And yet, we still almost won.

Miley throws a cutter about 45% the time. He's lost movement on it the second half of the year and it's landing too much in the zone, too often. That's what is wrong. I've never pitched so i am a complete amateur but it seems like when he's tried to slow down his velocity and spin to get more break, it's still not breaking much

BaylorGuy314 said:

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Miley throws a cutter about 45% the time. He's lost movement on it the second half of the year and it's landing too much in the zone, too often. That's what is wrong. I've never pitched so i am a complete amateur but it seems like when he's tried to slow down his velocity and spin to get more break, it's still not breaking much

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Interesting assessment from someone who hasn't pitched

GoldMind said:

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And yet, we still almost won.

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Yeah. Can still clinch it all tonight.

Only lasted 4 innings, but we also sat a number of starters last night. Looks like we ended the game with a two out error in extra innings by Tucker. A lot of arms used last night, but Pressley, Harris and Osuna did not pitch. I assume at this point we are primarily resting and positioning for the playoffs, while still keeping one eye on the Yankees for home field. Not sure, but I think the magic number is down to 1 on that since we have the tiebreaker.

I forget, how is home field decided these days for the World Series? I see we are up 1 game, but don't know who has the tiebreaker if that matters for home field in the World Series -- if those two teams make it of course.

Leonidas said:

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Only lasted 4 innings, but we also sat a number of starters last night. Looks like we ended the game with a two out error in extra innings by Tucker. A lot of arms used last night, but Pressley, Harris and Osuna did not pitch. I assume at this point we are primarily resting and positioning for the playoffs, while still keeping one eye on the Yankees for home field. Not sure, but I think the magic number is down to 1 on that since we have the tiebreaker.

I forget, how is home field decided these days for the World Series? I see we are up 1 game, but don't know who has the tiebreaker if that matters for home field in the World Series -- if those two teams make it of course.

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Magic Number is 1 for the Yankees and 2 for the Dodgers - tie breaker for World Series is Division Record (we have the tie breaker already wrapped up).

Last night was frustrating because we had the bases loaded with a chance to go ahead several times yet we continued to sit our big guns. I understand resting guys, but a base hit in any of those situations and Hinch could've been one game closer to letting them rest 2 games needing to only win 1 game out of 3 or have 1 Dodger loss. Instead we almost beat the Angels with basically our AAA team (which is in and of itself somewhat impressive). In the end, it cost them because playing Tucker out of position at 1st resulted in the game losing error.

Hinch also didn't really get Springer the night off he planned as he pinch hit him late and then ended up having to play him enough time to get 3 at bats. Look to see Springer resting another game this weekend. Hopefully, we win tonight and the Giants take care of Dodgers. Then all we are doing is seeing what magic Verlander and Cole can produce in their final Cy Young statements of the year on Saturday/Sunday.

GoldMind said:

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BaylorGuy314 said:

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Miley throws a cutter about 45% the time. He's lost movement on it the second half of the year and it's landing too much in the zone, too often. That's what is wrong. I've never pitched so i am a complete amateur but it seems like when he's tried to slow down his velocity and spin to get more break, it's still not breaking much

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Interesting assessment from someone who hasn't pitched

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I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night so...

In all seriousness, there was an article about it a month back or so. There was a belief he was tipping the pitch but these folks did a bunch of analysis and determined his cutter just ain't cutting.

Micheal Brantley decides a 1-run lead is not enough, homers to give Houston a 4-0 lead top of the 8th with 2 out

Dodgers winning 5-2 bottom of the 7th in San Fran, but Astros win 4-0 so Astros clinch best record in AL and need 1 more win to clinch best record in baseball.

Oldbear83 said:

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Dodgers winning 5-2 bottom of the 7th in San Fran, but Astros win 4-0 so Astros clinch best record in AL and need 1 more win to clinch best record in baseball.

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And JV and Cole are pitching. I like these odds.

If the 'Stros win tomorrow night, do you rest Cole or put him on a pitch count on Sunday?

BaylorGuy314 said:

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If the 'Stros win tomorrow night, do you rest Cole or put him on a pitch count on Sunday?

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Nah, you let him play his game. Lots of teams screw themselves by trying to play a game different for one game, then expect to go back to full speed the next week.

BaylorGuy314 said:

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If the 'Stros win tomorrow night, do you rest Cole or put him on a pitch count on Sunday?

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You let him pitch his game and you ask him what he wants to do after the fifth.

Props to Harris for the 9 pitch three strike out inning. I would vote for pitching Cole but not pushing him too far on the pitch count. 4th starter for the playoffs will be an interesting issue to watch. Starters 3 and 4 will be pitching on a lot of Brest. Hopefully not too much. Hope Correa can get well with the extra rest and not come back either still injured or too rusty

Astros down 3-0 bottom of the 5th, Dodgers already won, hope the bats come around for Houston.

Oldbear83 said:

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Astros down 3-0 bottom of the 5th, Dodgers already won, hope the bats come around for Houston.

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Jose Altuve brings Houston within a run, top 6th no one out.

Verlanders 3000th strikeout was followed immediately by his 36th homer

And a five run inning puts the Astros up.

D. C. Bear said:

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And a five run inning puts the Astros up.

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Yup, and now 6-3 Houston in the bottom of the 7th.

8th inning done, still 6-3 Houston

Houston wins, 6-3

Home field through the World Series locked up.

Mathematically clinched better record than the Yankees, can do that to LA tomorrow.

Today's win clinches it - the Astros have the best record in baseball, period.

Now, on to win the playoffs a second World Series!

Oldbear83 said:

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Today's win clinches it - the Astros have the best record in baseball, period.

Now, on to win the playoffs a second World Series!

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Oh you putting it on wax? Hmmmmm

107. Wow.

Not a bad season.... and most of it without Correa

Team I'm most afraid of?
Cards
Team I'm least afraid of?
Dodgers

Correa might not be doing **** with his bat, but that was a hell of a play.

Glad we have the lead, but sure wish we could have scored in the 5th to get a bigger one.

That dang stool kept Tucker from scoring.

What a time to be alive

GoldMind said:

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What a time to be alive

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Not liking Osuna so much right now, though ...

Oldbear83 said:

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GoldMind said:

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What a time to be alive

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Not liking Osuna so much right now, though ...

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Loving Harris.

Whew, glad Harris shut that down.

Stro's made that way too interesting in the 9th. Nearly blew an amazing outing by Cole.

No kidding! I kept thinking, "C'mon, guys.... You OWE Gerrit this one!" Dude pitched with his whole heart and soul!