Updated Projections - 17 of 162

Starters better than 2022 and Yordan in line for big day

Composition of Projections:

2023 Actuals: 10.5%

Preseason Projections: 89.5%

Season Projections

A big first inning and a big night for Jake Meyers and Corey Julks, who were both 2 for 4 with two runs scored and 3 RBI.

As the starting pitching starts to get their legs under them, a note:

2023 Starters (17 games): 3.22 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 4.17 xFIP.

2022 Starters (17 games): 4.06 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 4.49 xFIP.

The point here is that this year’s starters have actually been BETTER than last year through 17 games.

We say it with the bad stats, so we should say with the good stats: Small sample and it’s early, not to mention Justin Verlander is in New York.

Today’s Pitching Matchup

Concerning numbers for Urquidy against the Blue Jays, but Yordan could be in for a big night.

Bullpen Usage

My guess is Maton and Stanek will be down for the night, but the other 6 should be available, though both Maton and Stanek have pitched on back-to-back days this season.

K Prop

My number: 4.32. Market is 5.0. I’ll take the under.

Odds

Astros are -112, which is interesting to me given the pitching matchup. I’ll stay away, thank you.

Projected Standings

Virtual tie for second.

Big swings over the last few days. Astros win by 7 (Pittsburgh), lose by 4, win by 6, lose by 8 and win by 7.

May not mean anything note of the day

With his big double last night, Jose Abreu’s ISO (Isolated Slugging) Power is .042. A simple way to think about ISO is it’s the percentage of at-bats (not plate appearances) that result in extra-base hits. That means the number for Abreu is 4.2%. Just for reference: Alvarez 27.3%, Tucker 26.8%.

Not saying he should approach those two, but certainly needs to improve if he’s to remain in the cleanup spot.

Astros 162

Click on the image for Episode 17.

Thanks for reading!