Astros beat World Series Champs and Cy Young winner in Series Opener
by Evan Hochschild on Sep 4, 2009 9:53 PM CDT
in News
7 comments
With a title like that, you would expect the Astros to have played well. That they did this Friday evening. Behind a sterling effort from PMVP (pitching MVP) Wandy Rodriguez, and a bloop/blast performance from the offense, our Astros took on a streaking Phils team and beat them soundly.
The Astros' ninth shut out victory of the season was spearheaded by Wandy Rodriguez who pounded the strike zone to the tune of 82 strikes thrown compared to a scant 29 balls. That nearly 3:1 ratio is exactly what pitchers with a big lead should do: throw strikes, don't walk hitters and let your defense do the work. Magic Wandy accomplished this task with ease.
His counterpart, Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, was felled by a number of bloop hits early on. Watching the game, I just got the sense that this was not going to be his night. After the dying quails early on, the Astros bats went after bigger game, to the tune of doubles by Wandy Rodriguez and Kaz Matsui, and homers by Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee.
Everyone contributed. Aaron Boone got on base via a HBP in his only AB. Fuzzy feelings all around.
JR Towles is making his way to Houston, and should be in uniform tomorrow night. A real September call up! There's some excitement for the remainder of 2009. Too bad he's not going to be playing much. Somehow, overlooking the mistakes and head scratching decisions of the Astros is easier after a win. That's exactly what Drayton wants to happen, I suppose. Roy O goes tomorrow night, and Bud on Sunday afternoon. Some intriguing pitching matchups to behold if you're in town.
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Just curious...
I know a lot of people say Bourn’s been the team MVP, which is hardly disagreeable, but Magic Wandy’s been spectacular. Maybe his .BAA sort of iffy, but he’s struck out 162 over 175 and leading the team in wins and a 2.82 ERA even with two ERA corrections against the Rockies and the Crew
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
by jonthefon on Sep 5, 2009 1:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
there may, or may not,
be something on the way here to debate that very point, jon
by Evan Hochschild on Sep 5, 2009 7:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
With all of the talk of Bourn as MVP, I’ve wonder the same thing….why Wandy isn’t the hands down choice? I think this comes down to whether people believe a pitcher should be a MVP (or at least, is as a disadvanatage in vying for the MVP). Some people thing that everyday players should be the first choice for MVP. I can’t recall all the past Astros’ MVPs, but my recollection is that pitchers have won the award on occasion.
by clack on Sep 5, 2009 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Michael Bourn leads the team with a 4.2 WAR, Wandy comes in second place with a 3.2 WAR. This could be a fun debate.
by AstroAndy on Sep 5, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some considerations...
Wandy Rodriguez is 9th in the MLB in ERA, though his peripheral stats do not impress enough to be noteworthy.
Michael Bourn is 48th in batting average and 50th in on-base percentage.
Among outfielders, he’s 16th in batting average, but his stock soars to 5th among center fielders (though keep in mind there are many fewer starting center fielders in baseball than starting pitchers).
He is third in MLB and obviously the NL leader in stolen bases.
My pick would be Wandy, all else being equal—but as mentioned above, there are other considerations. Bourn has arguably improved more than Wandy this year, and whether a pitcher should be given equal consideration for team MVP is an issue as well.
by OremLK on Sep 5, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bourn and Rodriguez are the two leading candidates
(though I can see the powers that be pick Tejada)
My choice is Michael Bourn. Many a game is he is the only bright spot on offense, and the brighest on defense. He’s the only Astro I am excited to see bat in a critical spot (Berkman has let us down too many times this year; and I cringe if Carlos Lee bats with a man on first).
This is not a slam at Wandy. He’s been great. But I pick Michael Bourn.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 5, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the writers, not the Astros' brass, picks the MVP.
And based on what we read from Houston sportswriters, I am guessing Bourn wins it.
My initial reaction was that Wandy had the MVP edge over Bourn, based on their relative rankings at their positions. For example, Wandy is a top 10 starting pitcher, and also the best LH starting pitcher in the NL. But I probably sold Bourn short there. My initial reaction was to consider Bourn an “average” CFer, based on his slightly below average OPS and above average defense. However, only 2 CFers in the NL have a higher WAR than Bourn (Nyjer Morgan and Kemp), and this gives a broader view of Bourn because it also takes into account base running. So I think it comes down to the fact that Bourn and Wandy have both been “elite” for their positions this year and also rank as the best position player and pitcher on the team. So it comes down to how you want to value pitchers vs. batters. Great batters generally have a higher WAR than great pitchers….partly because they have more opportunities to perform.
But pitching is probably a more scarce commodity. Take your choice.
by clack on Sep 5, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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