You may have seen the lineup for the Astros against Washington tonight. If you have, and your blood pressure didn't immediately spike, you have moved past Apathy, because the Astros are facing Jason Marquis - a right-handed pitcher - and Mills is still sitting Brett Wallace.
Why? Alyson Footer has the details (combined for your viewing pleasure):
Mills said he called Wallace to his office after game yesterday. Told him he doesn't have him in lineup today. Said "you had two hits last night, your approach at the plate for 3 or 4 days is much better. Stay with that. This is nothing against you." Noted Carlos and JMike's numbers against Marquis are good. Wants to play them.
This makes me want to break my Mickey Mouse Astros bobblehead (yeah, I have one of those), because it's so very obviously not a long-term decision. It's about winning one game, and this season isn't about winning one game anymore. 2011 has evolved into winning games in 2012, 2013, and beyond. Sitting Brett Wallace against a lefty is stupid, if only because it prevents him from learning to hit against lefties. Sitting him against a right-handed pitcher because Jason Michaels is 7x10 against Marquis is downright criminal for the future of the franchise.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
