6:16PM: Abreu has officially appealed his suspension, and will thus be available to pitch in Game 6 tonight, as per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome and other reporters. The appeal hearing will take place tomorrow in advance of a possible Game 7.
TODAY, 11:42am: Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Abreu has not yet officially appealed his two-game suspension. If appealed, the suspension would begin immediately following a settlement with the players’ union or the decision being upheld during a hearing. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale had previously reported that Abreu had officially appealed his suspension, and that a hearing would be scheduled for tomorrow prior to a hypothetical Game 7.
Oct 21, 5:31pm: As noted by Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the current CBA stipulates that all appeals of postseason suspensions must be settled within 48 hours. That clause would appear to indicate that Abreu will be forced to serve the suspension during the postseason unless the suspension is overturned on appeal.
Oct 21, 5:00pm: Major League Baseball announced this evening that Astros right-hander Bryan Abreu has been suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his role in last night’s benches-clearing skirmish between the Astros and the Rangers last night. Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. and manager Dusty Baker were both fined for their roles in the incident, as was Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia and right-hander Matt Bush. Both McCullers and Bush will be prohibited from sitting on their club’s bench for the remainder of the ALCS.
Garcia, 30, walked out of the batter’s box slowly after hitting a go-ahead, three-run homer off of Houston ace Justin Verlander. When Garcia returned to the plate during the eighth inning, he was struck on the shoulder by a fastball from Abreu. Garcia dropped his bat and confronted Astros catcher Martin Maldonado about the hit-by-pitch, leading the benches to clear. Abreu, Garcia, and Baker were all ejected during the incident, and the Astros went on to the the game 5-4 after second baseman Jose Altuve hit a go-ahead, three-run homer of his own in the ninth inning.
As discussed by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, neither side was pleased with the handling of the situation following the game. Abreu and other Astros players believing a warning should have been issued rather than an ejection, while Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was displeased with the twelve-minute delay following the incident. Bochy believes the delay could have impacted Texas righty Jose Leclerc, who surrendered the aforementioned game-winning homer to Altuve following the incident.
If Abreu elects not to appeal, he would miss the remainder of the ALCS, and potentially the first game of the World Series if the Astros win Game 6 tomorrow night. Should Abreu appeal, the suspension would be put on hold until the appeal is resolved. It’s not yet clear if Abreu intends to appeal the commissioner’s office’s decision, though ESPN’s Jeff Passan indicates that Abreu is “expected” to appeal and that if he does so, any suspension would likely be postponed until the 2024 campaign.
Abreu has been a key reliever for the Astros all season, with a 1.75 ERA and a 34.8% strikeout rate in 72 innings of work this year. That dominance has carried over to the postseason, where Abreu has 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball across seven appearances, striking out eleven while walking just two.
I strongly dislike the ‘stros, but it’s hard to believe the HBP was intentional at such a crucial spot in a playoff game.
I was just about to say that, no one intentionally hits batters in the ALCS and how does Abreu get suspended but Garcia just gets a fine?
“USA Today’s Bob Nightengale had previously reported that Abreu had officially appealed his suspension…”
Of course. Anything Nightengale says or writes is NOT to be believed. Ever.
One of them was the thrower and the other was the throwee. That’s how.
Yes, because professional athletes are notorious for keeping their emotions in check.
In the LCS, yeah, they usually do keep their emotions in check. How often are players ejected or suspended in this deep in the playoffs?
That’s umpire restraint, not player restraint. Players are far more emotional in the playoffs than regular season.
As in Garcia? Just because he can’t keep his emotions in check shouldn’t lead to someone else getting ejected.
Waiting to hit a batter next time he bats isn’t an emotional impulsive reaction, it’s strategic. This was unintentional… zero strategy involved.
But they won, so there’s that lol
And it just so happened to be Garcia
Smh
Read the Umpire Book by Jocko Conlan
And his thoughts of a pitcher that said it slipped
I don’t care what peoples bias opinions are and I certainly don’t care what the opinions are of an umpire who umped in 40s-60s. It’s a completely different game now.
What I see, based on where Abreus foot landed, it was a slip. His lead foot lands to the left of home plate and the ball sails to the right out of his hand, that is a slip. If Abreu has that type of magical body and pitch control that he can move his body one way while hitting a target in the opposite direction, that is amazing! It’s beyond amazing.
And he just happened to slip on a fella who hit a then go ahead home run….
And no one cares about your biased opinion defending the trashmen
You see what you want to see. It’s called confirmation bias. Abreu has had impeccable control all year long. He just happened to lose that control against the guy that showed them up his last at bat? The Astros have been notorious for throwing at teams all year long.
Who are the Trashmen?
Think about it… trash can… cheating team banging on said trash can…
Ooooo
Astros pitchers hit 75 batters this season. League average was 73. Stats show they weren’t notorious.
Impeccable control? In his 4 walks per 9 and 3 hit batsmen. Abreu is far from having impeccable control.
You can see what you want, look at the still of that pitch, it’s clearly a slip. The video clearly shows an awkward pitch path and the still flat out shows the ball sliding off up and to the right.
The difference between my opinion and a lot of others is I have no bias. The video shows what it shows, Maldonado set up slightly outside, Abreus follow through is for a pitch outside, the ball doesn’t follow the release point, and lastly Garcia didn’t try to get out of the way. He turned in to eat it and then wanted to fight Maldonado.
Yeah but personal bias suggests that they were notorious and the pitch was intentional…
Seriously, people have to be blind to think that throw was intentional
They did that song Surfin’ Bird in 1963. Bird bird bird, bird is the word.
Don’t you know about the bird?
Everybody knows that the bird is the word!
I said the bird bird bird bird is the word bird bird bird bird is the word
They’ve been notorious for throwing at teams all year? That might be the worst statement of the day. Please provide “facts.”
Such a cute nickname you gave them. You’re either 12, or they just live rent free in your head.
How many of those were against the Rangers and Mariners?
That’s two more than average. Notorious
It’s in a book, it must be true.
The other part of the argument besides whether it was on purpose is whether he deserved it. I’m certainly against violence but based on the norms of the game he deserved it. He went way above what is accepted from a celebration and showed up the other team.
I think it was clearly intentional. I can’t believe people buy his story. I’m a huge Astros Fan but to think He conveniently “slipped” on the guy who just showboated them?!?! Nah, don’t buy it for a second. That being said Garcia over reacted and cost his team so the Astros won twice. I loved it
How did Garcia cost his team? Him leaving that game early had zero effect on the rest of the game.
He caused a 20 minute delay in which his team didn’t score any more insurance runs. He takes his base, at worse it is a quick inning snd Leclerc doesn’t get cold on the bench. His overreaction caused many issues.
According to his manager Bruce Bochy, the delay contributed to Leclerc’s 9th inning issues. No Garcia meltdown, no delay.
It’s easier to make excuses than accept responsibility.
Relievers are relievers for a reason, and outside a very few, it’s because they are not very good pitchers. They have “stuff” but are typically a one trick pony with a second pitch to simply keep hitter honest. If you keep running the same relievers out in a 7 game series, you’re going to get burnt because the more times hitters see your relievers, the more comfortable they are with what they throw, how they throw, how they will attack and so on. Botchy got burnt because the Astro hitters were facing LeClerc for a third time.
True, they were going to lose anyways lol.
Always an excuse when they fail.
The Astros pitcher sat through the same delay and did his job without issue. Everyone needs something to whine about to avoid personal responsibility.
They don’t think it be like it is, but it do, Oscar.
Hey buddy,if you look at them individually,they are an easy to root for team.
Came up from a Florida HS, came up from LSU, came over from a trade, came up after signing for pennies on the dollar… multiple key injuries…still made it.
They’re a team to root for for sure.
The appeals process makes this pointless. If Chapman were to hypothetically hit Yordan or Altuve, I doubt Houston would be okay with a spring training suspension either. A fastball in thr high 90s is clearly on purpose, and it helped Houston steal that win with the long delay.
Why would it matter the velocity of the pitch? If he is used to throwing that pitch at that mph, then he would throw it at his typical speed so he could control the pitch. It doesn’t make sense that the manager would call for the HBP so either it was a mistake pitch from nerves or the pitcher just decided to do it on his own. Adolis is a chump though whenever he hits a homerun. It is like he never hit one before. He did the same thing during the season, heck, even in spring training. He is just a man who has to flex his balls to validate his insecurities.
The point is that you would use your fastball to hit a guy, not a curveball. You would also use a guy like Abreu. This is what happens when betas try to act like alphas. Heaney hit Yordan on 0-2 and then Valdez hit Semien. The Astros have started fights on obviously unintentional beanballs. Texas isn’t any worse and probably has the higher moral ground. Martin also has a history of saying lots of inflamatory things. He should have been suspended, but that would actually save Houston from Dusty Baker using him as a hutter, so that makes a suspension counterproductive here.
So does that still apply if the pitch was literally an accident? I still. don’t get why any team would make the call to hit a batter during a playoff game. Especially with Baker at control.
It does seem odd, but ehat’s with the “flex his balls” comment?
Careful, Matt Bush will straight up murder you with his car.
“Flex his balls:” when dudes are hanging out with dudes a lot they have to show off to remind the other dudes that they, actually, have balls.
Especially with Baker in control? The Astros have been plunking batters all year long lol
Didn’t the Mariners hit two Astros on purpose in their last series and the home town stood up and cheated?
The Astros have hit 3 times as many batters as the Mariners have hit Astros in our series. Cut the woe is me BS. Nobody cares.
Holy conspiracy theory. Lay off the pipe.
Some of you Rangers fans make ashamed of being a Texan. I know Dallas is a soft city but wow cry babies as well. Get some toughness will you.
“Get some toughness”
Why are you talking about yourself? We all know you have soft hands
Why would you hit a guy in the bottom 8th with one on when your down two in pivotal game. Clearly an accident.
Yes sir. Baker is not the greatest strategist ever but he wouldn’t do that. He is too old school and actually is liked by his players. (Don’t get me wrong, Baker will make the HOF at some point).
Maybe because the guy you hit is the one who’s been beating you. If you would consider pitching around him you’d consider hitting him, or at least not be concerned about doing so
@Pete, normally I’d be 100% behind your school of thought here. But with 2 outs and winning run at the plate, would you rather pitch to Taveras(0-3 at that moment) or Garcia(1-3 HR)?? Garcia was far more likely to change the tide of the game in one swing. If you were planning on putting him on anyways to pitch to a likely easier out(Taveras) then hitting him or walking is same result.
Now I’m not saying it was intentional. Just answering why one would do so in that moment in a playoff game. I really think it’s about 50/50 here, only Astros know for sure.
But that wasn’t the situation at all. There were no outs and a runner on first with Houston already trailing by 2. There’s no logical reason for hitting him on purpose.
My bad, I did not watch it. I thought that’s what I read the situation was. Yeah if there were no outs and nobody on I don’t see any reason to intentionally walk or hit him with a pitch instead. And if by the off chance they were worried about him hitting a HR they’d have been best off pitching him far off the plate seeing if he bites. In which case if they were doing that and going inside, it would greatly increase chances of an inadvertent HBP.
Wait for it…here comes the chorus of “Astros are cheaters” comments in 3…2…1…
Oh my God it’s Robert Losher!
BB, sadley with no class anymore
Mighty Casey has surely struck out
The “no class” part comes from batters and pitchers having to act like kids whenever they do anything just to get views and attention. Hit a homerun? act like you never hit one before. Strike out a batter? act like you never have done it before.
What is really funny is how they seemingly don’t play smart baseball anymore. I don’t know how many times there are baserunning blunders or bad throws anymore. What they need to do is drop the showboating and remember to act like grown men and do their jobs. Celebrate when it makes sense, not every other moment.
I personally enjoy how Jesus is thanked for a bobbled ‘single.’
Lol I thought I was the only one annoyed by that. Like Jesus decided to give you a reached on error over saving a child with cancer.
It is like when these idiots think praying to someone in the sky will help them win a game of baseball.
If there is a God, I’m pretty sure he’s not going to waste his powers on a millionaire playing a child’s game.
Astros are cheaters
That is what your wife said.
They’re dirty cheating b.astards.
Teams are still cheating. MLB issued some warnings/suspensions to players this season.
Can you name the players?
Hint: No Astros were involved.
But it doesn’t fit their whiny narrative. Remind them how the Yankees and Red Sox also got caught in 2017, but not punished. Or how numerous other teams were accused by players. But nothing was done.
Well deserved, if upheld. Garcia acted like a buffoon after hitting the HR and deserved a 95+ beanball.
If pitchers can pump their fists, pound their chests and scream after getting a big out then a batter has every right to celebrate however they see fit after hitting a home run.
I’ve been saying this exact thing for a while. It’s an absurd double standard. Garcia’s didn’t celebration wasn’t even aimed at astros players. Just a momentum shifting home run that he was soaking in
There’s way too many fragile egos in baseball, especially amongst pitchers.
So if a pitcher celebrates should the batter be able to hit the pitcher I. The head with the bat?
Yes. Or maybe bonk him with his helmet.
Definitely. Or at least they should get to throw the bat at the pitcher.
A’s SS Bert Campaneris did, during the Playoffs also (1972). Got mad at Tigers pitcher Lerrin LaGrow, after Lagrow had just hit him, then Campy wound up with his bat and hurled it at him.
Looked and there is a video on utube of this nearly ancient happening.
How lame.
I won’t venture more of an opinion than that.
Deleted xxxxxxx
Great home run, aweful showboat.
Yes, talking about a man’s career with high heat. My apologies.
Deleted xxxxxxx
His career?? What? Do you mean the pitch that was aimed at his arm?
I’m caving and becoming PC. I’m too frightened to post what I wrote.
But, yeah, they throw a lot harder now than they did years ago. Especially, that guy.
I’m surprised Tx didn’t deleted Altuve.
Altuve is only like 5 feet tall man. It wouldn’t take much.
Too frightened to proofread, too? 😉
Since when is high heat a pitch in the ribs? Another cry baby.
Ridiculous to even throw out Abreu much less suspend him. All the players said in interviews that no one had any beef with Garcia’s antics. Astros weren’t going to risk putting themselves in this scenario when down by 2 runs. Garcia’s low baseball IQ got exposed.
And Bochy can go @%! himself. If Garcia hadn’t thrown his tantrum the game would have moved right along
Because the Astros players said it wasn’t intentional it must be true.
Common sense and many neutral players say the same thing. Welcome to the sport of baseball.
Did you whine and cry when they Astros got beaned, a lot, after the scandal broke? Nope. All the buffoons here felt vindicated and cheered. Double standards from the low IQ crowd.
This is dumb. My question is this:
If Garcia trots down to first with no confrontation, do the umpires throw out Abreu in that situation?
If not, then they aren’t ejecting him on intent, they are ejecting him on the reaction. That is garbage, and anybody with a hint of baseball knowledge knows you aren’t doing that in a 2-run game in Game 5 of a 2-2 series.
This isn’t the middle of June, its the freaking playoffs. These clowns need to get a clue.
I think it because Adolis, who is a showboat, decided that after getting plunked in the arm (as if it were a surprise after showboating before off of a HOF pitcher), his ego was ouchy and he had to flex his balls like any insecure man.
What did McCullers do?
MLB for some time has come down hard on inactive players who leave the bench for fights/brawls/scrums, and I think managers/coaches and staff as well, though, a lot of the time, the manager and coaches are out there to stop things so their own players don’t get suspended and/or hurt rather than to participate.
The whole way umpires, presumably at MLB’s instructions, handle these things is a mess. Often, the first pitcher after the inciting incident who hits or almost hits a batter only gets a warning, basically a free shot, while the other team then can’t retaliate. And they seem oblivious to the game situation, where, like last night, it makes no sense to hit the batter.
Clown show running the MLB office.
Dude, the players act like clowns now. The umps act the same way. The game is becoming all about views and likes, not actual good gameplay.
I agree. I think the umps threw him out to keep peace because Garcia overreacted. That was bad enough and then the league just made it worse.
If it involves the Astros they massively overreact now out of fear of the social keyboard warriors. You know, the softies who don’t even attend games but wane philosophically online.
upvote for “wane philosophically online”
Not even one punch thrown! Just some “threatening ” gestures. Lousy baseball kabuki theater!
I am not a fan of Houston and in hopes that Texas can get up off the floor and win the series.
That being said the idiots running MLB want to suspend Abreu who shouldn’t of even been thrown out of the game unless you truly believe that in a winnable game he is purposely hitting a guy to put two runners and no outs shame on you powers that be in MLB for having no though or intelligence whatsoever and suspending Abreu. If you susoend Abreu you have to also suspend Garcia he incited the who,e thing with his clown show. Honestly the guy that should be suspended above all else is Dusty Baker fir acting like a petulant 3 year old. How Baker handled that was unbelievable. It’s ok to be upset get your point in then leave you’ve been kicked out but to sit on the bench and act like spoiled brat that deserves a suspension.
I mean what a clown show the MLB decision makers are bad form MLB as usual your clueless.
Abreu did nothing wrong. Garcia started all of it by overreacting.
Just like he overreacts on HRs tbh
You said “last night” twice in that one sentence.
Garcia cost his team the game. Likely the series as well.
Both teams are at fault
The game has changed. Hitters watch home runs when their team is down by 10 runs and one is hit. Garcia watching that ball deserves a response, but the smart thing to do would have been to wait until next hear.
I don’t care what anyone says- that pitch is intentional. Abreu threw 1211 fastballs this year. One hit batsman on fastballs before last night. I do not believe the next pitch to garcia after his home run that beaned him…the very next pitch garcia sees…was a 1 in 1210 chance that just happens to be after his home run. Stupid to do it in that situation but intentional
I have no problem with both players being tossed last night.
Random but I absolutely love your account name (BECAUSE IT’S TRUE).
Not one reliever in baseball threw 1210 fastballs. Stop repeating false statistics. It was not on purpose.
According to statcast, he threw 1211 pitches, 499 fastballs. Not sure if that ncludes playoffs or not
The ranger beat writer might have had it wrong. That might have been total pitches instead of fastballs. but the stats still show the unlikelihood this was not intentional
From Evan grant
twitter.com/Evan_P_Grant/status/171571839092746666…
Maybe do a little research before claiming things are false
Yes, do your research before posting obvious false stats. I did my research, which is why I called you out.
You gave nothing but your opinion it was wrong
I posted a link that showed that stat
You posted a link to Evan Grant’s tweet. That’s where I initially saw it and found out it was factually false. You then parroted it as your proof. My comment wasn’t an opinion at all – it was 100% fact.
Almond joys are awful,
RHP Abreu tossed 1,211 pitches total this season. To add context, RHP Verlander threw 1302 FBs as a starter.
Breakdown of Abreu’s 1211 pitches:
711 Sliders
499 Fastballs
1 Curveball
The slider is Abreu’s best pitch. However; Garcia excels are hitting breaking pitches.
The Astros hatred is good for MLB’s business. Fans salivate at any negative information about the Astros – clicks are far important than reporting an actual breakdown of the stats.
So abreu hit one batter all year on a fastball. You believe the very next pitch after garcia show boats on a home run that beans him is a mistake? It’s intentional
All 4 HBP this season, including Garcia, were on FB.
April 23. He hit Ozzie Albies with a FB.
May 14. He hit Yoan Moncada with a FB.
May 17. He hit Almedys Diaz with a FB.
You can see each one in the MLB.com GameDay recaps.
Not true. Here is the video. The ball he beaned moncada on was not a fastball
mlb.com/video/aledmys-diaz-hit-by-pitch-brent-rook…
Abreu should have been immediately ejected, no hesitation. And if the batter doesn’t just walk to first base, he’s ejected, too. And when the benches clear? The game is suspended. Finish it tomorrow. But let the players stay on the field so the fans can pummel them with garbage. This behavior is unacceptable. And if you think it wasn’t intentional, you are beyond stupid. Holy cow, so freaking obviously intentional. Idiots.
Show me one former player on any of these talk shows that think it was intentional. They know the game, you don’t. Idiot.
According to the league’s statement, all six of the umpires deemed Abreu’s throw intentional.
Case closed.
And they deem strikes that are balls, and balls that are strikes every game. Doesn’t make it correct. Again, if Garcia jogs down to first, this is a nothing burger. They umpires made a decision on the reaction of Garcia, and that is wrong.
Six, not one. Big difference. How is a player supposed to react when he is intentionally hit? Yes, it should have been nipped immediately by the home plate umpire, but maybe he was still trying to figure out if it was a ball or a strike? Heck, any of the six could have immediately tossed him. Red card. You’re gone. They don’t always get it right in soccer but you’re gone from the game before there’s a bench clearing brawl, that’s for sure.
How is a player supposed to react when he is intentionally hit?
The same way that yordan alvarez was hit near the head by the rangers heaney earlier in the year.just take his base. Or siemian did when he thought it was intentional in that same game. Show his displeasure to the pitcher while taking his base. Then come back and take it yard in next at bat.
regarding umpires getting it right … of those 6 umpires how many of them were actually watching the pitcher to know what he was doing / thinking? of those 6 umpires how many of them saw him pat on his chest saying my bad? 1 maybe 2? Or did they all just see where the pitch landed and assumed it was intentional. Also when did umpires become pychologists to be able to determine what the pitcher was thinking, emotional state, etc etc A crew of 6 umpires made 3 mistakes in the same alds game a few years back that went to replay based on challenges and all three overturned due to review. Those had no emotions or thinking involved.in any way. They are human and make mistakes. I mean look at poor galarraga what a decade ago that had his no hitter taken away because of an obvious blown call by umpires that they admitted was wrong the next day.
Also the fact that out of 6 pitches only 1 strike. He obviously did not have his best stuff unless you are saying he walked the previous batter just so he could hit Garcia in a 2-2 championship in the bottom of the 8th only down 2 runs … 2 on nobody out is not a recipe for success down 2 runs with one inning left. It does push the favorability out a little bit further in this scenario. If he would have gotten the out instead i would be singing a different tune. Also why im not a fan of the 3 batter rule. Also if it was intentional i would expect him to throw harder (anger) or softer (typical message) not his usual fast ball velocity.
Also if you look back a few months ago who started a bench clearing brawl. Yup thats right Garcia on something that didnt even involve him. Maldanado and Siemian were having words and when garcia coming around from his homerun he got in maldanados face about siemian and maldanados argument and if you look at the replay siemian held an arm to pull back on maldanado. This is more garcia being a hot head so if you are blaming abreu then garcia should be held accountable too because this is the second bench clearing he has caused. I will even agree Maldanado should be held just as liable as garcia.
To answer your question, he goes to first base. He was hit on the elbow pad. Option two is he goes to first the exact same way he did when he hit the homerun.
If Abreu hit Garcia intentionally in that moment, he displayed profound ineptitude.
The Rangers’ hitters are extremely talented. Last thing any pitcher needs to do in a pivotal ALCS game is give that potent lineup additional opportunities. Only way Abreu’s hitting Garcia on purpose is if the Astros are conceding defeat.
Garcia is a highly talented – a really good player. But he cost his team after the HBP. He should have taken 1st base (after executing another cartwheel). You don’t put your hands on the catcher and the ump. He had a right to be upset – but his selfish stunt shifted momentum back to the Astros.
3 of the top 20 Teams with the highest single season HBP totals in MLB history are from the 2023 season. Teams are pitching inside.
In 2023, MLB suspended 8 pitchers. I found one instance where a pitcher was suspended for a HBP. LHP Angel Perdomo was as suspended 3 games (reduced to 1 on appeal).
Out of all the HBPs in 2023, only 1 suspension?!
Teams are pitching inside, and hitters crowd the plate more than ever.
Why wasn’t Garcia suspended for for pushing an umpire- not once but twice.Congratulations to Alvarez for getting control of Garcia and getting him out of there
Of course it will be appealed, as it should be.
Instead of throwing at Abreu, the Astros should’ve just pimp’ed their next HR like Jose Bautista!
All these dudes are chicken $#!t anyways. Throw a 95+ fastball at someone over showboating but then 50+ people storm the field and don’t do $#!t. Stop wasting everybody’s time and play ball! Those 2 events are some of the most ridiculous things in sports.
Peter Gammons level analysis right here
According to the team in the field no hit by pitch in the history of the sport has been intentional.
concerning this post/reply Leclerc had to finish the eighth because again Chapman could not pitch the entire 8th inning. LeClerc mopped up Chapman’s mess.. The way it turned out LeClerc would have came in under normal conditions in the 9th because the altercations were iin the bottom of the eighth
I have heard plenty of reactions from people who played the game and worked in front offices.
Every single one said there is no way anyone would intentionally hit a player on purpose in this situation.
Personally, I am not sure. I am an Astros fan and think it’s possible that they ordered it and did it intentionally.
But I’m not sure and there is zero evidence.
There simply is no way to know and every thought process and experienced person says there is no way anyone would do it.
Based on inconclusive nature of this there should have been no ejections and no suspensions.
This is the LCS. Ejections and suspensions absolutely can’t be made without iron clad evidence. Integrity of the game.
But Mandred and every single umpire in the union could care less about that.
You aren’t ordering it with your best reliever. Period. Stanek throws 98-99,he could do the same.
Astros could’ve brought in RHP Maton if they wanted to hit Garcia in that inning. He is in the top tier of relief pitchers in MLB with 9 HBPs.
RHP Abreu is the Astros best relief pitcher. Why in the world would the Astros risk the ejection of their best relief pitcher?
I’ve watched Dusty Baker manage this team several seasons now. This was intentionally called from the bench. It’s counterproductive to winning, just like it was to let Maldonado bat to lead off the 8th when down two runs. It had more to do with an intentional hbp called called against Yordan on July 26 than Garcia’s celebration. Regardless, poor decision. I am not proud of the team as a fan from that moment. The ejection and suspension is warranted and it hurts in the postseason as Abreu is flatly one of the best relievers in baseball. Wish Dusty would own it and take the suspension himself. Management certainly improved when Espada took over in the 9th of game 5.
So have I: it was not intentional.
You are giving Dusty way too much credit. No way that was ordered from the bench in the 8th inning of the ALCS.
Perhaps Dusty realized half-way through he could use what happened to buy time, but no, hitting Garcia with a runner on while down 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th was not intentional. There is no way Dusty would ask for that in the playoffs nor would any pitcher do that on their own.
BS decision by MLB.
MLB actions are equally as classless as Adolis Garcia. It was coincidence. No way Bryan Abreu’s HBP was intentional. But García was acting like an absolute pig’s axx. If this affects the outcome of the playoffs, it’s fixed and you can all KMAGB.
How does Abreu get suspended but Garcia doesn’t?
Total crap but can’t be surprised. MLB will protect hitters and punish pitchers. Garcia took it on his little elbow pad. Be thankful this wasn’t 35 years ago when performance-enhancing equipment wasn’t around. Then again he probably doesn’t celebrate the homerun like he did but hey, it’s “exciting”.
The whole thing is idiotic. Why would any team in a playoff series, in a close a game, put more runners on base intentionally? They don’t. Especially not at the risk of using their best reliever.
Yep. I mean if it was a blow out there might be logic behind the intentional HBP, but no way would a team as smart as Houston dig themselves further out of the lead.
I realize I’m in the minority here, but Garcia deserved it and glad the Astros weren’t going to let him get away with his BS. Go Astros.
MLB has turned into the no fun league. Suspend everyone for everything. Boring.
Another one of these lame baseball kiddie playground shoving matches. Riveting..!
Wake me up when these HGH sissies start fighting each other like real men, at least with fisticuffs, if not by utilization of their sticks and balls.
Where are the suicide drones, sent into the opponent’s dugout? That’s how you teach behavior to your adversaries nowadays! Never make ’em feel too comfortable.
Oh well, a man can dream.
Matt Bush is still a punk
Why does anyone give a crap what an Astros fan or the Astros team even think. The team has no credibility
Let’s see if the team with no credibility advances today to the WS for the 3rd straight year
They actually have the most credibility in the league. They are the only team that was honest about how deep their sign stealing went.
Good thing it’s not a popularity contest. Then we’d have to suspend all the Astros fools
I am not happy!
This whole thing is a fiasco
And no one is being held responsible for their actions
This Sucks
I have to think the union already has approached the MLB with something so the MLB can save face. They likely know the suspension is unwarranted and to make both parties happy, he get suspended one game next season. One of the most unjustifiable suspensions I’ve ever seen.
1. After Altuve’s home run, LeClerc threw at Dubon, sending him flying out of the batter’s box, no warning from the umpires or suspension from the Commissioner
2. Garcia shoved Malanado, then as the melee started to calm down he charged Maldanado with his right fist cocked back, and was intercepted at the last second by his teammate. He was so close Maldanado cocked his fist and braced for the hit. Where is the suspension for this?
Rob Manfred hates the Astros because the Astros made a big deal about the Cardinals stealing the Astros draft database and using it for two drafts to see what the Astros had planned. He let the Cardinals throw away a 1st rounder and then gave the Astros a 2 and 3. He blamed the entire cheating scandal on the Astros when players like Joey Votto said every team was cheating. Broadcasters like John Smoltz said over half the teams were cheating, Ken Rosenthal said at least a dozen others were cheating.
Also, the entire cheating program came from the Yankees when Carlos Beltran came over and told them what they were doing. Manfred tried hiding the letters to the Yankees about the cheating, during the court case, he was dangerously close to be held in contempt for refusing to turn over the letters.
Rob Manfred hates the Astros, he will try to screw them over every chance he gets, he has repeatedly lied about the cheating scandal, and I have zero doubt he will keep on trying to screw the Astros over when he can. Fine, go for it, the Astros will win another World Series out of spite and just so they can piss off Manfred some more.
Everyone hates the Astros. They are a trash organization
Hope they dont bean Altuve like that. Might hit the mic and cause my short wave radio to blow a fuse and then I wont be able to listen to his antics on the field.
My Spanish has improved so much over the years listening.
“bola rápida”……bola curva….cámbialo”
Altuve es tu daddy.
José “El micrófono” Altuve
Una vez una tramposa siempre una tramposa
PS for those who dont know, Altuve’s uniform number is also the same frequency you need to tune in on, with your short wave radio, to pick up his mic. .Very sneaky
Bro doesn’t realize who was accused of the buzzer before Altuve was. Lol
doesn’t matter.
Google the word “Buzzer” and Altuve is the first 5 result pages.
bbuuuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
“ah si la Bola Rapido”
Manfred is a lapdog for big market teams on the two coasts. He keeps trying to hinder the Astros but they just will not go away. Don’t recall a suspension this deep into the playoffs that could affect the outcome.
I’m not sure why Adolis Garcia didn’t even walk to first on the dropped 3rd strike. That idiot walked to first on a bobbled deep groundball and cost Texas an out and baserunner. He is getting irritating, that doesn’t make Houston the good guys by any means. Remember when Framber hit Semien after the 0-2 pitch hit Yordan? Fams have short memories.
It is because a lot of these current players have no idea of the basics of baseball. Just common sense has been thrown out the window. Playing the game the old fashioned way doesn’t get them enough attention so they only focus on the exciting parts of the game.
Nerris threw something on the field like a lunatic after he got a groundout with 2 outs. The Astros have no class. They certainly are in no position to boo Adolis for the bat smash. Adolis actually hit a 3 run homerun. This guy? Hardly did anything but cleaned up his own mess
I remember when Roger Clemens got ejected, then suspended for throwing a piece of the baseball bat at Mike Piazza in the World Series.
Oh wait. Never mind.
Man.. probalby all those steroids pumping through his blood made him lose it.
Big syringey , I mean Papi too
SMH, talk about drama kings on the field! No need for suspensions. This is what happens when MLB stripped away pitcher hitting and players’ control.