Sunday, July 13, 2008
Astros Midseason Report Card
I've thought of analyses like these under much better circumstances than this season. The 2008 version of your beloved Astros are limping into the All-Star break with a record of 44-51, in last place for the first time since, well, I can ever remember. Even when they sucked last season and in 2000, I cannot remember them being in last place at this point of the season. Or ever really.
I do try to be Mr. Bright Side every once in a while though. While the Stros are 13 games out of first place entering the break, they are just 8.5 games out of the Wild Card and only half a game from climbing out of the NL Central cellar. Nothing that 36-10 can't pull off, right?
Anyway, I thought I would go ahead and give some grades out. Unfortunately, I'm probably going to sound more like an asshole calculus professor when grading. There will be no curve.
Disclaimer: I don't live in Houston. Or anywhere near there for that matter. I have seen four games life this year, and only two were at home. I have mlb.tv, but I just can't stare at my computer for 3 hours at a time. If there is any analysis that feels incomplete, it probably is. It wouldn't be if I still lived in Texas.
Offense:
Offensively, the Astros show some flashes of brilliance countered by lessons in futility. Lance Berkman continues his torrid MVP pace hitting .347 with 22 HRs and 72 RBIs. Plus, everyone seemed to forget about Carlos Lee come all star time. Despite having one more RBI than Berkman and one less home run while still hitting .299, he will not be vacationing in the Bronx this week. In addition, Hunter Pence is 3rd on the team in HRs and RBIs and Miguel Tejada, despite the fact that he has been slumpling lately, is still better than Adam Everett.
It isn't all rosy in this department though. Coming in to the season, Michael Bourne and Kaz Matsui were supposed to be the table-setters at the top of the lineup. Bourn is currently hitting .218 with a .273 On-Base Percentage, while Matsui, at $5.5 million a year, isn't doing anything that Mark Loretta wouldn't have done at second base. Plus, J.R. Towles is doing the unthinkable this season, making Brad Ausmus look like a decent offensive player.
Average these together, and you get, well, an average offense. C-
Defense:
Probably the bright spot on the team. The Astros have made the fewest number of errors in the NL with 47. Tejada's range at short is above average, and I can't tell that they are missing Adam Everett that much. Michael Bourn can cover some ground in center as well. I will have to give some points off for Carlos Lee. I saw the only triple hit to left at Minute Maid ever this year. B
Starting Rotation:
This is actually a tough one to grade. Not necessarily just for looking at the numbers though. The numbers are bad, but the question is how to grade against the expectations from the beginning of the season.
There is no doubt that most of the staff is having a subpar year. Nowhere is this more apparent than with Roy Oswalt. Expected to carry the staff this year, Oswalt has fought an injured hip all year while notching just seven wins and a 4.56 ERA. However, the rest of the rotation is not necesarily picking up slack.
Brandon Backe is the only other starter currently on the roster to pitch over 80 innings, coming up with five wins. Shawn Chacon went from throwing every fifth day to throwing his boss on the floor. Wandy Rodriguez has pitched well, but has missed multiple starts due to injury. Runelvys Hernandez and Jack Cassell have filled in for starts here and there, but what can you expect from them.
Of course, I don't think anybody expected the rotation to pitch any better than this. In fact, when Wandy Rodriguez is your number two starter, expectations are low. Therefore, I will give the rotation: C
Bullpen:
There is Jose Valverde. A 3.80 ERA with 24 saves in 25 chances. With the exception of a rocky stretch to start the season, he has been everything that the team hoped for. Chris Sampson has also been a bright spot. Since moving to the bullpen at the end of May, Sampson has given up five earned runs in 25+ innings pitched. In addition to this, Tim Byrdak and Geoff Geary are putting up decent numbers. Doug Brocail should not be a Major League setup man, but is doing okay in that role. Not great, but okay. Rejoice though, because Oscar Villareal was finally placed on waivers, about half a season after he should have been.
My thoughts on the bullpen are the same as the rotation. I didn't buy all the talk at the beginning of the year that it would be a great pen. Outside of Valverde, I didn't see too many strengths. In addition to this, the lack of good starting pitching has led to more innings for the pen. Therefore, I really didn't expect any more than this out of them. C
Coaching:
Finally, somewhere I can pile on. I'm not ready to completely judge Cecil Cooper. He needs more than half a season before I will label him an incompetent manager. I don't think Connie Mack could win with this ballclub. It's hard to make chicken salad out of chicken shit.
That said, when Richard Justice says that players are unhappy with him and pitching coach Dewey Robinson, then something may be wrong in the clubhouse. As far as Robinson is concerned, if your ace goes to a coach not employed by your team for advice, you should be watching out for a pink slip.
Would winning cure this attitude? Probably. But until they do win, I have to assume that players being unhappy with management cannot help a baseball club. D
Summary: I do hate saying this, but I just don't expect a magical run like in '04 or '05. The offense just doesn't click without a work-in-progress at the top of the order, and the rotation just doesn't have the arms. I had always wondered what the Stros would be like without Clemens and Pettitte. I think we are looking at that. I hope I'm wrong, but don't expect a Wild Card berth in '08.
I do try to be Mr. Bright Side every once in a while though. While the Stros are 13 games out of first place entering the break, they are just 8.5 games out of the Wild Card and only half a game from climbing out of the NL Central cellar. Nothing that 36-10 can't pull off, right?
Anyway, I thought I would go ahead and give some grades out. Unfortunately, I'm probably going to sound more like an asshole calculus professor when grading. There will be no curve.
Disclaimer: I don't live in Houston. Or anywhere near there for that matter. I have seen four games life this year, and only two were at home. I have mlb.tv, but I just can't stare at my computer for 3 hours at a time. If there is any analysis that feels incomplete, it probably is. It wouldn't be if I still lived in Texas.
Offense:
Offensively, the Astros show some flashes of brilliance countered by lessons in futility. Lance Berkman continues his torrid MVP pace hitting .347 with 22 HRs and 72 RBIs. Plus, everyone seemed to forget about Carlos Lee come all star time. Despite having one more RBI than Berkman and one less home run while still hitting .299, he will not be vacationing in the Bronx this week. In addition, Hunter Pence is 3rd on the team in HRs and RBIs and Miguel Tejada, despite the fact that he has been slumpling lately, is still better than Adam Everett.
It isn't all rosy in this department though. Coming in to the season, Michael Bourne and Kaz Matsui were supposed to be the table-setters at the top of the lineup. Bourn is currently hitting .218 with a .273 On-Base Percentage, while Matsui, at $5.5 million a year, isn't doing anything that Mark Loretta wouldn't have done at second base. Plus, J.R. Towles is doing the unthinkable this season, making Brad Ausmus look like a decent offensive player.
Average these together, and you get, well, an average offense. C-
Defense:
Probably the bright spot on the team. The Astros have made the fewest number of errors in the NL with 47. Tejada's range at short is above average, and I can't tell that they are missing Adam Everett that much. Michael Bourn can cover some ground in center as well. I will have to give some points off for Carlos Lee. I saw the only triple hit to left at Minute Maid ever this year. B
Starting Rotation:
This is actually a tough one to grade. Not necessarily just for looking at the numbers though. The numbers are bad, but the question is how to grade against the expectations from the beginning of the season.
There is no doubt that most of the staff is having a subpar year. Nowhere is this more apparent than with Roy Oswalt. Expected to carry the staff this year, Oswalt has fought an injured hip all year while notching just seven wins and a 4.56 ERA. However, the rest of the rotation is not necesarily picking up slack.
Brandon Backe is the only other starter currently on the roster to pitch over 80 innings, coming up with five wins. Shawn Chacon went from throwing every fifth day to throwing his boss on the floor. Wandy Rodriguez has pitched well, but has missed multiple starts due to injury. Runelvys Hernandez and Jack Cassell have filled in for starts here and there, but what can you expect from them.
Of course, I don't think anybody expected the rotation to pitch any better than this. In fact, when Wandy Rodriguez is your number two starter, expectations are low. Therefore, I will give the rotation: C
Bullpen:
There is Jose Valverde. A 3.80 ERA with 24 saves in 25 chances. With the exception of a rocky stretch to start the season, he has been everything that the team hoped for. Chris Sampson has also been a bright spot. Since moving to the bullpen at the end of May, Sampson has given up five earned runs in 25+ innings pitched. In addition to this, Tim Byrdak and Geoff Geary are putting up decent numbers. Doug Brocail should not be a Major League setup man, but is doing okay in that role. Not great, but okay. Rejoice though, because Oscar Villareal was finally placed on waivers, about half a season after he should have been.
My thoughts on the bullpen are the same as the rotation. I didn't buy all the talk at the beginning of the year that it would be a great pen. Outside of Valverde, I didn't see too many strengths. In addition to this, the lack of good starting pitching has led to more innings for the pen. Therefore, I really didn't expect any more than this out of them. C
Coaching:
Finally, somewhere I can pile on. I'm not ready to completely judge Cecil Cooper. He needs more than half a season before I will label him an incompetent manager. I don't think Connie Mack could win with this ballclub. It's hard to make chicken salad out of chicken shit.
That said, when Richard Justice says that players are unhappy with him and pitching coach Dewey Robinson, then something may be wrong in the clubhouse. As far as Robinson is concerned, if your ace goes to a coach not employed by your team for advice, you should be watching out for a pink slip.
Would winning cure this attitude? Probably. But until they do win, I have to assume that players being unhappy with management cannot help a baseball club. D
Summary: I do hate saying this, but I just don't expect a magical run like in '04 or '05. The offense just doesn't click without a work-in-progress at the top of the order, and the rotation just doesn't have the arms. I had always wondered what the Stros would be like without Clemens and Pettitte. I think we are looking at that. I hope I'm wrong, but don't expect a Wild Card berth in '08.
Labels: all star, astros, baseball, berkman, grade, oswalt
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Just for Cari, DC-Baltimore Ballpark Comparison
So, Cari told me that I needed to post on here.
GO STROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry. It was too tempting.
In all honesty, I have no problems with the Rangers. Heck, I even rooted for them on Sunday when they played the Nats.
I guess I should go ahead and throw in there that it was an enjoyable baseball week for me. I headed to Camden Yards on Wednesday with Cari and the DC members of my family to see the Stros play the Orioles. The outcome of the game wasn't very fun, and it was the kind of game you lose when it is not going well, dropping it 2-1 in the 10th inning.
That said, I enjoyed being at Camden Yards. This may be my favorite ballpark (PNC Park in Pittsburgh is also a wonderful ballpark, and the atmospheres at Wrigley and Fenway cannot be beat). The warehouse looming over the playing field provides a wonderful, intimate setting for the game, even if the new Hilton does block some of the view of downtown. The brick and steel construction, as well as the layout of the park, make me feel like I am watching a game in a classic, 80-year-old stadium. Most "retro" ballparks have a few classic features, but you can defintely tell that it is a modern facility. Other than the video scoreboard on the right field wall, which, in my opinion should be a hand-operated scoreboard like at Minute Maid, Camden is a classic ballpark. I'm very excited that I live 30 minutes away from it.
On Sunday, Cari and I headed to the District as we saw the Rangers take on the Nats. The game was enjoyable, with the Rangers scoring 2 in the 8th to break a tie and win 5-3. It was my second time at Nationals Park, Cari's first. We both agreed that we liked Camden Yards better.
Don't get me wrong, it is a nice ballpark. There is just something about it. I do like that it is a retro design, but it doesn't try to feel old. It has good sightlines, nice amenities, a good beer selection and Ben's Chili Bowl. In the middle of the 4th inning, you feel that, if Teddy can pull off an upset in the Presidents' Race, you could be a part of history. It makes for an enjoyable game-watching experience, and I have had a great time at both games I was there.
There is just something it is missing. Nothing really says Washington when I am there. Camden has the warehouse. Boston has the Green Monster. Wrigley has the ivy. In San Francisco, you are along the bay. Houston has a green roof (or a toy train, if you prefer). There is just nothing special about it. Plus, it just feels bigger than other parks, whether it is or not. It doesn't have an intimate, homey atmosphere. Add in the fact that the neighborhood has nothing yet, except some slummy row houses, and I just wasn't feeling it. (The neighborhood part will get better in the next few years, though).
Still a very nice park though. I'm sure everyone is very glad they are not playing in the craphole that is RFK anymore. Or Montreal for that matter.
Besides, even if the ballpark is lacking something, a day at the ballpark is better than, well, pretty much anything.
GO STROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry. It was too tempting.
In all honesty, I have no problems with the Rangers. Heck, I even rooted for them on Sunday when they played the Nats.
I guess I should go ahead and throw in there that it was an enjoyable baseball week for me. I headed to Camden Yards on Wednesday with Cari and the DC members of my family to see the Stros play the Orioles. The outcome of the game wasn't very fun, and it was the kind of game you lose when it is not going well, dropping it 2-1 in the 10th inning.
That said, I enjoyed being at Camden Yards. This may be my favorite ballpark (PNC Park in Pittsburgh is also a wonderful ballpark, and the atmospheres at Wrigley and Fenway cannot be beat). The warehouse looming over the playing field provides a wonderful, intimate setting for the game, even if the new Hilton does block some of the view of downtown. The brick and steel construction, as well as the layout of the park, make me feel like I am watching a game in a classic, 80-year-old stadium. Most "retro" ballparks have a few classic features, but you can defintely tell that it is a modern facility. Other than the video scoreboard on the right field wall, which, in my opinion should be a hand-operated scoreboard like at Minute Maid, Camden is a classic ballpark. I'm very excited that I live 30 minutes away from it.
On Sunday, Cari and I headed to the District as we saw the Rangers take on the Nats. The game was enjoyable, with the Rangers scoring 2 in the 8th to break a tie and win 5-3. It was my second time at Nationals Park, Cari's first. We both agreed that we liked Camden Yards better.
Don't get me wrong, it is a nice ballpark. There is just something about it. I do like that it is a retro design, but it doesn't try to feel old. It has good sightlines, nice amenities, a good beer selection and Ben's Chili Bowl. In the middle of the 4th inning, you feel that, if Teddy can pull off an upset in the Presidents' Race, you could be a part of history. It makes for an enjoyable game-watching experience, and I have had a great time at both games I was there.
There is just something it is missing. Nothing really says Washington when I am there. Camden has the warehouse. Boston has the Green Monster. Wrigley has the ivy. In San Francisco, you are along the bay. Houston has a green roof (or a toy train, if you prefer). There is just nothing special about it. Plus, it just feels bigger than other parks, whether it is or not. It doesn't have an intimate, homey atmosphere. Add in the fact that the neighborhood has nothing yet, except some slummy row houses, and I just wasn't feeling it. (The neighborhood part will get better in the next few years, though).
Still a very nice park though. I'm sure everyone is very glad they are not playing in the craphole that is RFK anymore. Or Montreal for that matter.
Besides, even if the ballpark is lacking something, a day at the ballpark is better than, well, pretty much anything.
Friday, May 30, 2008
I Hate Pujols
I don't really need to write any more after the title, because I think you get the point, seeing as how the only two or three people that will read this are Astros fans. But good Lord, what the hell did we ever do to deserve this?
He is probably the best hitter in the game, I know that. Despite that, he is still Astro Killa Extraordinaire, what with 22 career home runs in Minute Maid Park (I can probably name 5 Astros multi-year starters off the top of my head that don't have that many, and they got to play about 70 more games a year in the park than Albert).
Hitting a home run that scored the game winning run last night didn't hurt either.
I probably should be more pissed off at the fact that that home run was the 16th this year given up by Roy Oswalt. That's 2 more than he gave up all last year. Roy is getting close to qualifying for a singing role in a cheesy commerical for a Mexican chain with those Lima-esque numbers.
But everyone looks for a scapegoat. He is mine. Stop pitching to him. Now, I'm not advocating intentionally walking him with noone and 2 outs in the first. But on second thought, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Especially with the Cardinals lineup who, outside of Pujols, has only slightly more pop than the fearsome Astros duo of Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus.
I just hope it doesn't take too many more of these situations for us to learn. If it is late in a close game, don't ever, EVER throw Pujols a strike. Please. Pretty Please.
He is probably the best hitter in the game, I know that. Despite that, he is still Astro Killa Extraordinaire, what with 22 career home runs in Minute Maid Park (I can probably name 5 Astros multi-year starters off the top of my head that don't have that many, and they got to play about 70 more games a year in the park than Albert).
Hitting a home run that scored the game winning run last night didn't hurt either.
I probably should be more pissed off at the fact that that home run was the 16th this year given up by Roy Oswalt. That's 2 more than he gave up all last year. Roy is getting close to qualifying for a singing role in a cheesy commerical for a Mexican chain with those Lima-esque numbers.
But everyone looks for a scapegoat. He is mine. Stop pitching to him. Now, I'm not advocating intentionally walking him with noone and 2 outs in the first. But on second thought, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Especially with the Cardinals lineup who, outside of Pujols, has only slightly more pop than the fearsome Astros duo of Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus.
I just hope it doesn't take too many more of these situations for us to learn. If it is late in a close game, don't ever, EVER throw Pujols a strike. Please. Pretty Please.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
How Observant
Cardinals color commentator Rick Horton tonight, just before a 3-0 pitch by Braden Looper to Lance Berkman:
"This pitch, it's either going to be Strike 1 or Ball 4."
Quite an astute observation. Why can't I watch Brownie and Jimmy D every game?
"This pitch, it's either going to be Strike 1 or Ball 4."
Quite an astute observation. Why can't I watch Brownie and Jimmy D every game?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Baseball? Not in Houston.
It's a beautiful day in Washington DC. The high today is 78 degrees. There is not a cloud in the sky. Considering this, and the fact that today is Memorial Day and I don't have to go to work, I think it's a great day to go to a ballgame.
Fortunately, I am here. I can go see the Nats play the Brewers and the O's play the Yankees. But if I were back home in Houston, I wouldn't be able to do it. The Astros are off. On Memorial Day.
It's little things like this that make me think that MLB just doesn't have a clue. The Astros played a 4 game series Thursday through Sunday against the Phillies. Then on a national holliday, when absolutely nobody goes to work, the Astros have an off day.
Let's see here. A winning, popular baseball team + nobody going to work + air conditioning = a sellout crowd. Instead of taking Thursday off and having a 4 game series with 4 sellouts, the Astros drew 29,263 on Thursday night. Thats 13,000 less tickets, which means less hot dogs, beers, sodas and souveniers sold. Plus, thousands of fans who were going to watch the game on TV today couldn't.
I'm not sure who is responsible for this. But whether it be MLB or the Astros, Bud Selig or Drayton McLane, somebody just doesn't have a clue. Whether it be alienating fans who want to spend a summer holliday watching baseball, or throwing away thousands of dollars, someone dropped the ball on this one.
Fortunately, I am here. I can go see the Nats play the Brewers and the O's play the Yankees. But if I were back home in Houston, I wouldn't be able to do it. The Astros are off. On Memorial Day.
It's little things like this that make me think that MLB just doesn't have a clue. The Astros played a 4 game series Thursday through Sunday against the Phillies. Then on a national holliday, when absolutely nobody goes to work, the Astros have an off day.
Let's see here. A winning, popular baseball team + nobody going to work + air conditioning = a sellout crowd. Instead of taking Thursday off and having a 4 game series with 4 sellouts, the Astros drew 29,263 on Thursday night. Thats 13,000 less tickets, which means less hot dogs, beers, sodas and souveniers sold. Plus, thousands of fans who were going to watch the game on TV today couldn't.
I'm not sure who is responsible for this. But whether it be MLB or the Astros, Bud Selig or Drayton McLane, somebody just doesn't have a clue. Whether it be alienating fans who want to spend a summer holliday watching baseball, or throwing away thousands of dollars, someone dropped the ball on this one.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Why I Hate (Most) Lawyers
I could talk about the Astros' sweet win last night, or Hunter Pence's grand slam, Chris Sampson's great pitching performance, or even the fact that I'm proud of the Astros for retaliating to Carlos Lee getting thrown at not once, not twice, but three times in one game.
However, I have an excuse to bitch about something political while keeping it on the subject of sports.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/family_sues_little_league_bat.html
THIS IS WHY I HATE (most) LAWYERS!!!!!
Hey, I have a thought, go ahead and sue the ball company too. Why don't you sue the other 12 year old kid who hit the ball? Sue the glove company because the kid couldn't catch the ball. You would probably have a better case if you sued yourselves for allowing the kid to be in the path of the ball.
I feel sorry for the parents and the kid, but this is rediculous. The family should be fined for suggesting such a frivelous lawsuit, as should the lawyer for actually taking this to court.
However, I have an excuse to bitch about something political while keeping it on the subject of sports.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/family_sues_little_league_bat.html
THIS IS WHY I HATE (most) LAWYERS!!!!!
Hey, I have a thought, go ahead and sue the ball company too. Why don't you sue the other 12 year old kid who hit the ball? Sue the glove company because the kid couldn't catch the ball. You would probably have a better case if you sued yourselves for allowing the kid to be in the path of the ball.
I feel sorry for the parents and the kid, but this is rediculous. The family should be fined for suggesting such a frivelous lawsuit, as should the lawyer for actually taking this to court.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Road Trip Observations
Not much substance here, just some observations of the Astros' recent 10 game swing through the Left Coast and Big D.
-As of right now, Lance Berkman is my hero. My man crush. Leading in home runs and second in RBIs? 17 game hitting streak in which he is hitting .545. Almost hitting .400. The guy can go 2 for 5 and his average goes down. I don't think I've ever seen a hotter hitter in my life.
-I don't know about Chris Sampson. That ERA is killer, and he has really only had 2 good starts this season. Josh Muecke has a 3.06 ERA in nine starts at Round Rock. Should he get a shot?
-We still shouldn't give up on Bourne and Towles. They are young. Give them some more time. A month and a half is not a large enough sample size to judge a rookie. Besides, the team is still mashing the ball and winning. If it aint broke, don't fix it. In Bourne's case, as much as I don't want to use the Adam Everett defense, Bourne has been great so far defensively in center. That will be missed if he is pulled.
The 7-3 road trip leaves the Astros 2.5 games behind the Cubs heading into a three-game set with the loveable losers in Houston. Tonights game is on ESPN, so I won't have to jiggle the mouse every 20 minutes while watching. I'm pumped.
-As of right now, Lance Berkman is my hero. My man crush. Leading in home runs and second in RBIs? 17 game hitting streak in which he is hitting .545. Almost hitting .400. The guy can go 2 for 5 and his average goes down. I don't think I've ever seen a hotter hitter in my life.
-I don't know about Chris Sampson. That ERA is killer, and he has really only had 2 good starts this season. Josh Muecke has a 3.06 ERA in nine starts at Round Rock. Should he get a shot?
-We still shouldn't give up on Bourne and Towles. They are young. Give them some more time. A month and a half is not a large enough sample size to judge a rookie. Besides, the team is still mashing the ball and winning. If it aint broke, don't fix it. In Bourne's case, as much as I don't want to use the Adam Everett defense, Bourne has been great so far defensively in center. That will be missed if he is pulled.
The 7-3 road trip leaves the Astros 2.5 games behind the Cubs heading into a three-game set with the loveable losers in Houston. Tonights game is on ESPN, so I won't have to jiggle the mouse every 20 minutes while watching. I'm pumped.
