Astros Go for Series Sweep at the Friendly Confines
by DyingQuail
on Sep 3, 2008 6:45 PM CDT
Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs
Current Series
3 game series vs Cubs @ Wrigley Field
| Mon 09/01 | WP: Roy Oswalt (13 - 9) SV: Jose Valverde LP: Jason Marquis (9 - 8) |
3 - 0 win |
| Tue 09/02 | WP: Wesley Wright (4 - 3) SV: Jose Valverde LP: Kerry Wood (4 - 3) |
9 - 7 win |
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Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT Cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.
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With their seven game win streak giving Houston fans something to smile about, the bitter reality is that they've only managed to up their play-offs odds by fractions of a percent during that time. Our elimination number sits at 17, which means we need a Milwaukee collapse, and virtual perfection from here on out to make the play-offs -- I just won't be holding my breath for that to happen.
The man taking the mound tonight is one such reason. Randy Wolf, the apple of Ed Wade's eye apparently, who's numbers are actually slightly better than they should be. By my calculations (put as little or as much faith into them as you want) Randy Wolf is sporting a 4.86 DIPS ERA, which is just slightly off his full season ERA of 4.73. It's just hard to have faith the Astros can hover around the edges of perfection, when once every five days, someone who you expect to give up 3 runs in five innings is going to take the mound. Especially when theirs a possibility he faces off against one of the best pitcher's in the NL this year.
Randy's not suffering from a ton of luck related issues (although he did pitch in the best pitcher's park in the game and in front of one of the best defense after the trade), what he is suffering from, or his BB and HBP's -- best stated as "Lack of Control." No need to fear Astros fans, we could potentially end up locking up two never-was type guys for a few million dollars to fill out the back of our rotation/bull pen next year...hooray. I truly hope this doesn't happen, but my short term goals are this: Randy Wolf doesn't walk a ton of people today and as a result, we stay in this ball game until we can get to the Cubs very fatigued bull pen.
My bold prediction of the game will be this:
If the Astros win tonights game, then the baseball gods are truly favoring them and if the baseball gods are truly favoring the Astros, the Astros will make the playoffs.
Bonus points for those of you can point out the missing assumption in this bit of logic.
Oh, and here's your starting line-up:
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Astros have favorable schedule for big run
Aastros palyoff chances have been buried for weeks. It may be too late. But considering both Brewers and Cardinals lost today , I looked Astros remaining schedule. Inclduign tonight’s games Astros have the following games with the following clubs:
4 Cubs
3 Rockies
7 Pirates
3 Brewers
3 Reds
3 Braves
The Cubs series is in Houston after the Cubs have played two series on the road (and come in from St Louis). If Brewers struggle, (and Astros can beat the Pirates) the schedule is favorable for a great September run.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 7:18 PM CDT 0 recs
I have more hope now than I did two weeks ago.
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 3, 2008 7:30 PM CDT
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Cubs and Brewers have six games left against each other...
and the outcome of those games could be very telling. I have been in the “no way” mode of thinking about the Astros’ chances ever since the last Brewers’ series. But if the Astros win tonight, it will look a bit more interesting for the Astros. Unquestionably a big, big uphill battle, but I might have to change my thoughts somewhat if the Astros win tonight, because a “miracle run” to the playoffs might be possible…but don’t get any hopes up.
by clack on
Sep 3, 2008 8:36 PM CDT
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Cecil Cooper said Sampson and Geary are not available tonight
but Brocail and Wright are
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 7:19 PM CDT 0 recs
given the two inning appearances
no Marmol or Wood either
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 7:26 PM CDT
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For us
No Doug Brocail…thank you baby Jesus.
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 3, 2008 7:27 PM CDT
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Huner Pence stretched a single into a double
The throw beat hm to second but he slid under the tag.
I may be wrong but it may have been feet first slide at that.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 7:25 PM CDT 0 recs
Just as you described it
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 3, 2008 7:27 PM CDT 0 recs
1-0
Q with the RBI 1B
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 3, 2008 7:28 PM CDT 0 recs
Trivia
David Newhan’s father Ross Newhan is in the Baseball Writers wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame (Cooperstown)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 7:28 PM CDT 0 recs
Talk about trying to step out of your old man's shawdow
Dad, I’m an MLB regular…Yeah, well I’m in Cooperstown son, beat that.
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 3, 2008 7:29 PM CDT
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Yes
Thank you for that.
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 3, 2008 7:29 PM CDT
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Pence 8 for 11 in the series
whereas Berkman hitless in the last two games
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 8:06 PM CDT 0 recs
Strong wind blowing in from Left and Center.
Homeruns not likely toward left tonight.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 8:14 PM CDT 0 recs
For everybody except Ty Wigginton
who has a player’s exemption
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on
Sep 3, 2008 8:25 PM CDT
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.... .....
let me know when we are 0 innings away
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 8:22 PM CDT
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WIGGINTON!!!!!!
2 run home run to left center! What was that Joe?? :)
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:23 PM CDT 0 recs
Yoo missed my qualification
to my insightful analysis
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on
Sep 3, 2008 8:26 PM CDT
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Oh..
I think there is an issue with the blog.. the timestamp on the post is off ;)
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 8:29 PM CDT
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Look up Lefty-killer in the dictionary...
and you’ll see Wiggy’s picture.
by clack on
Sep 3, 2008 8:38 PM CDT
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Yes they have
New York, NY — (Sports Network) – Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been named the National League Player of the Month for August.
Ramirez, who came to the club at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, batted a robust .415 (44-for-106) with nine home runs, 25 RBI, 21 runs scored and seven doubles. He led the entire National League in batting average for the month, ranked second in hits, tied for second in homers and placed third in runs batted in.
He recorded back-to-back four-hit games on August 29-30 against Arizona, marking the first time in his career he accomplished the feat. The native of the Dominican Republic also recorded multi-homer games twice during August and collected his 500th career double.
For the season, the enigmatic right-handed hitter is batting .326 with 30 homers and 97 RBI. It is his fifth honor and first in the NL. He won twice each with Cleveland and Boston.
Other players considered for the honor were Houston’s Ty Wigginton (.379, 12 HR, 26 RBI); Albert Pujols of St. Louis (.398, 8 HR, 22 RBI) and the Cubs’ Mark DeRosa (.378, 7 HR, 24 RBI).
From here.
Hey, at least Wiggy made the short list
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 8:38 PM CDT
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WHAT A GUN!
Wigginton just gunned someone down at home
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:38 PM CDT 0 recs
What a tag by Quintero.....too.
He made a great tag on Cedeno’s neck, after blocking the plate well. JD correctly points out that Cedeno has to try to run through the catcher in that situation.
by clack on Sep 3, 2008 8:40 PM CDT 0 recs
Yes.
I thought he didn’t get him at first, but the last of 10 or so replays clears it up.
by entropic soul on
Sep 3, 2008 8:41 PM CDT
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Nice play by Bourn to end the inning
the Astros’ defense has been phenomenal recently.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:41 PM CDT 0 recs
Meanwhile Bourn makes a running catch in center.
Wolf’s D helping him out today.
by entropic soul on Sep 3, 2008 8:41 PM CDT 0 recs
Wow, the astros are flashing leather, and the Cubs fans are booing.
Bourn with a great catch.
by clack on Sep 3, 2008 8:41 PM CDT 0 recs
The Astros have been really fun to watch lately
even if the games mean relatively nothing to us when it comes to making the playoffs… It’s still fun to watch them.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:43 PM CDT 0 recs
Switching Back and Forth between the 'Stros and the RNC
(not going to get into politics)
I just think it’s funny how they say one line and everyone claps, and then another line and everyone claps.. it’s a joke…
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:52 PM CDT 0 recs
Bourn
Two singles, a walk and some defense tonight. Any opinions changing on him at all?
by ol Pete on Sep 3, 2008 8:58 PM CDT 0 recs
He'd have to do it constantly
and not look TOTALLY overmatched about 50% of the time for him to change my opinion.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 8:59 PM CDT
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consistantly - not constantly...
hell, I guess they both sorta work
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 8:59 PM CDT
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The message comes through either way. He seems to hit well against us.
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 9:01 PM CDT
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.262 avg against the Brewers
he also has the most AB’s against ya’ll.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 9:04 PM CDT
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Check his post all start break numbers...
You might find something good there. (I don’t know.. haven’t looked, but gotta run)
:p
by entropic soul on
Sep 3, 2008 9:29 PM CDT
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So ol Pete
Do you think CC should have gotten the no hitter?
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 9:08 PM CDT 0 recs
yeah
The runner wasn’t even half way to first when he dropped it. The scorer was asked to review his decision during the game and he wouldn’t change it and at that point just forget it and keep the big picture in mind. Yost is an idiot for pitching CC in the late innings AGAIN in a blow out. All the hoopdeedoo afterwards is just noise about nothing.
Yost pushed high pitch counts on Sheets and now he’s kind of sore. For a while the bullpen wasn’t getting any work at all.
Tell you what, I’ll trade you a Yost for a Coop.
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 9:13 PM CDT
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I lean towards agreeing with you
but it would be kind of odd giving a pitcher a no-no when a runner reached base because of an error on the pitcher.
I agree with you about Sabathia… it’s almost as if Yost is trying to ruin him for next season.. that being said, what Sabathia is doing this season in the NL is amazing.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 9:15 PM CDT
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I always thought the rule (a real rule nota habit) was that
the first hit must be a true hit. If it can be a hit or error it should be ruled an error. In that case, It was an error. but if it were not a no-hitter at the time , a hit would be a fair call.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on
Sep 3, 2008 9:23 PM CDT
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I think that's an unwritten "rule"
What was interesting was that the Pitt radio or TV people, the Brewers TV team and the Brewers radio team all questioned it immediately.
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 9:25 PM CDT
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I didn't see it, but I read that Sabbathia tried to make a bare hand pick up.
The bare hand may have been unnecessary, but maybe he thought the timing was more critical. If that’s true, I have a hard time giving an error on a player trying to make a bare hand pick up. The odds of something going wrong on those plays is high. Someone also pointed out that the rules have a note which says the benefit of the doubt must be given to the batter in a hit/error ruling.
by clack on
Sep 3, 2008 9:29 PM CDT
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The ball wasn’t really moving – it may have actually come to a stop – if not it was just about dead. Either way, once the scorer decided and in the game reaffirmed just say oh well and move on.
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 9:31 PM CDT
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It may be unwritten rule
I thought I heard or read it was the actual rule but i cannot find it
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on
Sep 3, 2008 9:41 PM CDT
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As I recall, Brewers before Yost were not competitive.
Doesn’t he get any credit for turning the team around?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on
Sep 3, 2008 9:16 PM CDT
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sticky subject
They really didn’t have much in the way of talent till the past couple years.
The real credit should go to Jack Z, I won’t try and spell his last name, who keeps drafting guys. For instance he really got the team CC by picking LaPorta who was viewed pretty skeptically as a pick at the time.
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 9:21 PM CDT
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Cubs may start feeling a bit of tightening around the neck...
Harden reported arm discomfort and may be unavailable for awhile. Zambrano didn’t show up for his MRI and team couldn’t find him. (this based on radio reports, according Bleed Cubbies Blue game thread comments.) Lose two top starters out of the rotation….not good for the Cubs.
by clack on Sep 3, 2008 9:10 PM CDT 0 recs
Odd
He visited Dr. Gryzlo this afternoon and he physically examined him. The MRI he was supposed to take, he didn’t take for whatever reason, so the examination is incomplete. Until he gets an MRI done, we don’t have anything to report," Piniella said.
"He was supposed to take an MRI today. It was available to him and he didn’t take it today. That’s it. And that’s what I get from our medical people
From here.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on
Sep 3, 2008 9:13 PM CDT
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And Dempster wasn't very good in his last start
Seems like he was pretty good but not great tonight – at least from listening to the radio.
by ol Pete on
Sep 3, 2008 9:16 PM CDT
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Did Wolf just finish off the 8th inning??
WOW
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 9:21 PM CDT 0 recs
Newhan bunts OVER the pitcher's head for a single
When things go right . . . .
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 9:26 PM CDT 0 recs