Don’t look now but the Astros are SALTY
Fresh off of taking 2 of 3 from the 1st place Sammy Sosa Cork Soakers, the ‘Stros are just 1.5 games back and looking like a “contenda”. After opening the series with a 7 - 2 shellacking, the Astros won games two and three in dramatic fashion. Not because they were both come from behind wins, but because they did it with solid starting pitching and airtight relief work. Certainly not the hallmarks of a team that reminds of a Harvey’s Wallbangers lineup that included Molitor, Yount, Cooper, Ogilvie, and Gorman Thomas, 1 decent starting pitcher, and a great closer in Rollie Fingers.
Instead the Astros got solid starts from Sampson and Chacon combined with blemish free relief appearances by Brocail and closer Valverde. Mix in a granny from Pence and a 3 run bomb by Carlos Lee and you’ve got a huge series win. Look for road rage on I-45 to fall accordingly. The ‘Stros are back.
Here are a few things that stand out to me about this team:
Tejada. His bat is as advertised but it doesn’t look like the Astros have missed a beat defensively short. His infectious attitude is also a breath of fresh air for a team that has lacked emotion in years past. Miggy has been a great addition in more ways than I thought he could be.
Valverde. He’s filthy to be sure, but he’s also located the ball much better than he has at any point in his career. He looks to be maturing and improving from game to game. I credit Coop for keeping his ship righted.
Lance Berkman. The Big Puma is putting up triple crown like numbers and looks absolutely dialed in at this point. Lee’s hot bat should only increase his opportunities. He’d have just an ungodly number of RBI’s had Matsui been healthy all year and Bourn not struggled early like he did.
Brocail. He’s been a godsend after Villareal gas-canned. Hopefully Nieve or Geary when he’s healthy can take some pressure off the old warhorse.
Matsui. A professional hitter that is perfect for the top of the order in front of the teeth of this offense. He takes pitchers deep into counts and it must drive them nuts knowing Tejada, Berkman, and Lee are looming. Kaz’s defense has been steady.
Dissappointments. Towles, Bourn, and Wiggington. Towles needs time, Bourn needs a couple of breaks and/or bloops, and Wiggy needs to make way for Blum.
Thoughts?
May 22, 2008 at 7:58 am
Astros fans are so cute in the same way as the beaming 4 year-old kid who truly has no idea that his dad just let him win in a rigged game of one-on-one basketball. They are absolutely convinced, despite all objective evidence to the contrary, that their heroes play for a real baseball club.
Go Redbirds!
May 22, 2008 at 7:59 am
Tejada.
His bat is as advertised but it doesn’t look like the Astros have missed a beat defensively short. His infectious attitude is also a breath of fresh air for a team that has lacked emotion in years past.”
After giving up a 3-spot in the top of the 1st last night, the TV broadcast showed Tejada in the dugout walking up and down encouraging everyone to just get the runs back.
That was a nice change from the past.
May 22, 2008 at 7:59 am
Every Astros fan owes me a beer for having to put up with Mike Lamb and Adam Everett.
May 22, 2008 at 8:32 am
Brick, my 5 year old would beat you in a game. As long as it was make it take it, because I’m sure you’d try to back him down.
Srr50, yep, I loved it.
Mike Lamb would have to DH on my softball team. His glove is that bad.
May 22, 2008 at 9:39 am
I wouldn’t worry about it. In 6 years, the Twins players will love Everett and defend him against any criticism. You will be able to defend him on message boards by providing quotes about how much they love him regardless of his ability to hit and be a top level SS.
May 22, 2008 at 10:13 am
Salty? Salty is my backup catcher, and if he hears about this column he might just put a Silver Boot up your ass.
May 22, 2008 at 10:26 am
Bourn a disappointment? He leads the league in steals. He’ll come around with the bat, but half of his times on base are de facto doubles… hard to be too disappointed with that.
And thank Dewey Robinson for Valverde, not Coop.
May 22, 2008 at 10:47 am
“Mike Lamb would have to DH on my softball team. His glove is that bad.”
Yeah but he’s a whopping 23 points above the Mendoza Line so there’s that.
May 22, 2008 at 11:40 am
It’s just so nice to have a shortstop and 2nd baseman that can hit. It makes the suckage that is JR Towles and Ausmus almost bearable. I couldn’t have stood another year with Everrett and Biggio at short and 2nd.
I am o.k. with Bourne so far. He does add a new dimension on the bases and in the field for us. If he can hit around .250, I would be very happy.
Obviously the pitching is going to determine if the Stros have a legit chance for the playoffs, but if we could get some production out of our 3rd baseman it sure would help. Lorretta at 3rd???
May 22, 2008 at 11:44 am
I guess I should have clarified I’m disappointed in Bourn’s .272 OBP. If he can hit .250 and continue to steal bases, I’m cool with that. Kid needs a couple breaks.
May 22, 2008 at 5:21 pm
No worries… I just think that Bourn is contributing to the offense, even despite the low OBP, and his defense has exceeded anything we’ve seen in a long, long time, outside of Beltran’s rented gardening skills. He’s making an impact. Period.
May 22, 2008 at 5:23 pm
BTW… the fact that this team makes you feel like they’re in the game, no matter the deficit, is simply incredible. The pitching has been much better than expected, and you cannot count them out of a game until the final out. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
May 23, 2008 at 6:49 am
Meanwhile Brad Lidge is 12 for 12 in saves and has given up one run in 21 innings. Saved the game against the Astros last night.
May 23, 2008 at 7:12 am
When Pujols or Derek Lee come up to bat in September (or October) with the game on the line, I would take Valverde over Lidge 1000000 times out of 1000000 in that situation even if Lidge doesn’t give up a run the rest of the year.
May 23, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Bourn not a disappointment? Well, I suppose I have to admit that it is impressive for a guy to lead the league in stolen bases despite a distinct lack of ability to get on base.
Nonetheless, I think ‘disappointment’ is the nicest thing to say about a leadoff hitter with a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an on-base % of .275.