I am not sure it would apply here but I do have some experience working with Japanese athletes in Judo. Every one of them has responded best to the same thing. Insistent and loud discipline. Do this! Do it like this! Do it now! Do it again! Again! Again! Sounds counter intuitive but it is effective and resolves doubt and uncertainty.
Can't wait for the next roadie. Astros will debunk the early trend. Rockies and Mariners were lucky to face us when they did.
Interesting thing about the 2026 offense. The 4 top producers from last year (by WAR) are absent from this production. Jeremy Pena averaged 1 WAR every 22.12 games last year and is at 0.0 WAR across 10 games so far. Yainer Diaz had 2.15 WAR (2.7bWAR, 1.6fWAR) but is -0.3 after 14 games prior to Thursday when I compiled this. Jake Myers had 2.35 WAR or 1 every 44.26 games but only has 0.15 in 12 games (1 every 80.0) Isaac Paredes also had 2.35 but is at 0.05 after 14 games. If those 4 players can regain their 2025 production while the other players continue raking, this will be a very fun season to enjoy.
Yanier Diaz is a problem… (Every year I mention this, he seems to figure it out, hopefully it works again).
Him grounding to second and jogging slow af to first is annoying. More so this year, for some reason.
I agree. He’s definitely regressed and it’s painful to watch. As you said, his body language is weird too.
Unlucky pitchers (era vs xFIP): Burrows 6.55 / 4.75 McCullers 5.87 / 3.11 Weiss 6.75 / 4.54 Blubaugh 7.82 / 5.98 Abreu 12.79 / 6.15 Gordon 9.92 / 3.14
Hader so far (and scale): '24 - 6.5 - above-average, decent season with huge playoff fail '25 - 7.5 - awesome, but couldn't finish '26 - 0 - DNP Contract so far is a 4 overall until Josh returns. Massive fail. Team hasn't gotten ONE season of value. Whether he could or could not handle 2-IP appearances is another indictment. If he needed a 1-2 week rest after the heavier usage, fine -- but this has become a 9-month pregnancy with the baby 2 months late.
Back in Bielak Never forget: Bielack was a part of the Astros organization in 2022 and received a World Series ring, so he is a returning champion. Warmly welcomed.
I can't believe we are in last place and only 2.5 games out of first place. Feels like we should 10-12 down.
Bryan Abreu has been the least valuable player in all of MLB this season at negative 0.7 fwar. Thix team needs a shakeup. Roster moves I would make: Option Diaz and Matthews IL Abreu Call up Carlos Perez and James Nelson (neither will play very much) Activate Sousa 60-day IL Bolton and Javier
