Moehler was going to either pitch for the Astros or go home. He pitched well enough in spring training to earn a spot and Nieve has options.
The club is still uncertain if Nieve's future is as a starter or a set-up guy/closer. He looked like he'd be pretty valuable as a possible future closer last year, but he started having some arm trouble... and that's troublesome if you want somebody to be able to warm up and pitch almost every other day. So, in the end, they'll have Nieve throw every 5th day and keep him in line to be a starter... and if his arm is able to withstand the strain of bullpen work, they'll be able to move him there (if the starting job doesn't work out). Kind of similiar to Chad Qualls' path to the majors.
I know it's easy to second guess, but again why was Jennings (like Oswalt) pulled when he was. I know it was the 7th but he only had thrown 75 pitches. Does Garner just not want to tax the pitchers too early? Might not have changed the outcome, but if you're pitchers are working through the other team's lineup with ease, why not keep them in there?
Couple of things here - first, it's the first game of the season. I'm not sure how many pitches he threw in spring training, but normally you work pitchers in slowly to start the season. Also, the pinch hit is what got us the lead in the first place (I think), so it's hard to argue that call. Finally, if we can't ultimately trust Qualls/Wheeler/Lidge (or at least Qualls/Wheeler), we're not going to win many games this season anyway, so it really doesn't matter.
Well, definetly a disappointing start to the season. But there is still 160 more games IIRC. Go Stros.
I understand not wanting to tax your starters too early. That's fine. But I would expect and hope as the season progresses that they are allowed to go deeper if warranted. I don't think that sends the message that you don't trust your bullpen; but I do think allowing your number 1 and 2 guys to go into the late innings when they're working through the other team's lineup with ease would help save the bullpen (who are most likely are gonna be called upon a lot to support our 3-5 guys). Jennings came out with the game tied. And Palmeiro did score the go ahead run true. But, I think I would have liked to have seen him go a few more innings, the way he was pitching, since you had the top of the order coming up anyways. At least, I don't want to always see our starters yanked in situations like that....and that's not a knock on Qualls, Wheeler or Lidge.
absolutely. there's no production at 3-4-5 right now. i don't expect berkman and lee to be this quiet all season long.
You know, as much as I can't stand the whining and moaning and doomsaying that goes in Astro-land year after year, I have to say that I miss the strong starts the Astros had 97-99. It's getting old having to say, "It's still early," year after year. I hope this club turns its April around rather than all of us hoping it turns its season around.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH DAN WHEELER IS TERRIBLE! HE SHOULD BE IN THE MINORS! CUT DAN WHEELER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Sure does sound stupid after 1.2% of the season is completed.
did you forget how strongly they started last season?? they won their first 7 series...and had one of the best records in all of baseball at then end of April. more proof that limited sample sizes in baseball don't mean much.
Let's see if we can script a worst start to a season. How about two blown saves, weak hitting, especially by your two most expensive players, before the home crowd, to one of the weakest teams in baseball who did not win one game in your stadium last season. That would be awful right, a PR disaster. The only thing worse, being swept. So far, the Astros are making the Pirates look like the Yankees of the Fifties. Ugly. Yes, it is a long season, but it could be a really long season if they continue to play like this. Why do they even have a preseason?
Yes. Yes, I did. And 2004, too, for that matter. Momentary insanity. Move along; nothing to see here.
yankees of the 50's? the bucs have scored 7 runs in 2 games. our starting pitching has been nothing short of awesome. they haven't exactly looked like murderer's row. you're right...if carlos lee and lance berkman never hit, we're in trouble. otherwise, we might be just fine. guess which side of that bet i'd take.
have you seen him? he looks lost out there!!! he's a shell of his former self. he's psychologically damaged. no one will take him...just let him go.
