When he was with the Yankees this would drive me nuts. He throws a ton of pitches to get through a game. He's got a curveball that is pretty good but misses the zone a lot.
There's absolutely no legitimate reason to hit Berkman third against lefties with options like Lee and Tejada. Garner finally conceded that point about midway through last season; I hope it doesn't take Cooper that long. Berkman is -- at best -- a slightly above average hitter against lefties. Lee and Tejada are superb. This shouldn't be so difficult to get through the minds of Astros' brass.
Career numbers vs. LHP: Berkman - .269/.382/.419 Lee - .287/.351/.463 Tejada - .281/.356/.483 I'd still bat Berkman third. His power numbers aren't worse than Lee/Tejada, but his OBP is so much better that I'd still want him hitting ahead of them. Batting him leadoff or in the 2 hole would probably be optimum, but I'd bet few managers would make that decision.
I'd note that Lee's averages against lefties have been substantially better in recent years than his career. I think in regular circumstances I might agree with your take, but with an extra-base machine like Pence at 1 or 2 in the order, I think the No. 3 spot will have even more RBI situations than usual. That said, I agree that having Berkman second would be most ideal, but unlikely for reasons of tradition, etc.
I don't disagree, but even with Pence racking up the XBH, I'd still like to have Lance's OBP right behind him, bringing up Lee & Tejada with multiple baserunners on.
On the last foul ball by Tejada, the hot ballgirl got the ball and gave it to a guy holding a baby. The guy proceeds to give the ball to the baby as if the baby knew what the hell it meant. Hilarious. Same at bat, Tejada hits a pop foul ball along the 1st base line. The pitcher is going for the ball and Tejada is running to 1st and at one point puts his hands over his head... which is protected by a helmet. Now, I like Tejada as a rule as an Astro even though he hasn't shown us much but doesn't he run a greater risk of breaking something in his hands trying to protect his protected head? Except for these two plays in the same at bat, there's not too much amusing about this game.
This is pathetic......this guy is throwing junk and our supposed stellar lineup is popping up all over the place...and hitting slow rollers to the pitcher... Come on Stros......wait on the cheese and friggen HAMMER it. DD
OK, Wolfe was just having a good (lucky) game. This new guy has a 5 an a half ERA. Let's rough him up!
How nice is it to have bats like those at 7 and 8 in the order? Of course, they could really use one more dependable bench bat...
