Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs, 12:05PM CDT
by Stros Bro
on Apr 5, 2008 11:30 AM CDT
Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs
Current Game
Saturday, Apr 5, 2008, 12:05 PM CDT
Wrigley Field
Sunny. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60 with a high of 63
The Astros have now played 5 games to the Cubbies 4 which means Roy Oswalt gets to face the Cubs #5 starter in Jason Marquis. Last season with the Cubs, Jason Marquis was 12-9 with a 4.60 ERA.
Roy-O is looking to come back after a mediocre start against the Cubs on Monday where he went just 5 1/3 innings while giving up 11 hits and 3 runs. Last time out Roy didn't have command of his breaking stuff and continued to feed Padre hitters fastballs. In order for Roy to be effective today against a more potent lineup in the Cubs, he's going to need to be able to use his breaking stuff more effectively.
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If Roy has his stuff
this should be an easy win with the wind blowing out. That's more favorable to us, in my opinion.
by entropic soul on Apr 5, 2008 11:49 AM CDT 0 recs
nice to get the early run
still a wasted opportunity. 1st & 3rd w/ no outs.
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 12:11 PM CDT 0 recs
wow
aggressive baserunning and a timely hit. who are these guys?
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 12:31 PM CDT 0 recs
we specialize in the 1-6-3 DP
so glad we started Bradley today
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 12:33 PM CDT 0 recs
I Do Not
understand. Ausmus is, like, Ivy League, high IQ reads books on political theroy all that shit, right?
Then why why why does he swing at a 3 - 1 pitch in that spot? Doesn't he know that he's a bad hitter, and in that position he has to minimize his chances of FUCKING IT ALL UP?????
If he GIDP's on a 3 - 2 pitch I swear to God I wouldn't be bitching, because it's (heh-heh) Part of His Game. But 3 - 1, Coop ought to fine him, no surfing for one day or something.
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 12:51 PM CDT
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triple off the wall to the catcher
sounds like carlos didn't handle it too well
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 12:39 PM CDT 0 recs
gameday
shows the pitch to marquis as a curveball, down and in
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 12:42 PM CDT
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This game should be
4-0 right now if we do some simple things like not GIDP and get the opposing pitcher out.
by entropic soul on Apr 5, 2008 12:44 PM CDT 0 recs
agreed
our bats haven't held up their end of the bargain this week. can't imagine how bad the stats would look if not for the 9 run game against the Pads.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 12:47 PM CDT
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on the plus side
I think we will do much better at Minute Maid Park this year with Tejada
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
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cubs fans
are saying that was a really good play by Tejada to get Soriano
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 12:48 PM CDT 0 recs
so much for
Lance owning Jason Marquis. two meek grounder so far today.
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 12:51 PM CDT 0 recs
This is really a game
that we are supposed to win. The offense not doing great so far. I'm looking at you, Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee.
by entropic soul on Apr 5, 2008 12:58 PM CDT 0 recs
No Problem
Just beat Z tomorrow , right?
Ok, maybe we have a problem.
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 1:07 PM CDT
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maybe we can have someone sneak in
and replace his gatorade w/ red bull
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:10 PM CDT
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ok
that's better. :p
The fans threw the ball back. lol
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 1:00 PM CDT
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it's battling Lees
Carlos goes yard. good guys lead 3-2
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:00 PM CDT 0 recs
Berkman left the game
w/ a stiff neck according to radio report
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:01 PM CDT 0 recs
no word on his replacement yet
radio guys speculating it might be Erstad
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:01 PM CDT
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in four innings!!
Wiggleston gets another hit though. rolled up the 3rd base line, hit the bag and bounced up and off of Aramis Ramirez's chest and into foul territory.
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 1:03 PM CDT
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Roy's WHIP is going to look pretty ragged
after these first two games
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:06 PM CDT 0 recs
Nice to get our own DP
even if it's a bit unconventional.
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:07 PM CDT 0 recs
I don't really see us
scoring in the 5th with Ausmus, Oswalt and Bourn. One problem we have, I think, is that we need to start running more. Soto does not have single caught stealing yet.
by entropic soul on Apr 5, 2008 1:09 PM CDT 0 recs
we've actually been running a lot this year
at least 7 SB in the first week (Bourn 4, Berkman 2, Wigginton 1, that I can remember). Including one by Bourn today. Don't think there have actually been too many ideal running situations today other than the first when Bourn swiped his.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:13 PM CDT
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As we watch
Astros tied for major league lead with the Twins in SBs, Bourn tied with Carlos Gomez for individual lead
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 1:20 PM CDT
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w/ Bourn, Pence and Matsui
we have three realistic threats, and Big Puma has shown he can pick his spots. think the running game will be a plus for us this year.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:22 PM CDT
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Soto
has not thrown anyone out. We should be running all the time on him! :) Ok, 2 SB today is good.
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 1:29 PM CDT
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Ideal situation
anytime Ausmus is batting with a runner on first.
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 1:21 PM CDT
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Berkman's neck
I just arrived. Any update on Berkman's condition?
Is everyone back and accounted for?
by Joe in Birmingham on Apr 5, 2008 1:09 PM CDT 0 recs
nothing other than he left the game w/
either a "stiff neck" or "neck spasms". neither of which sound like an official medical diagnosis. radio guys brought up him getting hit on the neck by a thrown ball when running the bases the other night against the Pads. erstad replaced him at 1B.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:12 PM CDT
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all other NL Central
teams that are playing right now are winning. Brewers, Reds, Cardinals.
Pirates play tonight.
by entropic soul on Apr 5, 2008 1:15 PM CDT 0 recs
And out defense rears its ugly head
that's going to get people talking
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:15 PM CDT 0 recs
Roy hasn't had a good game
at least according to Roy standards, but he hasn't been horrible either. no BB or K's today.
Be nice when he actually gets his first Roy start of the year.
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:16 PM CDT 0 recs
what a bonehead move
for marquis to tag. bourn has shown off his arm a couple times this year.
another unconventional DP.
defense giveth, defense taketh away
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:18 PM CDT 0 recs
Bournnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Is this guy exciting or what? Great throw to third; made it look casual.
Is everyone back and accounted for?
by Joe in Birmingham on Apr 5, 2008 1:19 PM CDT 0 recs
after this week of seeing the Astros
I think this is a much better team than most are giving them credit for. When Hunter settles down this is going to be a great offense and the pitchers have been doing a great job.
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
by Shamus on Apr 5, 2008 1:22 PM CDT 0 recs
i'm not so optimistic
I agree offense is likely to pick up, but it remains to be seen whether Bourn will sustain this level of production. same for the starting position.
for the Astros to significantly improve their win total over last year, it seems like they're going to have to have 5 or 6 things go very well and none of those things have a really high probability.
not that I wouldn't love to see it. my main goal for this year is to finish higher than the Cardinals.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:26 PM CDT
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I have to be optimistic this year
mainly because it's not going to get any better for the foreseeable future. All the Stros best players(Roy,Berkman,Lee,Tejada) are going to get a year older on the wrong side of 30 and there isn't any pitching help coming in. It is pretty much all or nothing right now.
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
by Shamus on
Apr 5, 2008 1:31 PM CDT
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no kidding
the future is not bright right now. we've blown the draft completely for the past couple of years.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:33 PM CDT
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Here to Disagree
Ther biggest problem with our minor league system is that Purprua and Wade traded much of it away.
A year ago 90% of all Astros fans (and most of the pundits who routinely bash our farm system) had never heard of JR Towles. And look who had the big homer yesterday.
You know, if the 2006 draft sucked, OK. But don't claim you can say that until, like 2011
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 1:45 PM CDT
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the "prospects" they traded were consistently rated in the bottom of MLB
Towles notwithstanding, who looks to be developing into a solid contributor at catcher, but is probably not an All Star caliber player, none of our prospects were the type of front-line players a team like the Astros needs to develop in the minors. There were no Oswalts, Berkmans, or even Pences left among that group. Not to say there may not have been guys who could contribute at the MLB level, but not guys you could build a team around.
And last year in particular, when you don't sign a player for the first four rounds, you've blown the draft. McLane's insistence on sticking to this slotting system if handcuffing us when the Yankees and BoSox laugh at Selig and do what they like.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:56 PM CDT
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agree and disagree
Towles is exactly the kind of catcher that can be an all-star. He has very strong avg ability and can steal 15 bags or so. I will say there is at least one all-star appearance in his future.
I agree and have been saying for about 2 years the Stros prospects are hopeless. There are no impact players there, not even wishful ones. The Astros will be relying on FAs for at least 3 years.
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
by Shamus on
Apr 5, 2008 2:07 PM CDT
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I Certainly
won't disagree with what you say about the Yankees and the Red Sox. And I might say that it kind of sucks that we get punk'd for doing what our good buddy the commisioner asks.
I won't disagree that the first four rounds last year were a disaster--and I'll say that you won't see it happen to any team this year, least of all the Astros.
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 2:12 PM CDT
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it would suck if I have to take back my criticism of Ed Wade
for the Blum and Erstad pickups. At least those guys were both 1 yr/1 M signings. Matsui is still pretty inexcusable.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:30 PM CDT
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No- it would be great . . .
if we were forced to admit Wade was a genius for signing Blum and Erstad.
Jury still out for a long time I think on Matsui. if nothing else, having a chain smoker around can't be fun for the rest of the players.
Astro fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on
Apr 5, 2008 1:34 PM CDT
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damn
now that I know he's a chain smoker I have to like him a little bit now. I hope they let him light up in the dugout. how awesome would that be?
you're right, it would be nice to be proved wrong.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:36 PM CDT
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I like Matsui
After reading the analysis Rastro did on him in the off season, I think he'll be ok. We could use the plus defense at second base anyway. I like Bourn in center and his low batting average isn't bothering me too much at the moment. He needs to start using the bunt though.
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 1:39 PM CDT
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Bourn's tried bunting a few times this week
keeps fouling them off. agree he needs to work on that.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:43 PM CDT
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Darin Erstad, wow look at that.
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 1:31 PM CDT
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Ya
I sure hope Bourn can keep up his .167 average. That'll be tough.
Bourn to Run!
by jsams on Apr 5, 2008 1:29 PM CDT 0 recs
Scary Thing Is
He probably will
He's welcome to prove me wrong, but I see Round Rock in his future.
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on
Apr 5, 2008 1:32 PM CDT
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didn't realize his BA was that low
he's been getting on base at .300+, which is weak, but still an improvement for the 'Stros over last year.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:42 PM CDT
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Boos in Wrigley
Music to my ears
Is everyone back and accounted for?
by Joe in Birmingham on Apr 5, 2008 1:29 PM CDT 0 recs
Tejada robbed!
Great catch by Fukudome robs Tejada of a double and keeps Lee from scoring. Lee tags and moves to third though.
by entropic soul on Apr 5, 2008 1:32 PM CDT 0 recs
interesting by fukudome
don't see how Pinella called for that bunt. nice to get on base, but I think I'd rather him bunt for a single, instead of swing for more bases and face DeRosa.
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:45 PM CDT 0 recs
great play by Tejada
did not think that was an out off the bat
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
by Shamus on Apr 5, 2008 1:50 PM CDT 0 recs
Agree
Tejada has been great in the field today.
by entropic soul on
Apr 5, 2008 1:51 PM CDT
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classy move guys
1300 KVET in Austin drops the Astros halfway thru the inning for Longhorn baseball.
by lnewcomer on Apr 5, 2008 1:51 PM CDT 0 recs
Question
still no MLB package, Gamecasting it. . .
How's Roy's curve?
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on Apr 5, 2008 1:53 PM CDT 0 recs
no curves today
have only seen one really. looks like he is going heavy on sliders and working some change and splitters
My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.
by Shamus on
Apr 5, 2008 1:54 PM CDT
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he's thrown a few, not many for strikes
it was a curve, down and in, that marquis hit for his RBI in the 2nd or 3rd. he didn't fool him w/ it.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 1:58 PM CDT
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Well, Look Who's Got Something To Say
Michael Bourn triples to deep center, places rastro's foot into rastro's mouth, at least temporarily.
I'll end up liking Tejada. . . . just give me some time
by rastronomicals on Apr 5, 2008 2:00 PM CDT 0 recs
speed is fun
he has to do something to bump up his SLG. not going to hit many dingers.
by lnewcomer on
Apr 5, 2008 2:03 PM CDT
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