Getting swept by the Cubs, middle relief is sucking, the starting pitching has been on and off, and the batting hasn't been there. What happened to the team that experts were predicting that we were going to the World Series?
Well, injuries have hampered the starting pitchers, so I dont blame them as much. The real problem is the Astros have some of the worst opportunity hitters in the game of baseball. Collectively, they suck at getting the big hit when it is needed. Thery are one of the worst comeback teams in the MLB this year. And do you notice how Bagwell does a lot of his damage at the plate when the game as long been since decided. Why does Bagwell always hit a 3 run-bomb when the Astros are up 7-2 in the 7th inning? How about getting more hits in closer games, instead of whiffing at 95 mph fastballs with runners on base and down 2-1 in the 9th. This has been happening for years now. And I blame Bagwell and Biggio for being too nice, they only lead by example. They are solid nice guys but that is it. There is no attitude in the clubhouse.
We have to many power hitters, rather than contact hitters with speed. Our OF is horrible. Bags and Biggio aren't good team leaders. Bagwell doesn't even enjoy the game anymore with his shoulder injury. We need more fire in the clubhouse. I'm sick of hearing we still have X amount of games left. Why can't this team ever go on winnning streaks like Oakland, Boston, and NY? No enthusiasm, that's why. Just be glad we play in the NL, not the AL or we would never make the playoffs.
I put the blame squarely on the offense, and this series should be a prime example of that alone. Miller, Redding, and Oswalt all pitched good enough to win... and in each case, the offense scored 2, 1, and 2 runs respectively. Miller was the only one even close to tasting victory, until Dotel and Berkman coughed it up. Even though Oswalt ended up giving 4ER (and thus not a quality start), his fate was sealed when the 'Stros were unable to garner a lead throughout the game, despite facing a retread left-hander (I though this team only got shut down by power right handers). Despite our middle-relief woes (what team doesn't have these?), our team ERA is still very respectable... good enough to win a bunch of games. Our hitting, however, is dropping faster than the old Sky Screamer at Astroworld (what a great ride). We're now SEVENTH in total runs scored, near the worst in the NL in hitting homeruns (which, when you play most of your games at MMP, is laughable), and there's only one hitter in this lineup whom the opposing manager has to avoid on a nightly basis.... its pretty easy to pitch around that.
I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of McLane and Jimy. The players are at no fault whatsoever.
This team needs to be blown up. Biggio and Bagwell both suck. They've sucked for years now. Any other talent that comes in falls in line with their monotone, deliberate, stale character. Berkman sucks. Kent's OK. Lane sucks. Ausmus sucks. Everett's OK. My jury is still out on Ensberg. None of them are clutch. This team needs a serious attitude change. Maybe they should rethink their plan and try bringing in some players of color also. It worked for all th other teams in the 50s.
you right.......what has biggio done this year but play an average CF and be one of the best lead-off hitters in the game.....what has bagwell done but keep going out there w/ an aching shoulder, still hitting and helping this team win.......dont even get me started on Berkman, just look at his stats......Kent has been great this year, did you forget the 28 game hit streak....apparently so......Ensberg power numbers are botherin but he's still been swinging a decent bat, he's the only one im concerned about. oh yeah and by the way, ur color remark is just stupid......the astros are in a funk, they'll break out of it eventually. Just be a true fan and stick w/ them until they break out and stop criticizing players......it gets u nowhere...
wow, talk about losing all credibility with one post. The best 2nd baseman in baseball and the 2nd best LF behind Bonds. right
I agree w/ ur speed theory.....the astros are a team that is capable of pounding u into submission, but when they dont do that, they cant play small ball to beat you b/c they're not fast enough......the only players w/ any speed at all are Everett and Biggio. Hopefully Tavaras and Burke will be our answer to our speed problem in the future........
I'm not ready to pull the rip cord yet, as it's only June... I'd rather them slump now than in August/Sept... They will re-group and start a long win streak...Hell, if Tampa Bay can do it, so can we... Go Stros'...
Take a good look at the roster. It is what it is. I've taken off the blinders. You should do the same.
Yes, it's June, but they better wake up an realize that June is almost over and a loss is a loss. And with this clubhouse I doubt you will see any long winning streaks. This team has always been inconsistant and have never seemed to fire on all cylinders at the same time.
On the contrary, there are definitely times when this team fires on all cylynders... especially in late July thru August (based on the last 3 years)... but they normally start off slow, and end up really slow (which leads to the eventual playoff downfall). This year, they flip-flopped, by having a hot start wiht a sub-par June (leaving them at .500).
At least we have really defined your argument. We'll ignore the numbers and say that Berkman and Kent suck...apparently because they are white. Good job.
There is no such thing as an "oppurtunity hitter". There is no such thing as a clutch player in baseball.
