See, I think it's too early to say that. The offense might not be as good as it looked when they were at nearly the top of the NL in every category, and the offense is not as bad as it looks right now. It's called a slump, and slumps end. Remember last year, we were all flailing about in the dirt like a landed fish over the "horrible offense", which proceeded to be 5th best in the NL after the All-Star break. I think, if no changes were made, the net result of this offense will be closer to what we saw in April that what we've seen in May.
Maybe MSN, but the Stros only have 3 good hitters in their lineup, based on career numbers. Biggio, Ensberg & Berkman......the rest are unproven at best. Our starting outfield is really bad. Taveres - Infield hits last year, now hitting harder, but production weak Lane - Dierker was right, a good 4th outfielder. Wilson - Captain K - nuff said. Shortstop Everett - .225 now....wow, great D, but awful O Catcher Ausmus - pleasant surprise, but can he keep it up ? Pitcher - automatic out. Too many easy outs on this team, you pitch around Ensberg and Berkman, and you are out of trouble. Burke & Lamb could be the answer if you can get them both on the field by moving Berkman to the outfield in RF, and Burke in LF and benching Wilson and Lane. DD
I actually somewhat agree with this. I think we really REALLY need a left handed power bat in the middle of the lineup. I've been saying this for awhile, and I think one possible answer could be within our organization with Lamb. I also think Burke should get more ABs when he gets back. The only problem is that I have a problem with benching Lane because he's adjusted to the new organizational emphasis on taking pitches and OBP. And I don't like benching Wilson either because we signed him as a FA. It doesn't reflect well to bench guys we sign. I'd give him another month to work through a slump, then maybe look to switching things up with Burke or possibly at the deadline. I don't see us adding anything at the deadline offensively, mainly due to financial reasons because I think Roger will be back.
Well that was an awesome game. Glad we finally won another series, even if it took that pushover of a team from Arlington. GO STROS! Oh, and congrats to Buch....that was an awesome game he pitched today.
Well the streaky and the never-was struck today. Both 2run HR's. Please bash the dudes before EVERY game. Go Stros.
I could honestly care less about division championships. Look at all the division titles the team won in the late 90's, yet no postseason glory. Hell look at the Cards now. I'm almost resigned to the fact that the Cards would take the division anyways. The focus should be to get to the postseason, whichever way it takes. And everybody goes through slumps. This team and this offense is no different. And really the offense has been getting it done for the most part. But it's kind of hard to get something going when your pithcer spots the other team a 6-7 run lead. If the starting rotation can put up quality starts, the bats will answer...like they did today.
If Bucholz can give us solid starts on a consistent basis (not complete game shutouts every time, obviously) this is a completely different team. If he can become that solid #3 guy in the rotation, with Oswalt and Pettitte up top, and give us a legitimate advantage over other starters then this team can do big things. Then you fill out the rest of the rotation with Backe when he gets back, and Wandy, this is a nasty rotation. Not to mention the possibility of Roger coming back. Nieve I don't think will last all season in the rotation regardless of his performance.
As said above... that "fighting" they did at each of the last 2 seasons served them pretty damn good, as it gave them all the momentum they needed to take care of those Braves (who've done nothing but relax the last month of the season, for the last 10 years). And, even if you're sick of "fighting" for the WC... you can't be sick of making the post-season. With the Cardinals on pace to win 100 games, you stay around 5-7 back of them, and you're pretty much assured of winning the WC. Also, you guys seriously have to stop the rash judgements after individual games/series. Relax... take it easy... enjoy watching baseball. The season doesn't "traditionally" start till Memorial Day anyways... these first two months gave all teams and players plenty of times to go on their hot/cold streaks, and now you'll see their overall stats normalize more towards what you can expect for the entire season. Time to get some road wins...
Hell, with the way he pitched the previous two games, he would have been excited just getting thru 5 innings without giving up the 8 runs he thought was becoming customary.
We went to the game yesterday, and I have two questions. What the hell is up with 59, and what is up with the outfield grass?
"Captain K"'s career numbers, on which you say you have based your claim, are 101 RBI's nad 29 HR per 162 games. Even at .264/.333 for avg/obp, I'll take that. Especially at 5 or 6 in the lineup. Like I said, we're getting myopic on the slump once again. The past two years the Astros have made us look stupid for that, and it just might happen again. One more thing -- Burke is just as unproven as Willy T or Lane! "Unproven at best" seems a bit disingenuous when in the next breath you argue for a guy whose only regular season experience garnered some pretty Everett-like offensive numbers - .248/.309, 26 RBIs in 108 games. Nice homer and all, but unproven.
No doubt that Burke is unproven, my point is to give him a chance, as the other guys are not performing. As for Wilson, a lot of those numbers were generated when he played at Coors field, and he clearly is not the same player. DD
Based on three weeks? Come on, man. His home/road splits show that those were indeed not "Coors-only" numbers, and indeed he was a productive bat in Washington last year as well. He's been hitting the ball lately, and his average has climbed some. If he doesn't even have 40 RBI by the ASB, you have a legitimate complaint IMO. Until then, I think it's far too early.
Fair enough, but my point is that I don't think we can wait until the All Star break. This team has gotten extremely lucky to get to the post season these last 2 years, and this year it looks even tougher. Overall, the Astros are far weaker this year than last, if Clemens comes back, that could change, but right now, they can not afford to fall too far behind. Yes, I understand slumps and hot streaks, but games in May count as much as games in September, and right now this team is digging itself a hole, and eventually the magic will run out and they will not be able to dig themselves out of that hole. Wilson and Lane are simply not getting the job done, maybe it is time to try a new direction, at least put some pressure on their jobs...... DD
That was said verbatim last year of 2004. That was *also* said, almost verbatim, in 2005 of 2004. ....also said last year Yeah, and last year it was Lane and Everett. Or Lane and Burke (who sucked HARD the whole time he was filling in during the early summer). In other words, if you're going to be doom and gloom and the end is near, can you at least come up with some new copy?
MSN, So what if it was said last year, this is a WHOLE NEW YEAR, teams have improved, and there are a lot more teams in the hunt through most of May. Saying "it was said last year" is irrelevant to this year. The team is weaker by far....and last years team was weaker than the prior years team, at least offensively. Yes, we may squeek in again, but wouldn't you rather be in St. Louis shoes and win the division? Why settle for a WC fight? DD
