The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Dusty Baker: Our Guys Are A Little Rusty So We Got To Get Them Work

Episode Date: September 2, 2020

Dusty Baker: Our Guys Are A Little Rusty So We Got To Get Them Work

The Houston Astro. The Astros. This exclusive Astros segment on Sports Talk 790 is brought to you by Expedity, The Future of Awesome. It's awesome. Dusty Baker is a manager of Houston Astros at 1233. He's on here on the Matt Thomas show. Skip, first of all, good afternoon.

Thanks for the visit, as always. I got to be honest with you, I have been a fan of this baseball team since I was seven years old. the emergence of this organization over the last five years to become a title contender's been awesome. And part of the charm of this team has been its work defensively. So I got good news for you. I don't think you're going to see many more 10th innings like you saw last night. Well, I don't think I'm going to see many more any innings like we saw last night. I mean, it started off in the first inning.

You know, like we made an air and then, you know, our Golden Glove guys, I think Carlos is first there in 90 games. and then, you know, you saw Maldonado, you know, I mean, he's one of the best defensive catchers in the world. And, you know, these things happen. Like I said, I hope we got it all out of our system at one time because you hate to die at slow death. You know, one day it happens and the next day it happens.

And, you know, we were kind of lethargic last night. You know, I mean, you know, we hadn't played in a couple days. And, you know, it seemed like the guys were kind of like a half a step. slow. We didn't wake up until like the six or seventh inning. So we've got to put that behind us. I mean, it sure hurt. I mean, last night to give another one away,

especially when you see the season winding down. But our guys rebound tonight and we'll play much better baseball tonight. How disjointed has it been for you with those guys with the fact you've had the off days because of the decision

on Friday and then the hurricane stuff before? Has it, have you seen it the ten or the team changed because of that? Well, a little bit because, like, you wake up in the morning, the first thing you do, you got to check to see if you're going to play. And then, you know, see if you're going to go in and test. Like, usually we test every other day, you know, for the COVID-19. But now we're testing, like, I think we've got to test the day again, you know,

four days in a row to the spit test, which isn't very intrusive. But at the same time, it changes your, you know, your whole, you know, routine. You got to get there earlier. I mean, it has to be done. But, I mean, this has been a different, you know, different year. I mean, every day seems like there's something, you know, something new. And, you know, when you're dealing, especially when you're dealing with a lot of young guys, I mean, I mean, really young guys, you know, that are really trying to figure their way out.

You know, they're depending on, you know, a lot of the older guys to direct them. And I think we've got a good match of players between the youth and the, and the, and the veterans. As you know, obviously, Skip, the A's Sunday game has been rescheduled for Oakland, and my broadcast partner, Ross and I have been kind of debating about this. I would have liked to have seen Major League Baseball allow you guys on that one day on the 14th because you were off. They were off to play the game at Minute Made Park. I understand, frankly, how off days are so important this time of year, but the decision was made to play in Oakland. You tell me how you feel about that decision of being the home game for one of those double-hatters.

Well, I don't think I've ever done that, taking truth in my whole career. But, I mean, there's nothing you can do about it. I mean, you can fight and fuss about it, but the commissioner's office is going to do with the commission's office what to do. And they're doing what they think is best for everybody's travel. Is it the best for us? No. You know, even though we're playing a home game there, you know, I think I'm not sure exactly what the numbers are.

You know, I think we're playing eight games there to their two games here. You know, I mean, that is a definite home field of. advantage for them, even though the one game there with a home team. So, you know, we just have to adjust. I mean, it's been a year of adjustment for us. It's been a, you know, a year of tough occurrences. But even, every time they knock us down, like that Michael Rose, a reggae song says, every time they knock us down, we get stronger and stronger. So, you know, this is how I think this team is emotionally and mentally strong. So we just have to deal with it. Dusty Baker on the Matt Thomas show here and Dusty Ross here.

Speaking of the days off and being mentally tough, you had yesterday, Frambervaldez, gave up a couple runs early and then settled in. Was that because of some of the days off? And is that a concern for you with the pitching staff going forward? I don't know if that was the cause or not. He's had a little trouble throwing to the bases in the past with no days off. So this is something that we have to address. Now, I'm a little concerned about the pitching staff because, like, last night, you know, Paredes hadn't thrown in a week.

You know what I mean? He hadn't thrown since San Diego, I think, since he gave up, you know, the Homer in San Diego. And so, you know, Sneed hadn't thrown in a week. Taylor hadn't thrown in four or five days. I mean, we got guys down there, you know, that hadn't thrown. And when you get in there, you're probably overamped. And I believe that, well, not that only me believe it, but I've been told from the day I got in this game that guys rushed out, they don't wear out.

And so our guys are a little rusty. So now we've got to find a way to get them work and win games and put them in a position where they're most likely succeeded and not have them be in a situation where we don't really need them but just to get them work. And so like we got, you know, I keep a stat every day with an asterisk about it, you know, like short, middle clothes set up. And then there's another one I put NTP, which means need to pitch.

And then last night I had about six guys that need to pitch. You know what I mean? And you can't get them all in there at the same time. So hopefully we can get some guys in games tonight, tomorrow, especially before the double-hitter because they'll probably all pitch in those double-hitter games. I got news for you, Dusty. The NTP list may be small when you have those double-hutteres in the next road trip coming up. Yeah, you're right.

You don't have to worry about need to pitch. Like, Skip, I need a day. I need a day. Help me out here. I know. And some of the guys are like, some of the guys are like, oh, skip, man. You know, when you don't get me in there, I said, okay, man, your tongue's going to be dragging in about a week or so, so, you know, we'll get you in there.

Talking about days off, there's, we're almost done with a season. Crazy is to say that. How are you doing that versus slumps versus, you know what? The schedule's not going to allow these time off because, again, you got two double-headers coming up on this next trip. Well, and that's one of the reasons I caught Malbinato in that 2,70 double hitters other day, because the game was so important that I needed him in there. He's probably been close to, you know, between him and Tucker, you know, our MVP is probably

on the team, you know what I mean? And so, you know, guys are like, hey, I can play every day, but no, I got to keep you healthy. I got to, I got to juggle between, you know, you getting sharp and you staying sharp, or like Michael Brantley's, you know, guarding his leg, but we need his bat. And so it's a daily juggle. But you got to leave certain guys in there where they're hot or cold so they can get their stuff together because, you know, you're going to need them in the long run.

Yeah. And so, you know, like the Altovays and Bregman hopefully get him back soon. And Correa, you got to guard, you know, he has a history of back injuries. Uly, you know, you really got to, you know, take care of Yulie and Redick and, and, and, uh, shoot, Springer. And so, you know, we'll see. I'll tell you one day, I keep my fingers crossed a lot. And I check a lot with the trainers on, you know, who's, who's ailing, who's hurting, who needs a day, but also, you know, when we need the game. So it's a delicate combination. Well, enjoy the Houston cooking for a couple more days because you're going to be gone for a while. wish you the very best than only tonight. And on that road trip, we'll talk again next week. Thanks for the time as always, Skip. Well, you got it, man. Hey, I just went by, this is it. In the third ward to get some, to get some fish and some oxtails. So, yeah, oh, yeah, I'm enjoying this.

Well, but you knew about this is it before you came here. I mean, you've been coming here for decades. Oh, yeah. Oh, I sure do. Like I said, I got the smelling good in my car. I'm trying to get off so I can go eat. Well, that's why I'll see you guys later. I'm going up on you right now. Thanks, Skip, for the time. We appreciate it. All right. Later. We'll see you. Dusty Baker.