The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Dusty Baker on Alvarez: We've Lost Him Maybe Even For The Year

Episode Date: August 19, 2020

Dusty Baker on Alverez: We've Lost Him Maybe Even For The Year

As I mentioned, we're going to have Astros manager, Dusty Baker, joining us on the show, and we've got him here to talk about the Astros. And they're now winners of six in a row. They've won seven of their last eight. So pleased to be joined by Dusty Baker. Dusty, it is Ross Matt is out today. I'd have to say how much changes in a week here in baseball? We know it's a day-to-day game, a week-to-week game. But last week, our last couple of weeks, we're saying, hey, man, what's going on?

Now you won six in a row. You won seven of eight. Got to be feeling a little bit better. Yeah, well, you are feeling a little better. I mean, you're not completely relieved because, you know, we still got work to do. And, you know, like you said, a couple weeks ago, you know, we were trying to figure things out. And I was hoping that, you know, that between Stromi, the staff, you know, we could, you know, figure this thing out. And fortunately for us, you know, we're getting some breaks.

You know, we're getting some very good pitching. our offense has been down lately. You know, we have some big key guys that are out of the lineup, but our defense and our pitching is picking us up. And so we're finally winning some of those

close games that we were losing last week or two weeks ago. It's like, oh, no, we're in extra units again and then they always get the hit when they need it. And now we're starting to get the hits. And so it's a positive feeling, you know, on the team. It's good to see the guys

celebrate. But again, the road is the real test. I've talked to other teams, and the road is completely different than, you know, how it used to be, because you've got to stay in the room. You can't go out. You can't do anything. You've got to replay the games in your mind in the room. And so hopefully we'll get off to a good start here tonight in Colorado. Yeah, you've got five games coming up on the road, Colorado, and then San Diego after that. And, Scott, Skip, you mentioned the pitching and how great it's been. Now, Zach Grinky was fantastic last night. Can you just tell us, give us a perspective.

I mean, you've obviously been around the game for a minute or two. What is it? What kind of different cat is Zach Grinky? And what was it like when you first met him? And how does he go about his business? Well, I mean, he's different. But, you know, I mean, they told me about my, I mean, the same thing about myself. I remember meeting the Joe Russell for the first time, you know, my teammate.

And he goes, man, they threw the middle away. You know, they threw the middle away with me. And they created Zach Grinke. but, I mean, he's a competitor. He knows what he's doing. You know, he enjoys being around because he doesn't say much, but when he does, it's funny most of the time. And, you know, just to watch him pitch, the guys are amazed.

I tell all our young guys, you know, watch high pitches, watch how he sets hitters up, watch what he does. I mean, you can learn more from Zach Greenkey than you can learn from a guy 30-9 miles an hour because everybody can't do that. But, I mean, he is a pitcher. And, you know, the pitch is left-handed. You know, most left-handers are not power pitchers. And so they have to have more savvy and sort of trick-you-and-to-me, he pitches left-handed.

All right. And let's go ahead and get, unfortunately, you've been having to do this all year as well. Get to the infirmary report. You had George Springer scratch late. What's the latest on him? Well, you know, George came to me on the plane. He said he said he's ready. But, you know, he had to go get another.

Cascan yesterday during the game, he sent back to the game in the seventh inning. And he was sore yesterday, but he said after the game, he's okay. So we'll see when we get to the stadium. You know, we've got a lot of guys kind of, you know, banged up, you know, Michael Brantley's doing a lot better. You know, he's on the trip that could come off, hopefully Saturday or Sunday in San Diego.

And so, you know, we lost, you know, Don Alvarez, you know, it looks like he's done maybe for the year, even, maybe, you know, we'll see. Pearl Land is doing well. Who else is doing? Diaz is doing well. You know, we've got a few guys there, you know, within probably a week to ten days are coming back. All right. Then, did you mention Michael Brantley in there?

What's the latest on him? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mentioned Michael in the beginning. And, you know, Michael could come outside. we'll see. And, you know, we've got to get him well this time so that he don't go on and off, you know, the, you know, the, you know, the I am because he is a major part of this club, a major part of the club, not only physically, but spiritually and mentally, and the guys follow Mike, you know, they call him Uncle Mike. And, you know, I mean, it's a good reason.

So, you know, we're looking forward to getting him back. And you mentioned George Springer said he's ready to go, but I didn't feel like he's one of those guys, his arm could be falling off, and he'll tell you he's going to be okay and good to go. What is it kind of, you have to deal with a guy who always wants to play, but you kind of sometimes have to save him from himself? Well, you do, but I mean, how do you know how honest he's being until he takes a swing or until he dies back into the base. But, you know, I got my eyes on him, and, you know, we need him, but, you know, he also needs himself. And, you know, he does come to play. We have different energy when he's on the field.

And so, like I'll reassess it today when I get to the stadium or pick D.C., Sometimes you're injured and not hurt or not injured. I don't know where it goes, but what happens is that some injuries aren't going to heal until the wintertime. I mean, they seem like they're healed while you're playing, and then soon as you bump it or hit it or whatever, then you go back again. So I hope this is not one of these injuries, and hopefully he can, you know, do well very soon. Astros manager, Dusty Baker, here on the Matt Thomas show. Let's talk a little bit about Jose Altovae 0-4 last night.

We know he had the couple of days off last week, struggling still. Is this one of those things where we're making too much of it because it's a short in season? Or is there something up with Jose or he's just got to clear his head? What's the issue there? Well, it's probably all the above. I mean, you know, when you're not used to not doing well, it's tough to take. And, you know, I mean, certainly not going to find. sitting down, you know, not playing, and the only way to find it is to play.

And, you know, you do it all we can, you know, to try to get out of this thing. But, you know, you have to remember, it didn't take him two days to get in this mess. It's not going to end this hole. It's not going to take you two days to get out. So it's going to be a steady process. You know, hopefully you get one, one, one for three, a couple walks, and then two, two, two. And then the next thing, you know, you know, he's off and rolling. And then for anybody that's ever been in a hole,

it doesn't look like there's any way out. You know what I mean? But you have to crawl out. Fall into the hole seems like that you've got to call out. So that's what it's all about. It's going to be a daily thing. You know, we're going to have to stick with him. And the main thing, he's going to have to stick with himself.

And, you know, he's the most popular guys here. And, you know, there are some guys around baseball. I'm looking at yellow as you. I'm looking at a whole bunch of quality guys that are, you know, they're struggling. I mean, as to why, you know, who knows? But, you know, as long as they don't put too much pressure on themselves, and as long as we can keep winning some games in the meantime without them,

as that would help Jose and definitely help us. All right, well, let's go on to the pitching there. Five of the last six games, you guys only allowing one run. And in the other game, you only allowed two. So what has it been like with this turnaround? And a lot of guys, a lot of unproven guys in the bullpen stepping up for you? Well, I mean, it's been, it's been, hey, guys, you know, whoever's up next, you know, do the job. I don't care if you're 15 or if you're 51, with the experience and no experience, I mean, we have to try to find a way to do the job.

And, you know, these guys, I hear them all the time that they give up somebody else's runs. They'll apologize to that other guy. And so, you know, they're coming together, you know, they're coming together as a unit. Stromy's doing a great job, you know, keeping them positive. We're trying to keep them spaced out because most of those guys aren't guys that are picked two or three days in a row. You know, most of them down there are starters that are turned relievers out of need. And so we really have to, you'll see one day we don't use this guy and people like, well, I don't use this guy because they're not conditioned yet at this point to be used back-to-back days. And I really don't like using them back-to-back-to-back days.

So if you're doing it, we can't. But, you know, it's a win. I've got to get out of here, man. I got to go. All right, Dusty, thanks a lot, man. Appreciate it. Well, Dusty's got to go. We've got to do what he needs to do.

All right, appreciate it, Dusty. Thanks for the time, as always. All right, we're going to take a quick break here on The Mad Tom show. My name is Ross via Real. You guys want to react to anything that Dusty said, the Astros' winners of six in a row, seven of their last eight. They're not giving up more than two runs in six games. The pitching has been fantastic.

7-13, 2-1-2-1-2. 570.90 is the phone number 7132-1-2-5-7-90 tweets to at SportsRV. It is the Matt Thomas show. We'll be back after this short break.