Oh, the Braves are seriously pumped. James is pumped to be facing Clemens; Smoltz, Francour & the rest are pumped about playing spoiler. Exact same thing the Cards are facing with Milwaukee. Should be a fun weekend.
Anyone notice the Runs Scored vs. Runs Allowed the Braves have this year (838 vs. 798). Strange for a Braves team to be +40 in runs for a season and not make it to .500. These definitely are not the Pirates we are playing. I think the cards will go 2-2 in the next 4 which would mean we could take the division outright with a sweep or take it to a playoff game with 2 out of 3. That is definitely doable, but its going to be a tough tough series. I just hope we can do something early against the lefty tonight so Andy can settle in a little easier.
Would it be a good idea to bump up Pettitte for Saturday and have Roy O. pitch on Sunday (yes I know its 2 days rest but treat it like a game 7). Unless the Cards lose tonight & tomorrow.
A good amount of that run differential was just accumulated this past week, with the 12-0, and 13-1 wins over the Mets. That's 24 runs... minus 3 from the loss last night... = 21 runs difference based on the Mets series alone. They're no Pirates... but they're no mid 90's Braves either.
Not really. We can win "bullpen" games... and by bumping both guys up on short rest, you jeopardize your chances in BOTH games, instead of being unsure about just the one game on Saturday, as it currently stands.
Radio is reporting that it is most likely going to be Albers going tomorrow. And that right there is the result of Sampson having to go 3 innings or whatever the other night in Pittsburgh. We've won "bullpen" games before so hopefully they can pull one more out on Saturday.
But I believe Sampson will have enough power to pitch 3 innings on Sat if necessary. Hope Albers will give us 4,5 quality innings.
jeremyyang2002, why not Brandon Backie? I remember when Brandon Backie threw a hard game in 2005. The Astros were very surprised. Also I remember Brandon Backie having a big game in 2004. I think the Houston astros best chance is Brandon Backie on saturday. I also think Brad Lidge needs to go back to Houston for Friday Saturday and Sunday and Lidge will LOSE the games for us! I used to like Brad Lidge, Also Brandon BAckie is a killer be
Backe had tommy john surgery. He's not coming back this year and even next year is a big question mark. Also, Lidge has been pretty decent lately. He's been a good setup guy and is slowly figuring it out. No one on the ballclub has abandoned him yet and people still have faith in him. I cringe when I see him but the pains are becoming less frequent. He'll be fine.
The series is irrelevant. The Astros are done. Stick a fork in 'em! They waited too long to make a run. (Come on Astros, prove me wrong. I have NLDS tickets.)
I hate facing Smoltz on Sunday or any day, but I would not be surprise to see Roy O in relief if we get behind early especially if we had not clinch. Any case go 'Stros!
Word. The Astros always have trouble against rookies and left-handers. A left-handed rookie? Oy vey! It's going to be tough.
Going to the game tonight. Last time I saw a 'Stros game was at Minute Maid in June, and we beat the Braves 14-4 and swept em. Hopefully I'll have the same luck at Turner Field.
I'm glad we're playing Cox,Jones,Jones,and the rest of those primadonnas.There's a certain poetic justice in it. Time to bust out the broom....This train is rolling all the way to the World Series!
How is Greg Lucas THAT underinformed: "But they (the Braves) do have something to play for... there are 3 games left in the season, and they're 3 games under .500... they'd like to get there to avoid the losing record." (as he signs off). Problem is... the Braves have 82 losses, not 81. You'd think for a guy who's job is simply to report on whatever the hell he wants to, he'd have a little bit more sense when he simply has to report on facts that are printed out on every news source available.
Tonight's lineup (let the Ensberg and Lane expletives fly): Taveras Ensberg Berkman Scott Lane Biggio Everett Ausmus Clemens
