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Astros Go for Series Sweep at the Friendly Confines

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

Houston Astros
@ Chicago Cubs

Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Randy Wolf vs Ryan Dempster

Cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

 

Complete Coverage >



W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Randy Wolf 2-1 7 7 0 0 0 0 38.1 41 22 20 4 17 29 4.70 1.51


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ryan Dempster 15-5 28 28 1 0 0 0 176.2 142 65 58 11 69 160 2.95 1.19


National League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Milwaukee 80 58 .579 0 Lost 2
Philadelphia 76 63 .546 4.5 Won 1
St. Louis 75 64 .539 5.5 Won 1
Houston 73 66 .525 7.5 Won 7






(updated 9.3.2008 at 1:46 PM CDT)


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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Santo

“Can you believe it? What is going on?”

by ol Pete on Sep 3, 2008 8:24 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WHAT A GUN!

Wigginton just gunned someone down at home

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:38 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Santo

“The throw was unbelievable.”

by ol Pete on Sep 3, 2008 8:39 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

consistantly - not constantly...

hell, I guess they both sorta work

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Sep 3, 2008 8:59 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The message comes through either way. He seems to hit well against us.

by ol Pete on Sep 3, 2008 9:01 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

.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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 reply reply actions actions   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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The cluster fucked worked out well

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 9:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know what just happened

but you guys are going to hurt Ron Santo

by ol Pete on Sep 3, 2008 9:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s going to be scored as a steal of home by Newhan and an error allowing Bourn to go to second – but I didn’t see it.

by ol Pete on Sep 3, 2008 9:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OMG, what will Cubs' fans do after that?

Bourn was supposedly picked off, but he kept rundown going long enough that run scored (catcher dropped) and Bourn was safe. HA HA.

Maybe Cubs fans will recall the last week of 2004 when they blew an insurmountable WC lead. (And Astros won it in a miracle, BTW.)

by clack on Sep 3, 2008 9:33 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

smart baserunning by Bourn

Maybe he learned from Hunter’s recent mistake

by mokulen on Sep 3, 2008 9:34 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it is scored as a "steal of home" by Newhan.

Not sure about why it is called that…well, I can’t think of another label…so that must be why.

by clack on Sep 3, 2008 9:35 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CLAP!! CLAP! CLAP!

That’s what I just did. Astros sweep with a complete game shutout by Wolf. Third shutout of the Cubs by the Astros this year.

by clack on Sep 3, 2008 9:40 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ASTROS WIN 4-0

SWEEP

Astros win 3
Cubs lose 3
Brewers lsoe 3
Cardinals lose 2 of 3

We need more days like this.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 9:42 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Late to the party...

… but got out of band practice and into the car just in time to hear the last gift run and Wolf closing it out in the 9th.

Holy smokes, our Astros may not make the playoffs, but they sure are making the end of the season fun.

Whoa, whoa, whoa – 8 in a row!

Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 3, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reminds me of

’06 when the Astros made a serious run at the Cardinals, but fell just short.

Either way it’s very entertaining.

Bourn to Run!

sixersoul

by jsams on Sep 3, 2008 9:46 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was the Braves that killed our playoff hopes...

in the last series of the year. Again, they are the team we will face last this year.

by entropic soul on Sep 3, 2008 9:56 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was there for the death blow

Surrounded by Braves fans
Roger Clemens taking the loss

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 10:02 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I forgot about that.

Was it me, or was Clemens the most un-clutch of our pitchers in his tenure?

Bourn to Run!

sixersoul

by jsams on Sep 3, 2008 10:27 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My bad memory

 I actually was at the Friday night game . The Astros played two more games. but as far as I was concerned the Friday loss was the killer. Here’s the beginning of a game report:

ATLANTA — Even a vintage Rocket outing couldn’t help the Houston Astros this time.
Needing a win and a good outing from Roger Clemens, the Astros received one of two, which wasn’t enough on this chilly night at Turner Field. Clemens was strong for six innings, but the Astros barely touched Braves starter Chuck James, and lost, 4-1.

The loss snapped a season-long nine-game winning streak, and the Astros lost ground in the National League Central standings for the first time since last Tuesday. Their loss, combined with the Cardinals’ win over the Brewers, puts them 1 1/2 games back with two to play.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 11:22 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Randy Wolf interviewed on radio

Seems like a great guy.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 9:48 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What's really cool...

We face the Rockies next and their pitching blows. We have a legitimate shot at a 11 game winning streak.

by entropic soul on Sep 3, 2008 9:57 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll admit I questioned it...

… when Wade made some of his (seemingly futile) second half moves, but with performances like this from Wolf, and Hawkins panning out so well, he’s looking smarter all the time.

Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 3, 2008 10:22 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wiggy made two good defensive plays in LF today.

A great throw to the plate. A leaping catch.

I wonder if perhaps he is a better defensive player in LF than 3b. It is a movement “down” the defensive spectrum…and when that happens, sometimes bad defensive players become good defensive players at their new position.

by clack on Sep 3, 2008 10:40 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wouldn't it be twisted irony

if Blum plays third so well he becomes the regular third baseman next season and Carlos Lee gets left field back – leaving Ty Wigginton without a position?

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 3, 2008 11:29 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ooh

that leaves Pence with a LOT of ground to cover… or are you leaving Pence out of this discussion?

by littlevisigoth on Sep 5, 2008 4:18 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
St. Louis 45 39 .535 0 Won 1
Milwaukee 43 39 .524 1 Lost 1
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