DAT 4/23: Astros (Francois) @ Cubs (Wicks) 6:40

Cubs moneyline

What's the O/U on LOB for the Stros?

Current stats that kind of jump out to me.

This player is batting .294, 3rd on the team with 11RBI's, only 5so in 55AB, yet bats 9th when he actually plays.

This SOB has 4 hits this year with 17SO. No need to keep harping on this but just mind numbing WTFness with this.

At the beginning of the season, I would have never guessed this player would be putting up this stat. After 11 appearances, only a 1.64ERA and .91WHIP. I was afraid to bring it up and jinx everything.

It's cool. I've gotten word Houston intends to try again today.

A previous version of this OP inaccurately stated Sketti was tonight's starting pitcher. It has been updated to accurately reflect Jean-Patrick Francois as the starter. We regret this mistake.

For people seeking hope and optimism…

quote:

---

Last season we went:

• ?7-9 to start the season
• ?3-7 from Apr 28-May 8
• ?7-14 from Jun 4-27
• ?4-8 from Aug 13-25
• ?9-14 from Sept 1-26

We still won the division. Record looks bad now because we started the season with it, but this team has the capability of going on a run.

---

For people looking to pour fuel on the fire and deepen the pessimism:

The Astros Are Rapidly Digging Their Hole Deeper and Deeper from Fangraphs



FWIW I don’t blame anyone for feeling either hopeful or doom and gloom. In fact, I wish I was more of an optimist

Pretty damn hard not to feel like everything is complete shite and will continue to be complete shite, but a tiny part of me says until this core of players has a season that they don’t make the playoffs then I shouldn’t count them out.

quote:

---

It has been updated to accurately reflect Jean-Patrick Francois as the starter.

---

G dammit
Note: I usually call him J6 France, but I do like your French name for him

quote:

---

until this core of players has a season that they don’t make the playoffs then I shouldn’t count them out

---

I feel that way about the lineup. The pitching is totally dependent on the health of all the banged up starters. You replace a couple bullpen arms with surplus starters and the pitching all of a sudden doesn't look so bad, at least on paper. Hader/Pressly struggles are a whole different story.

The question becomes does the hole they're digging right now get so deep that it's too late for any of that to matter.

So instead of putting Doobie in the 9 hole, let's just put him on the bench! Can we swap Bregs and Pena in this lineup. Pena's hitting has improved greatly! He is currently hitting .344 with an OPS of .839 compared to Bregs .213 and .582.

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.