Astros this spring
- Thread starter Beau Vine
- Start date
hudsonhorn
500+ Posts
Who?
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Seems like someone always mentions the Rangers on every Astro post. Not sure why.
Anyways -- starting pitching, starting pitching, starting pitching. Roy seems on schedule despite the non-standard routine. Last year did not start off well for him. This year it seems he's rounded into form quicker. Too bad he didnt pull Peavy in.
Hampton just went 5 shutout innings against NYY. Thats a hope and a prayer, but would be a great story.
Wandy, Ortiz, Moehler -- who knows with these guys? If Wandy ever found the same confidence he has at home while pitching away, he could win 18-20. But it never seems to get better. I was really hoping Pauilino would step up, but it looks like Capellan was the one to do that. Sampson had surgery.
As to Pudge, it looks like a total joke until you look at the other catchers. Desperation move.
As to Chris Johnson, looks like he may get his chance now with Boone out.
As to the hitting overall -- pretty embarrassing, but we all know it doesnt mean doodley. Matsui hits pretty well for a 2b, he just needs to stay healthy (and perhaps correct whatever bad habits it is that lead to fissures). Lee and Lance both will hit too. Hunter and Bourne? These two could be keys to a decent year. They are supposed to be teaching Bourne to hit grounders, something I begged for last year. That guy could hit .290 just beating out grounders We must have a higher OBA from him. And I dont know what to say about Hunter -- hope for the best. He at least has the potential, something that cant be said for every position. If they all perform as they are paid to do, thats a pretty good 1-5 top of the order.
Catcher and 3rd are looking pretty sad. And then there is the SS position. Not the best situation. The Astros have had a blck hole in the bottom of the lineup for more years than the Rangers have been playing.
In sum, despite the exhibition season, I find some reason for optimism. As I do every Spring. We will be throwing some damaged starting pitchers out there, but if they hold together, things will go better. The bullpen seems exactly the same, which is serviceable. If the old Pence returns, if Bourne gets on base more, and if the pitchers hold up, they could play above .500.
Anyways -- starting pitching, starting pitching, starting pitching. Roy seems on schedule despite the non-standard routine. Last year did not start off well for him. This year it seems he's rounded into form quicker. Too bad he didnt pull Peavy in.
Hampton just went 5 shutout innings against NYY. Thats a hope and a prayer, but would be a great story.
Wandy, Ortiz, Moehler -- who knows with these guys? If Wandy ever found the same confidence he has at home while pitching away, he could win 18-20. But it never seems to get better. I was really hoping Pauilino would step up, but it looks like Capellan was the one to do that. Sampson had surgery.
As to Pudge, it looks like a total joke until you look at the other catchers. Desperation move.
As to Chris Johnson, looks like he may get his chance now with Boone out.
As to the hitting overall -- pretty embarrassing, but we all know it doesnt mean doodley. Matsui hits pretty well for a 2b, he just needs to stay healthy (and perhaps correct whatever bad habits it is that lead to fissures). Lee and Lance both will hit too. Hunter and Bourne? These two could be keys to a decent year. They are supposed to be teaching Bourne to hit grounders, something I begged for last year. That guy could hit .290 just beating out grounders We must have a higher OBA from him. And I dont know what to say about Hunter -- hope for the best. He at least has the potential, something that cant be said for every position. If they all perform as they are paid to do, thats a pretty good 1-5 top of the order.
Catcher and 3rd are looking pretty sad. And then there is the SS position. Not the best situation. The Astros have had a blck hole in the bottom of the lineup for more years than the Rangers have been playing.
In sum, despite the exhibition season, I find some reason for optimism. As I do every Spring. We will be throwing some damaged starting pitchers out there, but if they hold together, things will go better. The bullpen seems exactly the same, which is serviceable. If the old Pence returns, if Bourne gets on base more, and if the pitchers hold up, they could play above .500.
IsThatATitleist?
250+ Posts
Sign Pedro.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Two in a row! Look out central.
Here is something else -- Cooper was quoted as discussing putting the Pudgster in the 2 hole. Dude couldnt hit his weight when he was with NY. Seems like two out with no one on for Lance is a recipe for failure. I just dont get it.
While I will admit that post-steroids Pudge can still prolly hit better, and is a better defensive-catcher/signal-caller than the other choices on the roster, he has done nothing recently to show deserves to bat second. If Cooper is determined to move Matsui down in the order, then I would rather see Hunter or even Tejada there b4 Ivan.
Here is something else -- Cooper was quoted as discussing putting the Pudgster in the 2 hole. Dude couldnt hit his weight when he was with NY. Seems like two out with no one on for Lance is a recipe for failure. I just dont get it.
While I will admit that post-steroids Pudge can still prolly hit better, and is a better defensive-catcher/signal-caller than the other choices on the roster, he has done nothing recently to show deserves to bat second. If Cooper is determined to move Matsui down in the order, then I would rather see Hunter or even Tejada there b4 Ivan.
Orangesweat
2,500+ Posts
The Rangers had better win 91, because the Astros are winning 90.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Four (4) !
They are sweating in Chicago (okay, they do that anyway).
Hey didnt the Astros have the best record in the NL last season after the AS break (w/o Lee)? So, - Wolf/Wiggy but + Hampton/Ortiz/Pudge/ and full year from Carlos. Is that net neutral, positive or negative?
I saw something else about those PECOTA projections noted above. I originally assumed they must have used Towles' minor league stats, but just read they dont. IMO, that makes this projection pretty suspect. I dont think the algorithm ever actually saw one of his at bats in the bigs. Scared bunny comes to mind. I recall he got knocked down a few times just making contact.
Hey didnt the Astros have the best record in the NL last season after the AS break (w/o Lee)? So, - Wolf/Wiggy but + Hampton/Ortiz/Pudge/ and full year from Carlos. Is that net neutral, positive or negative?
I saw something else about those PECOTA projections noted above. I originally assumed they must have used Towles' minor league stats, but just read they dont. IMO, that makes this projection pretty suspect. I dont think the algorithm ever actually saw one of his at bats in the bigs. Scared bunny comes to mind. I recall he got knocked down a few times just making contact.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Six!!!! lmao
They have not lost since being called out by the Vine. Cleary the Astros read HF.
Dude, you got any guranteed to go up stock tips ( I can short)?
Another HR today by Lumpy (2 in 2 starts). Team hitting slowly turning around as lesser players move on. Starting pitching rounding into form. Ortiz got pretty good work today against Cards with most starters. If he and the Hampster can hold themselves together.......
They have not lost since being called out by the Vine. Cleary the Astros read HF.
Dude, you got any guranteed to go up stock tips ( I can short)?
Another HR today by Lumpy (2 in 2 starts). Team hitting slowly turning around as lesser players move on. Starting pitching rounding into form. Ortiz got pretty good work today against Cards with most starters. If he and the Hampster can hold themselves together.......
YeaTexasFight
1,000+ Posts
they are a second half team...apparently that applies to spring training as well.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
How f'n hilarius is that, Beau Nostradamus Didley?
Roy throws 96 pitches, gets by the Phils.
Here is the apparent opening day order --
2B Matsui
C Pudgester
1B Lance
LF Carlos
SS Tejada
RF Hunter
3B Geoff Blum
CF Jason Bourne
RHP Roy Oswalt
Doesnt seem quite so bad now, at least not as bad as it seemed 10 days ago.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
10 of final 12 Florida games
Rumors of Astros death greatly exagerated, aka BS (bovine scatology).
Jeff Keppinger, 29 -- career .287 hitter in only 243 games with Mets, Royals and Reds. In 2008, he struck out once in every 20.9 plate appearances, the best ratio in the majors.career. Also a .351 avg against lefties and .305 w/ RISP.
Chris Johnson to minors.
Hours after the Astros traded for Keppinger, Florida released 28-year-old third baseman Dallas McPherson who hit 42 HRs in AAA last year.
Mike Lamb was also released.
Rumors of Astros death greatly exagerated, aka BS (bovine scatology).
Jeff Keppinger, 29 -- career .287 hitter in only 243 games with Mets, Royals and Reds. In 2008, he struck out once in every 20.9 plate appearances, the best ratio in the majors.career. Also a .351 avg against lefties and .305 w/ RISP.
Chris Johnson to minors.
Hours after the Astros traded for Keppinger, Florida released 28-year-old third baseman Dallas McPherson who hit 42 HRs in AAA last year.
Mike Lamb was also released.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Opening Day -- Zambrano v. Roy
Opening Week -- 3 v. Flubs; 3 at Cards
Opening Month -- 19 divisional vs all teams with 7 vs. Reds. (+ 3 vs. los dogers). 13 homies, 9 roadies.
------------------------------------------------
Game 1 -- Carlos Zambrano (14-6, 3.91, 1.29 WHIP; Lee, Tejada, Pudge tear him up) v. Oswalt
Game 2 -- Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.96, Lee, Pence, Tejeda, Keppinger hit him hard) v Wandy
Game 3 -- Ted Lilly (17-9, 4.09) v. Moehler
[We miss Carpenter who starts Thurs]
Game 4 -- Hampy v. Joel Pineiro [Stl # 5](7-7, 5.15 but a very good Spring)
Game 5 -- Oswalt v. Adam Wainwright (11-3, 3.20, 132 innings, 91 Ks, 31 BBs)
Game 6 -- Wandy v. Kyle Lohse (15-6, 3.78, 200 innings, 119 Ks, 49 BBs)
----------------------
Cooper says 1, 3, 4, 5 in batting order are set.
He will rotate Pudge, Born and Pence in the 2-hole depending on matchups
(edited: switched Hampton and Moehler in the order)
(edited II -- switched it back, had it right the first time)
Opening Week -- 3 v. Flubs; 3 at Cards
Opening Month -- 19 divisional vs all teams with 7 vs. Reds. (+ 3 vs. los dogers). 13 homies, 9 roadies.
------------------------------------------------
Game 1 -- Carlos Zambrano (14-6, 3.91, 1.29 WHIP; Lee, Tejada, Pudge tear him up) v. Oswalt
Game 2 -- Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.96, Lee, Pence, Tejeda, Keppinger hit him hard) v Wandy
Game 3 -- Ted Lilly (17-9, 4.09) v. Moehler
[We miss Carpenter who starts Thurs]
Game 4 -- Hampy v. Joel Pineiro [Stl # 5](7-7, 5.15 but a very good Spring)
Game 5 -- Oswalt v. Adam Wainwright (11-3, 3.20, 132 innings, 91 Ks, 31 BBs)
Game 6 -- Wandy v. Kyle Lohse (15-6, 3.78, 200 innings, 119 Ks, 49 BBs)
----------------------
Cooper says 1, 3, 4, 5 in batting order are set.
He will rotate Pudge, Born and Pence in the 2-hole depending on matchups
(edited: switched Hampton and Moehler in the order)
(edited II -- switched it back, had it right the first time)
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Two good baseball games to start the season (Lyle Lovett with a cellist at home plate was kinda cool).
I thought Keppinger beat the force at 3rd, but he got them back later. What a great way to break into a new team.
Astros took the season series from the Flubbies last season. Would be nice to take the rubber game here. But Lilly usually mows them down -- only Keppinger has a good avg against (with over 10 ABs). Lance is 1-for-16 against him, Tejada 6-for-33 (.182), Lee 5-for-24 (.208) and Pence 2-for-12.
I thought Keppinger beat the force at 3rd, but he got them back later. What a great way to break into a new team.
Astros took the season series from the Flubbies last season. Would be nice to take the rubber game here. But Lilly usually mows them down -- only Keppinger has a good avg against (with over 10 ABs). Lance is 1-for-16 against him, Tejada 6-for-33 (.182), Lee 5-for-24 (.208) and Pence 2-for-12.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Ive been watching the Astros since they were the Colt 45s and have never seen a single player dominate them like Pujols. It's almost funny.
I was trying to recall someone, anyone who came as close over the years, and this was the best I came up with -- there was a period when Steve Carlton absolutely killed them. If you saw him in the pitching rotation, the game was already over. Guys came up with "tummy aches" just to avoid playing that day. It was as close to an automatic loss as you could get. After that, maybe Fernando.
Anyone have a better example?
But that was pitching. Pujols gets a chance to do that every game, every at bat. It does not seem to matter who is pitching. Lidge was most notable, but it doesnt matter if its Oswalt or any of the lessers. Each time the situation presents itself (and you can usually see it coming 3-4 batters in advance) -- I ask how the hell do they keep getting themselves in that position to begin with -- of having to pitch to him with RISP? It's uncanny how often it happens, and what he does with the opportunity. Baseball is all about stats, probabilties and averages but Pujols vs. the Astros defies all of that. It's sick. I want to hate the guy but can't.
edit: I looked it up out of curiosity. Pujols batted over .300 against Clemens but only 217 v. Pettite (25 PAs). Others -- .348 vs. Wandy, .600 vs. Moehler (17 PAs), 273 vs. Backe, 636 vs. Woody Wms, .304 v. Hampton, .364 v. Ortiz, .235 vs. Lidge, .100 vs. Sampson (10PAs) and .000 vs. Valverde (9 PAs, 2 BBs, 2 Ks). He is .315 career v. Oswalt who he has faced more than any other pitcher. In fairness to Houston pitchers, these results are pretty much across the board. Looking at all pitchers who he has had a minimum of 30 PAs against, the lowest BA is .259 (Carlos Zamabrano) followed by .267 (Ryan Dempster)(nod to Cubs mngmnt). Standing next to Pettite as the best is Brandon Webb (.217 in 26 PAs). But Puhols hits above 300 against the majority of NL starters, .400 against several, .500 against some (Chris Capuano, Paul Maholm, Jimmy Haynes) and .609 against poor Odalis Perez (32 PAs).
Other notables -- 394 v. Brad Penny, 348 v. Mark Prior, .391 v. Tom Glavine, 350 v. Jake Peavy, 429 v. Randy Johnson, 286 v. Billy Wagner, 350 v. Derek Lowe, 368 v. John Smoltz, 392 v. Ben Sheets, 367 v. Jon Lieber, 346 v. Brett Myers and .857 (with an 3.186 OPS) v. Todd Jones
I was trying to recall someone, anyone who came as close over the years, and this was the best I came up with -- there was a period when Steve Carlton absolutely killed them. If you saw him in the pitching rotation, the game was already over. Guys came up with "tummy aches" just to avoid playing that day. It was as close to an automatic loss as you could get. After that, maybe Fernando.
Anyone have a better example?
But that was pitching. Pujols gets a chance to do that every game, every at bat. It does not seem to matter who is pitching. Lidge was most notable, but it doesnt matter if its Oswalt or any of the lessers. Each time the situation presents itself (and you can usually see it coming 3-4 batters in advance) -- I ask how the hell do they keep getting themselves in that position to begin with -- of having to pitch to him with RISP? It's uncanny how often it happens, and what he does with the opportunity. Baseball is all about stats, probabilties and averages but Pujols vs. the Astros defies all of that. It's sick. I want to hate the guy but can't.
edit: I looked it up out of curiosity. Pujols batted over .300 against Clemens but only 217 v. Pettite (25 PAs). Others -- .348 vs. Wandy, .600 vs. Moehler (17 PAs), 273 vs. Backe, 636 vs. Woody Wms, .304 v. Hampton, .364 v. Ortiz, .235 vs. Lidge, .100 vs. Sampson (10PAs) and .000 vs. Valverde (9 PAs, 2 BBs, 2 Ks). He is .315 career v. Oswalt who he has faced more than any other pitcher. In fairness to Houston pitchers, these results are pretty much across the board. Looking at all pitchers who he has had a minimum of 30 PAs against, the lowest BA is .259 (Carlos Zamabrano) followed by .267 (Ryan Dempster)(nod to Cubs mngmnt). Standing next to Pettite as the best is Brandon Webb (.217 in 26 PAs). But Puhols hits above 300 against the majority of NL starters, .400 against several, .500 against some (Chris Capuano, Paul Maholm, Jimmy Haynes) and .609 against poor Odalis Perez (32 PAs).
Other notables -- 394 v. Brad Penny, 348 v. Mark Prior, .391 v. Tom Glavine, 350 v. Jake Peavy, 429 v. Randy Johnson, 286 v. Billy Wagner, 350 v. Derek Lowe, 368 v. John Smoltz, 392 v. Ben Sheets, 367 v. Jon Lieber, 346 v. Brett Myers and .857 (with an 3.186 OPS) v. Todd Jones
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