Beaumont Enterprise | beaumontenterprise.com | Friday, July 30,2021 | B5 SPORTS

ASTROS Additions aid bullpen’s outlook for playoffs

By Chandler Rome is dangerous. The Astros plate appearances with Mi- STAFF WRITER did it for four months. For ami. the final two, Pressly has Graveman and Garcia do SEATTLE — The best Oc- two teammates who can not automatically make the tober bullpens have no ab- share it. Astros’ bullpen elite, but it solutes. Teams and fans Houston added 25 saves is a far better group than love lockdown closers, but to its bullpen with Kendall when it arrived in Seattle. any strict adherence to the Graveman and Yimi Garcia. ’s command role is disappearing. Man- Both closed for the clubs issues continue to stall any agers must play matchups that traded them. Baker progress he makes. He instead of paying homage to plans “initially” to keep threw 17 balls and 12 strikes an archaic statistic. A.J. Pressly as his closer, but in a disastrous outing Wed- Hinch once deployed a so- even the 72-year-old man- nesday. Lefthander Brooks called during ager said he isn’t married to Raley walked two more bat- the fifth inning. Ryan Press- such a defined role. Pressly ters. ly stranded the tying runs has no ego, either. Now that Houston has on base in Yankee Stadium, “You’re just trying to get brought in help against and Houston won Game 4 27 outs before the other righthanded hitters, the of the 2019 American team does, and with the progress of lefthanders Ra- League Championship Se- bullpen that we have, it’s ley and is para- ries. going to help us out a lot,” mount the next two “I don’t think roles really Pressly said. “We can be months. Pedro Baez is a matter in the postseason,” flexible in where we throw righthander with reverse Pressly said Wednesday. guys and what we do. splits in his career. “You’re just trying to get 27 Whether it be Graveman in Provided he returns with outs before the other team the sixth, seventh, eighth or some level of competence, does, and with the bullpen me in the sixth, seventh, Michael Wyke /Associated Press Baez’s presence against left- that we have, it’s going to eighth or ninth, it doesn’t Astros closer , pictured right on July 19, has previously been handed hitters could be help us out a lot. We can be matter. It’s about getting Houston’s only high-leverage reliever. Now he has some company in new crucial. still flexible in where we throw outs.” additions Kendall Graveman and Yimi Garcia. has the highest fastball ve- guys and what we do.” Having two men with locity of any Astros reliever The luxury did not exist late-game experience will Garcia receives a whiff on percentage above 40 per- Click had two clear goals and a splitter that can neu- for the first four months of allow Baker and pitching 27.4 percent of the swings cent. Among them? The in his bullpen pursuit: tralize both lefties and the season. Manager Dusty coach to make against him. Graveman gets woeful swing-and-miss ability and righties. Options feel far Baker preserved Pressly on- their bullpen decisions 23.9 percent. Prior to the and Colorado Rockies. success against righthand- more abundant than just ly for save situations. The based almost solely on two additions, Houston’s “There’s a lot of different ed hitters. three days ago. skipper could not afford to matchups. Graveman, Gar- bullpen had an 11.8 percent ways to get batters out and The Astros presumed in “That’s a good group of allow ninth-inning leads to cia and Pressly are all right- swinging strike rate. It getting swing and miss in the preseason that veteran guys down there,” Pressly slip away. None of the other handed with velocities ranked 15th of 30 bullpens. the zone is something that I sidearmer could said. “Everyone wants to eight men in his bullpen in- around the mid-90s. Simi- The lack of it led to far too think the guys we have ac- neutralize many righties take the ball whenever they spired faith they could pro- larities stop there. many uncompetitive walks quired over the past couple late in games. Smith did can. To have some help tect them. Graveman sinks a two- and balls in play during days have in common,” As- not, and Houston included down there is always nice. “It was bound to hap- seam fastball to generate pressure situations. After tros general manager James him in Tuesday’s deal for It’s going to push a lot of pen,” Pressly said Wednes- weak contact. Pressly has Monday night’s meltdown Click said Wednesday Graveman, whom righties guys to be better and keep day morning. “I think ev- elite spin on both a slider against the Mariners, Hous- night. “It’s something we’re cannot touch. They are throwing the ball well. It’s eryone kind of knew we and curveball that generate ton’s bullpen had allowed going to need going forward slashing .079/.134/.079 with good competition down were going after bullpen swing and miss. Garcia’s 40 percent of the runners it in the playoffs. These guys five singles in 67 plate ap- there.” help.” four-seam fastball spin rate inherited to score — 53- have power stuff. They have pearances against him. Ad- Placing the burden of an is among the highest in of-134. Only six other bull- high velocity. They have ditionally, Garcia held [email protected] entire bullpen on one arm . pens had an inherited score good movement.” righties to a .645 OPS in 82 twitter.com/chandler_rome

COMMENTARY Houston must be able to run before it can pass

When the Texans kick clock management, clock Lindsay, Johnson, Ingram the running back room. off regular season against control, those kind of and Burkhead — came to The running back room is Jacksonville at NRG Stadi- things. the Texans from other versatile. We’re teaching um, fans are going to see “I believe you have to be teams. Johnson came in each other and learning an offense that’s placing a able to do that, and you the trade with the Cardi- from each other and hav- renewed emphasis on the have to be able to do that nals for receiver DeAndre ing each other’s back, and running game. when they know you’re Hopkins. Lindsay that’s what it’s all about.” Under first-year coach going to do it. That’s going (Broncos), Ingram (Ra- Lindsay was signed by David Culley, the Texans to be our philosophy.” vens) and Burkhead (Patri- the Broncos as an un- want more balance on The Texans don’t have ots) were signed as free drafted free agent from offense than last season an Arian Foster, of course. agents. Colorado and rushing for when they Foster rushed at least “Think about it, every- more than 1,000 yards in had the 1,200 yards four times body came in here and, for each of his first two sea- fewest during a five-year period. some reason, they think sons. Injuries limited him rushes in General manager Nick we’re the scum bucket,” to eight starts and 502 team histo- Caserio would love to Lindsay said. “I don’t yards last season, and ry and the unearth another nugget know what they’ve got Denver let him go. second- like Foster, but those are Brett Coomer /Staff photographer going on in the media (but) Lindsay is like Britt and JOHN fewest rare. This season, the Running back Phillip Lindsay, right, was one of the everybody has something some other free agents McCLAIN yards to Texans will have to rely on team’s three free agent additions at the position. to prove.” Caserio signed in that On the Texans the 2002 four veterans who provide Lindsay didn’t explain they’re coming off injuries expansion them with more depth quarterback, but it can on the sideline and fresh what he meant by the and have something to team. than any time in team impact a defense, too. when the players return to backs being the “scum prove, especially to the Before the Texans hired history. “We should definitely the field. bucket,” but he added, teams that didn’t want him, Culley spent the last Last season, the Texans run the ball,” new center “We have a bunch of “They’re some great them back. two seasons of his 27-year boasted a one-two punch said. “We have great veterans in that room dudes, and they’re really “I have a big chip on my career as an assistant in David Johnson and Duke the backs for it (and) we right now, great leaders, talented, and they’ve shoulder,” Lindsay said. “I coach at Baltimore. The Johnson. David Johnson need to use them all. and we’re pushing each played a lot of football.” feel like I’m always being Ravens finished first in returns as the starter, but “You control the game other,” Lindsay said about Lindsay told a funny disrespected. In my head, rushing both seasons, and Culley and Caserio wanted by running the ball, con- the backs. “It’s great to be story about Ingram, who’s I’m the baddest dude there Culley knows well the more talent and depth at trol the clock, set the tone. able to learn from them. 31 and playing in his 11th is, period.I don’t care who benefits of having a run- that position. We have the group to do it, Everybody’s different in season — the senior mem- else is in the NFL — you’ve ning game that’s produc- Caserio signed three and that’s my mindset I’m that room, and they’ve ber of the backfield who’s still got to deal with me, tive and consistent. free agents — Mark Ingram going to bring.” done a lot throughout rushed for more than and that’s just how I act. “With all the successful II, Phillip Lindsay and Rex Ideally, when the Tex- their careers. 1,000 three times over the “I want to be a great teams I’ve been around, Burkhead. Teams planning ans play the Jaguars, they “You guys (media) want last five years. teammate. I want to show- even way back when I was to make the run a key want a running game that abig story about competi- “The first time I saw case my explosiveness. It’s with Andy Reid early in component of their of- keeps the Jaguars off bal- tion, but it’s really a broth- Mark was when I was in not just about me. It’s Philadelphia, having a run fense in the new 17-game ance and doesn’t allow erhood. They’re a great elementary school,” Lind- about our team, and that’s game is so important for schedule better have them to tee off on quarter- bunch of dudes. We’re all say said. “It’s crazy be- all I care about. It’s about your team,” Culley said depth they can depend on. back because married, we’ve all got kids, cause I used to watch his winning.” after practice Thursday. Not only does an effec- they have to beware of the so we’re on the same highlights, and now I get to “To be able to establish tive running game take run. And if they run effec- page.” pick his brain. Great dude. [email protected] exactly who you are — pressure off a starting tively, it keeps the defense The top four backs — “We have a great time in twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl

In Green, the Rockets the most important thing on the draft stage, known that there's ties in Houston ROCKETS will be bringing in a player for me. That’s the main for his short shorts and a it's kind of like it was script- From page B1 that has long hungered for thing that’s making me flair for fashion fitting for ed. So, I'm excited to take NOTICE TO CREDITORS stardom. He was a gold happy right now.” former Rockets James that out there and just rep- NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT Julianna Hayes, Rudy Tomjanovich, medalist in three USA Bas- When his name was an- Harden and Russell West- resent and put on for the Kuehmstedt as Independent Executor of the Estate of Herman Joseph Ralph Sampson, Hakeem ketball tournaments, the nounced, Green hugged brook. Philippines and can't wait Kuehmstedt Jr, Deceased. Olajuwon and Yao — are in top-ranked recruit as a Mc- his mother, Bree Purgana, “Going into the NBAI to meet everybody and see Pending in the County Court of Jefferson the Hall of Fame with Rock- Donalds All American after and said his nervousness think I've already made a the fans. It’s going to be ex- County, in Matters of Probate No. ets assistant coach and his one season at Prolific was gone. From that mo- statement about how drip citing.” 125360 Houston icon John Lucas Prep in Napa, Calif., and ment on, he said, “All I was and how I dress and how I The Rockets are coun- TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE the lone exception. the first players to sign thinking about was the fu- carry myself and I contin- ting on it. He worked out ABOVE ESTATE: The Rockets will want to with the G League Ignite, ture, so it was an exciting ue to — I’m going to contin- for the Rockets on Monday, WHEREAS, on the 13th day of July, 2021, avoid those sorts of expec- the program for elite pros- moment for me.” ue to do that through the flew to New York in Rock- in the County Court of Jefferson County, Texas the undersigned duly qualified as tations for a player that just pects. He said his time in the G NBA,” Green said. ets owner Tilman Fertitta’s Independent Executor of the Estate of turned 19 years old in Feb- Each of those experienc- League playing for Brian He also said he was espe- private jet and seemed Herman Joseph Kuehmstedt Jr, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that Original Let- ruary. Green welcomed es and especially his sea- Shaw taught him about cially happy to go to Hous- happy enough to fly back ters Testamentary on this estate were them. son in the G League, he “how to get to the high and ton with its large Asian without it. granted and this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to pres- “I think I can be that said were to prepare him lows, breaking down film, community. His maternal “The coaching staff and ent the same to the undersigned within piece,” he said. “I think I for the task now at hand. footwork, a whole bunch grandfather is Filipino. the offense and how the time prescribed by law. Any person in- debted to said estate is hereby notified to can bring that dog mental- “I enjoy every part of of things. I could keep go- Green has always em- they’re trying to focus in pay same to the undersigned. ity, that defensive mindset this from the G League to ing on with a list of how braced that part of his heri- on defense, I think it just Julianna Kuehmstedt and an exciting part at the now,” Green said. “I much we learned. Not tage, with the basketball- matched all my goals and it Independent Executor same time. They already learned so much. I think I even just on the court, off loving Philippines having played to my strengths,” of the Estate of Herman Joseph Kuehmstedt Jr, Deceased got a lot of star players, a grew up so much. I learned the court, too; lifestyle celebrated him long before Green said. “It's a lot of lot of excitement on the about myself, got a lot of things. It all worked out he was in Thursday’s spot- pick-and-rolls, a lot of back By: _Matthew J. King______MATTHEW J. KING, Attorney-at-Law team. I think they're just knowledge on and off the perfectly.” light. door cuts and I'm trying to KING ESTATE LAW, PLLC missing one more piece court. It could not have His comfort in the spot- “I'm always excited to be All-Team defense, so it's P.O. Box 575, Helotes, TX 78023 Office: (210) 319-8746 and I think I can fulfill gone any better.I got my light had been apparent represent the Philippines,” all going to work out per- Fax: (210) 783-1253 that.” family here with me. That’s since well before he shined Green said. “So, the fact fectly.” Email: [email protected]