Nothing remarkable about this story. It's interesting to see how the Astros compare to this time last year. So, here we are, May 30, 2009, as the Astros prepare to play the Pirates. Last year at this time, the Astros had lost two games in a row, and played the Brewers, to whom they lost, 5-1.
Astros Record
May 30, 2009: 18-27, 8 GB
May 30, 2008, 30-26, 4.5 GB
Batters
(BA, OPS)
Bourn 2008: .209, .571 2009: .289, .741
Matsui 2008: .260, .684; 2009: .219, .583
Tejada 2008: .323, .843 2009: .344, .844
Berkman 2008: .386, 1.228; 2009: .234, .844
Lee 2008: .269, .813; 2009: .359, .876
Pence 2008: .303, .838; 2009 .351, .940
Erstad 2008: .304, .788; 2009: .146, .414
Blum 2008: .235, .619; 2009: .266, .664
Starting Rotation
Rotation on May 30, 2008
Backe 4.54 ERA
Oswalt 5.45 ERA
W. Rodriguez 2.89 ERA
Chacon 3.59 ERA
Sampson 6.94 ERA
6th Starter Moehler, 4.40 ERA
Rotation on May 30, 2009
Oswalt 4.62 ERA
W. Rodriguez 1.71 ERA
Hampton 5.62 ERA
Moehler 6.43 ERA
Paulino 6.75 ERA
6th starter Ortiz 4.88 ERA
Key Relief Pitchers on May 30
Closer
2008 Valverde 4.00 ERA; 2009 Hawkins 2.75 ERA
Set Up Pitchers
2008 Brocail 2.79 ERA; 2009 Sampson 2.17 ERA
Middle Relievers
2008: Borkowski 6.86 ERA ; Villareal 4.94 ERA
; 2009: Fulchino 4.08 ERA; Arias 4.35 ERA
Lefthanded Specialist
2008: Wright 4.66 ERA; 2009: Byrdak 3.71 ERA
We could mine the comparative data above for many comments. However, some thoughts: (1) We tend to blame the bullpen for the current Astros problems, but the bullpen appears to be better now than it was on May 30, 2008; (2) Berkman...wow, a different start to the season, eh? (3) Generally, the starting rotation was performing better in 2008, although Oswalt was a real problem at this time last year; (4) Until I typed this up, I didn't notice that Ortiz's ERA has dropped significantly below Hampton's.
Any thoughts or comments?