Well the winner of this game does go to the world series for their respective league, so yes. but in terms of not cracking a wise-ass joke , maybe it is. We we're doing pretty well there for a while getting back on track and then we obviously stumbled in the KC series. To win this series would be just another series win to the untrained eye, but in terms of long-term reprocussions it could be huge. After all, the rocket's coming back and if he wins tonight is one thing. However, being the pivotal boost that our team needs to get off their ass would mean a great deal more than tonight's start.
I think it could be a pivotal game, but not in terms of win-loss. Remember we're facing on the best young aces in the game so it's gonna be a battle. I think it hinges on Clemens' performance. If he comes in and brings the usual intensity and fire and pitches a great game, I think that'll give the team and the city a boost, even if we lose 1-0, 2-0, 2-1. If we win it'll be huge too. But it's even entirely possible for him to stumble a little bit in his first first start (like he did in Round Rock). The biggest thing is he's back! 3 hours to liftoff!
Deuce Deuce baby!! #22, on 22nd, 22 yr old opposer, it's supposed to be Texas Exes night at MMP, geeze, I think we got the superstition sewn up.
People will tune in to see Clemens... but tommorow, they'll be talking about Liriano. The kid is that good.
That list splitter was nasty... if he has that going tonight (or for the rest of the season), things could be really good.
Yea.... but he's never really struggled with getting ahead in the count with those.... but still having that splitter pitch to put guys away with could save him from hitters extending him deep in counts, making him throw a lot of pitches, and having to leave the game by the 6th inning. If his splitter has that perfect location... where its close enough to be a strike, but still dives out of the zone, hitters are going to have to offer at it (as opposed to the one in the dirt).
What are we thinking about the velocity so far. Looks like he's sitting at 90-91, topping out at 92. Will this improve over a couple of starts?
I dunno... you gotta figure the adrenaline couldn't be any higher, and the arm strength is about as good as it gets... you'd think he'd be juicing some of these. Although, it looks like he's sacraficing speed for location... and he did let one go to Torii Hunter at 93 mph, where it looked like he didnt' care if he hit it. At this point in his career, its all about location... Roger at 91 mph with good location is just about as good as Roger at 96 mph but over the plate. That last fastball, however, was 93... right over the plate... and Bartlett couldn't touch it. He can still reach back.
Roger won't pitch past the 5th... but there's a good chance the Astros aren't going to score any runs anyways tonight.
