Houston's gonna run out of pitchers.
Not following Hinch here. He's emptying the bench in low-leverage situations and sticking pitchers in situations they aren't accustomed to. Might work, but he's really pushing the envelope.
The PH of Gattis, then Maybin, really added up to a head-scratcher.
Morton throwing 98? The hell?
Batting a RHer for a LHer against Kershaw and then using Maybin to PH and upgrade the defense in the 6th with a lead is consfusing to you?
Houston's gonna run out of pitchers.
Morton will pitch 3-6 more outs, and Keuchel will finish. I wouldn't be shocked to see Verlander get a couple outs either.
Given the svelte staff for Houston, in terms of dependable arms this postseason, plus the fact that Kershaw is Kershaw, made me question burning both Gattis and Devenski with two outs (especially considering Gattis was pretty obviously going to get the IBB to force Hinch to PH for Devenski).
I think it's a move that's entirely fair to question in the top of the sixth with a 5-0 lead. I like aggression—not assuming a five-run lead is safe—but this was over-aggression, given the situation.
99 fastball up in the zone to a filthy change up at 88 down and in. Can't say I ever saw that coming from Charlie Morton.
Morton will pitch 3-6 more outs, and Keuchel will finish. I wouldn't be shocked to see Verlander get a couple outs either.
I'm disputing that subbing in Gattis (who is obviously going to get the IBB) then PHing the light-hitting Maybin (against MF Kershaw) really constitutes "going for the jugular"; I further think, given the cascade costs to pitching availability, it wasn't an especially-sensible roll of the dice.
So let Reddick get owned by Kershaw to end the inning? Or PH Maybin for Reddick and force Morton to lead off the next inning if he got out?
Devenski was coming out no matter what so Morton could start the inning. Hinch cleared the pitchers spot so Morton could go multiple innings.
Maybin had to be saved so he could come
In with a double switch had Gattis gotten out, thus letting Maybin lead off.
The Astros are smart.