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Rays do that a lot with their minor league pitchers - something I've never understood is how many times can a player be brought up and then sent down. Seems like my team has done it numerous times with a couple of pitchers. Thought there was a rule about that.
I was at tonight game and will attend tomorrow afternoon's game. Looked like the Astros were going to take game #2. Rays have hit a semi-slump Friday and today - got to credit the Astros' pitching staff for that.
Regarding that first statement, it could be a motivational thing. They're not necessarily punishing players who do well; rather, it just comes down to already-established players who will play the best right now. If someone falters badly, then another can step in.
Astros head home after the All-Star break and they'll start a three-game series against Seattle at Minute Maid on Friday. Don't be surprised if, in the next few weeks, we see Jarred Cosart returning to the team............along with a few other call-ups named Springer and Singleton who just might be making their major league debuts.
To be honest, I'm still getting used to the 'Stros being in the AL. The plus is, the Astros get to use the designated hitter rather than having the pitcher bat. That just gives them more of an advantage offensively. I remember too many occasions in previous years where Houston would try to get a rally going, and when the pitcher came to bat, unless he'd get lucky, it would usually mean the rally would likely end or lose its momentum. That's the downside that every National League team faces.
Yeah, because of the Astros' history and tradition with the great rivalries, I do miss them being in the NL. Am I mad? No. In about five years, we can ask that question again. If the Astros are consistently contending and playing meaningful games with the Rangers in a future September (or even, perhaps, October), then Houston being in the American League would really become worthwhile.
^^^ That's been our Achilles heel all season. We've got to find the right pitchers to fill the right spots, but this may take some time with all the draft picks we've accumulated. So much emphasis has been made on the starting pitching and who'll be filling those roles that the relief corps have gotten overlooked.
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The Astros' Pen
