Cubs @ Astros

[Castor27]

All game talk goes in here. Please do not give play by play. If you need play by play go to CBS, ESPN, or Yahoo.

Pitching Proabables:

8-15 Glendon Rusch, LHP (5-4, 3.98) vs. Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (7-5, 6.18) 7:05 on FSSW

8-16 Greg Maddux, RHP (9-9, 4.54) vs. Andy Pettitte, LHP (10-8, 2.62) 7:05 on FSSW

8-17 Carlos Zambrano, RHP (9-5, 3.17) vs. Roy Oswalt, RHP (14-9, 2.57) 6:05 on FSSW/ESPN

[RocketMan Tex]

WWW

We've got to regain the momentum and stomp the Cubs in the process.

[Howyalikemenow]

Wednesday's game is gonna rock! Go Stros!!! Oswalt - W

[Kerfeld]

Time to get it going again!

[MadMax]

sweep

[Uprising]

LLL..... :o :(





...............I can't stand to post losses against the cubbies.....

LWW. After yesterday's game, I'm kinda fed up with our stros. How were we shut out by the Pirates over 18+ innings?!

[MadMax]

LLL..... :o :(





...............I can't stand to post losses against the cubbies.....

LWW. After yesterday's game, I'm kinda fed up with our stros. How were we shut out by the Pirates over 18+ innings?!

don't lose faith so quickly. it's way too common among houston fans.

[Svpernaut]

LWW...

[bigtexxx]

LWW

by the way, the games are in August, not July.

[ruddy5]

WWW as always :confused:

[weakfromtoday]

LWW

A high-scoring game loss today would be ok with me, if it can help get our bats going and then we go on to win the next 2.

[Fegwu]

LWW

by the way, the games are in August, not July.

Ha ha....I did not even notice that.

Alright Castro, do da right thing.

:p

[Uprising]

don't lose faith so quickly. it's way too common among houston fans.


MadMax, you know me man....from all the damn posts I make every series. I never lose faith, I feel we will win 2 out of three. So, I feel we will win the series. I say 2 out of three, because I think there is a better chance of Wandy being struck by reality rather than pitching a nice game, which he is capable of....periodically.

I'll be around, every game, every out, every pitch. hell, I was around till about 10min after last night's "game" at MMP. Man, that one really hurt.

I bleed orange.

Go Stros!

[PhiSlammaJamma]

I think we'll take 4 out of 3. Just to really piss off the cub fans.

[Groogrux]

don't lose faith so quickly. it's way too common among houston fans.

That's why I don't like to call them fans. We're up in the wild card and playing great (not now, obviously) and you've got idiots coming in here and whining. Of course, they're probably just trolls who get their kicks off trying to piss people off on an internet message board. But my optimism will not be diminished. Playoffs baby!!!!

BTW: WWL

[RocketManJosh]

The last couple losses are defnitely hard ones to take (Sat night being the worst of the season for me) and I have to believe they do have a big effect on fans and the players themselves. Losses and slumps are going to hit every team, but the good ones are able to pull through it. This team has been through a hell of a lot more than this before. The confidence is lacking right now, and we need to get it back. All it takes is one good win though to get right back on track, and the Cubs are just the team to do it again. The Cubs are the team that jump started us last year, and it's time slap them upside the head once again. This time I want to see Roy make Michael Barrett cry :)

WWW

[rikesh316]

LWL. Zambrano alwayes domiantes the Stros and Roy still seems to have a dead arm. Offense will continue to struggle with Burke in the lineup.

[fya]

I dunno about this series. Cubs have begun to hit better and our O sucks right now. Roy needs some time off. Poopoora needs to get off his fat ass and get another bat too.

[rrj_gamz]

LWW

We need a sweep in a bad way, but 2 of 3 would be great...Go Stros!!!

[chuichuitrain]

WWL

i'm scared of carlos zambrano

[Stack24]

alrighty..ausmus is sitting his butt on the bench...the line in Vegas just went up....with the chances of at least 2 double plays out of question for the astros. :D

[Nick]

Wandy is like a box of chocolates...

[Another Brother]

Wandy's pitching is as ugly as Dierker's tie

[BigCountry132]

Our offense better be on tonite b/c i doubt Wandy is going to get much better. But atleast im getting a joint simulcast of Larry/Bill and the spanish announcers.

[Nick]

Wow... we look awful, yet still score a run. (seeing-eye single up the middle, seeing-eye single right between the SS and 3B, double-play, infield single).

Its that easy sometimes... and also that random.

EDIT: At least they've made the rest of the inning look legitimate... Lane had a solid shot up the middle, and Everett (even though he blooped it) attempted to go the other way with it.

[Svpernaut]

Yay, we have HITS AND RUNS...

[LonghornFan]

Wandy needs to be sent back down to Pony league.

[Svpernaut]

he throws in the mid-80s and can't hit spots, it's like t-ball for them.

[adw]

The amount of hrs Zeke and Wandy give up,I get horrid visions of Lima.

[Nick]

he throws in the mid-80s and can't hit spots, it's like t-ball for them.

That pretty much sums it up for finesse guys like him. He seemed to locate better when he first came up, but the last three games he's been all over the place. It could be his shoulder bothering him... but even if it isn't, I don't think he'll get that many more chances.

I'd like to see what they have in Nieve... no point in holding him back if he's just going to end up like Wandy (and, judging by his not so stellar AAA #'s so far, it could be just that... but he also has 2 shutouts so the dreaded "P" word still lingers).

[thewaterox]

The amount of hrs Zeke and Wandy give up,I get horrid visions of Lima.

It's Wandy time.
"Casa Ole fresh today
Every day
Casa Ole
Ole!"

You guys know the tune :D

[Fegwu]

Lance is killing us.

Well timed single. Like he new I was about to get on his case.

[Fegwu]

Golfed!

5-3 Stros...

[Nick]

I got to hand it to Wandy....

He always inspires the best out of all our bats. :D

[Svpernaut]

I got to hand it to Wandy....

He always inspires the best out of all our bats. :D

lol, he has to. How come we score so many for him, but our good pitchers we can't even get 1 run for? :-P

[Svpernaut]

WANDY YOU MORON! Back up 3rd base you moron!

[thewaterox]

WANDY YOU MORON! Back up 3rd base you moron!

They better score 10 tonight if they want to win with Wandy on the mound. :mad:

[RocketManJosh]

No excuse for that play (or lack thereof) by Wandy. He will REALLY pay for that one in Kangaroo court, and is absolutely inexcusable.

[ruddy5]

They better score 10 tonight if they want to win with Wandy on the mound. :mad:
Well, at least he's out of the 4th :D

[Fegwu]

Wow. Adam doing Bigde's job in the field. What a range.

PS. Wandy has descent stuff but he has to improve his location. He almost has to start pitching like Moyer or Duke.

I will chuck his issues now under rookie learning pains.

[Svpernaut]

No excuse for that play (or lack thereof) by Wandy. He will REALLY pay for that one in Kangaroo court, and is absolutely inexcusable.

No crap, they teach the pitcher to get his ass out of the middle of the infield in coach pitch ffs.

[Fegwu]

No crap, they teach the pitcher to get his ass out of the middle of the infield in coach pitch ffs.

It is a mental lapse. I will let that slide for now and hopefully it does not happen again. I believe Scrap Iron will let him hear hit later.

Lets not make too of it than we have already - lets move on. There is plenty of game to enjoy.

[RocketManJosh]

It is a mental lapse. I will let that slide for now and hopefully it does not happen again. I believe Scrap Iron will let him hear hit later.

Lets not make too of it than we have already - lets move on. There is plenty of game to enjoy.

I agree ... I forgave Willy for his mistakes and I can forgive Wandy for this one. Hopefully our rookies are doing a lot of learning this year and they will get some valuable experience in a playoff race.

[ruddy5]

HR party ;) :D

[rikesh316]

Damn, Quintero hit a homerun to railroad tracks. That was a bomb.

[Nick]

Q!!!!

Man... if this guy turns out to be half the player he was projected to be (with regular playing time), it will turn out to be one helluva deal by Tim.

Redding for Q... priceless.

[Svpernaut]

Wow... Burke, Everett and Quentwhatever....

[Buck Turgidson]

Burke & Q go deep in the same game?

Something about blind squirrels & nuts would be appropriate here.

[rikesh316]

Willy T is 4-4 in the 5th. My bad Willy for bashing to heck out of you this past weekend.

[arkoe]

I just payed 4 bucks to watch the game online. After paying the four bucks it tells me I'm blacked out. Thank you MLB.com for screwing me out of $4.

:mad:

[Nick]

Man... thank you Dusty for bringing your rag-tag pen into this game. We were getting lucky (for the most part) off Rusch, but we've just gotten a ton of confidence back at the plate off these other guys.

[arkoe]

They better score 10 tonight if they want to win with Wandy on the mound. :mad:

Looks like they might. :)

[francis 4 prez]

man ensberg is solid.

[arkoe]

What, are they trying to make up for the last two games?

[thewaterox]

Looks like they might. :)

Who would have guessed that the bottom of the line up would turn into our power hitters tonight? Also, give thanks to Dusty for bringing in the Cubs bullpen. :D

[Mr. Mooch]

And now EVERYONE has a hit. :D

[ruddy5]

looks like wandy is going to pitch the entire game :)

[NIKEstrad]

Props to Wandy for getting 7 innings in and not making us waste some bullpen appearances.

[francis 4 prez]

that was just slightly crushed.

[ruddy5]

Well done Morgan. mmm is wandy done?

[Howyalikemenow]

Way to crush the cubs. Send all those cubbie fans home early!!

[Willy92683]

Hmm... Lamb has to make a better throw than that :mad:

[RocketManJosh]

Great game! This was a feel-good game we can build on. Exactly what was needed.

[Uprising]

:( Glad our team won, but upset I couldn't watch this one. I wish I chose this game instead of yesterday's.... :P

[Svpernaut]

I just payed 4 bucks to watch the game online. After paying the four bucks it tells me I'm blacked out. Thank you MLB.com for screwing me out of $4.

:mad:

Yeah, they did the same thing to me on Sunday... bastards.

[Major]

Yeah, they did the same thing to me on Sunday... bastards.

How exactly did they screw people over? Looking at the MLB.TV homepage, it mentions out-of-market or blackout restrictions three different times, including a big old thing right under the TV describing what games are blacked out. It also lets you type your zipcode and find out if a particular game is blacked out in your area, in case you aren't familiar what team is considered your "home market" team.

[Aceshigh7]

I just payed 4 bucks to watch the game online. After paying the four bucks it tells me I'm blacked out. Thank you MLB.com for screwing me out of $4.

:mad:

Call their customer support number and tell them that you couldn't see the game because it was blacked out. They will refund your $3.99. I had the same thing happen to me when I ordered a game earlier this year.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Time to finish the cubbies.

[arkoe]

How exactly did they screw people over? Looking at the MLB.TV homepage, it mentions out-of-market or blackout restrictions three different times, including a big old thing right under the TV describing what games are blacked out. It also lets you type your zipcode and find out if a particular game is blacked out in your area, in case you aren't familiar what team is considered your "home market" team.

Did I say mlb.com screwed myself out of four bucks? I of course meant I screwed myself out of four bucks.

[bobrek]

Did I say mlb.com screwed myself out of four bucks? I of course meant I screwed myself out of four bucks.

I guess we got that impression by you writing this:

"I just payed 4 bucks to watch the game online. After paying the four bucks it tells me I'm blacked out. Thank you MLB.com for screwing me out of $4."

[Howyalikemenow]

Wow, a houston team is actually getting some love on the front of ESPN:

"Heat Wave" :D
http://espn.go.com/

Not sure how long it'll stay up.

[swilkins]

I thoroughly enjoyed attending this game.

btw - 7 bucks for 16 oz. suds, or 7.75 for 24 oz? This was a no-brainer.

[macalu]

Wow, a houston team is actually getting some love on the front of ESPN:

"Heat Wave" :D
http://espn.go.com/

Not sure how long it'll stay up.

yea, it's too bad it's not enough love to get Mo's actual HR stat correct.

[Harrisment]

Wow, a houston team is actually getting some love on the front of ESPN:

"Heat Wave" :D
http://espn.go.com/

Not sure how long it'll stay up.

Yep, I just saw that too. Can't believe the Stros are actually getting some love.

[bobrek]

Yep, I just saw that too. Can't believe the Stros are actually getting some love.

Where have you folks been the past 2 months? During their hot streak they were regularly featured on ESPN among others. There is an article a week on Clemens. Ensberg had an article how he was the biggest all star snub. There was recently an article as to whether or not Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte was the best top 3 of all time. They have been getting plenty of attention. I would venture to say that over the course of the last two months, with respect to regular national baseball reporting (e.g. not counting steroid reports), they have been 3rd behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

[Groogrux]

Where have you folks been the past 2 months? During their hot streak they were regularly featured on ESPN among others. There is an article a week on Clemens. Ensberg had an article how he was the biggest all star snub. There was recently an article as to whether or not Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte was the best top 3 of all time. They have been getting plenty of attention. I would venture to say that over the course of the last two months, with respect to regular national baseball reporting (e.g. not counting steroid reports), they have been 3rd behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

I agree with everything you just posted, except I would put us 4th behind the A's.

[wrath_of_khan]

Where have you folks been the past 2 months? During their hot streak they were regularly featured on ESPN among others. There is an article a week on Clemens. Ensberg had an article how he was the biggest all star snub. There was recently an article as to whether or not Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte was the best top 3 of all time. They have been getting plenty of attention. I would venture to say that over the course of the last two months, with respect to regular national baseball reporting (e.g. not counting steroid reports), they have been 3rd behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

It's no use, Bobrek. I tried making the same point on the BBS last week, but people insist on continuing to believe that the Stros get no national press.

Sure, it's more fun to feel like we're getting snubbed, but it's just not the case this year.

[bobrek]

I agree with everything you just posted, except I would put us 4th behind the A's.

Yeah, I forgot about them. I agree, the A's have been getting more publicity than Houston (probably only because of ESPN's fascination with Billy Beane).

[MadMax]

wait...is the sky still falling???

[Groogrux]

Yeah, I forgot about them. I agree, the A's have been getting more publicity than Houston (probably only because of ESPN's fascination with Billy Beane).

I actually don't mind it. They've made a more impressive run, IMO and are battling for the division crown as opposed to the wild card.

[macalu]

Where have you folks been the past 2 months? During their hot streak they were regularly featured on ESPN among others. There is an article a week on Clemens. Ensberg had an article how he was the biggest all star snub. There was recently an article as to whether or not Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte was the best top 3 of all time. They have been getting plenty of attention. I would venture to say that over the course of the last two months, with respect to regular national baseball reporting (e.g. not counting steroid reports), they have been 3rd behind the Yankees and Red Sox.


yea, but it's not every day. :p

[Buck Turgidson]

wait...is the sky still falling???
"The one thing about this team is that I think a lot of people have a hard time believing we can be as good as we've been for the last two months. So every time we hit a bump in the road, everybody says, 'This is the team we thought they'd be.' There's no doubt we have issues, but who doesn't?" -- Lance Berkman in the chron

[Groogrux]

"The one thing about this team is that I think a lot of people have a hard time believing we can be as good as we've been for the last two months. So every time we hit a bump in the road, everybody says, 'This is the team we thought they'd be.' There's no doubt we have issues, but who doesn't?" -- Lance Berkman in the chron

That's Rice alum Lance Berkman.

[MadMax]

"The one thing about this team is that I think a lot of people have a hard time believing we can be as good as we've been for the last two months. So every time we hit a bump in the road, everybody says, 'This is the team we thought they'd be.' There's no doubt we have issues, but who doesn't?" -- Lance Berkman in the chron

its a misunderstanding about the game of baseball, generally, buck. it's so different from the other games in it nuances...in the fact it's played nearly every single day. take any one game...or even any one series...and you can make NO generalizations. it's why the season has to be 162 games...because you can't get to the best teams without that. you have casual fans ready to write off a season after a series...or making generalizations about a team that has performed quite well offensively for 2 months by using a 2 game sample size to argue they can't get the job done.

[TMac640]

just out of curiousity..... but is the REALTIME (insiders only I guess) that espn offers with each webcast of each MLB game, really close to realtime or not worth becoming an insider for?

[DaGhettoAsianFo]

I betcha we only need this one run to win this game ;) ;)

[Nick]

Ugh... Maddux with the luckiest POS hit ever.

[The Real Shady]

The bats are going silent again. We need to get some runs.

[Nick]

The bats are going silent again. We need to get some runs.

Agreed... but somebody should send a tape of this game into the league office and see what they have to say about the inconsistent (aka Maddux) strike zone being called.

I'd be fine if it was being called even for both sides... but since Pettite is a lefty, its "easier" for the ump to not give him the outside corner (since its on the same line as Pettite's release point), whereas with Maddux, his outside corner is on the other side of where his arm lets go of the ball... and for the ump, the same corner is percieved as a strike.

[Nick]

Now Biggio with the biggest POS error he's ever made. He pulled a Buckner.

We clearly don't deserve to win this game.

[kaleidosky]

Now Biggio with the biggest POS error he's ever made. He pulled a Buckner.

We clearly don't deserve to win this game.


i can't handle stuff like that at this point in the season

[ruddy5]

When this team is off it doesn't matter who's pitching.
Just to watch this game is painful..... :mad:

[ruddy5]

Now #1 The Astros killer is making his debut as a reliever, and by the way, killing us as always. i told you, it doesn't matter who is pitching againt us.....

[RocketManJosh]

Now #1 The Astros killer is making his debut as a reliever, and by the way, killing us as always. i told you, it doesn't matter who is pitching againt us.....

well it wasn't that way last night .. They hit whoever is in .. Hopefully this is just a stretch the offense is going through and can pull out of it. Maybe some games against the NL West will help starting next week ... One can hope

[tierre_brown]

Going to this game has ruined my mood. Ump was calling balls for Pettite that he was calling strikes for Maddux. Every Cubs hitter got at least 2-4 more pitches to look at. Cubs fans in front, Cubs fans behind...almost seemed like more Cubs fans than Stros fans...

2 good points: Willy T's triple and there was a dude who climbed out from the 1st base side and ran across the field and tried to hop up onthe RF wall, only to be taken down by security. Pretty funny stuff.

[Aceshigh7]

Going to this game has ruined my mood. Ump was calling balls for Pettite that he was calling strikes for Maddux. Every Cubs hitter got at least 2-4 more pitches to look at. Cubs fans in front, Cubs fans behind...almost seemed like more Cubs fans than Stros fans...

2 good points: Willy T's triple and there was a dude who climbed out from the 1st base side and ran across the field and tried to hop up onthe RF wall, only to be taken down by security. Pretty funny stuff.

I agree, that home plate ump was horrible! He screwed us a couple of times.

And the guy running on the field was pretty interesting.

[lnghrn4life]

haha he was sitting relatively close to us, his buddies kept on trying to collect money to get him to do it...looks like he will end up with a night in jail...

Mia Hamm was at the game, which was pretty cool for my little sister (although she wasnt there) but i brought her back an autograph...

[Howyalikemenow]

My prediction: Revenge of the Bats! Astros' offense does enough to win, making Zambrano yell into his glove - a lot! :D Astros win. :D

[Joshfast]

Well, Zambrano had no trouble with the Astros in the first inning.

Cubs lead 1-0

[rikesh316]

It looks like its going be long night for the Astros hitters.

[RocketManJosh]

This just has the feel of rough night for hitting.

The good thing to remember is that Zambrano has not gone deep into games lately because of some health issue that I can't remember. So even if he is doing really well, we may get a shot at that bullpen if we can at least run the pitch count up a little bit.

[ruddy5]

As i see, this series will be like the last series with the pirates.

[ruddy5]

that s** of a b******* Sambrano with a hr. :mad:

[adw]

Roy wtf is going on with you :( A hr to the pitcher,anyone know how fast he is throwing tonight?

[RocketManJosh]

Ugh ... The bats better do something ... I am already starting to get pissed and its only the 3rd inning.

[Harrisment]

Wow, now that piece of crap Nomar goes deep. We're in trouble tonight. Roy looks average lately. :(

[Saint Louis]

Oswalt hasn't looked very good lately. That tired arm problem seems to be lingering. Not good new at all.

[ruddy5]

Ugh ... The bats better do something ... I am already starting to get pissed and its only the 3rd inning.
I'm pissed already. :mad:

[TMac640]

damn damn damn

wanaton.

[RocketManJosh]

bases loaded no one out ... Lamb better prove his worth on this team!

EDIT: WELL Lamb got lucky with an E instead of a double play, but I'll take it!

[ruddy5]

Cross your finger good guys. let see if we can explode in this inning.

Edit: Lamb is disgusting!! :mad:

[Uprising]

Well, ofcourse us people in College Station with Cable don't get the game.

Blacked out on ESPN, and COX doesn't carry most of the Astros/Rockets games on FSN becasue they don't want to foot the $.35 (cents) bill to the consumers....dumbasses! :mad:

[Willy92683]

Damm Mike Lamb, he needs to be benched... start Lane already

[Fegwu]

Berkman is flat out killing us out there. Ensberg has sucked lated but he seem to have done better lately.

I don't vene want to talk about Lamb. Yuck!

:rolleyes:

[RocketManJosh]

0-52 when losing after 8 innings.

UGGGGGGLLLLY

[BigCountry132]

I dont even know why Garner let Ausmus bat, he is one of the worst offensive players in baseball.

[rikesh316]

Garner screws up another game. What was he thinking giving Everett a 3-0 green light and than not pitch hitting Lane for Ausmus. Make no sense.

[thewaterox]

I dont even know why Garner let Ausmus bat, he is one of the worst offensive players in baseball.

The Astros are fading fast. Let's get back on the road so maybe we can win one.

[Howyalikemenow]

You have to be kidding me... I drive like a crazy man to get home to see the nineth inning and... Ausmus... you leave Ausmus in, over Lane, to win it for us?

OMG!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

And, QUIT PLAYING LAMB!!!

[Uprising]

Well this homestand certainly hasn't gone the way I thought it would. :(

:eek: :o Come on Stros! :(

[rikesh316]

Purpura needs to bring up Luke Scott who hit 2 more homers today.

[Uprising]

Garner: "I finally see it, it's the calm before the storm. This could be the perfect storm. This is the calm before the storm. It's going to happen. ...good things. I don't know anything, I just know someting about the future....it's going to be good....."

:confused: :confused: :confused: calm before the storm? He trying to imply we are calm and content at losing before we bust out of the gates with another great month?

[DaDakota]

Somehow still in the WC lead after losing 2 of 3 to two horrible teams.

Come on Stros no time to coast now !

DD

[PhiSlammaJamma]

... an entire generation of Cinderellas and no glass slipper. Let's get it going.

[don grahamleone]

We seriously need to sweep Milwaukee.

[Saint Louis]

Notice that the Astros offense has disappeared about the same time the Berkman went into a slump. Whatever stomach bug Berkman got, I wish he would take something to get well soon. He hasn't been the same since he missed that game in Arizona on August 3rd.

[rrj_gamz]

Saw this on national TV and we actually had a chance and freakin' Ausmus was still batting...That is a no brainer, that guy sucks...WTF :mad:

Anyway, we blew it and are starting to slide...

[Austin70]

I was sitting in my truck listening to the game, because it was blacked out down here, go figure. I was hoping Lane would pinch hit for Ausmus, why in the hell did Ausmus bat?