I kinda figured Bags would tank early, and that our offense would struggle in April without his or Berk's production. Bagwell's propensity to start slow and finish strong, combined with Biggio's annual sprint out of the gate and fade after the All-Star break, makes for an interesting dichotomy. And every year, people proclaim that Bags is washed up and should be replaced in April, while Biggio's seen as resurgent.
If there are no set-backs at extended spring training, then he goes to Round Rock this weekend. If all goes well there, and the knee is still in as good of shape as it was before he embarked on to the assignments, he should then be put back in the lineup some time next week.... in the 3 spot, with no questions asked (I don't believe in bringing him, or any else of our prospects down there, slowly).
The 2 previous years he's actually had a pretty strong April. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlbhist/players/splits?statsId=4626&type=batting&year=2003 I'm still hoping "Quiet Hands" can get it together.
If you noticed my decline in posts in this thread, it's because of that fact that COX FREAKIN MEDIA has declined to pick up the last few games. They were on FSSW, but COX won't pass the charge from FSSW (roughly 35cents) to their subscribers, so they will make us miss 40 games this season. And the same thing goes for next season with the Rockets too!
Sure enough. His post-All Star numbers are still significantly better in those two years, compared to before the break, but this is as bad as he's been in awhile. One of these years he won't, but I think Bags is gonna be OK. Health permitting, which is always a question mark for him.
I just started a petition for Cable Companies to carry FSSW games. I can't believe they are going to make us miss all these games. They say there isn't enough demand to pass the 30 cent charge to their subscribers. SIGN THE PETITION.... http://www.petitiononline.com/coxfssw1/petition.html
Everett has the day off, so Taveras is starting leadoff tonight. Bruntlett is batting 7th and Chavez is 8th. Hopefully this lineup does well so Garner continues to use Chavez and Taveras leadoff...
Those Cox suckers are ridiculous. Their leaving off all these games for a mere 30 or 35 cents. This is chump change compared to when cable raises their rates every other year or whatever by multiple dollars and change. How are they going to break it out on the bill $.35 - Astros/Rockets games $2.75 - Cox rate increase I guess $.35 is a lot to someone who can already afford a $20 plus basic service package.
Even though these are the Pirooots.... Oliver Perez is flat-out nasty... and since he's started off the year on a sour note (0-2, 9.00 ERA), he's probably due for a complete-game shutout. Remember, he had like 14 K's against us last year, when we had the a+ lineup.
Exactly! Our bill went up like 3 bucks a month ago, and yet they won't do the 30 cents thing?! I hate them!
Well, the Astros are facing a leftie and they suck BAD against lefties. Every leftie the Astros have faced this season is a Cy Young award winner given how well we do against them. Hopefully this lamblasting sparks the team.
Did you see how Perez did against this team last year? While they were in the midst of their 36-10 streak? 8 IP, 14 K's, 0 ER. This team has faced TOUGH pitching lately, no matter what kind of hitters we have.
Well with Sheets, Perez, Prior, Wood, Mulder, etc.. all in our division we'll be facing tough pitching all year long. Every game will be a pitcher's duel!
Yea...and in the other game he pitched against them he got blasted for four homeruns. He's 0 - 2 right now. Are you denying the Astros haven't hit very well against lefties this season? I don't buy it that every time we face a leftie...he's brought his "A" game.
Not every game... things will eventually even out. I'm just saying that besides the Ishii massacre, we've been getting shut-out by GOOD pitchers, which is no excuse, but it is some consolation. Hudson, Mulder, Perez.... most lineups are going to end up being baffled by these type of pitchers.
The game we "blasted" him was the 1st time he'd ever faced us... and even then, we were held to nothing for 6 innings before everything all of a sudden clicked for us.... he obviously made his adjustments when he faced us the second time. I'm not denying that we've been bad against lefties... but we got shut down by a good one in Mulder, we beat an ok one in Davis, and we went 1-1 against Milton. Then there's the Ishii debacle, which I already said there was no excuse for.
