Losing streak 9 games (and counting). Oddly enough, since the streak started, we've only lost 3 games total in the division race, since the Brewers have lost 6 of 7 themselves. So, can we recover and still win the division? Are our batters all slumping at the same time, or do they just suck?
Jesus Ortiz was on 97.5 yesterday afternoon and he made the point that alot of these players are living up to their expectations. I thought that may have been a little extreme but porpura probably did count on some of these guys to play above their heads.
A little of both. Something is missing from this team. Something needs to light a fire underneath their collective a22es. Where's the fight? Why didn't Ensberg argue on either of his K's last night when strike 3 was clearly off the plate both times? I missed the play, but I heard Garner didn't argue at all on Everett's attempted inside-the-park hr when replays show he was clearly safe? Drayton was on the radio later in the game and he sounded a little dumbfounded that Garner didn't object at all. I wouldn't be suprised if something major happens soon. Justice said in his blog today that he believes Cecil Cooper will take over should Garner get canned. Sean Berry needs to be the 1st to go...with Jason Lane carrying his bags. However, it's not going to take much to win the Central. Getting back to .500 before the break should be goal #1. Then they can concentrate on catching the Brewers and win this decision.
Astros are playing worse than they are, but I don't expect them to make the playoffs either. Berkman is slumping bad. Everett, after years of close calls, may have finally become the worst hitting everyday player. You gotta think he can hit better than this. Ensberg didn't rebound. Funny with the drug testing.
the fact that perhaps the worst hitting everyday player (Everett) has 4 more extra base hits than the freaking 3 hitter in our lineup tells you all you need to know. we don't have expectations for guys at the bottom of the lineup like we do for guys in the meat of the lineup. berkman is killing us. he's not doing it alone...but he's reason 1.
i agree. everyone is pointing at berkman, and rightly so, but lee/pence has been as productive as berkman/lee was expected to be (in fact, both lee/pence have been MUCH better than we expected). remember: pence wasn't initially part of this equation. they thought they could win with berkman/lee. if berkman gets going and jennings stays healthy, they can certainly make a run. but they're still starting 2-3 of the worst offensive players in baseball on a nightly basis, plus a pitcher. that's tough to overcome.
They look like they are missing that competitive fire, where is the leader of this team? I am ready to jettison, Lane, Ensberg & Ausmus.......and Everett is playing well below where he needs to...in order to justify his defense only status. And please Biggio hurry up, your quest is holding the team back........but that is not the only problem, just one of many. DD
The fact that we can point to so many problem areas says to me that this club, as presently constituted, doesn't have it. And the fact that our guys with the 2nd most ABs and 4th most ABs are hitting a combined .218 (and our 5th and 6th most AB guys are hitting .232) is extremely troubling (Biggio, Everett, Ensberg, Scott respectively). And none of those guys provide pop or walks to make up for the terrible average. And I'd add that Mike Lamb, after his hot start, now has a nearly identical OBP, SLG, and OPS to the much-maligned Chris Burke.
Do we suck? Yes. But we are spoiled rotten by the amazing run the Astros have had over the last decade or so. I agreed with most of the offseason moves so I can't lie and say I told you so and whine and cry all day long. We are just in a down cycle - Drayton will get us competitive again (best owner the Astros have ever had) probably without Timmy and Garner though - just a feeling.
Which is why I put Berkman first. Bottom of the order guys don't have the expectations of middle of the order guys, but those expectations are still much greater than what Everett is doing.
I was waiting for someone to say that, because I totally agree. We've been playing above average baseball for about the last 10 years. Not a whole lot of other teams can say that. MMP has been THE place to be since it was built. During that time, the Rockets have only made the playoffs 3 times and been ousted in the 1st round all 3 times. And the Texans....well, let's not go there... Assuming we don't get any better this year, I wonder how long it will be before all these "hardcore" Astro fans that have been showing up in droves for the last 5 or 6 years with their jerseys and ballcaps will stop showing up. We are, after all, a fair weather sports town.
I can't say we suck because the main guy that's supposed to be driving this bus isn't hitting worth a flip...Lance Berkman...as he goes so goes the astros and if he's slumping then the whole team is slumping. AE needs to head to the bench or be traded bring up Conrad.
if they keep losing, certainly the numbers will decrease. but it don't think it will be near as drastic as you saw it at the astrodome. the ballpark is a draw in and of itself. it's location. the fact that it's a nice place to spend an evening. and its draw for weekend baseball "tourists" from around the state and the region (where they know they won't be travelling to a potential rain-out). All of that will mitigate a bit the loss of crowds. And you know MadMax will still be there!!
The only way to judge "fair weather" by this town anymore is the Astros or Rockets... since the Texans will still continue to sell out (the NFL is just that much more powerful now than it was when the Oilers were needing Randalls to lift the local blackout). And, Astros tickets are more affordable, they play at a time when school is out, and they play in a MUCH more fan friendly stadium. If they become horrible, it will get down to high 20,000's during weekdays, but the weekend turnouts will still be close to capacity. You're underestimating how many Houstonians discovered that the ballpark is a cost-effective, fun way to pass the time... good or bad team.
This is also a main reason why Drayton has pretty much decreed that there will never be a "rebuilding" period for his Astros. He wants them to "reload" and be competitive every year. He's well aware of the fickle nature of Houston fan. Anyone who thinks the season's over should just stop watching now. Because you obviously didn't watch in 2003...or 2004...or 2005...or 2006. They will play better, they will make changes, they will make a run. This division is up for grabs. Seriously, if you can't find something enjoyable about the game of baseball and use it as merely a tool for aggravation & a reason to b****, find something better to do. It's not healthy.
