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Houston Astros: Suggestions for the second half of 2017

By James Zeankowski

TORONTO, ON - JULY 9: Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Marwin Gonzalez #9 and Jose Altuve #27 after hitting a thre-run home run in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 9: Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Marwin Gonzalez #9 and Jose Altuve #27 after hitting a thre-run home run in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

2. Release the Bear From His Cage!

Yes, Astros fans! I’ve harped on this so many times before in my fan blog on him, The White Bear Chronicles. Just recently, I even did a piece on how he is the forgotten man of the 2017 season. But all have been for good reason, and pun intended, it all “bears repeating!”

Evan Gattis has made extreme contributions offensively, all while being pretty quiet about it. In 194 at-bats, he is slashing an astounding .284/.343/.490/.833 so far in the first half of the season. At current pace, he will finish out the 2017 regular season with 16 home runs and 78 RBI, which is 6 more RBI than he had last season. All this while still being considered a backup player!

Additionally, the bear also has 16 doubles, on pace to get over 30 by season’s end. For further context, he only had 19 all season in 2016! He is also currently riding an 11 game hit streak, which is the second most active hit streak in the majors next to Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals.

Of course, if given more opportunities, El Oso Blanco could actually have a fifth straight season in which he clocks 20 or more long balls. Ironically, he is only in season number 5 right now, so he has done this ever since entering the major leagues.

Beltran, Interrupted?!

The only way the bear can get more playing time will have to be at the expense of Carlos Beltran. Slashing only .227/.284/.406/.690 so far, the future HOF may need to take a seat a little more often in the second half.

But not as much as some may think! Contrary to popular opinion, there is a way that Beltran, Gattis, and even Brian McCann can all get some more equal time among them and share the wealth. I’ve even come up with a formula for how this could work:

In 3 game series: Beltran – 2 DH, 1 Rest; Gattis – 1 DH, 1 Catch, 1 Rest; McCann – 2 Catch, 1 rest.

In 4 game series: Beltran – 3 DH, 1 Rest; Gattis – 1 DH, 2 Catch, 1 Rest; McCann – 2 Catch, 2 rest.

The 4 game sets can be interchangeable. But essentially, each player gets at least 1 rest and 2-3 starts each series, depending on the number of games. Far fetched? Not completely. Hinch just needs to be willing to take risks and shake things up!

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It has even been suggested that Beltran retire as a player and take over coaching third base, while Gary Pettis gets healthy. That’s not the most ludicrous of ideas, either!

Jake Marisnick and Marwin Gonzalez have found ways into the lineup, despite being projected bench players at season’s start. Despite both of their collective talents and stats, that just doesn’t add up. Especially, when you consider how well the bear has quietly done.

Switch hit abilities, contract and HOF future aside, you just cannot justify playing Carlos Beltran and sitting Evan Gattis for extended periods of time anymore. So let’s do the right thing in the second half, and UNLEASH THE BEAR!!!!

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