Dusty Baker Is Sticking With A Veteran At DH
The Houston Astros are going to the Bronx with the peace of mind that having done their homework offers.
After taking Games 1 and 2 of the American League Championship Series at home in Minute Maid Park, Houston will go to the Big Apple to face the New York Yankees for two games; three if the Bombers can win at least one.
Houston won the first two contests behind strong pitching performances by Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez, but their offense hasn’t been producing like we all know it can.
One of the struggling players is Trey Mancini, who has only six at-bats in the playoffs and no hits.
Despite his cold bat, manager Dusty Baker is trusting him to put together some good at-bats in Yankee Stadium, a place in which he has played a lot after spending many years with the Baltimore Orioles.
“Dusty Baker said Mancini is set to DH in Game 3: ‘The DH the next couple days against guys that he has seen is going to be Mancini, and then we’ll see. If Mancini doesn’t show much improvement… I love David Hensley. I’m one of the guys that helped put him on the team,’” Astros insider Brian McTaggart tweeted, with Baker’s remarks.
Dusty Baker said Mancini is set to DH in Game 3: “The DH the next couple days against guys that he has seen is going to be Mancini, and then we’ll see. If Mancini doesn’t show much improvement… I love David Hensley. I’m one of the guys that helped put him on the team.”
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 21, 2022
Mancini Has Had A Rough Showing With The Astros
You have to love how candid and honest Baker is.
If he is sending Mancini out there, it’s because he trusts he can do some damage in Yankee Stadium.
His stint with the Astros, however, has been quite forgettable.
Not only has he failed to produce in the playoffs: he wasn’t good in the regular season either.
Since landing on the Astros via trade with the Orioles, Mancini has slashed .176/.258/.364 with a 77 wRC+ in 186 plate appearances.
The league average wRC+ is 100, so Mancini has been 23 percent worse than his peers since being a part of the Astros.
Perhaps he can have his big break on Saturday.