well, looks like the Astros got home field advantage in the World Series... Cool!

And Hunter Pence actually had something to do with it... more than any Phillie or Cardinal.

 

Halladay pitched two perfect innings. That was definitely a factor.

In fact, Halladay was the only pitcher to go more than 1.2 innings and he was the only one that was perfect in more than an inning of work.

 

I wonder if Hunter increased his trade value tonight, especially with AL teams like LAA and Boston.

 

Don't forget Cleveland. They may be the perfect trading partner for multiple reasons:

1. Fighting for 1st place in the AL Central after not expecting to be in the hunt this season.
2. Starting RFer is out for at least another 6-8 weeks or so.
3. Badly need a quality RHB to complement their extremely LH heavy lineup.
4. They have a ton of quality of prospects and Pence is the good but affordable type of piece they would probably be willing to deal for in terms of both salary and what they'd have to give up.
5. Because of how perfectly Pence would address multiple needs, they'd probably be willing to give up a little bit more which could, in turn, help Wade at least appear to "win the trade."

 

The Phillies will have home field advantage and Pence as well once he is traded at the deadline.

 

Pence was really good though. He was probably the 2nd most valuable NL player along with Halladay. Two quality ABs, scored a run and threw a guy out at home while playing out of position.

I don't know how much stock GMs put in 1 semi-exhibition game but his showing certainly can't hurt.

 

Pence!!:grin: good job bro!

 

Great showing for the Astros Pence did a good job.

 

Outside of a good performance by Pence the asg was incredibly boring. By the 9th inning I didn't even know who was playing. Either play it like a real game or not, but don't determine homefield advantage over this.

Alternating HFA between leagues each year is more fair then this.

 

The last count was 84 All-Stars this year. It's something like 7% of the league. That's ridiculous. It's like playing YMCA sports where everyone gets a trophy.

 

Except for the 93% that didn't.

 

edit: you're right...i blanked. they have one player from each team.

 

You don't think 84 is a bit excessive?

 

Nice job, Hunter Pence! The only bright spot of the Houston Astros.

 

Michael Bourn says hello.



I think people overlook Bourn's total game because he isn't a slugger. I can't think of any other explanation. He's an elite defensive player, an elite baserunner and has turned into an above average leadoff hitter.



Pence has been very good as well but you could make a strong argument that Bourn is the real MVP of this sad team.

 

Pence in LF is in no way playing him out of position.

 

K, here you go:

Edit: Pence was really good though. He was probably the 2nd most valuable NL player along with Halladay. Two quality ABs, scored a run and threw a guy out at home.

The point remains the same.

 

GET BACK OUT THERE AND SELL, SELL, SELL!!!!!!

 

Turn those machines back on! Turn those machines back on!!!!!!!!!!!!