What is going on with the Astros? They start off strong like things are going to turn around and be different this season. Yet, they are really starting to stink. Lima has shown his true colors once again. The pitching is going down hill. We haven't exactly been tearing it up on offense, either. Ausmus was supposed to make the pitchers better with his experience behind the plate. Umm...if the pitcher can't make the pitches, then I don't care who is calling the game. I'm just glad that I only get to watch the home games although with our split record at home even those are almost unbearable to watch. Attendance is down about 8,000 - 9,000 per home game. About the only thing I am excited about over the Astros right now is waiting for Lima to throw his next temper tantrum in the dugout or any other pitcher for that matter. I hope they pull out of their funk before it's too late. I thought we were going to be better this year. Right now, it seems like we are essentially no better off than we were last season. i miss the rockets already. damn ------------------
Seasons have ups and downs -- they were up, now they are down, and hopefully it's a temporary funk that they can work themselves out of. IMHO -- I do think pitching could be much improved -- Move Bottenfield back into the starting rotation (where he was doing well) and out of the bullpen (where he isn't). Dotel, who was fantastic in the bullpen last year, should go back to the bullpen. His one pitch and 2-3 inning endurance just isn't enough for a starter. Lima is the big question. They can't trade him -- no one wants a $4.5 million dollar pitcher who has a 4.5 million, ERA. He was once a good pitcher, and has the potential to be one again. (At least, he doesnt' tend to get hurt ). I'd send him to N.O. for a month or two to recondition, and hopefully get his confidence back. Bring up McNight for a few rotations and see how he does. ------------------ Stay Cool...
Looks like you answered your own question. The pitching outside of Wade Miller is brutal, and its not like that was unexpected considering that none of the guys had good seasons last year, either (except for Elarton). Hun and the Grocer seem content to ride out the mediocre string rather than spend money on quality arms. At the very least you'd think we would see some early call-ups from the minors. You telling me that Oswalt couldn't pitch better than Lima? There's no space in the pen for Linebrink, who had a zero ERA when he was sent down? Also, Truby is not a long term solution at third base. ------------------ I'm about to boldly go where many men have gone before.
Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems like everytime Dierker intentionally walks someone it ends up backfiring on him. Ventura is one of the career leaders in grand-slams and what does Dierker do? He loads the bases for him! Not to mention, why is Lima still in the rotation while Bottenfield (who is better in the rotation) is in the bullpen where he is not all that effective. Jay Powell has been awful any time he has come into the game this season. And with the news that Brocail will not pitch at all this season our bullpen situation is not looking very bright. I think we should bring up some young arms from the minors to pitch in the bullpen (McKnight, Oswalt, Rodriguez). Dierker could bring them along the same way he did with Elarton who began his major league career in the bullpen. I wouldn't even object to sending Lima to Triple-A New Orleans for a month or two to see if he can regain what he calls "Lima-Time". ------------------ [This message has been edited by countingcrow (edited May 02, 2001).]
Jay Powell Everytime I see him in the game, I feel like we are throwing in the towel... He is almost as bad as Doug Henry... Just get rid of the guy and put him, and me out of misery.
Some clarifications: (1) We CAN'T send Lima to New Orleans. He has too much major league time. The only way to send him down is for him to be on a rehab assignment. Since he's not injured, this isn't possible. His ego won't let us fake an injury for him either. (2) "Every bullpen move seems to backfire." This is primarily because every bullpen member sucks. Powell, Jackson, Cruz, Franklin, Bottenfield, and Wagner have all sucked at critical times in games. Dierker's moves may look bad, but that's because everyone is pitching horribly. Nothing he can really do. (3) The IBB yesterday was a good move, in my opinion. Piazza had already hit 2 HR's in 1 1/2 games against the Astros, and Ventura is both sucking this year and injured. Ventura is a better bet than Piazza. (4) Bringing up Linebrink seems to be a good idea until you realize that he has a 16.0+ ERA in New Orleans. (19 or 20 runs in 14 or so innings) The Astros are suffering from a hell of a lot of problems, but I think they aren't Dierker's fault -- he's playing the cards dealt him. Lima needs to be moved to the bullpen, Bottenfield in the rotation. Franklin needs to go -- bring up a AAA arm. If Lima continues to suck, outright release him if possible and bring up another AAA arm. Unfortunately, these are all GM decisions -- not Dierker's alone. Even the bullpen / rotation decisions seem to go through Hunsicker with the Astros. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets. [This message has been edited by shanna (edited May 02, 2001).]
Go Twins! ------------------ Lisa : Dad did you know The Chinese use the same word for Crisis as they do for Opportunity? Homer: Yes! Crisis-tunity!
Lima got ejected tonite in the 6th along with a Met player who homered off him in the 5th? Did anyone see what happened? I missed it. Please explain what happened if you did. Remember...that is why I watch when things don't go well...for the Lima temper tantrums . Surf ------------------
Boy its nice living in Seattle with the 20-6 Mariners! I'm not a baseball fan, but they are drawing me in! ------------------ WIN NOW! The Protrolls.com message boards! Hey, I've got posts now! Feel free to join in the trolling fun! Protrolls.com!
Lima won 20 games in the Dome. What other teams have huge ballparks? Detroit? Trade him to a team with a pitcher's park and try to get something of value in return. He's done here. ------------------ DREAMer's Rocket Page
Detroit? We got him from Detroit. Houston makes trades with Detroit just about every season, can't we take one off. LA has a good pitcher's park don't they? ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM in the 8th inning. 1st HR by Biggio, 2nd HR by Alou, 3rd (and this one was an absolute bomb) HR by Ward. All tied up at 4-4. Surfguy: Lima beaned Payton (not deliberately) up in the head/shoulders area with a pitch. Payton angrily charged the mound, but was restrained by Ausmus, preventing an all-out brawl. Both benches clear. At first Payton took 1st base, but he was so steamed and continued to yell that the umps tossed him. The umps then said something to Lima (I suppose it was a warning). Lima didn't exactly react in a positive manner, so he got tossed (Dierker was going to take him out of the game anyway, regardless of whether he was ejected or not). I believe the Mets have been hit by pitches a lot so far this season...maybe that had something to do with Payton's furious reaction. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Cold Hard (edited May 02, 2001).]
I'm pretty sure in their last series vs. the Reds they got plunked a couple of times, so they're probably sensitive to that. Of course, not as sensitive as Scott Elarton, who got plunked twice in the same game. Which is odd for a pitcher. I beat he sucked at dodgeball as a kid. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
BAM! Lance Berkman goes deep. Astros lead in the 10th. Moises Alou just nailed another one. 6-4 Stros. 5 solo shots in all. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
Throwing at Payton was intentional. Hooten and Dierker have been on Lima to back guys off the plate. It looks like Lima is finally listening. ------------------ "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."- (Aldous Huxley)
I don't know about Truby, the guy's got an exceptional glove. I think tonight could tell the tale of our season. If Lima can come out and do something, then I have a good feeling about the rest of the season. ------------------ www.swirve.com "Pre-born, you're fine, pre-school, you're f*****."-George Carlin
Oh Twins fans are just like Vikings fans , No matter how good they have it they always want more . ------------------ Lisa : Dad did you know The Chinese use the same word for Crisis as they do for Opportunity? Homer: Yes! Crisis-tunity!
Some of the sports guys were talking about Payton crowding the plate intentionally, so Lima pitched to the inside -- and accidentally got too close. (No one's accused him of having overwhelming control.) Looks like Dierker listened to us. The Chronicle reports that Bottenfield goes back into the rotation, and Dotel is on his way to the bullpen. They haven't decided on the specifics, but Franklin (probably) is going to N.O., and one of their pitchers (Probably McNight) is coming up to the Astro's bullpen. I wonder if Bogar is available. He was one of the best relief pitchers they had all last year. ------------------ Stay Cool...
