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Houston Astros at Florida Marlins, Roy O to the Rescue (we hope)

Houston Astros at Florida Marlins, Sep 16, 2008 6:10 PM CDT



Next Game

Houston Astros
@ Florida Marlins

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008, 6:10 PM CDT
Dolphin Stadium

Roy Oswalt vs Chris Volstad

Partly cloudy with a 50-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

 

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W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Roy Oswalt 15-9 29 29 3 2 0 0 190.2 183 82 75 21 43 148 3.54 1.19


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Chris Volstad 4-3 12 11 0 0 0 0 65.1 61 25 24 2 31 41 3.31 1.41




National League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Milwaukee 83 67 .553 0 Lost 4
Philadelphia 83 67 .553 0 Won 4
Houston 80 69 .536 2.5 Lost 2
St. Louis 78 71 .523 4.5 Lost 5
Florida 77 72 .516 5.5 Won 5
Arizona 73 76 .489 9.5 Won 1
Cincinnati 68 81 .456 14.5 Won 2
San Francisco 68 82 .453 15 Lost 1
Colorado 68 83 .450 15.5 Lost 1
Atlanta 67 83 .446 16 Won 1
Pittsburgh 63 87 .420 20 Lost 1
San Diego 58 93 .384 25.5 Won 1
Washington 57 93 .380 26 Won 1

(updated 9.16.2008 at 10:53 AM CDT)


Houston to Milwaukee to Miami. That's the Bermuda Triangle of the Wild Card chase, as far as the Astros are concerned. Hopefully, we don't get lost like Amelia Earhart (yea, you know you remember that name from elementary school). Milwaukee was the epi-center for Cubs-mania. (Sidenote: imagine how loud their fans would be if their team hadn't been perennial door-mats for a century) Miami, on the other hand, has some of the more ambivalent fans in the nation. Can you blame them though? Miami has crystal clear beaches, trendy clubs, and delicoius latin food. So, let's say we get back on track tonight in relative obscurity. The Wizard goes tonight. Game on.

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A two base error

puts Tejada on second with one out

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:15 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

3-run homerun

no outs

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

arrgh

3-0 Marlins

The ump is not really helping Roy here. Not getting the calls he’d normally get.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 6:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Roy O's scoreless inning streak is over.

quickly and dramatically

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:28 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

4-0

man. this ain’t fun.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Roy hits batter

Umpire gives Roy a warning . Roy reacts with displeasure and disgust.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

5-0

RBI Double to deep deep center

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:48 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Because

as I’ve said a billion times in my life, God hates Houston. It’s just a fact. So we have to be really really really good to do anything in sports (like have the greatest center of all time playing for us). If we’re just really really good (1998, 2004 Astros) then we’re going to get screwed.

And if we’re mediocre (this year) we don’t have a chance in hell. The breaks that other cities get just don’t come to Clutch City.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Makes sense...

God did throw a hurricane at us.

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

huh?

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

On the bright side,

Roy’s on pace for an 18 K game.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 6:50 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Marlins lead off hitter singled

This is not vintage Roy Oswalt

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

somebody needs to screw up Roy's truck

so he can do the whole “touch the car battery, shock yourself, and become an all-star pitcher” move again.

Or maybe Drayton just needs to promise him a piece of farm equipment for every quality start.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lance Berkmans to start the Astros rally

or at least I’d like to write it that way

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Pence grounded to third

Ten Astros have grounded out. It would be eleven but Tejada’s grounder to third was misplayed for a two base error in the first.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is pathetic.

This whole thing just takes a lot out of me even to want to follow this team anymore.

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 7:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree

I had to stop watching—it feels like June and July again.

I’m going to be very disappointed if they don’t at least snap out of this malaise to some degree over the next week and a half. I totally understand their performance in the Cubs’ games—like you said, your mom could have no-hit them on Sunday.

Yes, the whole Cubs series was unfair. But if the Astros roll over on the rest of the season because of that, I think it will do for me what even the Mitchell Report could not. For all his alleged faults, think of Roger Clemens pitching, and winning, on the day his mother died (speaking of the Mitchell Report). These guys need to dig deep and find a little of that pluck; if they can’t or won’t, then I won’t have much use for this team at all.

by Danyah on Sep 16, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

no crap, man

I’ve watched about 3/4 of the games this year. It’s just been painful all year. And when fate starts to let up – when we start to win and it looks like we might see October baseball – it turns out it was just jerking us around the whole time.

The bad news is that the Texans just looked awful against Pittsburgh. So that’s liable to be painful, as well.

And the Rockets look good, but I don’t want to say anything for fear of jinxing them. And basketball season doesn’t start for a month.

I just want to see the Astros and Texans and Rockets be good for a long stretch. I don’t want to be jerked around the whole year with the “will they won’t they” crap. I just want to, for once in my life, be able to rub it in people from Dallas’ faces. Is that too much to ask?

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think it's too much to ask

I don’t know a lot of people from Dallas, and living up here in College Station, most people don’t even know the Oilers left (okay, I’m exaggerating, but suffice it to say they’re all Cowboys fans here). So I personally don’t care that much about rubbing stuff in other peoples’ faces (other than Cubs fans, of late). But it would just be really great to root for a team that really seemed to be trying their best, day in and day out. That’s all I ever ask of myself, so I sure don’t think it’s too much to ask of anyone else. I hate the whole early-to-mid-season swoon that they always seem to go through, but much more than that, I hate the fact that they don’t seem to be bothered by it, often. How many times have we heard Berkman say stuff like, “Oh, it’s just one game,” or “We’re a second half team anyway”? And if we need the manager to tell us that they’re trying hard, or that somebody took extra batting practice—as if that will be proof that they’re not being too casual—then they need to take a good look in the mirror (hey, where have I heard that before?) and show a little personal responsibility. Yes, they are human beings, with families and outside concerns, as we have noted recently. But they are also men, grown-ups who have the unequaled privilege to play a game for a living, and to make millions doing so.

What’s that saying? ‘It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.’ Don’t get me wrong, I would dearly love for them to be good for a long stretch, but after the last few years, I think I would just settle for consistently good effort.

by Danyah on Sep 16, 2008 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think they're giving a fine effort,

this isn’t the result of them not trying. It’s baseball, and individual performances from day to day are as much luck as effort. Berkman is laid back, of course. That’s just the way he is. And that’s a fine way to play this game, given its nature.

The problem isn’t that they’re not trying. It’s that they’re just not that good. Other than Berkman, Lee, Oswalt, Wigginton and Valverde, the Astros are mostly below average. What can we expect from that?

I just want the Astros to have a good farm system. I want them to have good talent coming up. I don’t it to be like it is now – year after year of aging players and nothing coming up to support them and to become the NEW Berkmans and Oswalts.

And I say the Dallas thing because I just hate that city and all sports teams associated with it (except the Rangers, whom I just don’t care about). I hate the way Dallas fans suddenly became basketball fans when the Mavericks got good. I hate the way the national media plays up the Cowboys, even though they haven’t done anything in a decade.

But that’s another matter entirely.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with almost everything you said

except the part about not trying. Reading blog threads over at the Chronicle during the year, as well as other sites, I’m not the only observer with that impression. Maybe they have been making a consistent effort througout the whole year, but if a significant fraction of the fan base thinks otherwise, shouldn’t they at least do something to alleviate that perception?

Unfortunately, other than my vague admonition to “try harder” and be “more consistent,” I don’t know what the answer is.

As far as the Cowboys, it’s very embarrassing to listen to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman suck TO and Romo’s salivate over them. I’m surprised they don’t light a cigar in the booth.

by Danyah on Sep 16, 2008 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know. When teams are in hitting slumps, fans (everywhere, not just Houston)...

think the team isn’t trying. If you don’t get on base, and just hit weakly or take called strikes, you tend to look lethargic. The Astros have a history of either bad offensive treams or (like this one) very streaky offenses, so I think many Astros’ fans think they aren’t trying. But I doubt that is usually the case.

Now I do get upset about sloppy defense or failing to run hard to 1st, because that is a hustle issue to some extent. But that doesn’t seem to be a big problem with the Astros (particularly since Carlos Lee is out).

by clack on Sep 16, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wonder if it was really the best decision...

to put so many left handed hitters in the line up. Volstad has done better againsts lefties than righties…

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 7:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

it wouldn't matter.

It was too much to expect playoff performances from a collection of elderly bench players (and Berkman, Lee, Oswalt, Pence, and Valverde).

Just embrace the fact that the Astros are doomed. It’s much easier.

Don’t get me wrong – I believe in the Good Guys. But maybe that belief isn’t as strong as it was a week ago.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quintero has a cracked kneecap

says he’s ready to play!

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:27 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That's the spirit, Q!

Fortunately for Q, we don’t really have any good catching prospects ready. So, unless Towles suddenly becomes Piazza or the Astros sign Pudge, Q will probably get the starting job next year.

10 K’s for Oswalt.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Roy Oswalt is pitching much much better

Too bad Astros trailed 5-0 early

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Scores update

1-0 Cubs (over Brewers) in the 2nd :)
1-0 Nats (over Mets ) in the 5th. :)
4-3 Phillies (over Braves) in the 4th. :(

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 7:32 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Effect of Hurricane Ike

 I started a fanpost a few days ago (seems like forever ago) where I asked for opinions whether the game postponements caused by Hurricane Ike would affect the Astros; and if so, if it would hurt or help the Astros.

Based on my observations, I conclude Hurricane Ike in all its dimensions hurt the Astros.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Great over the head catch by Michael Bourn

He’s “Michael Bourn” not just Bourn when he makes a catch like that.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Astros are coming out of the hurricane shock

They may not win this game, but I sense they are returning to normalcy as this game progresses.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 7:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Two innings to go

C’mon Astros – we need a big 8th.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 8:02 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

MATSUI!

Look who’s batting. :p

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 8:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

RBI MATSUI!

Sure it was a ground out.. but whatever.

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Atlanta makes it 6-4 and suddenly...

all teams in playoff contention (that could affect us) are losing.
Happy day.

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If only

The Astros pull this baby out of the fire in the ninth

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just talked with my mother in Houston

Her phone had been out of order from Saturday night until today. She’s fine. I talked with her Saturday morning so I knew she was okay but a lot can happen between Saturday morning and Tuesday night.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 8:27 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

ASTROS LOSE 5-1

But I have high hopes for tomorrow.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 16, 2008 8:38 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Unbelievable

Are the baseball gods on our side or not? After Ike and Bud hit, you’d think not, and yet here it’s the best case scenario as far as getting help. (Assuming the Cubs hang on to beat Milwaukee.)

by Xan on Sep 16, 2008 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I keep tellin ya

they’re just jerking us around. We’ll probably tie for the WC at some point, only to have all of our hopes dashed when Roy Oswalt’s pitching hand explodes.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mets lose.

1-0 to the Nationals

by entropic soul on Sep 16, 2008 8:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jesus

that’s… that’s terrible.

Looks like the Astros might make the playoffs based on nothing but the Brewers’ and Mets’ complete breakdowns.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd take that

graciously

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 17, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ME TOO

A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by DyingQuail on Sep 17, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

HR Cubs

They’re up 4-2 in the 7th.

It’s really hard to cheer for them, but that’s the hand we’ve been dealt.

by Xan on Sep 16, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

HR Brewers

4-3 Cubs top 8

by Xan on Sep 16, 2008 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So all we need now

is for Milwaukee and the Mets to continue to suck.

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't forget

we need to win, too!

by Xan on Sep 16, 2008 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

pfft

we all know that losses to the Nationals count double in the standings

by Only_A_Lad on Sep 16, 2008 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They really should.

A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by DyingQuail on Sep 17, 2008 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If they lose all the rest of their games...

We’d only have win four more!!

A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by DyingQuail on Sep 16, 2008 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Phils just won

Thank god!! If the Cubs hold on, we’ve only lost on in the elimination column.

What happened?? I just got of taking a practice LSAT and saw we lost terribly.

A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by DyingQuail on Sep 16, 2008 9:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
St. Louis 91 71 .561 0 Lost 6
Chicago 83 78 .515 7.5 Lost 1
Milwaukee 80 82 .493 11 Won 3
Cincinnati 78 84 .481 13 Won 2
Houston 74 88 .456 17 Lost 3
Pittsburgh 62 99 .385 28.5 Lost 2

(updated 2.9.2010 at 11:43 PM CST)


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