2.5 games up on Arizona for the best record in the NL. Did not realize that. Yes, I know that I blasted the Astros many times early in the season, but bottom line, they deserved it then, and not now. Just think where the Astros would be with Bottenfield, Lima, and Elarton. Probably 56-80 instead of 80-56. Hunsicker finally got out of that old routine of relying on experienced pitching, and this year has gone to promising young talent like Oswalt and Hernandez, who have saved the season so far. The Hun deserves to be commended for this. I still have questions about the team, though. Assuming they make the playoffs, Will Bags and Bidge finally come around in the playoffs at the plate? Will Dierker suddenly make quality managing decisons to get the Astros over the playoff Hump? Based on that last Cubs series, I doubt it. Just curious, has Bagwell won a gold glove yet? I mean, this year more than any other, I have seen him make some outstanding and game-saving plays that have put me in awe. I've seen Bagwell save Biggio throwing errors like six times this year. Seems like Bags always scoops balls successfully out of the dirt. He should win the gold glove this year. Assuming the Astros do not choke and make it into the postseason, I'll be very curious to see how the results go. You know, if the team could just win ONE playoff series. It would light the city on fire.
So very true, JBII. This town is waiting to explode as soon as the 'Stros can win a playoff series. Nice take. By the way, it reads much better on this BBS than it does at www.astrosconnection.com.
Crap...the Cubs are really starting to pick it up, while the Astro's bats are fading. I am just hoping and praying that Berkman, Alou and Biggio's bats can wake up because as of now there are many holes in the lineup. I hope it's only a short time before our offense catches fire again. As for the playoffs, if we make it the rotation should look like this: Oswalt Reynolds Miller Astacio Hernandez? And please Dierker, get Lugo out of the freaking lineup! Watching him commit error after error and strike out time after time makes me wince in pain. He's not exactly easy on the eyes, anyway. I just really dislike Julio Lugo's game. If he can sit out three or four games than that would be great...I can't even remember his last homer. When was it, 2 months ago? And after observing their performances, why not put Jose Vizcaino at short regularly? Man. And Mike Jackson...the poor guy seems to crumble whenever we need him most. The perfect Astros game Batting order: Biggio Vizcaino (Lugo at end of game) Bagwell Berkman Alou Hidalgo Castilla Ausmus pinch-hitter: Ward or Merced Starting pitcher: Roy Oswalt (7 innings) Reliever: Octavio Dotel (8th inning) Closer: Bill Wagner (save) --- I'm so excited...I just scored tickets to the Cubs game on Friday night the 21st!
<B>And please Dierker, get Lugo out of the freaking lineup! Watching him commit error after error and strike out time after time makes me wince in pain. </B> Defensively, Lugo has more range than Vizcaino and has made fewer errors per chance. Lugo has a better fielding percentage, zone rating, and range factor. The reason he looks worse is that he has many more chances to look worse. Lugo has 19 errors in 105 games started; Viz has 8 errors in 31 games started. However, offensively, Viz is on a streak (~0.380 in August?), so he should definitely keep starting for now -- that's exactly what he's been doing. He's started almost every game the last 2 weeks or so. Over the course of the season, though, Lugo is about even offensively. Viz has a better average; Lugo has more power; they have about equal OBP.
The team will use a 4 man rotation in the playoffs. If Astacio is not ready, then don't be surprised if Dierker goes with Mliki if we are ahead in the series. If we are behind, then he will bring back his game 1 starter on three days rest. As for who that game 1 starter will be...who knows. I vote for Oswalt, but my vote doesn't count. I have tickets for that one as well. I'll be in the club level.
shanna, julio lugo had an "injury" to one of his knees that kept him out a couple of games (philly series I think). But Vizcaino has not started every game the past 2 weeks. Maybe 4 or 5. I know that Lugo can be good. He had homeruns in two consecutive games this year, which was pretty sweet. But he is downright sucking right now. Give him a few games off; that seemed to help him overcome his last horrible slump. All I'm saying is Viz has been a lot more effective recently, so why start Lugo? Behad - My heart will literally break if I see Dave Mlicki in any way, shape or form on the mound during the playoffs. Uh uh. No. Not against the offenses in the playoffs. Come On, Octavio, Let's Start Another Scoreless Streak!
I've had this sig. for over 6 months, everyone blasted me for it. Now, everyone is on the bandwagon. Real fans believe from the start!
Actually lugo went 2-3 tonite with 3 walks. But he has cost us several times in the last couple of weeks.
He has cost the Astros <b>several</b> times the past 2 weeks? How has he cost the Astros several times? The Astros are 14-6 the past 20 games even though the entire offense has been mired in a collective slump. In the last 10 games (where Lugo has been healthy) the Astros are 7-3. During the 3 losses Lugo was 2-2, 2-4 and 0-2. I'll be the first to admit that Lugo has been a disappointment the 2nd half of this season, but to say he has cost the Astros <b>several</b> times over the past 2 weeks is unfounded.
<B>shanna, julio lugo had an "injury" to one of his knees that kept him out a couple of games (philly series I think). But Vizcaino has not started every game the past 2 weeks. Maybe 4 or 5. </B> You're right -- for some reason, I remember Viz starting a lot more. However, in the last 2+ weeks, we have gone 14-4. Lugo started the majority of those games... Viz started in 3 of the 4 losses.
Another amazing performance by Roy Oswalt. If he had been starting all season for us, I have no doubt that Roy would be the leading ROY candidate. What Pujols is doing is pretty amazing for a rookie, but the numbers that Oswalt are putting up are of Cy Young quality. The main difference is the length of time the players have been doing it. At this point, I don't think Roy will end up pitching enough to "earn" the award. But make no mistake, what he is doing, compared to his peers (meaning other pitchers) is more impressive than what Pujols is doing compared to his peers (other hitters). And on top of all this, Roy is pitching in a hitters park, perhaps the most difficult park to pitch in outside of Coors (very debatable).
Roy O. is da man! shanna, you're right. As long as the Astros keep winning, I shouldn't care that much. He did have a niiice few at-bats last night. (Man, look at that mug though). Now they're leading the Reds 10-3...without Baggy, Mo and Lugo! How f-cking sweet is that? My mullet man VIIIIINNY! You rock, dude! And rkman, I feel like an idiot for doubting the Astros! True blue fans like you definitely deserve their props. Cheers.
Castilla is the man tonight! The Stros are a sight to behold. All the way baby! ARGH!!!! HERE THEM ROAR!
And the Cubs just lost in the bottom of the 9th to the Marlins. 5 game lead is looking pretty good right now. STROS !! DaDakota
They blew a 5-run lead !!!! Is it too early to talk magic #'s. Hehe, we still have to play them 6 more times though.
