DogBelly. I hope you dont mean starting pitching has been the difference, because outside of Oswalt, and Miller they staff has either sucked or been moderately affective at best. Do you realize the stros have the National leauges highest ERA? I think their turaround is in the Bullpen. Last year they were horrible. This year Wagner is back to form. Mike Jackson has been outstanding, and even Dotel has been pretty great. Redding has an ERA over 6. Elarton gave up what 24 yacks before the all star break...He was on pace to be out yacked than Limas disasterous 2000 campain. Lima stunk, Shane has been barely if not underaverage. Bottenfield has been poor. Wade has been blasted at times this year. Oswalt had a bad outing last game. I dont think starting pitching has been the difference. Bullpen. And Alou and Berkman carrying this team early had been it. ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
Soon you will be able to add to the Marlins list, JOSH BECKETT. The Spring, TX native has super, super, super star written all over him, he is absolutely dominating hitters in the minors. In High A ball this year he was 6-0 with a 1.23 ERA, in 13 Games. He had thrown 65.2 innings allowing only 32 hits striking out 101 and given up a measly 15 walks. He moved to AA in june and has gone 3-1 w/ 1.91, struck out 35 in 33 IP while only giving up 26 hits. The 4 some of Beckett, Penny, Dempster & Burnett has the highest ceiling of anyone in MLB. They could become a BETTER version of the Braves Glavine/Smoltz/Maddux. Of course Florida will never be able to pay them, so they may end up on the Braves or Yankees. ------------------ Now this shirt is chafing me
