Long-Reads

Longreads

Monday, October 23, 2023

Immediate Thoughts on Game 7

Where do you even start with this? Do you start with the Astros losing every single home game in a seven-game series after winning every road game in the same seven-game series...for the second time in five years. I make a motion that the Astros bulldoze Minute Maid Park and build a new stadium in Idontfknknow Sugar Land? Katy? Port Lavaca so it feels like a road game? 

*It's the 6th time the Astros have allowed at least 11 runs in a postseason game. It's the 6th time in postseason history a team has allowed at least 11 runs in a Game 7, the 3rd time out of those that the home team did it, the 2023 Astros joining the 1912 Red Sox, and 1934 Tigers

*There will be time to get into the Ins & Outs of Game 7. We'll do that another day. Maybe. But let's just sit back and look at how in the actual hell:

The Astros went 1-5 (with five straight losses) at home this postseason, getting outscored 37-17 while going 5-0 on the road, outscoring opponents 35-15.

The Astros went 40-47 at Minute Maid Park in 2023, including playoffs.

The Astros started the 2nd Half of the season 8-4 at Minute Maid Park, and then went 7-21 at home, including playoffs. 

How the Astros went 4x31 with runners in scoring position in four home games in the ALCS.

How Framber Valdez threw 7.2IP in the 2023 ALCS, allowing 12H/7ER, and how just maybe two fewer ER in Game 2 win that game. 

How Kyle Tucker went 6x40 with 10 strikeouts this postseason.

How Jeremy Pena still hasn't hit a home run since July 5. 

*Here are the impending Astros free agents, with their 2023 salary in parentheses:

Dusty Baker

Michael Brantley ($12m)

Hector Neris ($8m)

Martin Maldonado ($4m)

Ryne Stanek ($3.6m)

Phil Maton ($2.55m)

*A Musical Selection: