August 26, 2024 • 14 mins
Bringing their four game series to an end in Baltimore yesterday afternoon, the Astros take two out of the four games from the Orioles in Oriole Park, resulting in a series split. Following Neris's return, Steve assesses the Astros weekend alongside a few updates regarding Bregman and Yordan.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And we're about there for The Shawn Salisbury Show continues.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yep, every Monday, this time eight thirty. Steve Sparks season Philly. Well,
we got a three gamer in Philly, I believe, and
that'll be fun. Could be a preview of the World Series. Steve,
Welcome in man, good to talk to you. All right,
you go. You took the Orioles five out of seven
on the seven times you've played him and split this
one from your vantage point? Is that a win when
(00:27):
you can go on the road against a good team
and split, considering all factors considered.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Well, everybody's got their shortcomings as far as injuries, and
Baltimore does too.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
But the Astros go in there.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Feeling pretty good about what they were able to going
to throw out there, and then Ordone misses the last
three games. So to win two out of four without
jord On, I would say that's pretty good, man. I
feel really good about hanging there two games to two
in one of the best teams in the American League.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I think the Astros are right there.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Everybody who gets into this dance I think has a
great chance and I wouldn't be surprised if the Astros
played Baltimore game at some point.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, I imagine we'll see them postseason wise as well. Steve,
what was your biggest four games? You know, from Thursday
through Sunday, people get lost and with all the text
and stuff going on. But for those who didn't see
all four as close as you did, what was the
one major takeaway on the good side from this series?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I think my major takeaway now is how full the
Astros bullpit is now with Hector and Marri's there, with
those four outs, it just reminds you like they've got
a lot of shutdown.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
Guys available to Joe's spotted.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Down this stretch, and you're not gonna have to use
so many guys in leverage situations or even get them up,
you know, with all the double barrel action. I think
you feel good about every single guy out there right now,
even Caleb or you know, he's chucking ninety nine miles
per hour and he's probably your se at least leverage
pitcher out there now. So I think their bullpen right
(02:04):
now for me is as good as it's been, and
I think it was a great pickup.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, I was gonna ask Steve, what was your initial
thought when you heard this. I know when he was dfaid,
the thought process came for all of us. But what
was your initial thought when you found out about Hector
and Nerris signing here?
Speaker 3 (02:21):
You know, I always kind of dig in and try
to find out from people that are more in the
know about what's going on as far as pitch shapes, velocity,
what they can and can't do. And I heard that
the Astros were real excited because they felt like they
noticed something that they could help Nerius. And it's not
like he had bad numbers with the Cubs. Actually had
(02:42):
seventeen says and it pitched pretty well. But the Astros
saw something that he wasn't doing when he was with
the Astros that they could get him back to and he.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Looked really good yesterday. I think it was a pretty
quick fix.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Steve Sparks, Astros broadcaster, joins us here on Sports Talk
seven ninety first weekly visit here with the Fellows.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Steve with the.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Injury, jordn Any new news and neck injury seemed to
bother a lot of folks this year.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
How long do we expect this and will we see
him this series?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
I think it was one of those situations yesterday where
he could have played, but they just didn't want to
irritate it. So I think tonight, I mean, my guess
is that he'll be in there. So I think that's
where we are right now. And if it's not tonight,
you know, I think it's nine percent tonight, let's.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Put it that way.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
And if it's not tonight, it's going to be the
next day. So I don't think this thing's going to
linger like you know, some neck injuries that we've seen
in the past that it was, you know, just concentrated
in one area. It just wasn't able to really even
turn his head to feel comfortable enough to look at
the baseball coming at him out at a stance.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
So I think he's in there tonight.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Hey, Steve, last week, we're trying to mix and match,
you know, with Bregman taking ground balls at first base
and jord on left field and DH yeah, between Victor
Carrattini and Diaz and moving around saying, okay, the best
batting order that you don't get killed on defense or
you maybe even upgrade depending So with all this is
this series, will we see Bregman at first base and
(04:13):
the bat then shave back at third base? What's the prognosis,
or at least the thought process on getting Bregman work
at first base unless he's full ready to go third
base all the time.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Now, is that what we understand? Since he got a
couple this weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
I think they want to make sure they don't irritate
the elbow where it is right now.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
And you know, I watch him in between innings Sean,
and he's kind.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Of lobbed it over there to first base right looks adequate,
but doesn't look like he's gonna air it out. It's
funny the last few games, even with Farmer Valdez pitching,
he didn't get one single ball that he had to
throw across the diamond at first he had won in
those two games that he started, or just.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
The second fielder's choice, yep, but that was it.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
So he really hasn't tested it, especially when I think
when he's had to drop down he might be a
little off balance. Those are the ones that might irritate it.
It's in play as far as first base goes. He's
taking ground balls there. I've talked to Joe Aspata. He
says that it's certainly a possibility down the road to
(05:17):
split some days in there to make sure that Jordan
has that available spot as the DH you get with
him in the lineup, who's having good ads. Maybe the
best offense that you can actually throw out there in
a tough matchup is with pregnant at first base.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Great Way Wickham has swung the back.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Yep Steve with that.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Going back to Jordan, how much do we know he's
played what forty five fifty games in left field this
year somewhere and I think in the forties, and we
know he can move and that he can play. He's
a good player. But my question is how much do
they want to play him? And now with this recent
injury and a dive for a ball, any of those
things that go on, how much do they want to
play him these last games heading in down the stretch
(06:00):
to the playoffs. Well, are they more comfortable just themselves
with him in the DH roll, which would make Regman
play more first base if possible.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
You know, I think they're comfortable with him in the
left field, certainly at may Park, certainly at Fenway Park.
Some of the ballparks they are a little easier to
navigate as far as acreage goes.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Unlike Baltimore, which is a which is the Yellowstone Park
right right, Yeah, so it makes things difficult.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
And I don't think they were going to play him
out there, you know, more than one or two games
out there anyway.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
But you know, it's a good point what we talked about.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I don't think you want to ever think about holding
guys back because you're worried about injuries, right, But he's
so important to this lineup right now that you want
to keep him as fresh as you can. And in
those DH days, I think if they're available, you want
to get as many to Jordon as you can.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Steve Steve Sparks astra's broadcaster for his weekly visit as
always and always grateful to have him.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Steve.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I know none of us know the timetable.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Can continue to speculate here about Kyle Tucker and his
progress and all that. I want to take it a
step further when he does come back, and the longer
it takes post Labor Day and gets his start. Any
concern for you, you know, sometimes it takes guys a
while to get back into it. Now he's a freak,
But any concern, I mean watching closely, not only when
he comes back, but just how quickly he explodes, because
(07:22):
they're going to need him playing like that in the postseason.
So any concern about how long it'll take him to
get into his rhythm tentative wise.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Yeah, there is concern about that.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I mean, you know, I think right now, you've got
one eye on what he's doing in this rehab and
what we're heard that it's starting to ramp up quite
a bit, that he's starting to do some things where
he's pushing and turning and exploding in long striding where
it makes you feel a lot better that he's getting close.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
But are you concerned.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Of course, you got one eye on that rehab and
you got the other eye on this stands and as
long as the astwers have this little bit of cushion,
and I know, I know it's not real comfortable for everybody,
but you know, if it dwindles a little bit, then
maybe you press it, you know, but if it gets
a little wider, then you play things a little more safely.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
But uh, there is a little concern at that.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I'd like to get him some at bats, wouldn't you,
Steve before the postseason?
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, definitely, And I think they will. I
don't I don't think they're that far away too, you know,
and I don't. I don't want to say exactly, but
I think he's not far away from playing uh live action,
doing some stuff in some games and some rehab stuff.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
I don't know how long that.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Looks as far as him getting in there and having
some type of timing, but hits presence alone will make
the steam better.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
It'll make everybody better, all.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Right, Steve.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
While, yes he does not pitching into the sixth and
seventh inning, but what four or five starts into it?
If you're a GM, would you make the would you
would you do this trade again?
Speaker 1 (08:59):
The Kakoo you move? Yes, agreed, Agreed the.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
A five and oh, I think he's been the best
acquisition at the trade deadline. Now, the Astros are five
and zero in those starts, and they had to stabilize
that spot in the rotation or they were in jeopardy
of killing guys in the bullpen. They could not afford
three inning starts, and they just didn't have anybody that
(09:25):
was ready for the big league level to be able
to do that. And that's exactly what Kakuchi has done.
He's given him five and two thirds four different games
five and a third in that other game, but the
Astros have won all five of the starts. He's been
everything they would have hoped for. I think to this point,
he's been the best trade deadline acquisition. You know, as
(09:46):
far as what the Astros were targeting and needing at
that point, did they overpay? Yeah, when you when you
have to, when you when you're you have to, when
you're desperate and you've got to get a star at
that point, everybody knows it, and you're bidding against other
teams as well. The Astros got the guy that they
wanted and still held on to Melton Matthews, Uyola, Joe Warski. Yeah,
(10:14):
you can name all these guys that they're really excited about.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Uh, they held onto those guys, and.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
He's validated why he's here. He has.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
He's done a hell of a job of it. Steve
all Right, And I know I know you you find
good and bad about it. Like you said, the warts
and the good stuff about every team. If somebody says
to you, or if I say to you, the Mariners
don't have enough good hitting to bring that now pitching
they got it, but good hitting to chase down the Astros,
even though it's four and a half, what would you.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Say they have enough?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
You know, they just kind of kind of you know,
it gets contagious, right, But the ass just have to
have to take care of themselves. You know, they were
able to, you know, erase a ten game deficit and
go five games up in fifty game.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
They did that fifty games.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
You know, that hasn't been done since nineteen sixty nine
with the New York Mets when they did it actually
thirty six games, which is ridiculous. But nobody else has
made up that kind of a depth and actually got
in a five game lead since nineteen sixty nine.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
So what the Astros did? You know? It was a
two way street.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Not only did the Astros pitch really well and play
really well, but the Mariners just take those are going
to even out that the Mariners are going to play better,
and you have to assume that and just take care
of yourselves, win series, continue to pitch well.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
I feel great about the bullpen. I think it's really deep.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Now, and I think those games that you have a lead,
you should feel good about knocking them out. So I
think the Astros are in a good spot. I think
they're getting healthier, guys are swinging the basketball.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Love what Pain is doing. I love Ben Gamble has
been a great acquisition grinder. He helped them win two games.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
So just these little things that the Astros are doing
really really well on the margins, making sure that they take
advantage of everything that they can get under their roster
to win games.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Hey, Steve, real quick. One thing, we had a caller callin.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Andy was talking about a bray who's lack of work
for a while and then putting him in and he obviously,
you know, gives up the big hit, but curious, should
he be going five days without work?
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (12:25):
I have to give You're the expert pitching.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
So we're trying to answer a question for a caller like,
you know, when he would have was it eleven pitches
or something? Is is that too much time in between
him getting work, Steve, whether you're standing up in a
bullpen or not.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
I don't think so at this stage as much as
he's worked. I mean, you're looking for any opportunities you.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Can to Is there's such thing as over risk, Steve,
loose competitive advantage?
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I mean any of that exists? Or is that just talk?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
If you want to look at the pitch that he
threw they got hit for the Grand Slam. It was
five inches above the strike zone at ninety eight.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Miles per hour.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Yeah, we talked about that.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
Sometimes sometimes the other guy just puts puts on an
unbelievable swing and the results can kind of lie, you know.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
To rest the situation. So, uh, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
I think I think Brian to bray you is a
massive piece in the bullpen, and you want to get
into the finish line. So whenever you can resting, look
at the score of the game, and if you've got
an opportunity to resting, you want him as strong as
he when you go into the postseason.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
So Air on the side of the rest, right, Steve
Air on the side of if he can give him
one extra day, give him an extra day, he'll be
fine type of thing.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
They they fought and clubbed their way out of that
hole that they dug himselves into, and he was a
big part of it.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
So he does need rest as much as he can get.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, man, I don't know how much stronger the pitching
staff is going to get. This may be as strong
as it gets, meaning health wise, the rest of the season,
so it's gonna be one hell of a Now, getting
yourd On and Tucker back in the lineup would be great, Steve,
awesome stuff. Will be watching and listening obviously to you
guys tonight. This should be one hell of a series
and possible rematch for what we'll see in the in
the World Series, and maybe we'll see some Bregman at
(14:13):
first pace. We appreciate your time, man, and we'll look
forward to talking to you next week.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Alright, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Great stuff, Steve, thank you. That's Steve Sparks.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
What do you I agree he's we're on the same
page as that best hitting lineup.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yeah, and that's Bregman at first pace. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Once, because I think with this I know we can
play left field. I just think that they don't as
cautious as this team is with injuries. You don't want
him diving for a ball in a gap. And while
Steve's right, you don't play not to get hurt, but
if you can preserve it, he's different.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
You play him in left field when he's at.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Home, yeah, two out of three games. Yeah, and Bregman
can play first base, Yeah, no doubt that'll get the
best line. If you want offensive production, that's what you
need down the stretch. Great stuff by Steve. All right,
let's get to break. We'll continue to discussion on the
astros next
And we're about there for The Shawn Salisbury Show continues.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yep, every Monday, this time eight thirty. Steve Sparks season Philly. Well,
we got a three gamer in Philly, I believe, and
that'll be fun. Could be a preview of the World Series. Steve,
Welcome in man, good to talk to you. All right,
you go. You took the Orioles five out of seven
on the seven times you've played him and split this
one from your vantage point? Is that a win when
(00:27):
you can go on the road against a good team
and split, considering all factors considered.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Well, everybody's got their shortcomings as far as injuries, and
Baltimore does too.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
But the Astros go in there.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Feeling pretty good about what they were able to going
to throw out there, and then Ordone misses the last
three games. So to win two out of four without
jord On, I would say that's pretty good, man. I
feel really good about hanging there two games to two
in one of the best teams in the American League.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I think the Astros are right there.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Everybody who gets into this dance I think has a
great chance and I wouldn't be surprised if the Astros
played Baltimore game at some point.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, I imagine we'll see them postseason wise as well. Steve,
what was your biggest four games? You know, from Thursday
through Sunday, people get lost and with all the text
and stuff going on. But for those who didn't see
all four as close as you did, what was the
one major takeaway on the good side from this series?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I think my major takeaway now is how full the
Astros bullpit is now with Hector and Marri's there, with
those four outs, it just reminds you like they've got
a lot of shutdown.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
Guys available to Joe's spotted.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Down this stretch, and you're not gonna have to use
so many guys in leverage situations or even get them up,
you know, with all the double barrel action. I think
you feel good about every single guy out there right now,
even Caleb or you know, he's chucking ninety nine miles
per hour and he's probably your se at least leverage
pitcher out there now. So I think their bullpen right
(02:04):
now for me is as good as it's been, and
I think it was a great pickup.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, I was gonna ask Steve, what was your initial
thought when you heard this. I know when he was dfaid,
the thought process came for all of us. But what
was your initial thought when you found out about Hector
and Nerris signing here?
Speaker 3 (02:21):
You know, I always kind of dig in and try
to find out from people that are more in the
know about what's going on as far as pitch shapes, velocity,
what they can and can't do. And I heard that
the Astros were real excited because they felt like they
noticed something that they could help Nerius. And it's not
like he had bad numbers with the Cubs. Actually had
(02:42):
seventeen says and it pitched pretty well. But the Astros
saw something that he wasn't doing when he was with
the Astros that they could get him back to and he.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Looked really good yesterday. I think it was a pretty
quick fix.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Steve Sparks, Astros broadcaster, joins us here on Sports Talk
seven ninety first weekly visit here with the Fellows.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Steve with the.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Injury, jordn Any new news and neck injury seemed to
bother a lot of folks this year.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
How long do we expect this and will we see
him this series?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
I think it was one of those situations yesterday where
he could have played, but they just didn't want to
irritate it. So I think tonight, I mean, my guess
is that he'll be in there. So I think that's
where we are right now. And if it's not tonight,
you know, I think it's nine percent tonight, let's.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Put it that way.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
And if it's not tonight, it's going to be the
next day. So I don't think this thing's going to
linger like you know, some neck injuries that we've seen
in the past that it was, you know, just concentrated
in one area. It just wasn't able to really even
turn his head to feel comfortable enough to look at
the baseball coming at him out at a stance.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
So I think he's in there tonight.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Hey, Steve, last week, we're trying to mix and match,
you know, with Bregman taking ground balls at first base
and jord on left field and DH yeah, between Victor
Carrattini and Diaz and moving around saying, okay, the best
batting order that you don't get killed on defense or
you maybe even upgrade depending So with all this is
this series, will we see Bregman at first base and
(04:13):
the bat then shave back at third base? What's the prognosis,
or at least the thought process on getting Bregman work
at first base unless he's full ready to go third
base all the time.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Now, is that what we understand? Since he got a
couple this weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
I think they want to make sure they don't irritate
the elbow where it is right now.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
And you know, I watch him in between innings Sean,
and he's kind.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Of lobbed it over there to first base right looks adequate,
but doesn't look like he's gonna air it out. It's
funny the last few games, even with Farmer Valdez pitching,
he didn't get one single ball that he had to
throw across the diamond at first he had won in
those two games that he started, or just.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
The second fielder's choice, yep, but that was it.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
So he really hasn't tested it, especially when I think
when he's had to drop down he might be a
little off balance. Those are the ones that might irritate it.
It's in play as far as first base goes. He's
taking ground balls there. I've talked to Joe Aspata. He
says that it's certainly a possibility down the road to
(05:17):
split some days in there to make sure that Jordan
has that available spot as the DH you get with
him in the lineup, who's having good ads. Maybe the
best offense that you can actually throw out there in
a tough matchup is with pregnant at first base.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Great Way Wickham has swung the back.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Yep Steve with that.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Going back to Jordan, how much do we know he's
played what forty five fifty games in left field this
year somewhere and I think in the forties, and we
know he can move and that he can play. He's
a good player. But my question is how much do
they want to play him? And now with this recent
injury and a dive for a ball, any of those
things that go on, how much do they want to
play him these last games heading in down the stretch
(06:00):
to the playoffs. Well, are they more comfortable just themselves
with him in the DH roll, which would make Regman
play more first base if possible.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
You know, I think they're comfortable with him in the
left field, certainly at may Park, certainly at Fenway Park.
Some of the ballparks they are a little easier to
navigate as far as acreage goes.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Unlike Baltimore, which is a which is the Yellowstone Park
right right, Yeah, so it makes things difficult.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
And I don't think they were going to play him
out there, you know, more than one or two games
out there anyway.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
But you know, it's a good point what we talked about.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I don't think you want to ever think about holding
guys back because you're worried about injuries, right, But he's
so important to this lineup right now that you want
to keep him as fresh as you can. And in
those DH days, I think if they're available, you want
to get as many to Jordon as you can.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Steve Steve Sparks astra's broadcaster for his weekly visit as
always and always grateful to have him.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Steve.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I know none of us know the timetable.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Can continue to speculate here about Kyle Tucker and his
progress and all that. I want to take it a
step further when he does come back, and the longer
it takes post Labor Day and gets his start. Any
concern for you, you know, sometimes it takes guys a
while to get back into it. Now he's a freak,
But any concern, I mean watching closely, not only when
he comes back, but just how quickly he explodes, because
(07:22):
they're going to need him playing like that in the postseason.
So any concern about how long it'll take him to
get into his rhythm tentative wise.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Yeah, there is concern about that.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I mean, you know, I think right now, you've got
one eye on what he's doing in this rehab and
what we're heard that it's starting to ramp up quite
a bit, that he's starting to do some things where
he's pushing and turning and exploding in long striding where
it makes you feel a lot better that he's getting close.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
But are you concerned.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Of course, you got one eye on that rehab and
you got the other eye on this stands and as
long as the astwers have this little bit of cushion,
and I know, I know it's not real comfortable for everybody,
but you know, if it dwindles a little bit, then
maybe you press it, you know, but if it gets
a little wider, then you play things a little more safely.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
But uh, there is a little concern at that.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I'd like to get him some at bats, wouldn't you,
Steve before the postseason?
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, definitely, And I think they will. I
don't I don't think they're that far away too, you know,
and I don't. I don't want to say exactly, but
I think he's not far away from playing uh live action,
doing some stuff in some games and some rehab stuff.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
I don't know how long that.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Looks as far as him getting in there and having
some type of timing, but hits presence alone will make
the steam better.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
It'll make everybody better, all.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Right, Steve.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
While, yes he does not pitching into the sixth and
seventh inning, but what four or five starts into it?
If you're a GM, would you make the would you
would you do this trade again?
Speaker 1 (08:59):
The Kakoo you move? Yes, agreed, Agreed the.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
A five and oh, I think he's been the best
acquisition at the trade deadline. Now, the Astros are five
and zero in those starts, and they had to stabilize
that spot in the rotation or they were in jeopardy
of killing guys in the bullpen. They could not afford
three inning starts, and they just didn't have anybody that
(09:25):
was ready for the big league level to be able
to do that. And that's exactly what Kakuchi has done.
He's given him five and two thirds four different games
five and a third in that other game, but the
Astros have won all five of the starts. He's been
everything they would have hoped for. I think to this point,
he's been the best trade deadline acquisition. You know, as
(09:46):
far as what the Astros were targeting and needing at
that point, did they overpay? Yeah, when you when you
have to, when you when you're you have to, when
you're desperate and you've got to get a star at
that point, everybody knows it, and you're bidding against other
teams as well. The Astros got the guy that they
wanted and still held on to Melton Matthews, Uyola, Joe Warski. Yeah,
(10:14):
you can name all these guys that they're really excited about.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Uh, they held onto those guys, and.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
He's validated why he's here. He has.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
He's done a hell of a job of it. Steve
all Right, And I know I know you you find
good and bad about it. Like you said, the warts
and the good stuff about every team. If somebody says
to you, or if I say to you, the Mariners
don't have enough good hitting to bring that now pitching
they got it, but good hitting to chase down the Astros,
even though it's four and a half, what would you.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Say they have enough?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
You know, they just kind of kind of you know,
it gets contagious, right, But the ass just have to
have to take care of themselves. You know, they were
able to, you know, erase a ten game deficit and
go five games up in fifty game.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
They did that fifty games.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
You know, that hasn't been done since nineteen sixty nine
with the New York Mets when they did it actually
thirty six games, which is ridiculous. But nobody else has
made up that kind of a depth and actually got
in a five game lead since nineteen sixty nine.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
So what the Astros did? You know? It was a
two way street.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Not only did the Astros pitch really well and play
really well, but the Mariners just take those are going
to even out that the Mariners are going to play better,
and you have to assume that and just take care
of yourselves, win series, continue to pitch well.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
I feel great about the bullpen. I think it's really deep.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Now, and I think those games that you have a lead,
you should feel good about knocking them out. So I
think the Astros are in a good spot. I think
they're getting healthier, guys are swinging the basketball.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Love what Pain is doing. I love Ben Gamble has
been a great acquisition grinder. He helped them win two games.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
So just these little things that the Astros are doing
really really well on the margins, making sure that they take
advantage of everything that they can get under their roster
to win games.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Hey, Steve, real quick. One thing, we had a caller callin.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Andy was talking about a bray who's lack of work
for a while and then putting him in and he obviously,
you know, gives up the big hit, but curious, should
he be going five days without work?
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (12:25):
I have to give You're the expert pitching.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
So we're trying to answer a question for a caller like,
you know, when he would have was it eleven pitches
or something? Is is that too much time in between
him getting work, Steve, whether you're standing up in a
bullpen or not.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
I don't think so at this stage as much as
he's worked. I mean, you're looking for any opportunities you.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Can to Is there's such thing as over risk, Steve,
loose competitive advantage?
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I mean any of that exists? Or is that just talk?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
If you want to look at the pitch that he
threw they got hit for the Grand Slam. It was
five inches above the strike zone at ninety eight.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Miles per hour.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Yeah, we talked about that.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
Sometimes sometimes the other guy just puts puts on an
unbelievable swing and the results can kind of lie, you know.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
To rest the situation. So, uh, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
I think I think Brian to bray you is a
massive piece in the bullpen, and you want to get
into the finish line. So whenever you can resting, look
at the score of the game, and if you've got
an opportunity to resting, you want him as strong as
he when you go into the postseason.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
So Air on the side of the rest, right, Steve
Air on the side of if he can give him
one extra day, give him an extra day, he'll be
fine type of thing.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
They they fought and clubbed their way out of that
hole that they dug himselves into, and he was a
big part of it.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
So he does need rest as much as he can get.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, man, I don't know how much stronger the pitching
staff is going to get. This may be as strong
as it gets, meaning health wise, the rest of the season,
so it's gonna be one hell of a Now, getting
yourd On and Tucker back in the lineup would be great, Steve,
awesome stuff. Will be watching and listening obviously to you
guys tonight. This should be one hell of a series
and possible rematch for what we'll see in the in
the World Series, and maybe we'll see some Bregman at
(14:13):
first pace. We appreciate your time, man, and we'll look
forward to talking to you next week.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Alright, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Great stuff, Steve, thank you. That's Steve Sparks.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
What do you I agree he's we're on the same
page as that best hitting lineup.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yeah, and that's Bregman at first pace. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Once, because I think with this I know we can
play left field. I just think that they don't as
cautious as this team is with injuries. You don't want
him diving for a ball in a gap. And while
Steve's right, you don't play not to get hurt, but
if you can preserve it, he's different.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
You play him in left field when he's at.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Home, yeah, two out of three games. Yeah, and Bregman
can play first base, Yeah, no doubt that'll get the
best line. If you want offensive production, that's what you
need down the stretch. Great stuff by Steve. All right,
let's get to break. We'll continue to discussion on the
astros next
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