Astros @ D-Backs

[Castor27]

All series talk goes in here. DO NOT GIVE PLAY-BY-PLAY! If you need PBP try Yahoo, ESPN, or Sportsline.


4-14 Andy Pettitte, LHP (1-1, 8.18) vs. Brandon Webb, RHP (0-0, 2.77) 8:40 on FSSW

4-15 Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (1-0, 4.50) vs. Claudio Vargas, RHP (1-0, 0.00) 8:40 on KNWS

4-16 Fernando Nieve, RHP (0-0, 5.40) vs. Orlando Hernandez, RHP (1-1, 5.59) 3:40 on FSSW

[rikesh316]

WLW. Coming out party for Nieve.

[Kam]

second!@!!!

WWW

or something close.

[across110thstreet]

Many homeruns will be hit in this series... Berkman will hit three more and Preston will follow with 2 of his own...

[MadMax]

WWW

sweep-a-rama

rm95 is going to at least one of these games.

[Groogrux]

Yes I am Max. Just bought my tickets from Stubhub. We're in the outfield tonight, four rows up in right. Look for the hottie in a pink Astros shirt and pink hat. Not sure what my wife will be wearing. ;)

[Nice Rollin]

http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2006/03/gatorade-conspiracy.html

[Saint Louis]

I hope Wandy doesn't let me down. I keep defending him to my friend who seems to hate the guy. I will be at Saturday's game, so I hope he brings his "A" game.

I saw Astacio pitch last year in PHX and the Astros won. Here's to hoping my luck with the 2005 rookie class continues.

[Nice Rollin]

PHOENIX (AP) - Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a sprained ligament in his right elbow.

Backe left in the second inning of the Astros' 5-3 loss to San Francisco on Thursday. He flew to Houston and had the elbow examined on Friday.
Right-hander Ezequiel Astacio, who started 14 games last season, was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. Astacio went 3-6 with a 5.67 ERA in 22 appearances last year.

Backe skipped his first scheduled start of the season on April 5 - his 28th birthday - because of a sore back. He returned two days later and earned a win against Washington, allowing a run and three hits in six innings.

Houston's rotation is short on experience: 27-year-old Wandy Rodriguez is starting his second major league season and Taylor Buchholz and Fernando Nieve are rookies.

The 23-year-old Nieve is to make his first major league start on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and the 24-year-old Buchholz, who relieved Backe on Tuesday, is to make his first major league start on Monday against Milwaukee.

[Shaji]

well thats bad...

so now wandy moves up in the rotation...were in trouble, that guy is freaking worthless...he doesnt deserve to be #304958, much less #3

[JunkyardDwg]

Paging Roger Clemens... please report to the Houston Astros stat! Seriously, our starting rotation is incredibly short of experience outside of Oswalt and Pettite. This couldn't be a better scenario for him. We definitely could use him now, our offense is clicking and has shown to be capable of scoring runs, and we have a decent record.


And what is up with Backe...are these injuries just strokes of bad luck or is there some underlying cause(s); his mechanics maybe? or is he too fragile?

[Saint Louis]

well thats bad...

so now wandy moves up in the rotation...were in trouble, that guy is freaking worthless...he doesnt deserve to be #304958, much less #3

Wandy was a rookie last year who went 10-10. I consider that good for a rookie.

Who out pitched who in Game One of the World Series last year?

Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
R. Clemens 2.0 4 3 3 0 1 1 54-35 13.50
W. Rodríguez 3.1 4 1 1 5 1 1 68-35 2.70
C. Qualls 1.2 4 1 1 5 1 1 24-16 0.00
R. Springer 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 23-14 9.00
Totals 8.0 10 5 5 5 4 2 169-100

Is he a number three starter? Probably not, but its not his fault that Backe is brittle. Would the Astros be better off with Clemens. YES!! So Uncle Drayton better get out his checkbook.

Now if we want to talk worthless so far this year. Gallo. Gallo is worthless.

[Miguel]

Gallo has a lot of hustle!...wait, that's Bowen.


What's the Rooster's excuse?

[Jugdish]

I think I knew Chris Snyder in elementary school (Terrace Elementary). He's my age and he went to the high school I would've gone to if I didn't go private.

Brush with greatness! Well, not <i>greatness</i>, but you know.

[Surfguy]

I don't ever want to see a f-ing game like that one again. Almost every ball we hit was a ground out to the shortstop. That was the most frustrating game. That Webb guy f-ing owns us. Man, I hated that game. :(

[The Cat]

Wandy was a rookie last year who went 10-10. I consider that good for a rookie.

Who out pitched who in Game One of the World Series last year?

Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
R. Clemens 2.0 4 3 3 0 1 1 54-35 13.50
W. Rodríguez 3.1 4 1 1 5 1 1 68-35 2.70
C. Qualls 1.2 4 1 1 5 1 1 24-16 0.00
R. Springer 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 23-14 9.00
Totals 8.0 10 5 5 5 4 2 169-100

Is he a number three starter? Probably not, but its not his fault that Backe is brittle. Would the Astros be better off with Clemens. YES!! So Uncle Drayton better get out his checkbook.

Now if we want to talk worthless so far this year. Gallo. Gallo is worthless.

Wandy allowed 10 base runners in 3 1/3 innings in that game, and somehow miraculously only allowed one run. He pitched pretty terribly, but had more luck than any pitcher the Astros put in all postseason. That game is the perfect example of why one game is far too small of a sample size.

Astacio is better, Buchholz is better, and Nieve likely will be better. Why he has a rotation spot over Astacio is one of the bigger mysteries of this team, imo. The Astros need Clemens more than ever at this point... depending more on Wandy is almost a guaranteed losing proposition.

[RocketManJosh]

Wandy allowed 10 base runners in 3 1/3 innings in that game, and somehow miraculously only allowed one run. He pitched pretty terribly, but had more luck than any pitcher the Astros put in all postseason. That game is the perfect example of why one game is far too small of a sample size.

Astacio is better, Buchholz is better, and Nieve likely will be better. Why he has a rotation spot over Astacio is one of the bigger mysteries of this team, imo. The Astros need Clemens more than ever at this point... depending more on Wandy is almost a guaranteed losing proposition.

Astacio is better!?!? Did we watch the same guy pitch last year? He was pretty terrible most of the year and was a home run pitch machine. Not saying he can't get better, but based on results Zeke has sucked!

[The Cat]

Astacio is better!?!? Did we watch the same guy pitch last year? He was pretty terrible most of the year and was a home run pitch machine. Not saying he can't get better, but based on results Zeke has sucked!

Based on the results? After Astacio's second callup last season (after the All-Star Break) he went 3-3 with a 3.96 ERA. That's very quality, and better than Wandy's numbers during that stretch. He was a home run machine his first stint in Houston, but he showed significant improvement during his second stint and was the best starter we had outside of the big three. Why he hasn't (yet) been given a chance to continue that success is something that's a huge question for me.

[Major]

Based on the results? After Astacio's second callup last season (after the All-Star Break) he went 3-3 with a 3.96 ERA. That's very quality, and better than Wandy's numbers during that stretch. He was a home run machine his first stint in Houston, but he showed significant improvement during his second stint and was the best starter we had outside of the big three. Why he hasn't (yet) been given a chance to continue that success is something that's a huge question for me.

To be fair, in the 2nd half of last season, Wandy improved noticably as well. His WHIP and BAA were better than Astacio during that time, and he allowed far fewer HRs (9 in 79 innings after the all-star break vs. 11 in 55 innings for Astacio). He's not the power guy that Astacio is, but he managed games much better and let fewer people on in general.

Both of them are OK but unproven at this point. Astacio, I think, had a terrible spring so that's what decided it (I could be wrong there, but that's the impression I'm under).

[The Cat]

To be fair, in the 2nd half of last season, Wandy improved noticably as well. His WHIP and BAA were better than Astacio during that time, and he allowed far fewer HRs (9 in 79 innings after the all-star break vs. 11 in 55 innings for Astacio). He's not the power guy that Astacio is, but he managed games much better and let fewer people on in general.

Both of them are OK but unproven at this point. Astacio, I think, had a terrible spring so that's what decided it (I could be wrong there, but that's the impression I'm under).

I could be wrong, but I thought Astacio's numbers in spring were very solid and that further added to the confusion. Anyone have the numbers handy?

[JunkyardDwg]

I could be wrong, but I thought Astacio's numbers in spring were very solid and that further added to the confusion. Anyone have the numbers handy?


Wandy: 0-4, 6.63 ERA, 19 IP, 21 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 2 HR

Zeke: 1-0, 3.29 ERA, 13.2 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 1 HR

From what I saw last season, both have good stuff but have problems with their control and focus at times.

[Uprising]

Morgan BOMB!

Nice to see him do that, it's only his 2nd.

[Nick]

Wandy: 0-4, 6.63 ERA, 19 IP, 21 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 2 HR

Zeke: 1-0, 3.29 ERA, 13.2 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 1 HR

From what I saw last season, both have good stuff but have problems with their control and focus at times.

Zeke is more of a thrower right now... he really hasn't learned how to pitch yet, and once he does (with his stuff) he could be really good. Of course, "throwers" who have good stuff don't neccesarily ever learn how to pitch... so its not an automatic for him.

Wandy needs better control... if he can spot his fastball, he can be just as effective as most MLB-left handed pitchers. But, once again, easier said than done.

[Uprising]

Did Adam just hit a HR?!!!!! :eek: :eek: :D :D :D

Wandy looking great through 2 innings. Sending every batter back down.

Everette with his first dinger.

I love this team.

[Miguel]

Did Adam just hit a HR?!!!!! :eek: :eek: :D :D :D


:eek: :eek:

[DaDakota]

Preston Wilson needs to back off and let Willy catch that ball.

[edit] Never Mind......Wandy gets out of it....he threw 93mph today.....he is looking MUCH better this year.

DD

[Miguel]

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/2004_Baseball_Action/Astros/Images/EverettAdam.jpg
http://www.chieftain.com/archive/2005/oct/6/sptAXS117ASTROSBRAVES.jpg

Killer Es!

[rikesh316]

Wandy looks nasty tonight. Hopefully this is a new trend. I am waiting for Eric Munson to break out. Hopefully he does soon.

[Nick]

Well, we know the Puma doesn't cork his bats... they just showed him testing the "sound" of it in the dugout.

Sounds good Puma...

[bobrek]

Wandy looks nasty tonight. Hopefully this is a new trend. I am waiting for Eric Munson to break out. Hopefully he does soon.

Considering Munson's lifetime average is .212, I don't have much hope for him breaking out.

[Miguel]

Bottom 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Mike Lamb replaces first baseman Lance Berkman, batting 3rd.


*does not compute*

:confused: :p

[DaDakota]

Bottom 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Mike Lamb replaces first baseman Lance Berkman, batting 3rd.


*does not compute*

:confused: :p

9-0 it computes fine....

The stros starters are 6-2...guess who has the 2 losses?

Come back Roger your pal needs you.

DD

[OldManBernie]

9-0 it computes fine....

The stros starters are 6-2...guess who has the 2 losses?

Come back Roger your pal needs you.

DD

Ok, the broadcaster mentioned something about "No Clemens" this year while interviewing Everett... did I miss the news about an official retirement or something?

[torque]

Wandy allowed 10 base runners in 3 1/3 innings in that game, and somehow miraculously only allowed one run. He pitched pretty terribly, but had more luck than any pitcher the Astros put in all postseason. That game is the perfect example of why one game is far too small of a sample size.

Astacio is better, Buchholz is better, and Nieve likely will be better. Why he has a rotation spot over Astacio is one of the bigger mysteries of this team, imo. The Astros need Clemens more than ever at this point... depending more on Wandy is almost a guaranteed losing proposition.
http://www.juneauempire.com/images/100602/crow.jpg

mmmmmmmm good.

[Saint Louis]

Wandy allowed 10 base runners in 3 1/3 innings in that game, and somehow miraculously only allowed one run. He pitched pretty terribly, but had more luck than any pitcher the Astros put in all postseason. That game is the perfect example of why one game is far too small of a sample size.

Astacio is better, Buchholz is better, and Nieve likely will be better. Why he has a rotation spot over Astacio is one of the bigger mysteries of this team, imo. The Astros need Clemens more than ever at this point... depending more on Wandy is almost a guaranteed losing proposition.

Houston IP H R ER BB K HR Season ERA
W. Rodriguez (W, 2-0) 7.0 2 0 0 1 6 0 2.84
C. Qualls 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 9.00
M. Gallo 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.00

For my continued support, Wandy decides to throw 7 innings of 2 hit ball while I was in attendance at tonights game. Way to go Wandy!

I freaking missed the Everett homerun. I left to take my kid to the restroom figuring nothing would happen until maybe Biggio came up. Nice offensive explosion tonight.

Well my one Astros game for the year at Chase Field was another success. Last year I saw Astacio win, this year Wandy wins. I love the 2005 rookie class!

The 2 hour drive home though after the game is brutal though. Time for bed.

[RocketFire]

If we win 2 out of 3 games, we will win 106 games and lose 56 games.

Lets do it. so here we go WWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWL...............

[texanskan]

If we win 2 out of 3 games, we will win 106 games and lose 56 games.

Lets do it. so here we go WWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWLWWL...............

Well if we win today that will be 2 out of 3 vs Florida, 3 out of 4 vs Wash, 1-1 vs San fran with the rubber game comming May 8th and with that win today 2-1 vs Arizona.

It's a good formula for success in baseball "just win each series" but I sure would like to sweep one of these crappy teams.

[Groogrux]

Good win last night...I obviously picked the wrong night to go. Won't say much now, but the experience at Chase Field was hands down the worst I've had as a baseball fan. Generic stadium, lackluster fans, horrible sound, so on and so forth. The only redeeming quality was the Diamondback fan next to me who bought me a beer around the 5th inning after I had joked around with him about handing me one. Other than that, blah.

Phoenix is a nice city, though. Downtown Tempe is really cool.

[The Cat]

http://www.juneauempire.com/images/100602/crow.jpg

mmmmmmmm good.

Don't make me post some of your OOTP Brewer predictions/results in here. ;)

In all seriousness, it was a tremendous start and I hope Wandy continues to prove me wrong all season long. We definitely need him. But I want to see it in more than one or two starts.

[Blatz]

Good win last night...I obviously picked the wrong night to go. Won't say much now, but the experience at Chase Field was hands down the worst I've had as a baseball fan. Generic stadium, lackluster fans, horrible sound, so on and so forth. The only redeeming quality was the Diamondback fan next to me who bought me a beer around the 5th inning after I had joked around with him about handing me one. Other than that, blah.

Phoenix is a nice city, though. Downtown Tempe is really cool.

They said during the broadcast last night that they installed a new sound system in the off season.

[Uprising]

They also added that new screen system that nearly wraps around the entire ball park. (shows ads etc.)

As for the game, great game by the Astros. That was the most entertaining one so far this season, as blow outs go.

[Surfguy]

In D/FW, they opted to show the Rockets game instead of the Astros game. That was a mistake! :mad:

[Uprising]

In D/FW, they opted to show the Rockets game instead of the Astros game. That was a mistake! :mad:

The game wasn't on FSN. It was on the local channel, thankgod COX is carrying them on UPN here in College Station.

[Surfguy]

The game wasn't on FSN. It was on the local channel, thankgod COX is carrying them on UPN here in College Station.

Oh...I thought the listing said it would be on FSSW. That's when I thought the Rockets games took precedent. I know if I get the Astros games...then their on channel 639(RSN alternate) on DirecTV. Last night, however, it was the Rockets...which usually are not on that channel. Maybe they have done some channel switching once the Astros started playing.

[Uprising]

Oh...I thought the listing said it would be on FSSW. That's when I thought the Rockets games took precedent. I know if I get the Astros games...then their on channel 639(RSN alternate) on DirecTV. Last night, however, it was the Rockets...which usually are not on that channel. Maybe they have done some channel switching once the Astros started playing.

Definetly worth looking into. I wasn't expecting the Local Houston games, but my buddy asked me one night if I was watching the game, I was like it's not on tv. But alas, I was wrong.....hurray! :)

[Saint Louis]

Good win last night...I obviously picked the wrong night to go. Won't say much now, but the experience at Chase Field was hands down the worst I've had as a baseball fan. Generic stadium, lackluster fans, horrible sound, so on and so forth. The only redeeming quality was the Diamondback fan next to me who bought me a beer around the 5th inning after I had joked around with him about handing me one. Other than that, blah.

Phoenix is a nice city, though. Downtown Tempe is really cool.

Chase Field has that cavernous feel. The experience is far better with the roof open then closed. I'v never been to a game where the attendance made it out of the 20K's, so never any energy in the place. I was sitting high along the right field foul line and a couple of times the new sound system nearly gave me a heart attack. Way too loud, and the roof was open too. I always eat at Cooperstown, Alice Coopers restuarant and bar, before a game. Weather-wise it was a perfect night for baseball in Phoenix.

Downtown Tempe is cool. I got to enjoy it before and after the Rams/Cardinals game last year. Only downside of the new Cardinals stadium is that it is in Glendale and not downtown Tempe. At least I won't cook at football games anymore. It should be a crime to play a football game at noon outdoors in September in Arizona. It was 104 in the shade last year and my seats were in the sun. I felt like a french fry under a heat lamp.

[geeimsobored]

Chase Field has that cavernous feel. The experience is far better with the roof open then closed. I'v never been to a game where the attendance made it out of the 20K's, so never any energy in the place. I was sitting high along the right field foul line and a couple of times the new sound system nearly gave me a heart attack. Way too loud, and the roof was open too. I always eat at Cooperstown, Alice Coopers restuarant and bar, before a game. Weather-wise it was a perfect night for baseball in Phoenix.

Yea I had this problem with the BOB (Chase Field just doesn't sound as cool). It's a nice place and they needed a retractable roof but it just feels like a box. At least Minute Maid has the big window that shows off the skyline. The BOB just has a line of closed off windows that don't show anything and consequently you feel all boxed up. Now that doesn't really matter to me because I grew up going to the Astrodome but to most people it's a pain.

Also, you're right, the place is just dead all the time. Also, I dont like their announcer. The MMP voice of god is just so much better. Plus, he doesn't talk too much so you can actually hear the game instead of hearing a voice over the PA.

[Kerfeld]

Nieve looks ok for now. Anyone else notice palmiero has the wrong jersey on. He still has his BP jersey on.

[Blatz]

Well, we know the Puma doesn't cork his bats... they just showed him testing the "sound" of it in the dugout.

Sounds good Puma...

Is that his nickname? I don't recall hearing it before.

[RocketManJosh]

****!!! We cannot lose Ensberg. We've seen that too many times with Bagwell ... Hope he just gets a bruise there.

[texanskan]

Yea I had this problem with the BOB (Chase Field just doesn't sound as cool). It's a nice place and they needed a retractable roof but it just feels like a box. At least Minute Maid has the big window that shows off the skyline. The BOB just has a line of closed off windows that don't show anything and consequently you feel all boxed up. Now that doesn't really matter to me because I grew up going to the Astrodome but to most people it's a pain.

Also, you're right, the place is just dead all the time. Also, I dont like their announcer. The MMP voice of god is just so much better. Plus, he doesn't talk too much so you can actually hear the game instead of hearing a voice over the PA.

I don't think they could of done a better job than they did at MMP as far as making you not feel like your in a dome when the roof is closed.

If your in the right seats there is not a better place to watch a ballgame.

That also goes for TC and Reliant we have three great facilities.

I also have had the privlage to see the new Redstone tournament course and that along with Westside's main stadium court give us five first class venues!

[Kerfeld]

The morning show guys call lance Berkman the the Big Puma. If ensberg is hurt he better tell someone this time

[texanskan]

BTW Berkman=NL MVP
Oswalt=NL Cy Young

[texanskan]

The morning show guys call lance Berkman the the Big Puma. If ensberg is hurt he better tell someone this time

He better not be hurt we are not deep enough to sustain injuries.

[Greg M]

BTW Berkman=NL MVP
Oswalt=NL Cy Young

Pujols' three homers this afternoon make him the MVP at this point. As much as I love Berkman, Pujols is in a league of his own.

[geeimsobored]

I don't think they could of done a better job than they did at MMP as far as making you not feel like your in a dome when the roof is closed.

If your in the right seats there is not a better place to watch a ballgame.

That also goes for TC and Reliant we have three great facilities.

I also have had the privlage to see the new Redstone tournament course and that along with Westside's main stadium court give us five first class venues!

I agree, I love MMP and think they did a phenomenal job while not hemmoraging money like other retractable roof stadiums. I think Safeco is probably the best retractable roof stadium but MMP is not far behind.

I think designers are still learning from the past. They're getting better at building these things, its just that the BOB was one of the first ones and consequently has some issues to deal with.

[Nick]

Is that his nickname? I don't recall hearing it before.
Lance = Puma power.

[Nick]

I agree, I love MMP and think they did a phenomenal job while not hemmoraging money like other retractable roof stadiums. I think Safeco is probably the best retractable roof stadium but MMP is not far behind.

I think designers are still learning from the past. They're getting better at building these things, its just that the BOB was one of the first ones and consequently has some issues to deal with.

Safeco was easier to build because its not fully enclosed, nor is it air-conditioned.

The roof basically serves as a big patio to keep the rain out... but it doesn't fully seal the ballpark.

Out of the air-conditioned/fully-sealed retractable roof stadiums, it goes:
1.) MMP
2.) BOB
3.) Miller Park
4.) Skydome

[texanskan]

Willy ****ing T!

[Baqui99]

What about the pornstar looking blonde with big tits behind home plate? She's the one wearing the pink low-cut top.

[NIKEstrad]

Everett and Ausmus owe Willy T and Lance steaks for that bail out.

Edit: Ensberg!!!

From nearly blowing 2nd and 3rd with no outs to scoring 7 runs. Nice!

[kaleidosky]

this team can be so much fun.

[LongTimeFan]

Roger, come back now?

[CHAD444]

Roger, come back now?
I sure hope he does..........I live in Phoenix and saw Wandy pitch last night WOW :eek: !!! he was on!!! Team Chemistry Looks Good!!!

[RocketManJosh]

Well Morgan's hand looks just fine to me.

[BMoney]

It's hard to feel too giddy with this guy pitching. Miller's horrible.

[Joe Joe]

Roger, come back now?

Roger, come back in July. Roger has been significantly better in the first half of seasons over the past 3 years.

[Uprising]

Roger, come back in July. Roger has been significantly better in the first half of seasons over the past 3 years.

Maybe because his age is catching up to him? He loses it later in the season, so after having a couple months off from the season he'll be fresh for the rest.

[kaleidosky]

Qualls showed some FILTHY stuff today..

[raw10628]

What about the pornstar looking blonde with big tits behind home plate? She's the one wearing the pink low-cut top.

Didn't know there was even a game on til they went away from home plate.

[kaleidosky]

wheeler needs to close it out now...otherwise gotta get lidge up, which would be annoying in a game that should have been an easy ender..

edit: I thought they'd wait till tracy finished his AB to decide, but i guess lidge is already up..

[kaleidosky]

just pull him. now.

[kaleidosky]

good. now let lidge shut em down...this will be a good test for him

[texanskan]

good. now let lidge shut em down...this will be a good test for him

This is big for Lidge!

Gonzo is not the tying run but still we can't blow this lead!

Yes pop up!

[kaleidosky]

almost let conor get a hold of that one. maybe if he got more of the fat part of the bat on it..ugh, just scary to know that that's still happening

[CHAD444]

Lidge was $$$$$$$!!!!
2-3 aint bad!!!

[Shaji]

i thought nieve looked pretty good tonight, he was obviously a little rusty...but he only really had a couple mistakes tonight, other than that i thought he acquitted himself quite nicely...and how bout that solid bullpen work, piecing that game together, nice work boys

[Kerfeld]

Bring on the Brew crew

[ryan17wagner]

This team is really clicking right now and we're taking advantage of our soft schedule. I liked what I've seen outta Wandy and Nieve. But it's no big surprise to me. Wandy's not gonna blow you away, but he has great control of his pithces. It's not about how hard you throw, it's about not giving in and letting the batters hit your pitch. Taylor B. goes tomorrow. I like his stuff a lot. Time to bury the Brewers cinderlla start.

HOUSTON BASEBALL '06
GO 'STROS
GO COOGS

[DaDakota]

Anyone else think Roger is watching, VERY closely?

DD

[ryan17wagner]

Anyone else think Roger is watching, VERY closely?

DD


Rocket will be back in July.

[Saint Louis]

Bring on the Brew crew

Time to give my brother-in-law's team a good dose of reality.

[The Real Shady]

The Astros need a bat.

[rezdawg]

The Astros need a bat.

We're 7th in the NL in runs per game...with our pitching staff (3rd in the NL in era without Roger), I think we will be okay, as in championship okay.

[arkoe]

I've been presently surprised with the offense so far. It's had a few hiccups, but they've mostly come against top starters.

[kaleidosky]

Taveras is having a solid start, Morgan has been going off for a little while now, Lance is being Lance (but still on a hot streak even for him)..

Preston, Everett, Ausmus--I'm thinking they're showing us about what they'll be at all season?

Lane (and Ausmus somewhat) showing more patience than last year. But Lane and Bidge are underperforming a bit right now (not basing this on stats..just what I've seen and vague knowledge of the stats. so point out if i'm wrong)

Based on that, I think the offense is bound to come down a little bit since our 2 best are riding a hot streak. But if Bidge and Lane can come up with solid sseasons, I think we'll be ok overall