Geary was outrighted to RR yesterday: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/6469313.html I assume he'll opt to be a FA. Brocail may not pitch again this season if this alternative therapy thing they were talking about today doens't work to fix his hamstring. Fulchino will stick as long as he keeps pitching close to this level.
yeah, i kind of was thinking the writing is on the wall for Backe when Coop left Fulchino in to hit rather than pinch-hitting and bringing Backe in.
Arias has looked really good, too. He gets some serious movement on his pitches. As long as his command is reasonable, he seems to be able to get outs pretty consistently. We have the makings of a pretty solid bullpen with Hawkins, Sampson, Valverde, Arias, Fulchino and Byrdak. One of Ortiz/Backe/Paulino will probably get the final spot with the other two being starters. If Moehler doesn't get it together quickly, he may end up being the odd man out.
Because Paulino is hurt and their bullpen has been taxed. Wright gives them temporary depth. Cooper explained it in the postgame. Things are fluid but that is the current situation.
Bourn's catch: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4993291&c_id=hou Puma's catch: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4995289&c_id=hou Blum's game-winning hit: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4997409
Had to run to the store. Missed the 13th inning. Glad we won though. Just watched the highlights on MLB.com Good stuff. Blum had a nice series.
National League Central Team W L Pct GB Milwaukee 33 27 .550 - St. Louis 33 28 .541 ½ Cincinnati 31 28 .525 1½ Chi. Cubs 29 28 .509 2½ Pittsburgh 28 32 .467 5 Houston 27 31 .466 5
Because we'll be adding an All-Star Closer to our team shortly. This, coupled with our addition of an All-Star first baseman in May, and the pending arrival/return/whatever of two pitchers (Oswalt and Wandy) pitching at an All-Star level will definitely make us the favorites!
He said we have the best offense in the NL Central, and once Valverde comes back we will have a great bullpen. He said that the additions of Hampton and Ortiz are the key. He liked the recent history of the Astros making 2nd half pushes. It is just another year of who wants to win the Central.
you wake up and look at the standings....and they're 5 games out on June 12. If Valverde gets healthy and Berkman finds his bat....
I can't believe we are 5 games out. I just checked right after my last post. That's insane, for as bad as this season has seemed. Thank god for the Central being full of teams doing nothing, time for the Astros to begin their push if they haven't already, been playing really well on this home stand.
Wonder if the Astros can make a run at Penny or any of the other pitchers that might be available here soon. Big Keys: 1) Roy needs to be Roy - a hammer at the top of the rotation will help other things fall in-line. 2) If Wandy is fixed, look out. Ideally, you'd like Wandy to be your three which would make it easier to have Hampton and Moehler as your 4 and 5. If Wandy pitches like he did at the beginning of the year (or against the Cubs on Wednesday) we'd be hard-pressed to find someone who would be a better number two this year. 3) Valverde comes back healthy and gives us a trio of Sampson, Hawkins, Valverde to close out games. 4) Berkman gets white hot (especially if/when Miggy has a less than stellar second half). 5) If we're close, I think Drayton will ante up again at the deadline in hopes that another move will bring the people back to the ballpark. I liked how RJ said that if you look at the Astros in a certain light, you can see a team that could make things interesting in the second half. That's all I'm hoping for.
