I want to like Backe...gutty bulldog type. Protects his teammates. Always on the top rail cheering. The one tenacious WS appearance. He just doesn't appear to be very good pitcher.
We were all justifiably slamming Woody last season. He basically got run out of town for sucking. Well, Backe has been worse. Sure, he's younger and just came off surgery. How much hope does that give you at this point? He'll be 31 next season. I'd say Backe is reaching Gagne status, except that Gagne used to be a stud.
Walks will kill ya...you would think pitchers would learn this by the time they got to the major leagues. DD
Before the start of tonight's game, Backe ranked 45th in ERA and 47th in WHIP out of 49 qualified pitchers in the NL. He's also 4th in homers surrendered. Those number are only getting worse tonight.
that and backe was drafted as a 3rd basemen or something....... the writing is all over the wall..........DFA.
Woody last year: 8-15, 5.27 ERA Backe this year: 7-11, 5.14 But I see the point... the big IF is whether or not the Astros go after a solid number 2 pitcher in the off season. They get one and then you have Wandy, Backe, Moehler and possibly Wolf fighting for the final three spots in the rotation. Remember Backe didnt even have to fight for his spot in the rotation this year.
2007 Woody's WHIP: 1.43 2008 Backe's WHIP: 1.60 Also, at this very moment, Backe's ERA is 5.35. It shot up after that first inning.
Backe's ERA is currently 5.35. When I made that post, it was 5.44. Backe's opp average is something around .290. Williams finished at .286. Backe's WHIP was 1.600 coming into today. Woody finished last season with a 1.437 WHIP. This is all before Montero just hit another HR off Backe. All his numbers just got worse. His ERA is now 5.41 and the bad news is he still has to keep pitching.
Just saying...Backe's performance this year is about what Woody gave us last year. Plus he was doing well last year prior to his injury. That's not to say either of their performances are worthy of being in the starting rotation.
I knew this streak wasn't going to last, this team just took advantage of the Reds and Giants, this team is severely overmatched without Lee or Kaz on offense. Pitching has always been suspect though.
Another 11 run outing for Mr. Backe. He should be very proud, not many pitchers achieve that twice in 3 outings.
