I counsel the Houston Astros fanbase to not do something rash.
For the second time within the first two video games of their four-game set towards the Baltimore Orioles, the Astros had been shut out on Friday night time. Regardless of that, my recommendation to Astros followers is to only hold calm. The Orioles are determined and now solely three video games behind the Seattle Mariners for the ultimate wildcard spot.
Alternatively, each the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians are getting sizzling proper now, every with five-game successful streaks. Houston’s lead for home-field benefit via the American League half of the postseason has shrunk to 6 with 10 video games left on the schedule for each groups.
It’s statistically negligible that Houston will fail to earn 100 wins this yr. Even coin flip odds place that likelihood at 1-in-2048. When that occurs, it’ll be the fifth time that Houston will get to that mark, and the fourth time prior to now 5 full seasons (discounting the Dodgers asterisk-laden 2020 World Collection “Championship”).
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Random Astros Participant
I choose a “random” Astros participant by randomizing a yr from 1962 via 2022, a recreation quantity (115-of-153 for the yr 1972), and a plate look inside that recreation (PA quantity 36-of-75). I got here up with Roger Metzger.
Roger Metzger was a six-foot, 165 lb. shortstop from Fredericksburg, TX. Born on October 10, 1947, Metzger was a first-round decide of the Chicago Cubs (sixteenth general) in 1969 out of St. Edward’s College. Working his means up via the minors rapidly, he made his main league debut with the Cubbies on June 16, 1970, going 0-for-2. He didn’t seem with the Cubs once more on the prime degree. Simply after the tip of the season, Chicago traded Metzger to Houston for Héctor Torres.
Metzger joined the Astros on the main league degree, and didn’t seem in one other minor league recreation via the remainder of his eventual 10-season main league profession. Though not an enormous hitting menace, Metzger did twice lead the most important leagues in triples, with 11 in 1971 and with 14 in 1973. He was additionally the Nationwide League Gold Glove winner at shortstop for his efforts in 1973.
Metzger’s +.300 WPA appearances with Houston
On September 7, 1972, Metzger went four-for-five, together with a Thirteenth-inning three-run house run for Houston in an eventual 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants. On June 3, 1975, trailing 4-3, he led off the eighth inning towards the New York Mets with a triple on a two-for-three night time. The Astros misplaced that one by the identical margin after stranding Metzger on third.
Right here’s the one footage I may discover of Metzger, in a 1977 Astros vs. Reds broadcast:
Defensively, Metzger performed a complete of 8734 1/3 innings at shortstop for Houston, of 10,001 general. Though he solely took house the one Gold Glove, he was in yearly discussions for the dignity. On June 15, 1978, in the midst of the season, Metzger was bought to the Giants.
Metzger performed in 1,021 video games for Houston in complete, slashing .229/.291/.291 with 5 homers and 206 RBI. He drew 317 walks vs. 399 whiffs in 4,100 profession plate appearances, and stole 64 bases in 96 makes an attempt. His WAR whereas with the Astros has him barely above alternative degree, with a career-total of 4.2. He totaled 3.4 general, however that features some substandard seasons with the Giants on the finish of his profession.
Only a reminder, subsequent first-pitch will probably be at 6:05PM CST, tonight in Baltimore towards the Orioles. As all the time, thanks for studying.
