1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,640 Speaker 1: The Astros. 2 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 2: MLB dot COM's Brian McTaggart Brian, uh, first and foremost, 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:08,160 you have gone to Saint Louis a lot in your 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,519 life covering the Astros, especially when they're in the National League. 5 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:15,240 It was like clinically depressing watching Cardinal Baseball there there. 6 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:16,960 I know, yesterday with the crowd was pretty good, but 7 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:19,320 what the hell has happened in Saint Louis? That used 8 00:00:19,359 --> 00:00:22,160 to be like an automatic forty thousand they're building every time. 9 00:00:23,719 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I've never seen the stadium as empty 10 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:27,839 as it was. And I actually asked that question to 11 00:00:27,879 --> 00:00:30,280 one of their beat writers and he said, you know, 12 00:00:30,359 --> 00:00:33,200 opening day it was it was magical. They had, you know, 13 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,840 the Clydesdale's and that whole thing. And then beginning with 14 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:38,600 the second game of the season, the fans have just 15 00:00:38,679 --> 00:00:39,079 checked out. 16 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 1: I mean, they really didn't make any. 17 00:00:41,399 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 3: Upgrades in the offseason other than signing Phil Maton, and uh, 18 00:00:45,359 --> 00:00:47,000 you know, they weren't a good team last year, don't 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:48,640 look like they're gonna be a good team this year, 20 00:00:48,679 --> 00:00:51,399 so I think the fans have just checked out. It 21 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,960 was it was sort of a depressing three days. Usually 22 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,640 you go to go to Saint Louis and it's you know, 23 00:00:57,679 --> 00:01:00,560 it's this baseball like a suppose to be, but not 24 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:01,159 this time. 25 00:01:02,119 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 1: All right. 26 00:01:02,679 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 2: We looked at the graphic onto Twitter and a lot 27 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:06,640 of people are doing this as well. 28 00:01:07,159 --> 00:01:07,400 Speaker 3: I have. 29 00:01:08,079 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 2: And look, everybody goes through a stretch where you're winning 30 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:13,040 and paying five hundred baseball. But even when you play 31 00:01:13,079 --> 00:01:15,760 five hundred baseball, Brian, you maybe win three in a 32 00:01:15,879 --> 00:01:19,079 row or drop four in a row or win to uh, 33 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,959 this continued streak of updown, up down, it is legendary 34 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,319 right now for the local nine. 35 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I think somebody said I'd have to confirm 36 00:01:29,079 --> 00:01:32,400 that it's the longest streak and Astros history where they 37 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,599 haven't won two consecutive games or lost two consecutive games. 38 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:39,079 So I guess that's the definition of mediocrity when you're 39 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,719 just when you're going win loss, win loss. So you know, 40 00:01:42,719 --> 00:01:45,480 they're eight and ten, it feels like their record should 41 00:01:45,519 --> 00:01:47,079 be a little bit worse, I think, just with the 42 00:01:47,079 --> 00:01:50,120 way they've played, especially on offense. But they pitched the 43 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:52,599 ball pretty well and that's sort of why they're at 44 00:01:52,599 --> 00:01:56,000 where they are because right now their offense is really 45 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:58,599 tough to watch because you've got guys in the middle 46 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,239 of the lineup who just aren't pretty, and they need 47 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,719 to get it turned around quickly because the schedule's getting 48 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:06,920 really tough here with the Padres coming in and then 49 00:02:06,959 --> 00:02:09,759 the Blue Jays they got to go to Kansas City, 50 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:11,719 so this is not an easy stretch for them, and 51 00:02:11,719 --> 00:02:14,080 then they got to figure out a way to start 52 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:15,759 stacking up a couple of wins in a row, which 53 00:02:15,759 --> 00:02:17,039 they haven't been able to do yet. 54 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 2: Any hints from your perspective about maybe a little bit 55 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,560 of a lineup change because right now Walker Slash Diaz 56 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:27,680 is providing you just about nothing in that four or 57 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:28,280 five spot. 58 00:02:30,039 --> 00:02:33,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, And after the game yesterday, Joe Espotta was asked 59 00:02:33,319 --> 00:02:36,879 about any possible changes to the lineup, and he said 60 00:02:37,759 --> 00:02:39,560 he seemed to indicate that wasn't going to be the 61 00:02:39,599 --> 00:02:42,639 case at least, you know, anytime soon. You know, he said, 62 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:44,159 all nine of these guys have to come up and 63 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,639 hit at some point, no matter the order. And I 64 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:49,039 get what he's saying. I mean, I mean, you can 65 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:51,840 move Walker and DS to other points in the order, 66 00:02:52,159 --> 00:02:54,080 and you know they're still going to have to hit 67 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,360 for this lineup to work and click and be successful. 68 00:02:57,599 --> 00:02:58,639 Speaker 1: And I still think they will. 69 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 3: I mean, Janner Diaz didn't forget to hit in the offseason. 70 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:06,919 Christian Walker is a guy who's you know, hits thirty 71 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:10,400 home runs every year, So you know, not sure what's 72 00:03:10,439 --> 00:03:12,680 going on with those guys. I know that Christian Walker 73 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:16,800 looks increasingly frustrated by the day. But it is only 74 00:03:16,879 --> 00:03:19,000 eighteen games. They got a long way to go. They 75 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,560 got to get this thing turned around, and I think 76 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,039 they will, just because the track record of those guys, 77 00:03:24,039 --> 00:03:26,439 and they can't really get much worse at this point. 78 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:30,639 Speaker 4: Brian McTaggart with us here on Sports Talk seven ninety. 79 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,280 Let's just go to Cam Smith eighteen games into his 80 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:39,000 major league career, both in the field and at the plate. 81 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,199 How are you feeling about the way he's looking. 82 00:03:42,919 --> 00:03:44,479 Speaker 1: Well better in the field than at the plate. 83 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,639 Speaker 3: I mean, he looks a little more natural and right 84 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:49,360 field with every game. I mean, I thought he had 85 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,560 a pretty good defensive three days at Saint Louis. He 86 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,560 looked pretty fluid down there, ran one ball down. His 87 00:03:55,639 --> 00:03:57,719 throws have been pretty good. I think he's gonna be 88 00:03:57,719 --> 00:04:00,360 fine out there, you know, Offensively, I think he's trying 89 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:01,919 to figure it out. I mean, you got to remember, 90 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,159 this is a guy who played five games above Class 91 00:04:04,159 --> 00:04:06,199 A ball prior to this year, and now all of 92 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,159 a sudden you're in the big leagues facing the Mets 93 00:04:08,159 --> 00:04:10,599 on opening Day. That is not easy, and so there's 94 00:04:10,639 --> 00:04:15,560 going to be some growing pains. Did not have a 95 00:04:15,599 --> 00:04:18,360 good series against Saint Louis, but you know, again, they 96 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:19,879 got to get him going. 97 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 1: A little bit as well. 98 00:04:20,879 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 3: You know, he's still got a runway here to try 99 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,240 to figure this thing out. He does seem to take 100 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,079 walks from time to time. He doesn't look overwhelmed at 101 00:04:28,079 --> 00:04:31,480 the plate, but the results haven't been there. So I 102 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:33,040 think that's something they're going to have to watch here 103 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:34,720 closely in the next couple of weeks, is just to 104 00:04:34,759 --> 00:04:37,199 see where he's at and then decide whether they want 105 00:04:37,199 --> 00:04:39,439 to keep running him out there or send him the 106 00:04:39,439 --> 00:04:42,279 Triple A and get some momentum and get some more 107 00:04:42,319 --> 00:04:44,519 bats under his belt where he gets some confidence and 108 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:45,759 maybe bring him back up. 109 00:04:46,439 --> 00:04:49,319 Speaker 4: Back to Christian Walker real quick. Just if you had 110 00:04:49,319 --> 00:04:52,600 to guess, do you think there is any sort of 111 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,720 lingering issue with the oblique that could be hampering that 112 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,680 he could be playing through or do you think most 113 00:04:57,680 --> 00:04:59,959 of his problems are just mental and some bad luck. 114 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't think the obliques in issue, because he's 115 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,680 still you know, he's still taking uh stacking his hacks 116 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,360 and taking the swings. If there was pain there, especially 117 00:05:08,399 --> 00:05:09,920 with his history, I mean, I think he would shut 118 00:05:09,959 --> 00:05:15,800 it down. I you know, he's they're they're pitching him 119 00:05:15,879 --> 00:05:17,639 to the point where he's chasing a little bit more 120 00:05:17,639 --> 00:05:18,319 than he normally does. 121 00:05:18,399 --> 00:05:19,720 Speaker 1: And I think he's getting frustrated. 122 00:05:19,759 --> 00:05:23,519 Speaker 3: And when you start pressing, you start chasing pictures off 123 00:05:23,519 --> 00:05:25,199 the plate a little bit more. And I think pictures 124 00:05:25,199 --> 00:05:27,600 are realizing that, and they're they're pitching him to try 125 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,480 to get himself out, and he's doing that so far. 126 00:05:29,519 --> 00:05:33,519 But you know, that's just the adjustments he's gonna have 127 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,199 to make. He's been in this league a long time. 128 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,079 I don't know if he's ever been through a stretch 129 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,639 this poorly. But when you join a new team, there's 130 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,680 a lot of pressure on you. When you're especially when 131 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:44,160 you're making that kind of money and you're hitting in 132 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,199 the forehole, there's a lot of pressure on you to produce. 133 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:48,680 And the longer you don't, I think all that builds. 134 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,079 So how's he going to handle it. How's he gonna respond? 135 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:52,839 You know, he's got a chance Friday to you know, 136 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,600 get a couple of hits, Uh, have a good series, 137 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:57,160 and then he'll be on the on the right track. 138 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:59,720 But uh, he hasn't been able to do that so far. 139 00:06:00,439 --> 00:06:03,720 Speaker 2: Brian mctaggard MLB dot Com with us here every Thursday 140 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:07,040 on the Matt Thomas Show with Ross Tax. There's one 141 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:11,920 player that equals the mark of the team. It might 142 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,319 be from Bervaldez. One night, you were ready to go 143 00:06:14,399 --> 00:06:18,360 all right, astros Le's get into a deep conversation about extension. 144 00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:21,199 The next nine is look forward to seeing where you're 145 00:06:21,199 --> 00:06:25,720 pitching twenty twenty six. He is literally just like the 146 00:06:25,759 --> 00:06:26,560 squad right now. 147 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's he's an enigma. I think the team right 148 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:36,079 now is enigma. When friend Fromber's on, he's the best 149 00:06:36,079 --> 00:06:38,079 there is. He's got one of the best curveballs there 150 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,680 is of the game. But he just tends to lose 151 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:45,000 it at times. And you know, we've seen that this year. 152 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:46,519 He's got a couple of good starts, a couple of 153 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:49,319 not so good and you know again the second half 154 00:06:49,399 --> 00:06:51,360 last year he was piling up those good starts and 155 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,800 when he does that. You know, he's he's one of 156 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:55,800 the top two or three left handed pitchers in the game, 157 00:06:55,839 --> 00:07:00,240 and so it's gonna be really interesting to see what 158 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,720 they do with him if this season progresses and they 159 00:07:03,879 --> 00:07:07,279 they're not contending in the the the division, which I 160 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:08,279 don't think is gonna happen. 161 00:07:08,319 --> 00:07:10,079 Speaker 1: The division is not that strong. I think they will 162 00:07:10,079 --> 00:07:10,639 play better. 163 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:13,839 Speaker 3: Do they consider trading him because I don't think they're 164 00:07:13,879 --> 00:07:15,959 gonna resign him. I don't think they should resign him, 165 00:07:16,279 --> 00:07:18,680 you know, let someone else pay him, you know, the money. 166 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: But that's something they're gonna have to entertain. 167 00:07:21,519 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 3: And I just don't think they'll get to the point 168 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,279 where they're so far out they're gonna trade him, because 169 00:07:25,279 --> 00:07:27,959 if they're gonna contend, they'll need him. But uh, they're 170 00:07:27,959 --> 00:07:30,279 gonna need the good frobber and not the one that 171 00:07:30,439 --> 00:07:32,000 you know we've seen on and off. But you're right, 172 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,199 he's he's sort of like the team now. You just 173 00:07:34,399 --> 00:07:36,120 you don't know what they're gonna get from day to day. 174 00:07:36,959 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 2: What do we know about the health status and latest 175 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:43,720 on both Forrest Whitley and Lance mccollors. 176 00:07:45,399 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, Lance is throwing Saturday for Corpor's Christine. 177 00:07:49,839 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 1: I think what could be his final rehab start. 178 00:07:51,759 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 3: They're in Midland, so I hope he likes, uh likes 179 00:07:55,399 --> 00:07:57,680 spending a night or two in Midland. Nice place, I hear, 180 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,399 but I think that will be his last one, and 181 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,800 at that point, I think they're going to consider activating 182 00:08:02,879 --> 00:08:05,319 him and Dana Brown, I think said last week maybe 183 00:08:05,399 --> 00:08:07,680 when they go to Kansas City next weekend, he could 184 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,160 be back by then in the rotation. So that's going 185 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,040 to be a big storyline. Whitley through back to back games. 186 00:08:15,079 --> 00:08:16,240 I don't know if I don't know if the second 187 00:08:16,279 --> 00:08:18,759 one was today or yesterday, but he's really close to 188 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,800 being activated. I think he's a little ahead of kayleb Ort, 189 00:08:22,839 --> 00:08:24,720 who's going to be activated soon too. So I think 190 00:08:24,759 --> 00:08:27,680 we're about to see a couple of new relievers in 191 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:29,959 the bullpen with Whitley in order. I think we'll see 192 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,759 them both up here within the next couple of weeks, 193 00:08:31,839 --> 00:08:34,759 I mean, within the next few days, and then probably 194 00:08:34,879 --> 00:08:36,159 Lance within the next week or so. 195 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,759 Speaker 2: Get your crystal ball out for me on Lance. If 196 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:42,039 everything works out well, and like I said, you know, 197 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:43,639 he must be really ready to go, Becau, he's going 198 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:45,360 to go to Middle in to pitch a baseball game. 199 00:08:45,519 --> 00:08:48,440 What do you think ultimately he will look like forgetting 200 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:52,399 about performance, but just about length and pitch count and whatnot. 201 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:54,960 What do you think could be his forecast for the 202 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:55,799 next thirty days. 203 00:08:57,720 --> 00:08:59,879 Speaker 3: Now, I think he's going to get up to the goals, 204 00:09:00,039 --> 00:09:02,159 get up to seventy five eighty pitches in this start 205 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,120 on Saturday. So you're looking at a guy if he 206 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,360 makes his first start for the Astros, you know, could 207 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,840 do eighty ninety pitches by four or five innings. I 208 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:12,000 don't think we're gonna see him go out there going 209 00:09:12,039 --> 00:09:15,679 seven eight innings, but it's gonna be interesting to see 210 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:20,039 because his numbers have been pretty good and his rehab starts. 211 00:09:20,039 --> 00:09:22,519 I mean, his velo was down quite a bit his 212 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,559 last start. But I asked a round about that to 213 00:09:25,639 --> 00:09:27,799 some people, and no one seems too worried about it. 214 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:29,639 You know, they think that once he's in a big 215 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:33,000 league environment and the adrenaline is going that you know, 216 00:09:33,039 --> 00:09:35,759 he's not gonna throw ninety seven ninety six anymore. But 217 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,679 they need him at ninety five and not at ninety 218 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:41,200 one ninety two. So if he's at ninety ninety four, 219 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:45,279 ninety five with the fastball. Lance has got a track 220 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,480 record that when he when he's healthy, he's really good. 221 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:51,639 So I'm really anxious to see, after what two and 222 00:09:51,639 --> 00:09:53,320 a half, one and a half years, whatever it is, 223 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:55,960 what he can do against the big league lineup. And 224 00:09:56,039 --> 00:09:57,679 I think we're gonna get to see that shot here 225 00:09:57,720 --> 00:09:58,440 pretty soon. You know. 226 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 4: What we can to have about a bullpen question when 227 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,519 when Ort and Forrest Whitley do come back. I mean, 228 00:10:03,799 --> 00:10:05,919 who are the guys you think aren't gonna be the 229 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:08,960 ones who are gonna get shut down? And how we're 230 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,360 just feeling about the the middle innings, especially the bullpen 231 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:12,919 in general, and really kind of a bray who's been 232 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,159 a little bit shaky. 233 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, you know, Nick Hernandez just came up. 234 00:10:18,399 --> 00:10:20,399 I mean I could see him. You know, he's a 235 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:22,000 guy who's probably gonna go up and down quite a 236 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:22,440 bit this year. 237 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: I think he would. 238 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:25,879 Speaker 3: He could probably go back down at this point. Contreras 239 00:10:25,879 --> 00:10:29,200 has been up and down and he's back down, so 240 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:31,399 you know, there's moves that can make there pretty easily. 241 00:10:31,799 --> 00:10:34,320 Brian King has settled into that seventh inning role. Pretty 242 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:39,559 good left hander and pitch really well, you know, or 243 00:10:39,759 --> 00:10:42,480 I mean Okrat has immersed as a weapon again. He 244 00:10:42,519 --> 00:10:46,039 came in yesterday and pitched well. He's been really, really good. 245 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,440 So Josh Hater has been terrific. I don't know one's 246 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:51,480 really paying attention to his numbers because he hasn't had 247 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:56,080 a ton of save opportunities, but he his his numbers 248 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:59,399 across the border are really awesome, so he's having a 249 00:10:59,399 --> 00:11:01,080 good year. Ray has been up and down. You know, 250 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,559 he's walking too many guys, But you know, I think 251 00:11:03,799 --> 00:11:05,519 I think his last static was a little better. So 252 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:08,759 their pitching's fine. I mean, I'm if I'm the Astros, 253 00:11:08,799 --> 00:11:10,399 I'm not too worried about the pitching right now that 254 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:12,159 they just got to start hitting bottom line. 255 00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:14,519 Speaker 2: We'll leave it at that, friend, thank you for the 256 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,879 visitors always. Uh, and I'll be sending you my rocket 257 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,279 jersey if you'd like to have one. And uh, we'll 258 00:11:20,279 --> 00:11:22,200 talk with you in next week about the same time.