Quit trying to cause trouble. If you think Major should contribute, you should bring it up with Clutch. If he wanted contributing mandatory, he'd make it mandatory. Please stick to the topic at hand, which is the Astros in the playoffs...as much as that upsets you. So, I'm starting to get scared about Saturday. Roy really hasn't been himself and this Sosa guy sounds like the real deal. BTW, what's up with curtain calls in the second freaking inning?
No one thinks it's significant that Roy, on average, gets 5 more batters out per game than Sosa does? By the way, arguing that Oswalt is better than Sosa doesn't mean that I think Sosa is bad; saying that Sosa is the Braves' best pitcher (which he's not) doesn't have any relevance to his skill relative to Oswalt.
Personally, I don't think that the point is whether or not Sosa is Oswalt's "equal" or not (he's not, by the way). To me, what's important is that this Sosa guy is clearly no pushover. It's not like the Braves are throwing Pete Munro out there on Saturday. Plus, we've never faced Sosa as a starter, and we always have trouble with young guys we've never seen before. I am encouraged, however, by the fact that he doesn't always go deep in games, so hopefully we can get to the bullpen. Also, I think MMP is big home field advantage in the playoffs (at least it was last year). Bottom line -- anyone thinking that Saturday's game is going to be a laugher will be sorely disappointed. I'm anticipating a lot of pacing in front of the TV Saturday night because this is a key game. But it's never easy with the 2005 Stros!
In all seriousness (sosa sucks) though a few valid points have been raised 1) we may very well struggle against sosa because of the fact that this season (and I dunno has it always been this way?) we've never been able to get a good read on pitchers like the sosa's, duke's, etc. 2) Roy's last start wasn't that impressive against the Cubbies and that's a little bit of cause for concern since he ran out of gas that start, who's to say he'll have enough in the playoffs? However, I was looking back at Roy's month of September and it certainly wasn't bad, posting a 2.48 era. However, it was the month prior that worried me, with a 5.81 era in August. If Roy's on his game though, there's no chance for the Braves to score more than 2 runs in 7. If Roy's not, it might be a long game for the astros.
LOL, I remember when samfisher kept giving Trader a hard time about not being able to edit his posts because he wasn't a contributing member.
9-0 > 12-2 However, I still think the Astros will win, I just think the series is really close in talent. DD
What a crappy game to go to. Last year was the only time I ever saw the Astros beat the braves in person. I am tired of driving to ATL to watch losses. Here is to hoping they win the next 2 in Houston.
Amen, I just bought an Astros shirt and hat for tomorow's game. I can't wait to be at MMP. LETS GO STROS! Hey, it could be worse...we could be the redsox...
i'm excited about the astros in game 3, too, but the concerns about this jorge sosa is valid. the reason why he only managed 5-6 innings/game this year is atlanta's still carefully trying to mold him into a starting pitcher for the future. he came into baseball as an outfielder, then converted to a reliever.. he's barely been pitching. but with guidance of those magical atlanta pitching coaches he's turned in a hell of a season. he throws a mid-90's fastball that has A LOT of movement. he mixes in a decent change and slider, but he stays with his fastball if it's crisp and moving. the astros bats will have to be ON. oswalt will definitely have to be ON. come on, astros.. 3-2 win.
One big negative to Sosa is he is wild and walks a LOT of batters. This never bothered Hampton, but it kills Wandy.... I hope our hitters are patient and let him get Atlanta in trouble by being wild. DD
'll be at this gam3e!!!!! I can't wait to finally make it to the LIVE SPORTS BAR for the first time. Hope to see some of u there.
I have heard many a Brave fan say that Sosa is more comfortable pitching from the stretch with runners on base. Perhaps that has something to do his being a converted reliever. Whatever the case, he has not started in MMP. I looked up his numbers from this year against Houston and they look like this. 3 appearences 3 innings 4 hits 2 runs (both earned) 1 home run surrendered 4 k's 1 bb 1 win Remember this is way, way back in April/May when we were a different team and he was still coming out of the pen. He did not make his first start until June 14. At least the Stros have faced him, so hopefully he does not handcuff them the way so many young pitchers do to Houston.
i'm seriously thinking about rooting against the astros tonight because the players want the roof closed cause they think it gives them an advantage with the crowd noise. at least thats what they're saying in the paper. i mean this is as perfect as baseball weather can get and they're gonna have the roof closed. it pisses me off
