He's anti-every city not named NY, San Fransisco, Chicago or LA. I guess he'd be more pro-Cincy, but he never gets to broadcast games there because they're no good. Also, the "hatred" he shows towards Houston is nothing like I've heard him throw against Oakland, Minnesota, and St. Louis (he's only now giving Pujols some credit... but for the previous 4 years it was about how he's not measuring up to "barry"... as Joe calls him). I like it how Jimerson is now the "outfiled closer", per his own anecdote... more cult status.
You also have to figure out a way to get rid of Ensberg, Lidge and Lane. 1. W.Taveras - CF 2. C.Burke/ C. Biggio - 2B 3. C. Lee - LF 4. L. Berkman - 1B 5. L. Scott - RF 6. A. Huff - 3B 7. A. Everett - SS 8. B. Ausmus - C
I think Astro will try to get Lee or Soriano in this off-season. But both of them will play LF and then Scott will play RF probably. Huff will have to play 3B for most of the time. The question is: what should we do with Ensberg?
You can try to trade him if another team would be dumb enough to do that (doubtful). But he's not a FA, is still making an affordable contract through arbitration, and is still hitting 20 HR's in a really flukeish year for him. Honestly, you don't have to do anything. Huff/Ensberg can platoon, with Lamb being our #1 lefty PH weapon, as he was in 04 and 05. Also, its good to have extra options in case Scott falls into the same funk that possesed Lane/Ensberg this year.
Hey Pocket Rockets, Let 'er rip! ASSBLOWS 4, CRAPHOLES 0! Yes, STL sucks! STL sucks! The 'Stros have vindicated this day for me! SWEEP! SWEEP! SWEEP! Hey Crapholes, read em and sweep! Yes!!!!
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!! Cards need to go 4-4 Astros go 7-0 Astros win division, we now have won the season series, if we tie we win the division.
Wrong. If we tie = 1 game playoff. Another reason why baseball is still king among sports with divisions that actually mean something (unlike the silly NBA)... don't let dumb tie breakers determine who stays at home, and who goes on to the show.
I don't think Ensberg will fetch much value so I think the team keeps him; he's still under club control and is affordable. Plus he's probably due to bounce back next season. The club NEEDS Lidge to bounce back...even if he loses the closer role permanently, he'll still be needed. Lane...well he needs to be moved for anything, cause he's done with this team really.
Look, if you can resign Huff at a reasonable contract you do it. What is reasonable, though? I think the Astros should go after as many hitters as possible, resign Pettite, sign another mid-level starter and groom Nieve to be the closer. Nice to stick it to the Cards, by the way! This is making up for a disappointing season.
What happened to that big first baseman that was knocking the cover off in the Minors? House, or something like that?
It is back up and running. Now it is just the posters over there that are having melt downs. Some of the threads are classic.
Lidge always has to find ways to eff things up. Godangit. I really don't see a need in adding an offseason bat. Keep Lamb at 1b, put Berkman at right, and we're set. Ensberg is due to have another good season. Look at his career graph. He does well every other year. Let Huff go. If we win it all this year, Pettitte and Clemens will retire. Go with Oswalt, Hirsh, Nieve, Buchholtz, Albers, Wandy, Astacio, Wheeler, and Qualls as your starters. Pray that Lidge recovers in the offseason. Give Biggio one last year. Hope Burke's shoulder heals so he can perform studly again. Give Jimerson his chance.
If two teams tie for the division AND both teams would make the playoffs (one as a wild card), then the series winner gets credit as the division winner. If only one of the teams will make the playoffs, then they have a one game playoff.
You can't spend that much money on 3rd base with all the other holes this team has to fill in the offseason. They are going to have to pick one unless they plan on letting Huff play full time in RF. That's not a bad option but I'd actually like to see Pence get a shot there next season.
