top 5 outfielder in baseball when healthy but struggles in the playoffs. Bregman often starts slow but seems to get it going down the stretch. Although keeping Bregman would be great but, do we go with someone younger and a bit more productive? Just a lot looms with this team and I trust Dana Brown gets something done.

https://x.com/mlb_simulator/status/1841593609549971962?s=46