Should Bagwell be on it? What about Luke Scott? How many pitchers should we carry? Astacio? Wandy? Who works better out of the pen? DD
Purpura already said Bags will be on it. I think it's the right move. The Astros will need their DH in mid-season form when they make the World Series.
Wandy should be our main Lefty from the ben (DO NOT BRING IN GALLO!) I dunno about Luke Scott vs the playoff pressure
I would put Luke Scott on the roster because I don't think they should carry more than 10 pitchers. With only a 4 man rotation, you don't need as many relievers. Scott can at least be a defensive replacement late in the game when you take Lamb out.
Starters (8): Biggio Taveras Ensberg Berkman Lamb Lane Ausmus Everett Bench (at least 6): Bruntlett (util) Burke (2B/LF) Palmeiro (OF) Vizcaino (util) Chavez (C) Bagwell (PH) Those are 14 on it for sure. The only question appears to be keeping Scott vs. having an 11th pitcher. But considering that our starters will be able to make their starts on full rest this year (unlike last), I'd keep Luke and stick with 10 pitchers. On that bench, there is only one power bat (Bagwell), and it's questionable how much power he really has so soon after the surgery. In addition, he's a righty... I'd love to have one left-handed stick on the bench capable of delivering extra bases. Also, I don't think the Astros will do it, but I'd consider keeping Gipson over Burke. I know they like Burke, but Bruntlett and Viz are more than capable of handling the backup infield duties. Burke's main role, if he's on the roster, will be as a pinch-runner, but Gipson's a step faster.
no doubt, I've been having nightmares already of Gallo being this year's Dan Miceli and giving up game winning hits
I agree with everything but Gipson over Burke. Burke can at least be a threat for a hit if the need arises, and as we know in playoff games managers generally throw everything they can out there to win... Burke's bat is worth the step or two loss in speed over Gipson. I agree with everything else listed there, including Scott instead of 11 pitchers.
Chris Burke's 2nd half numbers were solid. Luke Scott was terrible to start the season, and terrible when he returned in September. He didn't hit a home run in the regular season for us, and you want to count on him for key postseason ABs? I think he's got potential, but a "power bat" he's not. Gipson is debateable. He's a speedy guy, but I'm not sure if he's a great enough baserunner to justify his inclusion on the roster just for pinch running.
Luke Scott was rushed into the starting line up at the beginning of the season, he should have been a mid-season call up. He has had two key pinch hits for us in his last two pinch hit at bats, so he knows he can do it. Plus he is a super-Christian, and we all know Jesus can hit a curveball.
He had two doubles in critical moments in this past week - one in St. Louis and the other with 2 outs against Dempster on Thursday. I know, I know, results are results. But Scott hit the ball hard much of the season and actually appeared to be one of the more unlucky hitters on the team. He had a number of warning track flyouts, a number of flyballs to deep center in MMP that would be home runs elsewhere, etc. While his numbers don't necessarily reflect it, he has (imo) hit the ball very hard and I'd like to keep him around. He's also had his moments late in games. He wouldn't be my first pinch-hitter off the bench, but with a runner on first and two outs late in a game, I'd prefer him to some of our other options.
I agree - and with Lamb seemingly now permanently in the starting lineup, it would also be nice to have a lefty power hitter on the bench. With him and Bagwell, along with Bruntlett and Palmerio, you've got good power and on-base guys from both sides of the plate, depending on what you need.
If we have an A+ runner in the minors, I'd bring him up. A Fast guy is better than a bat if you ask me. You know you are going to have baserunners. You may or may not need a pinch homer. Gipson isn't that fast tho'. We need someone faster.
Yes, he was called up August 31. http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/transactions/HOU Gipson isn't Taveras fast, but he's substantially above average and better than anyone else we have on the bench. He's faster than Burke - but is that slight difference enough to outweigh the differences in bat quality? That's the question, but if they're only looking at Burke in a PR role anyway, it's worth considering.
Them choosing Gipson over Burke would be a huge slap in the fact for a guy that played in nearly 110 games... I don't think there is any way that Purpura would leave Burke off the roster, he has earned his spot.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3381033 The Astros must have their 25-man playoff roster set by 9 a.m. Wednesday. Twenty-three players appear to be locks to make the roster, with four others vying for the other two spots. On the roster • Catchers (2) — Brad Ausmus, Raul Chavez. • Infielders (7) — Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Eric Bruntlett, Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett, Mike Lamb and Jose Vizcaino. • Outfielders (5) — Lance Berkman, Chris Burke, Jason Lane, Orlando Palmeiro and Willy Taveras. • Starting pitchers (4) — Brandon Backe, Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte. • Relief pitchers (5) — Mike Gallo, Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, Russ Springer and Dan Wheeler. On the bubble • Outfielders (2) — Charles Gipson and Luke Scott. • Relief pitchers (2) — Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodriguez. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In my opinion, you gotta take Wandy. I feel better with him pitching against lefties than Gallo. I think Gipson is a no, and it's a toss up between Scott and Astacio. Tough choices though.
No need for Astacio in a 5 game series, it's a no brainer to go for the bat of Luke Scott and the left arm of Wandy.
Is it baseball where once you set your playoff roster, you can't change it if you make it to the next series? Or am I thinking of basketball?
