Breathin' Orange Fire
@orangefire.bsky.social
Astros Fan. Analytics Guy.
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"Your calm, rational, logical takes have no place in this world, Brian."
Read my Substack: OrangeFire.Substack.com
"Your calm, rational, logical takes have no place in this world, Brian."
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Orange Fire | Orange Fire (Brian Arbour IRL) | Substack
Analysis and opinion on the Houston Astros. Click to read Orange Fire, by Orange Fire (Brian Arbour IRL), a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
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The impromptu bullpen game works out really well. 5 pitchers. No runs.
So needed.
So needed.
September 23, 2026 at 4:48 AM
The impromptu bullpen game works out really well. 5 pitchers. No runs.
So needed.
So needed.
Yordan Looms.
And the leverage guys in the bullpen can sit.
And the leverage guys in the bullpen can sit.
September 23, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Yordan Looms.
And the leverage guys in the bullpen can sit.
And the leverage guys in the bullpen can sit.
Espada managing his bullpen very aggressively. It's essentially a must win game.
Miguel Ullola has the third inning for the Astros. Cristian Javier did not look sharp across two scoreless innings, but this is an extremely quick hook. Javier threw 45 pitches. The Mariners whiffed just three times on 17 swings against him and averaged a 94.5 mph exit velocity.
September 23, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Espada managing his bullpen very aggressively. It's essentially a must win game.
September 23, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Not the best night for me, an Astros and LSU fan.
September 20, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Not the best night for me, an Astros and LSU fan.
The Astros biggest problem over the last week is that the Rangers are in their best week of the season, winning 5 of 6.
It's hard to win the division by default when the other teams don't just give it to you.
Astros lead via the tiebreaker. Have a 69% chance to make the playoffs via Fangraphs.
It's hard to win the division by default when the other teams don't just give it to you.
Astros lead via the tiebreaker. Have a 69% chance to make the playoffs via Fangraphs.
September 19, 2026 at 11:26 AM
The Astros biggest problem over the last week is that the Rangers are in their best week of the season, winning 5 of 6.
It's hard to win the division by default when the other teams don't just give it to you.
Astros lead via the tiebreaker. Have a 69% chance to make the playoffs via Fangraphs.
It's hard to win the division by default when the other teams don't just give it to you.
Astros lead via the tiebreaker. Have a 69% chance to make the playoffs via Fangraphs.
Go get him, Joe.
September 19, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Go get him, Joe.
Notable...and not good.
The Astros are 3rd in MLB in HR, but also 17th in runs scored. That feels so hard to do!
September 18, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Notable...and not good.
September 18, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Obviously, a very good night for the Astros. They win...but it's more important for them that the Rangers lose, which they did thanks to a late 3 run shot by Trevor Story.
Astros up 1 and hold the tiebreaker with 9 to play.
Astros up 1 and hold the tiebreaker with 9 to play.
September 18, 2026 at 3:51 AM
Obviously, a very good night for the Astros. They win...but it's more important for them that the Rangers lose, which they did thanks to a late 3 run shot by Trevor Story.
Astros up 1 and hold the tiebreaker with 9 to play.
Astros up 1 and hold the tiebreaker with 9 to play.
Reposted by Breathin' Orange Fire
Trevor Story starts another double play. This one ends the game. Red Sox win.
September 18, 2026 at 3:10 AM
Trevor Story starts another double play. This one ends the game. Red Sox win.
Red Sox going with Whitlock to close game out. Chapman is their usual closer, but when asked to pitch tonight, he went...
September 18, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Red Sox going with Whitlock to close game out. Chapman is their usual closer, but when asked to pitch tonight, he went...
September 18, 2026 at 2:55 AM
September 18, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Between the game starting an hour early, the national broadcast, and Espada using an opener, I am all out of rhythm on where we are in this game.
The good news: 6 outs to go.
The good news: 6 outs to go.
September 18, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Between the game starting an hour early, the national broadcast, and Espada using an opener, I am all out of rhythm on where we are in this game.
The good news: 6 outs to go.
The good news: 6 outs to go.
Early Afternoon Lamont.
September 18, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Early Afternoon Lamont.
Bad night. The Astros play like the below .500 team they actually are.
But the bigger issue is that the Rangers have won their 4th straight. That gets in the way of winning the division by default.
Astros hold the edge at the moment via the tiebreaker.
But the bigger issue is that the Rangers have won their 4th straight. That gets in the way of winning the division by default.
Astros hold the edge at the moment via the tiebreaker.
September 17, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Bad night. The Astros play like the below .500 team they actually are.
But the bigger issue is that the Rangers have won their 4th straight. That gets in the way of winning the division by default.
Astros hold the edge at the moment via the tiebreaker.
But the bigger issue is that the Rangers have won their 4th straight. That gets in the way of winning the division by default.
Astros hold the edge at the moment via the tiebreaker.
Kimbrel's basically done. He'll give some runs...please.
September 17, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Kimbrel's basically done. He'll give some runs...please.
It's good that Javier has danced around trouble...but he'll get to the 3rd time through the order quickly this way.
Espada should have bullpen ready sooner rather than later.
Espada should have bullpen ready sooner rather than later.
September 17, 2026 at 12:42 AM
It's good that Javier has danced around trouble...but he'll get to the 3rd time through the order quickly this way.
Espada should have bullpen ready sooner rather than later.
Espada should have bullpen ready sooner rather than later.
Astros and Rangers both win.
Night ends with Astros 1 game up over the Rangers, plus they own the tiebreaker.
Elimination number is 10.
Night ends with Astros 1 game up over the Rangers, plus they own the tiebreaker.
Elimination number is 10.
September 16, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Astros and Rangers both win.
Night ends with Astros 1 game up over the Rangers, plus they own the tiebreaker.
Elimination number is 10.
Night ends with Astros 1 game up over the Rangers, plus they own the tiebreaker.
Elimination number is 10.
Big night for the bullpen.
4 IP
1 R
2 H
0 BB
4 Ks
0.19 WPA
They close out a much needed win.
4 IP
1 R
2 H
0 BB
4 Ks
0.19 WPA
They close out a much needed win.
September 16, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Big night for the bullpen.
4 IP
1 R
2 H
0 BB
4 Ks
0.19 WPA
They close out a much needed win.
4 IP
1 R
2 H
0 BB
4 Ks
0.19 WPA
They close out a much needed win.
Wacha's 3rd time through the order penalty is bigger. Yordan goes yard.
3rd time through the order off to a bad start
September 16, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Wacha's 3rd time through the order penalty is bigger. Yordan goes yard.