Wandy's last 8 starts: 55 IP; 59Ks; 32 hits; 11 BBS; 0.91 ERA If it weren't for his crappy WL record, he would be a lock for pitcher of the month in the NL.
Got a little interesting there in the 9th but the fantastic pitching continues. 5 hits in 2 games during a pennant race is not very good by the Cards and they will be 7 games back to start September in the division to show for it. Wandy's ERA is down to 3.71 after being over 6 in June, pretty incredible for the little guy.
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O_05qJTeNNI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O_05qJTeNNI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
This was the 13th consecutive game that Castro has caught Wandy. In that span, Wandy has given up 1 ER or less 10 times and only has 1 non-quality start.
Wandy has been flat out nasty lately. Looking at the split stats on ESPN, he's got the lowest ERA of all starting pitchers in both leagues since the All Star break: 1.47 ERA. Un-believe-able. Based on how well we're playing, how do you think we'll finish this season? I'm thinking we'll finish in the 74-78 wins range but with the starting pitching as good as it's been lately, who knows?
He took 3 no-decisions at the beginning of the month so his record for the month is 2-1. Not really an overwhelming record for a potential pitcher of the month. Codell's right that with the same peripheral stats AND 4-5 wins he'd easily be pitcher of the month. 2-1 record (meh) 6 starts, 40.1 innings 1.34 ERA, 0.97 WHIP 9.6 K/9 5.4 K/BB
Well at 61-71, the Stros would have to go 20-10 to finish .500 which would be pretty remarkable all things considered. I think 15-15 is reasonable and that would get us to 76 wins which wouldn't be half bad, anything more would be whip cream on the pie.
Can't say enough about the way this team has played over the past few weeks. Most fun I've had watching this team in some time. Wandy should definitely be up there in the running for pitcher of the month. With his ERA, wins and losses should be the last thing that the voters look at. It's a horrible..horrible way to judge a pitcher if we're judging on performance alone. Here's to a possible sweep tomorrow!
Just messing around during the 9th. No one was talking so I was creating some chatter . I think you can actually serve jail time though for allowing baserunners in the 9th.
Well for quite a while this year, that sadly looked to be the case. I think a lot of those posters were reasonably expecting Wandy to not have a sub 3 era year again, but I didn't believe he would be in the 5's to start the season. He's turned it around and I'm glad to see he hasn't been a one year wonder.
I still think he's Hampton lite, minus the bat. Look at Hampton's early career journey and Wandy's; there are a few similarities. I just don't think Wandy's ceiling is as high as Bulldog's.
To be fair, 2008 was also a good year for Wandy and 2009 was great but his ERA was over 6 into June. I honestly thought his deal with the devil had finished and the league had caught up with him. Looks like it was a mechanical correction he made that put him back on track. As good as Wandy has been for the club, I'd strongly consider exploring a trade for the guy. He has give then club 2.5 years of solid to great starting pitching and is still relatively young and under club control for a bit longer. Side Note - Did anyone see Chapman pitch last night? The guy looks fantastic and reminds me of Randy Johnson in his prime with a DEVASTATING Slider.
So, the boys are seven games over .500 since June 1st. They were 17-12 for August and have a chance to be only single-digits under .500 today with another win over StL. They have also reached a new "high": .462 winning percentage and a season pace of 75-87. SOOOO much better than the 54-108 pace they had on May 31st! If they play September/October at the clip they played August (.586 ), they will finish the year at 78-84. I'm sorry, but that would be freaking amazing. 17-34 for April and May; 61-50 ever since.