Zach Levine's article on Jordan Lyles shows us a guy who likes knowing that he's The Shiz:
"It's a great feeling that people say my name and I hear my name come out of other people's mouths. At the same time, I try not to let it get to me. I try to keep a level head, stay humble and maybe in the not-so-far future, they'll get to see me pitch. Hopefully I can continue to keep it going like I've done this year."
Ed Wade:
"He certainly hasn't done anything to quell our excitement. The way he's handled himself at every level has been very encouraging."
Levine:
His absence from the 40-man roster is a small obstacle as the Astros are at 39. And even if they reach 40, if the desire or need is there when active rosters expand in September, they could find someone expendable or someone they're willing to expose to waivers.
His innings total could be a larger deal. Lyles pitched 1442⁄3 innings this year, and if he makes five more Class AAA starts, figuring six innings apiece, he'd be at 163 by the end of that season, and the Astros do not want to push him much further.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
