Will Choosing Urquidy Over France Against Twins Lead to Another Classic Dusty Baker Mistake?
Despite the Houston Astros winning the American League West and on the verge of yet another ALCS berth, fans have not been pleased with manager Dusty Baker this season.
In all fairness, some of his decisions have been questionable, leading many to call for his retirement or a change of who is in charge at the helm following the season.
On Tuesday, Baker made another gutsy call when the team announced that Jose Urquidy would get the Game Four start against the Minnesota Twins. Baker chose the veteran Urquidy over rookie J.P. France in a game that could punch their ticket to the next round of the postseason.
On paper it's a headscratcher.
Urquidy has thrown just 63.0 innings this season due to injury. When he has been on the mound he hasn't been incredibly effective posting a 5.29 ERA and an unsightly 1.429 WHIP. It's a far cry from his career numbers and his recent performances haven't proven he has turned the corner.
France on the other hand has compiled a sterling 3.83 ERA in 136.1 innings pitched during the 2023 regular season. He is also fully rested and hasn't pitched since Sept. 23.
This is another example of Baker giving way to the more experienced player. In all fairness, both France and Urquidy have struggled down the stretch, both allowing similar amounts of runs. Urquidy has shown better peripherals in the last month.
It was always a toss up between these two in who got the ball for Wednesday's matchup.
If Urquidy gets dominated and the Twins force a Game Five in Houston, the calls for Baker's job may just get louder.
Had he gone with France, the same outcome was just as likely.
Either way, this is just another decision Baker has made that he may have to answer for if it doesn't go the Astros' way.
