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Astros: Hey A.J. Hinch, Use Your Bullpen!

By Yoni Pollak

Jun 7, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) is pulled from the game during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) is pulled from the game during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros suffered another demoralizing loss to the hands of the South Oklahoma Rangers last night.

It was a loss that could have potentially been avoided with the right management.

Let me make it clear that I don’t hate A.J. Hinch. I may not “love” the guy as much as some do, but for the most part I don’t have many issues with him. He seems to be a pretty good manager.

But last night, Hinch made the wrong move and it cost the Astros the game.

With the game tied 2-2 heading to the bottom of the 8th, Hinch elected to keep ace Dallas Keuchel in the game. The problem with that decision is that Keuchel hasn’t been the “ace” we expected AND he was already at 101 pitches entering the inning, trying to go through the Rangers lineup for the fourth time.

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Let’s take a step back. Keuchel entered the game with a putrid 5.50 ERA. He is coming off of two straight quality starts, though with plenty more to be desired. After seven strong innings allowing just two runs, Keuchel’s day should have been over.

The right move would have been to go over to Keuchel and let him know he fought hard, had a great start and we (the Astros) look forward to your continued progress. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Hinch brought him out to try and get ( I assume) three more outs.

Now let’s say Keuchel goes 1-2-3 in the 8th inning. Sure, that would have been great, but that doesn’t add much to Keuchel’s performance or for your team. Keuchel going 7 strong or 8 strong likely doesn’t change Keuchel’s thoughts or our thoughts on his performance. It would have been great regardless.

Instead of dragging out Keuchel for one more inning at 101 pitches AND going through the order for the fourth time, Hinch should have elected to use his dominant bullpen. There’s no scenario where keeping out Keuchel for another few more outs would have been that much more important than Keuchel likely giving up another run or two given the circumstances. To me, there were no pros and only cons at that point.

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It’s certainly possible Keuchel went over to Hinch and asked to stay in. I respect that out of Keuchel, but it’s Hinch’s responsibility to understand the circumstances. If Keuchel was his Cy Young self this season, sure I would have been fine with him going back out there. But he isn’t and it’s not even close.

Hinch had Luke Gregerson warming up and chose to leave Keuchel out there. As expected by many, that decision blew up in his face and he ended up using Gregerson anyway after Keuchel allowed a two-run home run to Ian Desmond.

What makes this all worse is that the Astros even added a run in the 9th and there’s a good chance they come away with a win if Hinch doesn’t make that choice.

Hinch screwed up and I’m sure he knows it. He has a dominant bullpen at his disposal and instead opted to trust his struggling starter in circumstances that set him up for failure.

I’d guess Hinch regrets his decision and will lean on his bullpen the next time this situation arises. Until then, it’s another blown loss against a team the Astros just can’t figure out.

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