Any thoughts on Pence? It was highly unlikely that he would sustain his performance from the first 2 months but the dropoff has been pretty extreme. He's consistently getting behind in counts, rarely walking and taking some very poor swings. What do you think the turning points was and why? I believe it was around the time of the last Rangers series that the funk started. At one point, I thought it was just that we'd been facing better pitching but it's been well over a month now that he's looked bad. I've brought this up a few times but I read an article about a month into the season where the author (an Astros fan) was skeptical about Pence's numbers because of how often he was getting into 0-2 counts (well above league average). He was just hitting so extremely well in other counts that it covered it up. Maybe this is just a natural correction. It's just hard to understand how he seemed to show such a dramatic improvement in plate discipline and his ability to draw walks to suddenly walking like 2 or 3 times over the course of several weeks and rarely having good ABs. These are his numbers over the last 7, 14 and 28 days (he hasn't been hitting well for well over a month though): http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=pencehu01&year=&t=b A .566 OPS over the last 28 days and that's not including tonight where he didn't get on base at all. I do expect a siginficant improvement because he's definitely better than he's looked recently but at the same time, I wonder if he'll ever regain the plate discipline that he appeared to be showing early in the season.
If we want to contend, Wade better upgrade that pitching staff. You basically have a 3 man rotation (some will argue 2) in Roy O, Wandy, and Moehler. After that, dont expect much from Hampton, Ortiz, or Paulino when they're in there unless we're playing Washington or Pittsburgh. Also, not a good time for the injury bug to hit. Berkman, Erstad, Lee all hurting in some way or another. Yes I will grant it to you we are playing the best team in baseball, but I mean still. Things dont get easier from here on out. .
You cant really blame one player. The whole Houston bench is horrible. We have one of the worst, if not the worst, bench in the league. Michaels: BA = .179 Keppinger: BA = .268 Erstad: BA = .185 Quintero: BA = .241 Coste as an Astro: BA = .200 (As a Philly: BA = .245) = .243 for the year Matt Kata when he was here: BA = .182 Edwin Maysonet when he was here: BA = .315 None of those numbers scream out to me besides Maysonet's(though those are in only 20 games or so and a limited # of at bats-54 I) and he isnt even on the club right now. So if you're gonna call for Coste's head, you minus well throw the whole bench under the bus. *And back to my previous post before this one, one thing I forgot to add, it was sad to see that Wandy had to be a pinch runner and possible tying run(if I remember right). Bad managing or are we that nicked up? Before you say Berkman is hurting, yes I know, and I think that was smart to pinch run for him, but Wandy? He was your only option or best option? Wait, nevermind, we had to save Pudge to help save the day! Where's Brandon Backe when you need him? I kid *Sorry for the rant, but I think its going to be hard to contend when you only have 1 quality pitcher, 1 good pitcher, and one ok pitcher. Not to mention, poor production from the bench when theyre called upon. But its a team game, we'll see what happens as we move forward.
It is called a slump. Players go through them all the time. Sometimes they last a few games. Other times they last for weeks. Pence will bounce back. He is a quality young player.
The Astros have purchased the contract of Chad Paronto. Story on the Astros' website. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...t_id=5932136&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
I think Pence will be fine but this is part of the growth process, he just needs time to adjust because thats what NL pitchers have done to him. No Worries he has been hitting some balls hard just not finding holes. I still dont understand why Miggy isnt hitting 2 and Pence 5th but then again I could make the argument that anywhere you put miggy he is hitting the ball really hard lol
You might be able to get more value in return for a trade involving Valverde. Arias or Latroy look capable of closing.
Agreed however will the Stros make that move seeing how close they are and Val hasnt been nearly as good as last year so will teams try to lowball Wade?
I agree with taking the chance on trading valverde and letting arias close. just hope sampson can develop some consistency. Is Valverde's contract up this season
Yea Val's contract does expire so it would make sense to get something for him. Arias as closer would be interesting but Coop just doesnt like to put the young players in such important roles. My guess if Latroy is traded then Sampson gets to setup but Arias should get a shot I agree!
I'm excited about Arias but I'm not sure it would be wise to just throw him in the fire like that. As good as he's been, he hasn't pitched in a lot of high pressure situations this season or in his career. Among our relievers, only Fulchino has pitched under less pressure this season. I'm not saying don't trade Valverde but I'd be hesitant to make Arias the closer so soon and risk the confidence he's been building up. If that is their plan, I imagine they would slowly work him into that kind of role. Make him the setup guy for a while with Hawkins closing then maybe give him a shot, assuming we trade Valverde.
40 Minutes till the Stros finish making there statement....if we can take 3 out of 4 from the best team record wise in MLB I think it would make alot of people feel better about our chances especially if Puma is out 2 of those 3 games.
Ortiz might have a very hard time tonight. The Dodgers are very patient, can see it being a terrible matchup for him, what with the fact only about 1 in 20 of his pitches are thrown at the strike zone. It's OK though, just means we have to put runs on the board. C'MON STROS!
Cards are 2-1 up in the 9th, Franklin just issued a 1 out walk trying to close it out. C'mon the Diamondbacks
Double play to end it, Cards win. Cubs beat the Nationals 11-3, but at least the Brewers lost to the Reds. So a win tonight will keep us 3 games behind the Cards, 1 behind the Cubs and we will go joint 3rd, level with the Brewers.
