Could the Astros have beaten the Braves this year?

Biggio still would have hit below .100 as our leadoff hitter, so no we would have still been under ownership from "Daddy"/the Braves.

Oswalt might have been able to help the Stros steal a game, while Miller would have either played well or horribly, so a 2nd win would have been real iffy. Redding could have played well in a Game 3, but he would have only been able to go 5.

Jimy would have managed a way to lose 1-2 games.

 

you're right...we should have kept Dierker...he rocked in the playoffs!!!

 

If we would have gotten in, yes...

We'll be there next year...

The Cubs fans need to calm down...Although, I'm glad to see Dusty doing a great job and I'm glad SF is out...I'm so sick and tired of hearing about Barry Bonds...

 

Da' Cubs have the best pitcher in baseball. They are supposed to win a 7 game series. It would have been tuffer for the Stro's. But possible. The only thng that can Stop the cubs now will be the Yankees. They have maybe the best picther ever in Clemens. And he may be able to overcome Mark Prior. Pedro could certainly out pitch Prior too, but the lack of a bull pen and any other pitcher would ultimately catch up to them in my opinion. Although they would put up a good fight. I don't underestimate good hitting, but dudn't it always seem like good pitching trumps it. So I go with pitching every time.

 

But atleast Dirk got us there every year. The Braves are the most successful team in the past 13 years and they just had more talent than the Astros when they faced them in the playoffs.

 

No way, Biggio and Hidalgo would've killed every rally.

 

Did I say we should have kept Dierker?

Jimy would have pulled out any of our starters in the 5th or 6th inning and blown out the bullpen.

 

Probably not, but at least the f'n Cubs wouldn't have made the playoffs.

 

When did Pedro Martinez sign with the Cubs?

 

Man Drew, I don't know if the 'Stros could have finally gotten over that hump. I think both teams are comparable when it comes to offense, but the Cubs pitching is easily a step above the Astros rotation.

We could have possibly beaten them, but judging from past performances, doubtful.

 

1. the question wasn't about getting us there...it was about winning in the playoffs

2. dirk's teams were infinitely more talented than either team Jimy's had to manage...infinitely...particularly in starting pitching.

 

Yeah the starting pitching was much better but im not sure the offense was. IMO the Astros have the 3rd best lineup in the N.L. behind Atl, and STL. The only thing they were missing was a leadoff man and I think that hurt the RBI totals of Berkman, Bags,Hidalgo, and Kent. If we had a guy like Juan Pierre to leadoff I know we would have had 4 men drive in 100 RBIs.

 

1998 and 1999 were better offensive teams by far. it wasn't just a bunch of lumberjacks. there was speed and people actually hit for average throughout the lineup. remember carl everett?? how about biggio stealing 50 and hitting 50 doubles in the leadoff spot??

agreed...IF we had a better leadoff man we'd be better. and if the Texans had a better running back and a more solid offensive line, they'd have a better offense. and if michael jordan were at the 2 for the rockets, they'd be better, too. but those are all hypotheticals...which brings me back to my point...

the teams larry had to coach were infinitely more talented than either team jimy has had.

 

pgabriel.. if the astros one one series I wouldnt want them running around with champagne... and the fans running through the streets.. just like I dont like celebrations for winning a divison.. you dont see teams in other leagues celebrating near that much.. the only team that needs to be celebrating is the world series champs

 

Biggio scored 102 runs this year, Pierre scored 100.

 

What does that mean? Hopefully, you aren't suggesting that Biggio is a better leadoff man than Pierre simply because he scored more runs.

Bags had 109 runs...maybe he should have leadoff???

Pierre would have scored 125 runs on this team.

 

Exactly. If you put Pierre in a lineup with Berkman,Doggy,Kent,Bags, and Ensberg there is no telling how many runs he would score.

 

Not counting errors, Pierre was on base 260 times this year, Biggio 250. Although Pierre stole 65 bases, he was caught 20 times, so in actuality, Biggio remained on base more often than Pierre.

Biggio had 259 total bases via hits as opposed to Pierre's 249. If you add in walks and HBP, Biggio is ahead 343-305 which offsets Pierre's stolen base totals.

More than likely, with Pierre putting up his exact same stats,he would not have scored more runs than he did with the Marlins.

 

Thanks, bobrek, you saved me from doing the research. Amazing how people get blinded by media performance and not see the stats.

 

Thanks for unblinding me with the stats. Biggio having 40 less hits, same BB's, nearly 60 less steals and 80 more K's while offsetting that by getting nailed 20 more times really helps. Biggio remains on base more because he is absolutely no threat to run or challenge the OF on a hit.

Back when the Astros had speed, they caused opposing pitchers to get distracted which helped the batters get better looks and caused fielders to rush throws, etc. That doesn't happen today at all. This team needs speed and CF is the best place to start.