This and defense has been terrible the last couple of weeks. Getting down 5-0 after 2 innings is killing this team. I can barely remember the last time they actually had a lead of more than 1 run that lasted for more than 1 inning. It's not a good sign that Nieve has been the most consistent lately. I wonder if Sampson has a good start tomorrow, would he replace Buchholz until Rocket is ready? Taylor is having some serious issues and might need some time back in AAA to get it right. Besides, he would have to go anyway if/when Backe is ready.
The team was built to succeed on great starting pitching, a great bullpen, great defense, and an average to above offense. Not a single one of those things has gone according to plan so far.
I hate posting when the Astros are losing, but it has been a while since they have won. I don't get every game (I'm in Austin), so please disregard if no longer applicable. Here are the things that I see need to be done: 1) Taveras needs to be sent down. The Astros just need someone that can get on base at center and play defense. Taveras needs to learn how to hit and could become a very special player. Let Biggio or Burke Leadoff. Taveras, Wilson, and Lane are dragging down the production. 2) Lamb needs to bat second in order. When Lane plays instead, he needs to bat second. The Astros have too many defensive players to have a balanced order. 3) Burke and Brunlett need to play more. I have a lot more faith in Burke as a corner outfielder than Lane or Wilson. 4) Bring up Scott even if its only for PH. He can learn no more in AAA. 5) Someone needs to slap Ensberg into shape. Maybe last year spoiled me, but the Astros need him to get more hits or have someone behind him that does have a good BA to drive him in when he walks. Abreu would look nice batting 5th. 6) Right now, I want to see Brunlett or Burke batting behind Ensberg. Lamb wouldn't be bad here either, but I'd like to see him bat second. 7) The Astros need to sacrifice a goat or something to get the pitching better. I don't think Backe (what's his status anyway?) and Clemens will be a cure-all. The Astros need a quicker hook with Taylor. The Astros need someone who can eat innings in relief for when he or the Lefty is off...Nieve maybe. 8) The Astros are pressing now. Everytime a pitcher comes in its like they are closing the ninth even if its a one run lead in the 5th. Houston is one of the fattest cities so it should be easy to do some slump busting.
RBI Percentage (RBI-HR/runners on base), 2006 (minimum 50 runners on): Berkman - 126 runners on | 46 RBI | 15 HR | 24.60% (3rd in MLB, Griffey leads at 25%) Ensberg - 162 runners on | 38 RBI | 18 HR | 12.35% (205th in MLB) That's your cleanup hitter. Pathetic. Lane & Lamb have been even worse. Lamb can't buy a hit with runners on so far - 265/.315/.429 vs. .429/.478/.571 with the bases empty.
Updated stat: Ensberg has hit 18 HRs in 17 games. In those games, he has 33 RBI. In his other 39 games, he has 5 total RBI.
While I agree Ensberg is a huge problem, these stats look worse than he has actually been. He has no protection and has a significant number of walks with runners on.
Here's the story guys. You are not gonna win many games when you're starters give up 5-6 runs in the first few innings. That kills the offense, forces them to press at the plate. While the offense has been less than stellar, I guarantee you once the starters give the team some quality innings, the offense will back them up.
**** VORP. Watch him. He pulled his "watch multiple hittable strikes go by with RISP" routine again tonight. His job ain't drawing walks, he needs to swing the damn bat when pitchers throw it over the plate.
He's gotta stay selective. Not making outs is a big part of being productive. I'd rather him stay selective and have higher production than change his approach to boost his personal RBI numbers.
It's all about his role in *this* offense. Nothing personal about it. His job is to drive in runs, especially with the guys hitting behind him struggling to do so. Last night, he wasn't getting pitched around. Bottom 8, bases juiced w/ 2 down, he watches 2 hittable strikes & gets in a hole 1-2. Does a great job working the count back full before the swinging K. He *has* to be more aggressive in situations like that.
I saw on ESPN today that the Brewers are now open to trading Carlos Lee. The article that ESPN cites is: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=432677 You put a guy like Lee is this lineup - BOOM!
He's a FA after this year. Doubt the brewcrew would trade him w/in the Central, but I'd expect the Stros to make a hard push for him in the offseason.
I think the guy will be the best hitter on the market, and we should have money to spend with Bagwell and Pettite coming off the books. I've never before had a problem with the way Drayton runs this team, but if we don't offer that guy at least $12M a year for 5 years, I will be severely disappointed.
Burke has been up and down all season. Willy T has been decent. The Astros troubles are far from Williy T's fault. Can he do better? Yes he can but compared to last year , his walk numbers are up and he trying to hit the ball more and not slap bunt so much. It is an adjustment but he is improving. He is on pace to almost triple his walk totals from last year. Burke is just as inconsistant now as he was last year. lamb has no business being in the game. He should be put in a glass case with a sign that says "break glass in case of a pitch hit opportunity" What defensive players are you talking about? Everett? there's one. If you are also talking about Ausmus, he is having a career year at the plate so far Burke as a corner outfielder, I can live with that. He can be no worst than lane or Preston Wilswingatanythingson. Again, I completely agree with this Ensberg should not be looking to walk. I think he needs to be selective but he is the cleanup hitter and needs to hit the obvious strikes he watches go by when he is in a slump. Granted he needs some protection but who ya gonna count on for that in this lineup? Abreu is gone ...let it go...hes not coming back Bruntlett and Burke batting behind Ensberg for protection?!? Neither has been consistant enough nor strikes fear in the opposing pitchers to give adequate protection to Ensberg. However, Ensberg watches alot of strikes go by too so its not like they are pitching around him like they do to Berkman. No doubt the Astros need some bullpen help. been that way all year. Hmmm...no comment on this except that slump busters are not required if million dollar players do their darn job.
Why not swap Ensberg and Berkman? Berkman's not getting on base nearly as much this year, but is hitting for lots of power. Ensberg could be more useful on-base in front of Berkman since he doesn't drive anyone in anyway. Maybe even just squeeze the top of the lineup to Biggio / Ensberg / Berkman.
It was stated in one of the papers today that Pupura was calling around looking for a hitter. However, this early in the season, most/all the teams with attainable hitters feel like their team is still in the race. Therefore, they are unwilling to give up the hitters for players at this team. Down the road, I don't doubt the Astros will do something. I hope it's something very positive during the season. Also, this offseason has been marked on the calendars for quite some time. The Astros know that they will have a lot of money to spend. Let's just see where that money goes.
lamb has no business being in the game. He should be put in a glass case with a sign that says "break glass in case of a pitch hit opportunity" I see no better option. Lane and Wilson should be sat for Berkman and Burke/Brunlett with Lamb at first. What defensive players are you talking about? Everett? there's one. If you are also talking about Ausmus, he is having a career year at the plate so far Everett, Wilson, Lane, Taveras. I expect Ausmus will slide back to normal, but ride him until he proves otherwise. Bruntlett and Burke batting behind Ensberg for protection?!? Neither has been consistant enough nor strikes fear in the opposing pitchers to give adequate protection to Ensberg. However, Ensberg watches alot of strikes go by too so its not like they are pitching around him like they do to Berkman. Until the Astros have better, I see these guys as the most capable RBI guys after Berkman and Ensberg...I don't consider anyone on Astros currently as ideal behind Ensberg. Maybe I'm over critical of Lane and Wilson...maybe I should said Biggio, but I want him at leadoff. QUOTE]
