Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros, Aug 7, 2009 7:05 PM CDT
Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros, Aug 7, 2009 7:05 PM CDT
I know it's a little early for the game thread to be posted, but I have the MPRE (ethics exam for lawyers) this morning and the Astros game tonight, so I won't be by a computer all day. DQ posted his optimized lineup article yesterday in the PM, but his schedule is hectic as well. Basically, I just wanted to be sure that the thread got posted in time. Also, this will be a nice place to get some Friday afternoon discussion going before everyone heads home from work, or wherever you are.
Some links to fill the day:
Zach Levine begs the question: is anything going right for the Astros right now?
The Astros have a pretty old AAA team.
Rest easy, Astros fans. We're not the easiest team to beat in the majors. That distinction lays with the KC Royals. Yuniesky Betancourt apparently was not their panacea.
James Taillon, a RHP from The Woodlands High School, will participate in the Under Armour All Star Game on Saturday. Congrats to the local product.
Taken from BrewCrewBall: Jason Kendall is quickly falling from the ranks of major league caliber players.
Don't worry Brewer fans, Humberto Quintero is the 300th ranked player in terms of VORP (for players with at least 100 PA), at -1.6, and Pudge Rodriguez comes in at #280 at -.6. It's gonna be a matchup of offensively inept backstops this weekend at the Juice Box.
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133 comments
Comments
I don't think that is what the Hardball Times article says about the Express...
The Astros have a pretty old AAA team.
As I read the article, the Astros’ AAA team is almost exactly “average” in age for MLB AAA teams. The average AAA age is 27.0 and 27.2 for pitchers and hitters, and Round Rock’s average age is 27.2 and 27.2. Now, the Phillies have an old AAA team.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll be in attendance tonight
I’m looking forward to seeing Norris in person. Free t-shirt, rookie making his home debut, division rival, friday night fireworks… a “W” would make this about the most ideal night to take in a game.
Go Astros!
by littlevisigoth on Aug 7, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ditto
ill be sitting on the first level, first base side
by HighLeveragePerformer on Aug 7, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
would be going
but cant…went to 2 SFG games….
Hope Norris’s home debut works out just as well BETTER than his road debut!
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 7, 2009 5:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
woah
didnt work out there…
meant to cross out “just as well” write next part…oh well…another failure using that…0-2
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 7, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
John Smoltz released by Bosox; Doug Brocail on DL again
Looks like some standard bearers are leaving the game
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
But Daryl Ward is a survivor
Washington Nationals picked him up from White Sox this week
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Carlos Villanueva
Per Brew Crew ball:
Carlos Villanueva (2-8, 5.98) is coming off his best outing of the season, five scoreless innings with just two hits in his second start of 2009. He’s still in the process of getting stretched out, and will probably be good to go for 85-90 pitches and 6 innings or so tonight.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Would anyone else prefer Erstad in CF over Michaels?
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Braun doubles down left field line
Counsel gunned down at the plate
by timmy_ on Aug 7, 2009 7:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bullet by Tejada
First, Tejada went fairly deep down left field line for the relay throw
Secod, He turned and fired a bullet to Pudge at home.
Pudge for his part blocked the plate to keep Counsel from touching home.
I thought Carlos Lee was a lackadaisical in his thow to Tejada
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
On replay
Carlos not so lackadaisical.
Mea culpa
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
as pointed out by JD, it’s interesting that the Brewers’ 3d base coach was positioned where he could not see Lee in the corner at all, yet he was waving Counsel on like all get out.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
probably an assumption of not great speed and not great arm
Really nice plays by all 3 Astros got the out. The decision to send seems logical, but…
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What else could he do?
The ball disappeared.
His man was rounding third and no sign of Lee or the ball; and two outs.
I think Dave Clark would have sent him too
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying there is much he can do.
but I was surprised he was waving him so enthusiastically when his runner was just past 2d base.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
astros’ bats looked like weak noodles in the 1st inning.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hunter Pence against the Brewers this year
batting over .400
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Struck out this time
(as did Matsui to start the inning)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Must have enjoyed the Wives Gala last night
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pirates up
on Carpenter and the Cards. I wonder if they can hold on. If I gambled on baseball, I’m pretty sure I would lose.
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ew I just realized we have two sub .200 hitters in the lineup tonight
by timmy_ on Aug 7, 2009 7:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Erstad is still below .200 with that hit
by timmy_ on Aug 7, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But he's 1.000
since coming off DL
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Erstad doubled Pudge home for run number one
1-0
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 7:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
no way gray
all air between bat and ball
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bud Norris get's a K to end the 4th inning
Pudge caught the ball but it popped out, home ump ruled no contact was made by batter.
by timmy_ on Aug 7, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
correction
catalanotto K’s to end the top of the 4th inning
by timmy_ on Aug 7, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So as long as Norris doesn't pitch more than 50 innings
he’ll still qualify as a rookie next year
by timmy_ on Aug 7, 2009 8:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ryan Braun steals a double from Carlos Lee
Line drive tothe wall and Braun somehow got his glove up at the wall to catch it
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Groin sprain not quite healed
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bud Norris
All I have seen him throw are fastballs and sliders. If he develops a changeup he can be one of the top pitchers in the league.
by HtownBoy1999 on Aug 7, 2009 8:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought Jason Kendall was washed up and not fit to be a major leaguer
He’s a hall of famera against the Astros
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He and JJ Hardy
have that weird sort of groundswell of energy as the designated hated players this year. I don’t know if I’m describing it well. Hardy has always had a core of hatred. Now that he’s having a down year, tar and feathers!
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Bill Hall?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hall or Hart?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bill Hall
From a recnet news Mewspaper article :" That’s a big gulp, without question. But, in essence, Hall is done as a meaningful player with the Brewers. He’s not in their plans"
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
probably see him tomorrow in RF
not that that contradicts what the article says
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's kind of past that
now the hate is for the manager every time he puts him in the game. There are some people who think he should still get playing time. The guy I don’t get who has a big following of people who love him is Dave Bush. I sure don’t get that one. People talk about crying or having to deal with him being out of the lineup.
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Homerun to make it 2-1
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brewers 2 Astros 1
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
JASON MICHAELS HOMERUN
Jason Michaels is two players , He’s reasonsbly good batter as a starter ; but a horrendous pinch hitter
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
MIGUEL TEJADA HOMERUN
Astros leads 3-2
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cardinals beat Pirates 6-4
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Geoff Blum's catch of foul ball in the stands an inning or two back
made the MLB.com Highlights and wasn’t even mentioned here at TCB.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow
The stros actually made it on ESPN. Thats weirds, aren’t the Sox and Yankees playing now?
by HtownBoy1999 on Aug 7, 2009 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good job Bud
That should be it for him.
by HtownBoy1999 on Aug 7, 2009 8:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Everybody believes Bud Norris is through for the night
as he leaves leading 3-2 after six innings
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This time Carlos Lee gets his double
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brewers Pitching Change
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
IBB Darin Erstad
yuck it up
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jason Michaels batting
Runners on the corners 2 outs
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
THREE RUN HOMERUN
our player of the game
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewers have Jason Kendall
Astros have Jason Michaels
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
WOW.....Michaels says I still belong in the big leagues.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 8:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Erstad IBB backfired
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And using a reliever as a starter and a starter as a reliever, IMO.
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Sampson pitching in relief
How many times did the Round Rock Express score 6 runs for Bud Norris?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 8:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
more like...
how many times did the Round Rock Express score 6 runs, period.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
After two strikeouts
Brewers get back to back singles
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
another single
This one drives in a run.
Prince Fielder to bat.
Pitching change (Byrdak relieves Sampson)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Byrdak pitching to Fielder as tying run.
Not a good feeling…..but Fielder doesn’t like lefties.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
he's had a bunch of big hits against lefties
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
.302 against lefties
.301 agaisnt righties
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry guys mlb.gameday said he struck him out
by HtownBoy1999 on Aug 7, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Fielder struck out
but the umpire called it a ball instead of a strike and they said he didn’t swing . They could have rung him up either way; but didn’t ; and he walked on the next pitch
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Typical Byrdak…..walks the batter he was put in to face.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
dang it
ball 4 .. bases loaded … I thought Byrdak usually wore glasses..must have contacts…and here comes Fulchino ..
And I understand why Coop is changing relievers the way he is .. but it still something I dont totally agree with..we’re up 6-3 and this is our 4th pitcher of the game… the brewers have used 2 so far (or is it 3? I think just 2.)
Strike 1 to Cameron. 0-2 to Cameron. Come on Fulchino
by strosfannate on Aug 7, 2009 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pitching change
Jeff Fulcihino (I think)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
hey clack
RJ Swindle and his 55 mph curveball cut and picked up by Rays. Did great in minors, but gave up runs when called up.
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
interesting pitcher....
trying to be another Doug Jones? I am intrigued by someone throwing really slow to major league hitters…just like I’m intrigued by knuckleballers.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he threw a lot of low 80s stuff
the curveball was his out pitch and it worked great. A couple guys smiled after he K’d them. He just couldn’t get to it.
by ol Pete on Aug 7, 2009 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
was it Spahn who said..
“hitting is timing; pitching is disrupting timing.”
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strike Out
Fulchino Ks Cameron..
Brewers leave ’em loaded
by strosfannate on Aug 7, 2009 9:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn't even realize bases were loaded
that was a BIG strikeout
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Carlos Lee thrown out trying to stretch single to double.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
heh. probably right about that.
and if he was on 2d, the DP wouldn’t have been in order.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blum’s pop up fell in for a hit. I had a feeling that would happen after Lee was thrown out. Always does.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Red Sox - Yankees scoreless in the tenth
They need Jason Michaels
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If Valverde walks Counsel, Braun and Fielder would be up as tying runs.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
But JD said this would a relatively easy save
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
GIDP
makes it look easier
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Consistently throwing FBs to Braun, but his command of the FB hasn’t been good lately.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Braun K's swinging on FB low below the zone.
Nothing but 96-97 mph to Braun.
by clack on Aug 7, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got Him
K to end the game!!
Astros win 6-3 :D
by strosfannate on Aug 7, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ASTROS WIN 6-3
Memorable game for Bud Norris and Jason Michaels
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
and Jeff Fulchino
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 7, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can we get Michaels more playing time?
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." ~Earl Wilson
by hunterpencefan on Aug 7, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
pretend all of his other games never happened.
Your friendly neighborhood Dream Shake mod.
by Only_A_Lad on Aug 7, 2009 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can we get Michaels more playing time?
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." ~Earl Wilson
by hunterpencefan on Aug 7, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bud Norris
I like Bud Norris so far …. he does seem to walk his share of batters, but other than that he seems to pitch very well so far … and remains calm and focused for the most part …..
by strosfannate on Aug 7, 2009 9:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
sorry about double post.
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." ~Earl Wilson
by hunterpencefan on Aug 7, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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