Huh? On average how many times to starting pitchers pitch in a series? Once? Twice? You're splitting hairs over an average sample size of ONE game. Backe has a sub 3 Era in the playoffs. That's sample size of 5 games. That's among the leaders in astros history.
Except numbers don't suggest that this year's mythical trio is the best. We're not even sure who the #3 is going to be.
Career playoff numbers say otherwise. Clemens' microscopic '05 ERA doubled into his usual postseason regression. Pettite nearly did the same. Truth be told, Andy's regular season was a career aberration, then he quickly remembered who he was in the playoffs... he did even worse than his career numbers actually.
A little least baseball reference era retrospection, and a little more concept of sample size and its effect on "career" numbers. Pettite had a bad game 1 vs STL (with a pretty good game 5 as well as WS). Clemens also had a bad game vs Atlanta, redeemed somewhat by his relief appearance in the 18 inning game. Not sure u were old enough to watch baseball back then... you certainly weren't watching any playoff series in the 80's.
Stop posting about this unless you're willing to have an honest discussion. I dont think this year's trio is light-years ahead of '05.... just saying they're ahead by a little.
This year's trio isn't even a trio yet! Till they become one, they're not ahead. Even then, they'd first have to match the regular season performance (which they won't)... and then they'd have to literally carry a beyond anemic offense to a WS (which they also won't). At the very least, you're soon realizing how silly a discussion of Astros all-time playoff performers really is... they've had 10 playoff teams in their 50+ year franchise history. Their all-time playoff starting pitching statistical leader is Brandon Backe.
The last 3 years have already shown us.... Health is the only factor with that trio. Agreed tremendously... Overall, the Astros history sucks
Probably also not looking at 6 inning sample sizes as though they are meaningful in any way, shape, or form.
Yeah, I'll take our rotation from then over now. Our current is capable up ace performances every time out, but you can't beat the way Clemens was in Houston and Pettitte during the 2005 season.
My criteria has never changed. Some posters misread my thesis, then didn't consider postseason. We all know '05 had the better regular season stats.
Regardless of playoff stats, I still want the better overall guy. I'll take Clemens over Backe and Bagwell at the plate over Terry Puhl any playoff game.
