Cubs @ Astros 8/19-8/21

[Uprising]

Pitching Probables

8/19 Robertson vs Clement @ 8:05 FSSW

8/20 Fernandez vs Prior @ 8:05 FSSW

8/21 Villone vs Wood @ 8:05


Here we go again. I am hopping for 2 of 3 for the 'Stros. I am just not sure how this will go for the astros. I hope they will find their hitting ways again back at home.

Prior has been lights out his last few starts.

In order to help Fernandez maybe the roof at MM Park should be open the whole game. That is, unless it is windy. Humidity is what he needs for those breaking ball pitches.

I see.

WLW

[Mr. Mooch]

How 'bout, instead of winning, let's try not losing! :)

That should do it!

[reallyBaked]

it doesnt matter

Astros are dead..

no pitching + no hitting = 3rd place

[A-Train]

I'll be at Tuesday's game...field boxes for $15, oh yeahhhhhh...

[oscuro]

think the astros will loose at least to if not they get sweeped hopefuly i am wrong

[Rocketman95]

Originally posted by reallyBaked
no pitching + no hitting = 3rd place

That's how it's been for the last few weeks. We're still in first place.

[DaDakota]

I have been dubious of this team all year. I think we have a chance, but my money would be on the Cubs.

DD

[deepellumrocket]

Originally posted by reallyBaked

no pitching + no hitting = 3rd place

That's something of an oversimplication. Try this one:

Poor Starting Pitching + Great Relief Pitching + Below-Potential Hitting + Weak Divisional Rivals = First Place

Now, any of these variables could change and effect the result. The most dangerous variable would be the last. If either the Cubs or the Cards get hot, and all other variable stay constant, then the answer would no longer be 'First Place'.

reallyBaked, you're overlooking the fact that the Astros may be sucking, but they are sucking less than anybody else in their division. Let's look at what similar equations might look like for the Cubs and Cards.

Cubs:

Strong Starting Pitching + Mediocre Relief Pitching + Struggling-but-improving Hitting + Weak Divisional Rivals = Second Place

Cards:

Decimated Starting Pitching + Disasterous Relief Pitching + Excellent Hitting + Weak Divisional Rivals = Third Place

[A-Train]

Even if the Astros do managed to win the NL Comedy Central, they'll still get anally molested by the Giants or Braves.

Let me edit your equasions a bit...

Strong Starting Pitching + Mediocre Relief Pitching + Struggling-but-improving Hitting + Weak Divisional Rivals + Cupcake September Schedule = First Place


Astros: Mediocre Starting Pitching + Great Relief Pitching + Below-Average Hitting + Weak Divisional Rivals + Formidable September Schedule = Second Place

Astros final 16 games:

6 vs St. Louis
3 vs Colorado
3 vs San Francisco
4 vs Milwaukee

Cubs final 16 games:

6 vs Cincinatti
3 vs NY Mets
7 vs Pittsburgh

[Uprising]

Hopefully the rest of the "contenders" will continue to suck as well, allowing us to stay in first place. So far so good, we lose 2 games at the same time as the others do. I hope the cubs lose to the reds like we did....

[don grahamleone]

WGN isn't covering this game and I live in Arizona. So my question is: how does Robertson look today? No 7.31 ERA I hope.

[don grahamleone]

I just read about the 3 run homer. Dammit.

[Surfguy]

:mad:

[Surfguy]

:)

Wow! What a first inning! We took the lead back 4-3. It is still the first inning.

[tierre_brown]

It's good to see our bats coming alive (FINALLY)...even though one was scored off of that wild pitch...

[Mr. Mooch]

Originally posted by tierre_brown
It's good to see our bats coming alive (FINALLY)...even though one was scored off of that wild pitch...

God, WTF, you #*%(&!^ jinxed them. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[tierre_brown]

LOL! No I didn't, Blum is hitting well! 2 DOUBLES! WOOHOO!!! ...

[Mr. Mooch]

Nevermind, your forgiven. :)

5-5

For now......

[tierre_brown]

SWEET! 5-5, let's keep the inning going Stros!

Is Robertson leaving those pitches in the middle of the plate or what? 2 HRs account for all 5 runs? What's going on?!

EDIT- DAMN, JIMY, PH for Robertson already?! He really loves overworking that pen...

[Surfguy]

Robertson is sucking so who cares. We probably lose the game if he stays in.

I don't like the way this whole series is shaping up personally.

I guess I'm kind of being a pessimist at the moment.

[codell]

WTF???

Did Kent shave his stache???????????????????/

[Mr. Mooch]

HOLY TOLEDO, IT'S GONE!!!

Thank you God for the gift of Jeff Kent.

3-RUN HOME RUN!!!


8-5!!!

[Surfguy]

Remind me to play the role of pessimist more often.

Jeff Kent homers to put us up 8-5!

Woohoo!

[Mr. Mooch]

This is terrible. It's only 11-5.:mad:

EDIT: Make it 12-5. :)

[Surfguy]

This is a terrible game pitching-wise.

Even "if" we win, I'm not too happy about the overall performance. Our bats may have come alive(for how long?) but our pitching is in the gutter.

Hopefully, Dotel and Wagner can put this one away.

[Uprising]

Great game by the Astros!!! Damn those bats came to life. 12-8 final good guys!!! :D

[oscuro]

good game from kent he sure was hitting the sh** out of teh ball hope they keep hitting for the rest of the series and season

[DaDakota]

Good win, but they need to take one of the next 2.
DD

[tierre_brown]

IF the bats had been working even half as well as they were today (and let's face it, it was mostly Kent's bat doing the talking), we would be running away in the Comedy Central: NL. Instead, because of our mediocre pitching and not-living-up-to-the-potential (ie Eddie Griffin) hitting, we're in a race to the finish with the Cubs who constantly are adding pieces to their puzzle. I loved today's game's outcome, but when will the bats go quiet again and, once again, we'll have to rely on our pitching staff? Scary thought...Hope we sweep this series!

Go Stros...(I'm a fan, can't you tell?)

[London'sBurning]

Kent's wrist seems to be healthy again, and he's swinging with power once more. Moving Berk to the 2 spot to get help get our offense in motion was a very smart move by Jimmy Williams part. Two nice things that helped get this offense ignited. The Astros rocked Prior last time he went into Minute Maid Park so I don't think it's unreasonable to assume we won't do it again. I think we'll need it considering we'll be throwing Fernandez out there at them. And Villone vs Wood should be a good matchup I think we can very well win out on. Villone for all the pessimistic talk about him eventually giving up runs sure has been resilient so far.

[Uprising]

Originally posted by tierre_brown
IF the bats had been working even half as well as they were today (and let's face it, it was mostly Kent's bat doing the talking),

Go Stros...(I'm a fan, can't you tell?)

Blums bat was alive tonight too! ***** that guy had d2 doubles in a row and scored 2 runs on the rfirst one.

Kent was awesome tonight, but a lot of the bats woke up tonight.

LETS GO STROS!!!!! !@#$ damn what a night....:D

[A-Train]

CHALUPA TIME, BABY!!!

Hopefully, I can get my free Chalupa in Texas City...

BTW, this has bugged me ever since MMP opened...What exactly is the point of a stock ticker at a baseball game? Is this something that's common in ballparks? I can see some guy during the game...

YES!!!! ALL RIGHT!!!
What are you cheering about? The Astros are losing 10-3!
Forget about that! My stock just went up a buck and a half!!

[Uprising]

NO kidding. It is pretty random. I wonder if the rockets have that in their arena. Did the compaq center? SInce there were so many of those damn suits at the games...

[MadMax]

it's just playing to a corporate crowd...particularly when corporations pay the bills for luxury suites and the like.

[Buck Turgidson]

Sweeeeeet. I'll be at the game on Thursday, sitting in the RF field boxes, with 1 pocket containing my flask of whiskey & the other pocket full of wine corks to throw at Sammy the Clown.

It is so on.

[rocketfat]

Fernandez will get rocked tonight, and won't last through the 3rd. It makes me sick that this guy still gets starts. He is horrible, and we are in the heat of a pennant race. I would rather Saarloos start even. (yeah, i know he's no longer on the roster)

[don grahamleone]

have faith rocketfat, our bats will take care of this one. Fernandez just needs to compete...Adam Everett will pick up the rest(and throw it to first for more highlights).

[Uprising]

Game #2 has begun!!! What a play by Bagwell. Saving that bad throw from Fernandez.

[Surfguy]

Umm...might as well chalk this one up as a loss.

[Uprising]

damn...his pitches are sooo slow!!

[Uprising]

So far Prior has struck out all 4 of the astros....no Hidalgo is up to bat.

EDIT: 5 batters struck out in a row...Hidalgo joins the lowley group.

[Surfguy]

Hell, the way this is going, this may be a 27 strike out game by Prior. Dammit.

Edit: Blum flied out. Insert "Yay" or "Oh boy" here. :rolleyes:

[Uprising]

WOOOHOOO!!! we get a man on base!!!!

Ausmus walks...
Post...2222

[Red Chocolate]

Is it just me, or was Womack *clearly* safe on that stolen base?

[Uprising]

Damn...its about time. 2 run HOMER!!!

2-0 Cubbies...

[Surfguy]

Originally posted by Red Chocolate
Is it just me, or was Womack *clearly* safe on that stolen base?

It's just you. He was out.

[oscuro]

hopefully we dont get no hit today

[Rocketman95]

At least Pittsburgh is winning.

[Surfguy]

This is the beginning of the end for our beloved Astros and their season.

Even if we make the playoffs...we won't go anywhere.

I just hope we can get a damn hit in this game cause this is sad.

[Uprising]

Hot Damn what a game by the Astros. Man oh man. They get 12 runs last night and then put on quite a performance tonight.
Astros rule.












...atleast the cards are going to lose.

[oscuro]

looks like the cubs will take the series again from the stros not a good time to start loosing :mad: tehy need to try to add a starting pitcher

[BigM]

dissapointing loss but it would have been more surprising if we actually won.

the astros number five starter against the cubs best and one of the hottest pitchers in the league. it's not the end of the season to lose that game.

if villone can stay on track we have a chance tomorrow against wood.

[Roc Paint]

I still think that the Astros are a team of destiny this year.

[red]

Originally posted by Roc Paint
I still think that the Astros are a team of destiny this year.
i think you need to smoke me out.

[Roc Paint]

Originally posted by red
i think you need to smoke me out.

Come on wit it red hairs.

[DFW_Rockets_Fan]

I thought we needed to sweep this series to make up for the fact that the Cubs have the easier remaining schedule.

Hold that thought, the optimist in me just kicked in. We will be OK. We just need to take care of business tonight and get on a hot streak. Right?

[A-Train]

Originally posted by Roc Paint
I still think that the Astros are a team of destiny this year.

Yeah, they're destined to finish in second...

[DaDakota]

I don't think the Stros have what it takes. They are too nice. The position players are all nice, and the pitchers too.

I want NASTY....brush em back, come in high with your cleats type of ball players.

Also, the Stros are like the Rockets of a few years ago, holding on to fading stars a bit too long...Biggio in particular.

DD

[rrj_gamz]

We need to win tonight...Another lost series would be terrible for morale...

Prior is the man...Wood, well, hopefully the bats will wake up...

Sorry to see Zaunny go...

[Uprising]

Originally posted by DaDakota
I don't think the Stros have what it takes. They are too nice. The position players are all nice, and the pitchers too.

I want NASTY....brush em back, come in high with your cleats type of ball players.

DD

Hey....reminds me of another Houston team that plays Ball.....





what was the name again?.....oh the Rockets...

[Uprising]

Damn, the game is on ch.51. Who wants to watch a Rangers game?!! ...ugh.

[Rocketman95]

Originally posted by Uprising
Damn, the game is on ch.51. Who wants to watch a Rangers game?!! ...ugh.

Woohoo, I get it up here on WGN.

[Uprising]

Originally posted by Rocketman95
Woohoo, I get it up here on WGN.

HOT DAMN IT is on WGN!!!>.....sweet!! I forgot about that channel.

Man I Love Cable.

LET'S GO 'STROS!!!!

EDIT:....but sh**!!! I have to listen to the cubbie suck ups....

[Uprising]

Does Villone remember that Balls are not the thing he wants to give?!

Bases loaded. Villone walks 2. Martinez is up to bat.


DOUBLE PLAY BABY!!!! HAHAHAA....WOOOHOOO.

[Mr. Mooch]

I love you namesake Blum. I love you Richard Hidalgo (for now).

Second and third, no out, Ausmus = 1 out and Everett up.

Suicide squeeze?

We'll see.

EDIT: I stand corrected. Ausmus made contact!!! Sac fly. WOW!!!

1-0.

[codell]

Glad the umpire was keeping his eye on the ball. :rolleyes:

He should be embarassed.

[Mr. Mooch]

THANK YOU DAMIAN MILLER!!!!

WHAT A PLAY!

Way to swing Villone!

2-0!!!

Oh, and let's trade Biggio for a bleacher bum.

[Mr. Mooch]

Oh God. Now they have Dierker on WGN.
http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung/waffen/violent-smiley-072.gif

And ****, Stone is not saying the right things.

This next inning will be interesting...

[codell]

Spaghetti Arm throw by Alou. Ahhhhh the memories! :D

[Texas Stoke]

Astros should of traded Ensberg since Williams never plays the guy.

[Uprising]

Man I love this game....seems just like last nights game....but not for the cubbies!!!

[Uprising]

Originally posted by Mr. Mooch
THANK YOU DAMIAN MILLER!!!!


Oh, and let's trade Biggio for a bleacher bum.

WHAT?!!!! Biggio just made this baby a 5-0 game!!! 2 run homer !!!

[Uprising]

AHH....Bases Loaded....Villone cant find the strike zone again.....:confused:

[Raven Lunatic]

I bet the Cubbies are pissed at themselves. Two innings of bases loaded with no outs, and all they have managed is a combined 1 run. :D

[Uprising]

Great game so far. 7-1 Good Guys. 0 outs man on 3rd!!

EDIT: 8-1!!! Ausmus rbi single.

[Uprising]

Dang....Jason Lane just missed that 3 run homer!!! right by the pole....

[oscuro]

villone pitched great glad to see that :) :D GO ASTROS hou-8 chc-1

[Uprising]

HIDALGO!!! What a play!!!!

[Castor27]

I don't want to say this too loud but I have watched most of the game on WGN and they have been better than normal. When the cubs got their run but got caught in a run down Steve Stoned actually said that it was" a horrible piece of base running". That has to be the only tim ein history I have watched them and they talked bad about the cubs.

[Uprising]

SO, we take 2 out of 3. Lets go 'Stros!!!!

EDIT: 9-3, a short delay!

[oscuro]

great game to win we sure needed the win now let's start a winning streak against the reds:D :) ;) :cool: :p

[BigM]

"In my opinion, we should beat this team," Wood said. "This team is not better than we are. We didn't get it done today, myself included. I didn't give my team a chance to win."

in my opinion you just got your ass kicked for the third time this year by this team. biatch. :)

funny thing is the same recap has a couple quotes from bags and ausmus about how good kerry is and how they've just been lucky to hit him. they actually have the right to talk smack but instead show respect. i like that.

[Roc Paint]

Originally posted by A-Train
Yeah, they're destined to finish in second...

You'll be hearing from me by seasons end.:)

[DFW_Rockets_Fan]

Great win. Let's keep it rolling.

The "Villone strikeout, wild pitch, Hidalgo out, then safe" play had to be one of the zaniest I have seen in a while.

Also, does anyone feel that Bagwell should have relayed the throw to home rather than third? I think they would have nailed Karros at the plate and saved a run.

[deepellumrocket]

Originally posted by DFW_Rockets_Fan

Also, does anyone feel that Bagwell should have relayed the throw to home rather than third? I think they would have nailed Karros at the plate and saved a run.

Well, they couldn't have nailed Karros at the plate since he was the runner they nailed at third. Also, on a play like that, the catcher makes the call for what the cut-off man should do with the ball. Ausmus had a good view of the runner leaving second and thought the better chance for an out was at third. Sometimes you concede a run to get an easier out, especially when you have a five-run lead.

[MadMax]

Great game last night...how funny is it to hear Kerry Wood talk about how much better the Cubs are than the 'stros when he can't ever get them out?

Freaking sweep the Reds...

[bobrek]

Originally posted by DFW_Rockets_Fan
Great win. Let's keep it rolling.

The "Villone strikeout, wild pitch, Hidalgo out, then safe" play had to be one of the zaniest I have seen in a while.

Also, does anyone feel that Bagwell should have relayed the throw to home rather than third? I think they would have nailed Karros at the plate and saved a run.

With a 5-0 lead, they would gladly give up a chance to nail the runner at the plate for an almost certain out at 3rd.

Originally posted by deepellumrocket

Well, they couldn't have nailed Karros at the plate since he was the runner they nailed at third.

Karros WAS the runner at the plate. Ramirez is the one who blundered into the out at 3rd.

[DFW_Rockets_Fan]

Originally posted by bobrek
With a 5-0 lead, they would gladly give up a chance to nail the runner at the plate for an almost certain out at 3rd.


True. When I looked at the replay, I thought Karros was farther from home than Martinez was from third.

Thanks for the info deepellum. I did not know it was the catchers call.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by MadMax
Great game last night...how funny is it to hear Kerry Wood talk about how much better the Cubs are than the 'stros when he can't ever get them out?
I missed this...whadhe say?

[deepellumrocket]

Originally posted by bobrek

Karros WAS the runner at the plate. Ramirez is the one who blundered into the out at 3rd.

I think we're both wrong. According to the box score, it was Martinez who was thrown at out third.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by Buck Turgidson
I missed this...whadhe say?

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2060713
"They seemed to be right on everything and (knew) what was coming, and I got my (butt) kicked," Wood (11-10) said after giving up six hits and five runs with two walks and five strikeouts over four innings. "We should beat this team. This team is not better than we are. We didn't get it done today, myself included."

[rrj_gamz]

Now that's what I'm talking about...

Hidalgo and Biggio came through...

Let's sweep the Cards...

[Rocketman95]

Originally posted by rrj_gamz
Let's sweep the Cards...

Luckily we're playing the Reds. That should be easier! :)

[bobrek]

Originally posted by deepellumrocket
I think we're both wrong. According to the box score, it was Martinez who was thrown at out third.

I was thinking Aramis Ramirez when I typed that. Martinez is the hitter after Karros and was the runner who screwed up.