We are now seeing the real Preston Wilson. He'll hit some home runs, but he's going to strike out a ton, and won't hit for much of an average.
jesus....5 K's in one night. dont see that too often! brown just said it's a club record as i'm typing this.
Woohoo! Preston Wilson sets a new Astros record with 5 strikeouts. 3 K's is the Hat Trick 4 K's is the Golden Sombrero 5 K's is the Platinum Sombrero
Having the night off in the last game doesn't look like it was such a good idea now. (preston's night off) He seems to have lost his fire.
He's a streaky guy... but nobody should look that bad after a night off. Biggio got a night off... and he looks great tonight.
While its good to see the offense explode again... I really HATE games like this. I'd take a 2-1 offensive "struggle" win any day over this crap. At least we don't have to see Qualls doing this as a CLOSER... which is what the general opinion was of this forum (if we had done the Tejada trade). In the end, they need better pitching in that 7th inning (which has already burned them once this year)... if Qualls isn't going to do it any time soon, Springer will get his shot. Our bullpen is going to be more important than ever... esp. with the Buccholz/Nieve/Rodriguez crew. Last year, Qualls got most of the days off in that 7th inning... he better get his head right sooner rather than later. And, btw... Lidge's fastball looked filthy tonight.
Agreed...glad we still have Lidge. Qualls and Wheeler both haven't had it all the time this year. I really think Qualls will find his stuff soon enough..but I'm biased for some reason. You're right, we'll need him more than ever this year. (speaking of which, Andy better find his stuff too) And yeah, Lidge's fastball was sick. Out of the 6 fb's to Clark, 1 was fouled...the other 5, I think 4 were strikes in the exact same spot and 1 was a little outside. It just so happened that only 1 of em was called a strike..2 called balls. (And the last he swung through)
yeah, and where are all the ones who wanted to kill purpura for wanting to keep this team mostly intact, saying that they can produce? where are the ones who were ready to villify mclane and purpura for not adding a bat? oh right, when things are going well, they keep quiet.
Considered changing your signature yet, kaleidosky? The Astros DID need to add a bat this offseason, and they added what looks to be a productive one in Wilson. Preston's platinum sombrero notwithstanding, I really like our 3 - 6 lineup right now. Berkman looks like a MVP candidate, and the others have been very productive so far. And the pitching has been topnotch, even with Qualls being so absolutely terrible so far.
I think most of us are forgetting that Qualls was pretty bad at the beginning of last year as well. He'll figure it out and get it together.
To be fair, this team still has a problem against quality pitching... which they haven't faced much of this year (and to be fair to that comment, most teams struggle against quality pitching). Dontrelle and Webb have been the best starters the Astros have faced this year... and they couldn't do squat agains them. Morris and Mitre are above average, and we had our problems there too. We did rough up Livan (who is quality)... but ironically, we lost that game. In the end, however, it is better than last year... and I already said that at the least, they'll be in the middle of the pack offensively. If the trends continue (ie - Berkman and Ensberg continue to be MVP-types, and Lane comes around like he should), they'll be a top-5 club.
Batting average is a useless stat. If his OPS is over .850, this will be a good season for the Astros.
Dare I say, the Astros are SLIGHTLY above average power team right now!... Willy is playing the field like he actually believes that strange article of him being the best defensive outfielder is true...getting good hits, Biggio looks good enough, Berkman, Ensberg. etc. ...solid I really didn't think our offense would be the way it is so far...a good thing.
They key to the Astros offense resides in the number 3 and 4 hole. A healthy hammering Berkman, and a confident Ensberg make all the difference. Now, if we can just make it to Roger Clemens month.... DD
