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Astros v. Rockies: Hot or Not?

Houston Astros @ Colorado Rockies



Current Series

3 game series vs Rockies @ Coors Field

Houston Astros
@ Colorado Rockies

Friday, Sep 5, 2008, 8:05 PM CDT
Coors Field

Brian Moehler vs Ubaldo Jimenez

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.

 

Complete Coverage >

Sat 09/06

Roy Oswalt vs Jeff Francis

Mostly clear. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

7:05 PM CDT
Sun 09/07 2:05 PM CDT


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Brian Moehler 10-5 26 21 0 0 0 0 127.2 140 60 57 16 30 72 4.02 1.33


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ubaldo Jimenez 9-12 29 29 1 0 0 0 167.2 162 86 78 10 87 137 4.19 1.49

In a year in which Brian Moehler is allowing the ball to take to the air (fly balls) about 5% over his career norms and over league average, Coors Field could get ugly for him.  Jimenez on the other hand, has done an exceptional job of keeping the ball on the ground, luckily though, the Astros have had some tremendous success against ground ball pitchers this year (or at least Lance has).  However, Jimenez has had far more success at keeping the ball out of play than his mound opponent, Moehler.  Moehler owns a 5.07 K/9 to Jimenez' 7.35 K/9 -- though Moehler's significantly lower BB/9 could limit the damage of potential long balls.  This series could easily make or break us, it's just that simple.  

To make matters more complicated, we're squaring off against an equally hot Rockies, who are just a year removed from their own improbable playoff run.  It just feels too close to call.  What does this mean? You should be on the edge of your seat all weekend.

Your starting line-up:




 



 

 

 

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And the Brewers are pitching Sabathia today...

Which pretty much guarantees no advancement in the wild card today.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 7:24 PM CDT   0 recs

The series could break but not make the season

Even if Astros sweep the Rockies, the next series could be the death blow. or the one after that. or the one after that, etc.

 In other too-much-time-on-my-hands observatiins current short-term goal is to win tonight’s games and this series.

In the standings the short-term goal is to catch and pass the Cardinals and Phillies, withe seaon goal to finish first in the Wild Card race, which I assume means passing the Brewers.

BUT . . ..

I saw the Cubs remaining schedule posted somewhere. It’s a killer. They could lose almost every game. In other words , the Astros even have a shot at passing the
Cubbies.

Now that would be a hoot.

Cubs are losing 5-0 tonight after two innings against the Reds (and ther starting pitcher is out of the game)

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 7:39 PM CDT   0 recs

Cubs remaining Schedule (Including tonight)

H = Home R = Road

Reds 3 R
Cardinals 3 R
Astros 3 R
Brewers 3 H
Cardinals 3 H
Mets 4 R
Brewers 3 R

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 7:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm always wary of playing at Coors Field.

The Astros historically seemed to have problems playing here, even when the Astros were very good and the Rockies were very bad.

by clack on Sep 5, 2008 7:45 PM CDT   0 recs

I thought I read the Rockies pitcher tends to walk batters

because he throws so hard and can’t control his fastball.

Why are the Astros swinging so much and at inside pitches?

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:29 PM CDT   0 recs

Always?

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Usually

But this guy throws almost nothing but fastballs. It will catch up with him when good hitters come to the plate.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He's faced ten batters

and given up only one ground ball single.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Everyone is going to sit on a fastball.

It’s just a matter of catching up to it. It will happen.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rockies announcers say Jimenez has 32 walks in his last 7 games.

(Moehler has walked five in his last 7 games)

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm watching gameday here, so I don't know for sure..

But it looks like he’s getting a lot of call strikes on the corners. If his location is good, that could be a problem.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rockies announcers wondering why Astros swinging at everything

“Do they think it’ get-away-day at spring training or something?” they ask.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And Lance strikes out swinging.

But Jimenez and Iannetta played it smart. They started mixing up the pitches the second time through.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No walks for either pitcher through 3 innings tonight

and no runs for either team through three innings tonight.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kaz Matsui and LaTroy Hawkins

received their rings for being in the World Series with the Rockies last year.

Today — 11 months after the World Series. That’s a long wait. I’ve had people repay me loans faster than that.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:32 PM CDT   0 recs

Astros (Wigginton - Tejda - Berkman) go weakly in the fourth

Berkman’s bat flies into the stands on strike three. Bat may have ricocheted and hit a kid.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:48 PM CDT   0 recs

Brewers sign Mike Lamb

Do I wish him well or hope he causes the Brewers to lose 20 games?

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:51 PM CDT   0 recs

Lose

Wish him well next year.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

2 on, no outs against Moehler

after an infield single and hbp.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:51 PM CDT   0 recs

Rockies score first 1-0

Stil two men on

Still no outs

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:53 PM CDT   0 recs

2-0

Sac fly to right

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:53 PM CDT   0 recs

Rockies suddenly hitting ball hard

Even the 2 outs this inning have been hit hard to the outfield

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:55 PM CDT   0 recs

BLARG!

Come on guys!

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 8:56 PM CDT   0 recs

A year ago today

the Rockies were six games out of first place.

Today they are six games out of first place,

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:57 PM CDT   0 recs

3-0 Astros

The walk moved a runner to second, who scored on a single to center.

I’m going to make some popcorn.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 8:59 PM CDT   0 recs

come on!!

I want a 10 game win streak.. hit some homers!

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 9:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Pence doubled down left field line

It’s a start

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Erstad singled up the middle

Pence stopped at third

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:09 PM CDT   0 recs

Apparently he won't, and that's probably right

But any thoughts on pinch-hitting in this situation?

by Xan on Sep 5, 2008 9:10 PM CDT   0 recs

Moehler battles

but struck out

Astros don’t score

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

4-0

Homerun Clint Barmes

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:16 PM CDT   0 recs

Moehler is losing it

This is along inning

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:27 PM CDT   0 recs

2 men on, 2 outs, full count

Foul
Crowd is really quiet

Ball Four

Bases loaded

Nieve warming up

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Moehler is finished in this game

I presume Nieve will relieve but no announcement yet.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:32 PM CDT   0 recs

I know!

Let’s bring in a guy with a 14+ ERA!

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:33 PM CDT   0 recs

F me.

He walked in a run.

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

5-0

Bases still loaded

This is the same inning that started with a homerun 20 minutes or so ago

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:37 PM CDT   0 recs

Bourn Walked

Finally an Astro walks

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:42 PM CDT   0 recs

Huh

Bourn at third

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:45 PM CDT   0 recs

Here's what happened

Pitcher still in his stretch. Biourn runs to second. When he is about halfway to second the pitcher threw to first = wild . Bourn runs to third with intentions of going home . but he is stopped at third

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tejada plunked.

Go Puma!

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or pop out.

With a runner on third and one out. Ouch.

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Blum Singled

Bourn scored

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:50 PM CDT   0 recs

Pence whiffs.

Inning over. (sniff!)

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Has it been three games since Berkman's last hit?.

He went hitless in the middle Cubs game and he’s hitless tonight. I cannot remember Wednesday’s game .

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 9:53 PM CDT   0 recs

I remember him being on base more than once.

Then again, my memory sucks.

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

D'oh.

0 for 3, with a walk.

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

by Austin Astroholic on Sep 5, 2008 9:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

0 for 3 was Wednesday

0 for 5 with a walk on Tuesday

0 for 3 tonight so far

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 10:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

5-2 2out

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 10:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Newhan sucks pinch hitting.

He only does good when he starts.

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 10:08 PM CDT   0 recs

5-3 2 out

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 10:08 PM CDT   0 recs

Go WIGGY!

5-3 Rockies after a Wiggy single

by entropic soul on Sep 5, 2008 10:11 PM CDT   0 recs

Marlins take 2-1 lead over Cardinals in the 11th

Brewers get first two men, then Corey Hart hits into a double play. Brewers still batting

Marlins still batting in the Cardinals game.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 10:24 PM CDT   0 recs

4-1 Marlins lead

still batting

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2008 10:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs