Certainly that plays a part. Then again, San Diego gave up the most steals and had the best WHIP and Batting-average-against in the league. The Mets had the 3rd best WHIP and gave up the 3rd most steals. Dodgers? 4th best WHIP, 4th most steals. If a team can't get many base runners against the Astros and it's easy to steal on them, you'd think they'd steal every chance they could to give their few baserunners a better chance to score.
Or maybe they realized that Jason Hirsch was pitching and they were going to hammer away anyway, and that not working, they could at least take their swings at Lidge. DD
well, stealing also has to do with the pitcher. Roger could care less if he has a man on first and 2 outs. He'll let the guy walk all the way around to third before he'll begin to care that he's on base.
So you're saying that Ausmus saves us runs by making borderline pitches strikes rather than balls? That's REALLY reaching it. I mean, I'm a casual watcher, but I don't think the opponents get screwed more than the Astros in terms of the strike zone. As for passed balls/wild pitches, how much of a difference can it make? Much of the time, it doesn't even matter as there are no runners. I mean, the difference between Ausmus and your average catcher might be 2-3 runs saved over a year, if that many. The bottom line is, no amount of blocked balls, game-calling prowess, intangibles, can overcome the fact that he can't throw runners out and the fact that he can't hit a lick at all.
I think that does play a big part in it. It's why teams in general run less now, with the short porches and everything, no need to risk an out for a measly extra base when you can jack one up against the Astros bullpen.
That's not what I'm saying. You said Ausmus was poor defensively. I shot it down, and you still have no intelligent retort--because you were wrong. evidently. That's not the point. But we weren't talking about "runs saved per year" (although I understand the validity of that discussion). You said he was poor defensively. You were wrong. You can bring up these strawmen if you like, but it's not helping your lame argument. Wrong again. First of all, feel free to read everyone's responses on how few runners actually even try to run on the Astros. Next, understand that if you throw out more runners but then give up three times as many bases on passed balls and wild pitches, then it's a wash. He's great defensively. He's still *elite* defensively. You still haven't given ONE compelling thought otherwise. And you don't know jack about catching. Agreed. Seriously, I do. But (and I'll say this a THIRD time), nevermind, I'll copy and paste; it's easier...
I've been jokingly saying this for about a year. But hey... if we're going to suck at 2 positions, might as well consolidate right?
