Never to late for the white flag lol...two changes id make is bring up Chris Johnson and start Bazardo...you need to know if Johnson is servicable or just filler at AAA and Bazardo needs to pitch not Hampton...if the Phillies could send Moyer to the pen so can the Stros!
Zambrano and Aramis both have injuries. Roy threw tonight, even if he wasn't himself. Hawkins is due back tomorrow and Berkman can't be far away. The Brewers have bigger pitching issues than us. If the Cardinals hit a rut for any reason, things can change quickly. Still about 50 games to go. A lot can happen.
True and normally id agree but the Cards are playing something like 25 or so games in row vs teams under .500 and the Stros still play a bunch of games in row vs team above .500...
True but the Astros defied the odds in the 2nd half last season. I believe we had one of the toughest schedules but also one of the best records. If it wasn't last season, then it was the one before. Point being, SOS is merely SOS. You gotta play the games, right?
You also have to remember that a team that is a couple games under .500 has a losing record and a team that is a couple games above has a winning record. The difference can be marginal and is subject to change. Injuries almost always play a factor as well. Some teams just have bad luck. Maybe we'll stay healthy here on out while other teams lose key players.
Hope your right but with the Cards playing at a high level and there schedule will make it a memorable comback like 04...
Yea, it's unlikely. 50 games is a long time though. 6 games back in the loss column isn't ridiculous. We also have 2 series left with the Cards and Brewers, 1 with the Cubs. Things can change dramatically in just a few days. By this time next week, we could be 2 games back or something. You know how it is... just too early to give up despite the slump.
I love your guys optimism. I want to believe, I really do. i just have not seen one thing that makes me think this team can go on an extended winning streak. I am really taking this loss hard. My stomach still is knots after this game.
I'm rarely optimistic. Baseball is just a different animal compared to other sports. Too long of a season to get caught up in small stretches. Here's a reason for a little optimism: Berkman contributes to winning as much as just about any position player in the league and he should be back soon. And even if this season doesn't end up well, there are a few positives to come out of it, at least so far: 1. Wandy 2. Bourn 3. We've been signing a bunch of picks for the last 2 years and improving our farm. We're slowly getting closer to having a legit pipeline of talent. * Bud has looked good so far but it's too early to draw conclusions.
Wright had an odd inning. He was going to give up the game winning run from the start, but he delayed it sorta. He looks awful for the first few batters walking all of them, and then punches out two in a row, then proceeds to walk 40 more batters. Arias simply did what Wright was going to do. I don't think he gets out of that inning without a run.
brianmctaggart Astros activate Berkman and Hawkins, send Kata to AAA and Wright on DL with shoulder strain.
i would include pence's bounce-back season on that list, too. right now (114 ops+), he's almost exactly halfway between where he was as a rookie (130) and last year (105). if he can settle in as a legit 115-120 guy for the next 10 years - he'll never be the best player on your team (and if he is, you're in toruble) but he'll certainly contribute.
I know I might gets slaughtered for this but I would consider trading Pence this offseason. Don't get me wrong I like him alot and not for a vetern hitter or Pitcher but a good Quaity Young Arm only...I believe he might improve a bit more but like you said he will never be the best player on a team plus his stock is pretty high along with being super cheap with 3 years still under a club's control. I would at the very least ask around and see but also like I said only for a quality young arm nothing short or no deal!
oh i would, too. in a heartbeat. the astros never would - they have far too much invested in hunter from a marketing perspective (pretty obvious they think he can be the face of the next era). but if an equally above average 24-26-year old pitcher were available, i'd absolutely make that swap.
