[Official] Pirates @ Astros

The Astros get caught stealing for a league leading 22nd time. This is a real problem.

If Lee doesn't try to steal, we're up 2-1 right now instead of tied.

 

Do you think that if Lee is called safe, then the exact same pitches and hits would have occurred? For one thing, if Lee had still been on base, Snell would have been pitching from the stretch instead of the wind up. For all we know, Blum would have lined into a DP if Lee had been called safe at 2nd.

 

So the options now are Ortiz(yuck), Backe(before releasing him), or Bazardo from AAA.

 

your point is well taken, but you never want to lose base runners like this team has been. this current squad is one of the worst(if not the worst) base running teams i've ever seen.

 

Good points, bobrek. I jumped to a conclusion about the scoring.

Basestealing is still a problem though. Last season, all our efforts were estimated to have a net zero effect. This season, it's certainly hurt us so far. I don't think anybody other than Bourn and Matsui, when healthy, should be stealing bases. Pence, despite his speed, hasn't shown to be good at it. I'm not sure why the latter is the case.

 

And the last time Lee attempted to steal a base this season, it directly led to a run. I don't have a problem with Lee trying to get to 2nd base there instead of relying on Blum and Keppinger to get back to back hits to score a run.

 

Fair enough, maybe we just need to be smarter about when we try to steal. The big picture though, if you buy the estimates, is that basestealing efforts over the last season and a half have hurt the Astros. Something does seem to need to change.

 

I just always find it interesting that fans, sportscasters, sports writers, etc., always assume the exact same things would happen if the past changed.

 

I agree and usually make the same kind of argument you made to correct me, not just regarding baseball but all sports. I was just wrong in that case. A lot of people do have a shortsighted look at situations like that but there are others that realize what you do.

 

Bourn gets on base for the second time in the game and Tejada erases him for the second time with a GIDP

 

JD called that!

 

It's amazing, you never have anything positive to say.

 

CALL UP BAZARDO!

 

Yes I do, refer to the Rockies-Astros thread for example where I predicted a 4 game sweep and that we would get back into the playoff race.

Good job by Ortiz today in long relief....

 

that's my choice, but i don't run the team....
i think they'll give backe a shot at it.

 

Well, Ortiz made his case today. He's been pretty good this year when he keeps his walks down.

 

i figure he stays in long relief and backe(who has shown he isn't going to get it done in relief-at least in his first 2 outings) gets to start twice before they decide what to do with him.

 

man, Ortiz makes me nervous. solid performance

 

Finally... somebody gets a walk off Snell.

 

and the walk becomes a run, and then lee runs himself into another out...