MLB The Show: Steelerfan's Houston Astros Franchise

[steelerfan]

Down on the Farm:

Class-AA SP David Martinez is 11-4 with a 3.41 ERA for the Corpus Christi Hooks this season. Martinez, 26, has 12 Quality Starts among his 21 Starts on the year.

24-year-old reliever Jose Cisnero has made 62 appearances for the AA Hooks as a setup man. Cisnero is 8-1 with a 2.49 ERA and 2 Saves in 83.0 Innings.

Reliever Kevin Chapman, 26, has served as the AA Corpus Christi closer this season, making 34 appearances for the Hooks. Chapman is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 26 Saves.

25-year-old Asher Wojciechski has returned to the rotation in AAA Oklahoma City after missing time with a shoulder injury. Asher has made 17 starts for the RedHawks going 9-4 with a 2.15 ERA this season.

Paul Clemens, 26, has recovered from a sluggish start to 2014 that saw him sent down to AAA OKC after going 1-4 with a 6.95 ERA in Houston. Clemens is 6-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 13 outings for the 'Hawks.

Reliever Anthony Bass, 26, has made 47 appearances for AAA Oklahoma City going 6-6 out of the 'pen with an ERA of 2.06.

Josh D. Fields (1-2, 6.75 in Houston in '14) has served as a setup man in Oklahoma City since being sent down. Fields, 28, has appeared in 40 games for the RedHawks going 3-2 with a Save and an ERA of 1.94.

Tony Sipp, 30, has been brilliant this season serving as the closer for AAA OKC. In 36 appearances, Sipp is 0-1 with 33 Saves and a 0.83 ERA.

[jaymo76]

That Rangers series should be very exciting. This could be your whole season right here. A sweep would change everything in the division. Let us know if/when you are streaming.

[steelerfan]

That Rangers series should be very exciting. This could be your whole season right here. A sweep would change everything in the division. Let us know if/when you are streaming.

I'm going to stream every game from here forward, to close out the season. That said, I will play game 1 against Texas at 3:00 PM Central today.

[jaymo76]

I'm going to stream every game from here forward, to close out the season. That said, I will play game 1 against Texas at 3:00 PM Central today.

I'll try to check it out. I'm watching the kids today as the wife is at work... so it depends if they let me.

[steelerfan]

Texas absolutely destroyed Houston pitching in game one of the three-game weekend set between the AL West rivals. Rangers catcher JP Arencibia hit for the cycle, going 4-5 with 6 RBI in the 12-4 demolition.

Going on the air with game 2 now.

[jaymo76]

In franchise mode can you also play the schedule of your minor leagues like you can in NHL? I suspect not but it would be cool if you could.

[steelerfan]

In franchise mode can you also play the schedule of your minor leagues like you can in NHL? I suspect not but it would be cool if you could.

Yes, you can.

EDIT: You can also play any game on any league's schedule.

[steelerfan]

In the bottom of the 10th, rookie Domingo Santana hit the last of Houston's 3 2-run homers in Sunday's finale with Texas at Minute Maid Park. The walk off long ball completed a comeback from a 4-0 deficit to give the Astros a 6-4 win that helped them avoid a sweep at the hands of the AL West leaders, after losing the first two games 12-4 and 11-6.

AL West Standings before August 11 games:

Rangers 66-51 --
Mariners 64-53 2.0
Angels 62-56 4.5
Astros 61-57 5.5
Athletics 60-57 6.0

AL Wildcard Standings:

Mariners 64-53 --
Indians 64-55 --
Angels 62-56 1.5
Astros 61-57 2.5
Athletics 60-57 3.0
Tigers 60-57 3.0

Next, Houston will host Minnesota (53-64) at Minute Maid Park. The 3-game series will begin on Monday night. Following the series with the Twins, the Astros will hit the road for ten games with 4 in Boston, 3 in New York against the Yankees and 3 in Cleveland.

[steelerfan]

Houston Astros (61-57) vs Minnesota Twins (53-64)
August 11-13, 2014
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas

Probable Starters:

Monday - First Pitch 7:10 PM
Alex White (3-4, 3.36) vs Trevor May ( 1-1, 4.38)

Tuesday - First Pitch 7:10 PM
Jerome Williams (10-5, 3.19) vs Kevin Correia (8-7, 3.52)

Wednesday - First Pitch 1:10 PM
Jarred Cosart (8-6, 4.12) vs Alex Meyer (1-4, 5.77)

[jaymo76]

Houston Astros (61-57) vs Minnesota Twins (53-64)
August 11-13, 2014
Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas

Probable Starters:

Monday - First Pitch 7:10 PM
Alex White (3-4, 3.36) vs Trevor May ( 1-1, 4.38)

Tuesday - First Pitch 7:10 PM
Jerome Williams (10-5, 3.19) vs Kevin Correia (8-7, 3.52)

Wednesday - First Pitch 1:10 PM
Jarred Cosart (8-6, 4.12) vs Alex Meyer (1-4, 5.77)

If you get any pitching help versus Minny this series will not even be close. Your bats were on fire against the Rangers but the struggle of your starting and reliever pitchers was epic. Giving up 27 earned runs in three games was pretty shocking. However, the rebound in game three in the 9th inning was huge. That could be the spark your team needs for a playoff run, at least for the wildcard race.

Like I was saying last night, August is pretty fair for your schedule but September may be tough... well except for the 22.5 game back Mets (lol). With several series left versus division rivals it is totally up in the air who will win the division but I suspect based on how Texas played, they have to be considered the favourites. That being said, if you keep hitting like you are, the Astros could make a deep, deep playoff run. Your starting pitchers need to give you a minimum of 6-7 innings per game or your bullpen will be exhausted come September.

So the million dollar question Steeler, are you going to acquire some pitching help in the offseason or will you look to the farm and possibly look at promotion from within? Do you bring up Paul Clemens? Maybe? Personally I would love to see you make a depth move for someone like R.A. Dickey. However, what would you need to give up for a player near the end of his career?

[steelerfan]

The Astros have a lot of talent in the system and I added an 18-year-old starting pitcher with the first pick in the draft. He's almost up to snuff with some of my MLB staff and he has A potential.

RA Dickey would be great, mostly so I wouldn't have to face him. He is aggravating to face.

I really like what this team is stacking up to be. Pitching will definitely be needed but I'm sure I'll have at least one ace out of my existing roster in the next couple of years. That said, the right guy at the right price - absolutely. I need to get better in the bullpen. Those arms are mostly old and not good.

[steelerfan]

With the hapless Minnesota Twins in town the Astros red-hot bats suddenly went cold as Minnesota took 2 of 3 at Minute Maid. Houston had hit .283 and .300 in their two previous series but could only muster a meager .188 against the Twins.

Additionally, the Astros were limited to 5 extra base his and scored just 4 runs.

AL West Standings

Rangers 68-52 --
Mariners 66-54 2.0
Angels 64-56 4.0
Astros 62-59 6.5
Athletics 61-59 7.0

AL Wildcard Standings

Mariners 66-54 --
Indians 65-56 --
Angels 64-56 0.5
Tigers 62-58 2.5
Astros 62-59 3.0
Athletics 61-59 3.5

[steelerfan]

Houston will play 4 in Boston before getting a day off ahead of a 3-game set at Yankee Stadium. The Astros will close the 10-game trip with 3 in Cleveland.

[steelerfan]

Houston Astros (62-59) at Boston Red Sox (52-67)
August 14-17, 2014
Fenway Park - Boston, MA

Probable Starters:

Thursday 7:10 PM
Brett Oberholtzer (8-9, 4.76) vs Henry Owens (1-0, 3.00)

Friday 7:10 PM
Scott Feldman (8-5, 4.58) vs Jon Lester (10-9, 3.80)

Saturday 7:10 PM
Alex White (3-5, 3.36) vs Clay Buchholz (8-10, 4.14)

Sunday 1:35 PM
Jerome Williams (11-5, 3.04) vs Jake Peavey (11-9, 3.63)

[jaymo76]

With the hapless Minnesota Twins in town the Astros red-hot bats suddenly went cold as Minnesota took 2 of 3 at Minute Maid. Houston had hit .283 and .300 in their two previous series but could only muster a meager .188 against the Twins.

Additionally, the Astros were limited to 5 extra base his and scored just 4 runs.

AL West Standings

Rangers 68-52 --
Mariners 66-54 2.0
Angels 64-56 4.0
Astros 62-59 6.5
Athletics 61-59 7.0

AL Wildcard Standings

Mariners 66-54 --
Indians 65-56 --
Angels 64-56 0.5
Tigers 62-58 2.5
Astros 62-59 3.0
Athletics 61-59 3.5

Can't believe your hitting went cold like that. Versus the Rangers your boys were "world-beaters." It's such a tight race... a sweep of the Twins would have been huge. Now do everyone a favour and SWEEP NY AND BOSTON!!!

[jaymo76]

Houston Astros (62-59) at Boston Red Sox (52-67)
August 14-17, 2014
Fenway Park - Boston, MA

Probable Starters:

Thursday 7:10 PM
Brett Oberholtzer (8-9, 4.76) vs Henry Owens (1-0, 3.00)

Friday 7:10 PM
Scott Feldman (8-5, 4.58) vs Jon Lester (10-9, 3.80)

Saturday 7:10 PM
Alex White (3-5, 3.36) vs Clay Buchholz (8-10, 4.14)

Sunday 1:35 PM
Jerome Williams (11-5, 3.04) vs Jake Peavey (11-9, 3.63)

Any chance you will move Brett Oberholtzer out of the starting lineup. He has struggled pretty bad at times this season.

[jaymo76]

Watching this guy on twitch (CRUMPS) and he's a firsy baseman in RTTS. He lost his last game 20-0. Indianapolis had 26 hits to his teams 5. It was shocking. 11 runs in the 3rd. Crazy! Anyways though, I noticed he had a circle showing in the strike box. I don't recall seeing that before. Is it a feature you can turn on? What is it exactly? It seemed to make it easier to hit but that's just a guess.

[steelerfan]

Any chance you will move Brett Oberholtzer out of the starting lineup. He has struggled pretty bad at times this season.

He was really good early on. If he continues to struggle, I'll consider my options. I'm just not sure that I have a better one.

[steelerfan]

Watching this guy on twitch (CRUMPS) and he's a firsy baseman in RTTS. He lost his last game 20-0. Indianapolis had 26 hits to his teams 5. It was shocking. 11 runs in the 3rd. Crazy! Anyways though, I noticed he had a circle showing in the strike box. I don't recall seeing that before. Is it a feature you can turn on? What is it exactly? It seemed to make it easier to hit but that's just a guess.

That is one of the forms of Zone Hitting. This game has several different ways (re: Interfaces) to hit, pitch, field, throw and run bases. It's all up to you. Completely customizable.

I like to use Analog Hitting and Analog Pitching. I let the CPU field, throw and run bases for me (I can force a steal).

That's one of the great things about The Show. They give you a TON of options. Just wanna hit? Ok. Just wanna field? No problem. Just want to pitch and run bases? Fine. Pulse Pitching, Analog Hitting, Button Throwing? Done.

[steelerfan]

After suffering losses of 7-2, 1-0 and 6-3 in the first three games in Boston, the Astros found themselves back at .500 at 62-62. However, Jerome Williams (12-5, 2.96) earned his twelfth win of 2014 by scattering 4 hits and altering just 1 run in 7 innings of work and Houston took the series finale at Fenway Park, 2-1.

The victory assured the Astros that a fourth consecutive 100+ loss season would not be in the cards this season, securing a goal the team had set back in Spring.

The Astros (63-62) will have Monday off before continuing their current 10-game road trip by playing 3 in New York against the Yankees (53-71).

After the trip to the Big Apple, Houston will finish the trip with a 3-game weekend series in Cleveland against the Indians.