5-2 opening homestand. The start of this season sure feels better then last year even without Roger, Jeff and Lidge's slider.
You're starting to see the versatility that this offense can provide... they have an MVP-type 3, a 4/5/6 that's streaky (but when on, as good as any), and a solid bench (Lamb, Palmeiro, Bruntlett, Burke... all solid... and could start on any day's notice). The only semi-holes is the #1 and #2 guys... not because they're not good, but because they don't have the inherent qualities of a #1 or #2. For instance, Biggio is the perfect #2 guy... but because we don't have a better leadoff hitter, he gets that nod. Taveras can move the runner over, and get the occasional bunt-hit down... but you put him in an RBI/must-get-base-hit situation, and you almost wish they'd pinch-hit. A good first week... 5-2, and could have been 6-1 had they not had a complete pitching meltdown on Saturday... 99/100 times, they'll win that game. Off to San Fran... a hard place for us to win games... but a new Killer B takes the mound for his first-ever start. Lets hope its a good one.
I don't understand why they don't let Willy lead off. Biggio will knock Willy in, but Willy won't bring Biggio home anywhere near as often. Doesn't make much sense to me.
Nice series win. I don't know how they pulled it off, though. Too bad the Astros don't have a freaking offense. 26 runs in four games? You can't win like that! If they stop hitting like it's the freaking deadball era, we might have a shot at the postseason. (/sarcasm)
We're off to a great start...wouldve been nice to not have choked that last game we lost, but that happens, glad we pulled this one out. Off to SF...cant wait.
Willy doesn't draw enough walks, nor does he have the extra-base-hit capability to be a productive leadoff hitter. Additionally, he doesn't have the capability to drive in the runners that are sacraficed over by the pitcher. As it is now, whenever Biggio gets a leadoff 2B, Willy can sacrafice him over... and if Biggio gets on base (or gets a single), Willy is unlikely to ground into a DP because of his speed. Ideally, a guy like Burke (with extra-base power, and better plate discipline) could be the perfect leadoff guy... but unless something happens to an outfielder, we're 2 years away from seeing that. On most teams, Willy would be the 8th hitter... but on a team with Adam Everett playing everyday, you have to pick your poison. Having Willy in the 2nd spot is merely a utilitarian-sort of move--- it doesn't help the team in the form that most people would like (RBI's and HR's are instead sacrafices, and bunt-basehits).... but it doesn't hurt the team as its constructed either.
Anyone have a prediction of how Bucholz's first ML start will go? Here's mine: 6.2 IP, 2 R (1 earned), 5 K and 2 BB
My view... Willy and Bidge shouldn't need to knock each other in. Willy will get on base on bunts/grounders in the infield...Bidge is still a great baserunner and won't get thrown out as often as others would. That's what we pay Berkman the big bucks for, to bring Bidge/Willy in. If Everett gets on base, pitcher bunts him over, Bidge drives him in. If Everett gets on base, pitcher bunts him over, Willy isn't going to drive him in as often. I think the logic behind it is to manufacture runs where there normally wouldn't be, as we have enough firepower that we should be able to get runs in the top/middle of the order.
I've put my full confidence in Double H Just picked him up in 2 of my 3 fantasy teams. 6 IP, 0ER, 6 hits, 5 Ks.
You mean other teams don't show rookie pitchers any love like the Astros do? The Astros have always made rookie pitchers who they see for the first time look like a Cy Young candidate.
Assuming the Astros get Clemens back, it seems like they have a real legitimate shot at making a playoff run again this year. Preston Wilson should be a *Huge* upgrade over Mike Lamb at the 5-hole, we have a healthy Berkman at the beginning of the season, and Bagwell isn't in there weighing us down like he did in April of last year. Munson also looks like he could be a good addition as well. If we can get Clemens back I don't see how this team has done anything except improve over the offseason. Our offense is much stronger, and our pitching will be improved as well if Clemens returns.
You really can't get much worse than our road start last season. That said, the Giants always seems to give the team fits, especially in San Fran.
