Yeah the schedule is going to start getting real tough ... maybe that is what this team needs since we get swept by a team like the Cubs. If Hirsh can get it going consistently and somehow Wandy provides anything worthwhile, they can hopefully make it interesting down the stretch
I think he did rather well this series. I just think he's very underrated. I think he's done well most of the last two seasons. He hardly makes errors and his bat is on and off. But even the great William Lance Berkman had his offbat days, just not nearly as often, but he's the man so that's an unfair comparison on my part. But you know what I am saying. I am just go happy we did so well today. I hope to go one day next week.
I would have no problem keeping Everett if we can get rid of Ausmus...we can not have 33% of our lineup ignorable. DD
That's an understatement. 4 errors in 550+ chances; practically never makes a mistake. And then you factor in the balls he can get to and the plays he can make because of his range and that becomes even more unbelievable.
No one is debating his defensive prowess, the guy is really good on defense. It is his lack of offense that is the problem. DD
I just found that stat pretty incredible. Only four damn errors all season. The guy is just sick on defense. I think the team needs what he brings to the table. Between him and Ausmus; Ausmus is at the end of his career so I think it becomes an easy choice as to what position should be upgraded. I'd be perfectly happy with him taking the backup catcher/assistant manager type role next season. The problem is finding a quality replacement.
I would agree with this statement. Everett and Ausmus in the lineup are worse than their parts. Everett, to his credit, has looked better with the bat even though his average hasn't shown it this month.
And this year, he's been better than "really good"... he's playing HOF level defense. He makes the routine plays, he makes the difficult plays... and if he wasn't so damn smooth, he'd make more of the "spectacular" plays that other SS's get toted for, because they were too slow to field the ball cleanly in the first place. I agree that you can't afford to have a bat like Everett's if you still plan on playing Ausmus, Biggio, Taveras, AND an unproven corner outfielder (Lane, Scott, etc.). As it is, Taveras and Biggio are going to be in the lineup for the forseeable future... Ausmus will be upgraded once the right option becomes avaliable. Bedsides solidifying the pitching this offseason (Oswalt, Pettite/Clemens, rest for Lidge)... they will look to add a proven outfield bat, along with a veteran catcher. If Ensberg can somehow get back to a better-than-average level (or they decide to keep Huff)... the offense should be good enough to be able to afford the Everett/Taveras/Biggio trifecta.
Lol, if only I had a dime for everytime I've heard that. If House can prove to be a better catcher than Ausmus then great. I just think the defensive pluses to Everett and Ausmus outweigh the 45% batting effort we get. Just look at the last few games and if it weren't for Brad, Clemens wouldn't have had as much run support and Everett is steadily increasing his BA. But, if a choice had to be made, I'd take Everett because I think he's a better SS than Ausmus is a catcher.
True, but its the Pirates I am tired of hearing...........don't let the record fool you..the Pirates are a decent ball club......blah, blah, blah. Give me 4... but glad to have 3 of 4.
Great win, but as Garner said, they need to start sweeping...The brewers, yes, but the Mets, hell no...
We need 5 out of the next 6 which I think is possible ... Is there any chance Sampson will be pitching the first game of the Mets series instead of Wandy? I just don't see any way that Wandy can get it done against them. I'll take my chances with Sampson/Hirsh pulling out 1 game over Wandy/Hirsh. We can't afford losses by the "big 3" and we need to be .500 with the "other two" most of the rest of the way. Especially when we start playing these teams that are ahead of us like the Phils.
Get your sign ready. House, Sampson down; Quintero, Bruntlett up. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...ent_id=1633198&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
G. deezamit. WTF? They keep jerking him around and it's pissing me off. I knew a pitcher would have to go but why him? They only let him throw a 1/3 of an inning at a time. I wanted Bruntlett so that's cool but Quintero? I liked him last year but I guess House didn't prove to be all that. Dang, poor Sampson. This sucks.
Guessing that he'll be back in 10 days, House too. They wanted Bruntlett on the playoff roster & won't need the extra pitcher then. Nieve'll be on the DL through 9/1, so he's still eligible for the playoffs.
