You've got a point that his arm might not be in mid-season shape to be pitching 90+, but that's why they stretched them out the final weeks of ST. He said he felt fine, and his pitches still had decent life on them in the seventh. Unfortunately (in terms of the fans here), if Jimy had taken a crusing, had only thrown 80 pitches, Oswalt out after the 7th... there would be VOCIFEROUS complaints as this was just "typical Jimy... yanking our best pitcher when he's rolling." (and up until that point, he was definitely rolling). I agree that maybe he should have gone to the pen after he gave up the second hit... but when he went on the mound and questioned Roy, Jimy obviously believed in him. There's nothing wrong with that. Oswalt admitted he made a dumb mistake, a mistake he has really yet to make yet in his 3 years of pitching, and now he gets to learn from it. What doesn't kill us, makes us that much stronger. Also, stand by your opinion no matter what. I've never had a problem with Jimy yanking the starters when they reach 100 pitches (even if they have a shutout), especially with the talent we've got in the bullpen. I've always belived that taking a pitcher out too early is better than taking him out too late. Occasionally, he'll pull a guy who's dominating, with 80-85 pitches after the seventh, and we'll all be like "WTF!!!". He treats Oswalt differently, though (he is special, after all)... and he'll be consistent with his decision making of him throughout the season. We should all be consistent with our logic and reasoning here as well. If you're a guy who's in favor of starters pitching as long as they functionally can, stand by that. IF you're one that feels that once you get to thru the seventh (with our great pen), that's enough... let it be known. We'll definitely have ample opportunities throughout this season (with a combo of our great starters, and Jimy Williams' managing, you can't avoid it), to evaluate these decisions. I just don't like the wishy-washy opinions where one second, we're begging him to let the pitcher stay in... and then when it all goes to hell, it becomes..."see! I told you so.... what an idiot, should have taken him out."
I don't blame Jimy for leaving Oswalt in. What about taking so long though? Even the espn commentators were picking up on what is he doing spending so long out there... you don't make your pitcher wait that long betwee pitches when the next guy is Bonds
Calm down everyone...It's the first game of the season...Jimy should have pulled O and Dotel didn't look comfortable at all... Tues: Astros: 8 Giants: 5 Wed: Astros: 6 Giants: 4
well, here's for a win tonight and tomorow. Please let us win a series against the Giants. Why do they own us? I hate it...
Man, we had cool seats last night. Row 2, sec. 432. For seats that aren't field box level, they rock. Awesome view of downtown. Can't wait until tonight!
Wish I was going, I will be make it to a game in the next couple o weeks. I can't make it down this week, wish I could. Too much work this week....
DP Groundout for BONDS!!! Man, its so good hearing Larry Dierker's voice again. He'll be the color commentator on every Wednesday home game for the season. He's just got a great voice and great mind for commentating.
I had forgotten what an excellent announcer Dierker is. He adds so much to the broadcast. And the funny thing is he makes Bill Brown sound 10 times better as well. Larry Dierker was BobFinn's* Astro Buddy in 1972
Definitely great to hear him again. He livens up the play by play with Bill Brown. Plus he has insight into the Astros no one else does.
OK what is the deal. I am getting The worst damn sports show instead of the Astros. What is the deal with that???
I'm not on direct TV I have cable and live in Beaumont. I get KNWS and the Houston teams on FSSW. Teh pregame was on then at game time it switched to Freaking Tom Arnold, but my guide says it should be on. FSSW is the worst excuse for a sports channel ever created. They show beach volleyball reruns and crappy motorcycle racing. I hate that channel.
hmm espn 2 says check guide for alternate programming and fssw says program not available in your area **** **** ****. why do they do this to fans?
