As always, no PBP in the thread. If you need that try one of the game cast sites. Keep discussion to this series. If it is not about this series it goes somewhere else. 5-18 Bud Norris, RHP (2-2, 3.42) vs. Kyle Lohse, RHP (4-2, 2.31) 7:15 on FSH 5-19 J.A. Happ, LHP (3-4, 5.40) vs. Kyle McClellan, RHP (5-1, 3.62) 12:45 on FSH Ack No poll edit. Last one should be team.
IT HURTS!!! I hate it when the Astros are this bad... I say WW because the optimist inside me is currently winning the daily struggle that takes place in my mind. Go 'Stros.
i never thought we'd be looking at another group of professional houston athletes and wonder if they're as bad as the 2010 texans secondary. 11 blown saves in the first 16 chances is historically terrible.
If I were an Astro starting pitcher and were pitching a shutout...and Brad Mills came to get me in the eighth I might try to chase him back to the dugout with an improvised weapon (nail file, rosin bag, sunflower seed cannon).
Amazingly this team would be in great shape if we had another Lidge/Dotel/Wagner combination. Makes me appreciate the bullpens we've had over the past decade plus.
Does this make you think twice about the "common knowledge" that mediocre teams shouldn't spend money on closers. Right now, this bunch, if it had converted 9 of those 11 blown saves, would be a game out of first place in the NL Central. I don't want to step on the toes of the Billy Beaners, but that logic looks pretty unpractical right about now.
Thing is, most contending teams have closers you've never heard of... Phillies - Who? Braves - Who? Cards - Who? Reds - High priced closer. Giants - Wilson Rockies - Who? Yankees - Rivera Sox - Papelbon Rays - Who? Indians - Who? Royals - Good, young and cheap. Twins - Nathan/Capps WSox - Who? Angels - Who? Rangers - Talented yet young closer. It's not about the ablity to get a high priced closer but develop one out of the minor leaguers. I think Melancon will do fine once he gets going, or at least someone who converts the conventional save. If contenders can develop their own, why can't medicore ones do the same?
I get all that. But how valuable would a real closer be for the 'stros right now? Can you imagine the difference in fan interest if we were a game out of first place right now?
