Thus far

[JimR]

In my never humble opinion, this is a good team and no fluke. They are fun to watch.

[Fredia]

They just seem to work. not sure why,yes there should be improvement, but to this extent

[HudsonHawk]

In my never humble opinion, this is a good team and no fluke. They are fun to watch.

I'm agree. Memorial Day is a good measuring stick. You're roughly 1/3rd of the way, you've been through a few ups and downs. This is a good Major League team.

[juliogotay]

They've been speaking on the tv broadcasts of the previous Astros teams that achieved a similar record at this stage and they were good solid clubs like the 98-99 team. If the wheels stay on until July I can see Luhnow adding an impact starter. He's got the capital to do it.

[Reuben]

Like I said to my dad today, I think they will go as far as the pitchers take them. They've been excellent so far. Let us pray for their continued good health.

[subnuclear]

Like I said to my dad today, I think they will go as far as the pitchers take them. They've been excellent so far. Let us pray for their continued good health.

Good defense pretty much everywhere has helped the pitching.

[JimR]

The outfield defense is spectacular.

[Reuben]

The outfield defense is spectacular.

Sure is. They're a lot of fun to watch.

[Navin R Johnson]

If the wheels stay on until July I can see Luhnow adding an impact starter. He's got the capital to do it.

Heard a rumor that Crane wants them to go get Hamels.  They certainly have plenty of room to add salary, but I'd hate to give up a bunch of prospects outside of guys that are blocked like Kemp, Fontana, etc...

[toddthebod]

The outfield defense is spectacular.

Agreed, even though Marisnick was not great today. 

I would not be surprised if they went out and traded for another pitcher.  The rumor I read today was that the Astros were looking at Scott Kazmir and my immediate reaction was Meh.

[MusicMan]

The outfield defense is spectacular.

Having 3 CF's helps.

[austro]

Agreed, even though Marisnick was not great today. 

Marisnick's arm seems pretty suspect. Today's throw was just the latest of several unspectacular efforts. But I love the way he can chase down balls. Having Rasmus-Marisnick-Springer out there is similar to the defense that the Royals throw out there. If you don't hit it over the fence or down the line, it's going to be caught.

[juliogotay]

Agreed, even though Marisnick was not great today. 

I would not be surprised if they went out and traded for another pitcher.  The rumor I read today was that the Astros were looking at Scott Kazmir and my immediate reaction was Meh.

I would welcome Kazmir if they didn't give away the entire farm. Compare Kazmirs' numbers this year to Hamels.

                                 IP      H      BB     SO     BAA       WHIP
            Kazmir       49     39      19     49      .214        1.17
            Hamels      51     40      22     55      .215        1.22

Either one would be a welcome addition if they continue to track something like this. I do not know which one has the more favorable contract that would keep them off the market for a while. I doubt Luhnow would look for a rental guy first.

   

[toddthebod]

Kazmir's contract ends this season.  He's being paid $11 million and receives a $500k payment if traded. 

[JimR]

Kazmir has been pretty good the last couple of years.

[Limey]

Agreed, even though Marisnick was not great today. 

I would not be surprised if they went out and traded for another pitcher.  The rumor I read today was that the Astros were looking at Scott Kazmir and my immediate reaction was Meh.

Astros winning; Rockets winning; TTB not interested in a trade; 40 days and nights of rain.

It's been nice knowing you people...

[Fredia]

build a owa ark?

[MusicMan]

build a owa ark?

Riiiiight.  What's an ark?

[Fredia]

a big boat to hold most on owa and all the astros  no cubbies, strangers or yankees

[Waldo]

The outfield defense is spectacular.

The defense in general seems pretty good, at least by the eye test.  Don't really have to worry about Valbuena, Altuve, or Marwin.

[VirtualBob]

Riiiiight.  What's an ark?

Thanks, Bill.

[Randy Watson]

In my never humble opinion, this is a good team and no fluke. They are fun to watch.

Yep. 

[Randy Watson]

Altuve's defense seems to have gone from decent to outstanding.  He's a hard worker so no surprise.

[Mr. Happy]

Altuve's defense seems to have gone from decent to outstanding.  He's a hard worker so no surprise.

+1 Altuve is one of the most likable players in some time. He exudes a real spirit of goodness and class. I'm so glad that someone like that has achieved success.

[geezerdonk]

I think that Castro's defense has improved a lot this year.

[jbm]

It has.  His throwing is top notch.  Of course, he has a better foil this year.

[David in Jackson]

Wanted to mention in this thread: The bullpen.  Saw a couple of days ago ranked #2 in MLB.  When we have one run lead in the 7th or 8th, I expect to win.  That hasn't been the case in a LONG time.  Not the most important player on the team but the biggest pleasant surprise for me: Harris.

[Reuben]

Wanted to mention in this thread: The bullpen.  Saw a couple of days ago ranked #2 in MLB.  When we have one run lead in the 7th or 8th, I expect to win.  That hasn't been the case in a LONG time.  Not the most important player on the team but the biggest pleasant surprise for me: Harris.

Careful there. Gregerson has looked very shaky the last couple times, and Qualls and Neshek have walked some tightropes too. The 'pen is vastly improved over last year's (and the year before that, and...), and they have good depth with Fields, Harris, and Sipp, but I'm not ready to say it's one of the best in baseball.

[JimR]

Careful there. Gregerson has looked very shaky the last couple times, and Qualls and Neshek have walked some tightropes too. The 'pen is vastly improved over last year's (and the year before that, and...), and they have good depth with Fields, Harris, and Sipp, but I'm not ready to say it's one of the best in baseball.

Actually, as they say with stats every broadcast, it is the second best pen in all of MLB.

[Reuben]

Actually, as they say with stats every broadcast, it is the second best pen in all of MLB.

I stand corrected. Stats never lie, right?

[hostros7]

I don't think I've seen this mentioned here: the Astros lead the league in HR, K, and SBs, which hasn't been done since the 1976 big red machine.  The other teams to do it were the '38 Yankees, '51 dodgers, and '40 Cardinals (per Jayson Stark article).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hostros7]

. . . And root sports just showed an info graphic stating the same on the telecast.


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[astrosfan76]

And the latest rumor, via Rosenthal:

* The Astros, examining a long list of potentially available starting pitchers, recently scouted White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija, among others, according to major-league sources.

One rival executive says the Astros devalue their pitching prospects with the tandem system they use in the minors, but another suggests that the value of those pitchers actually is higher because they amass fewer innings.

Samardzija has had a few good starts, but has been fairly pedestrian, overall, this season.  He's 3-2 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a lower K rate (6.79/9 vs. 8.43 for his career) and lower GB rate (.68 vs .91 career).  I don't know how his stuff is looking, but I wouldn't put him in the same class as Hamels or Kazmir right now.  Maybe the asking price will reflect it, but it's questionable if he'd be even the 3rd-best starter on the team at this point.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/oakland-a-s-running-out-of-time-rockies-troy-tulowitzki-trade-ken-rosenthal-notebook-051915 

[HudsonHawk]

I stand corrected. Stats never lie, right?

Where do you seek your proof if not from the pudding?  The bullpen has been terrific.  Do you expect perfection?

[JimR]

I like Buchanan. first time I have seen him.

[HudsonHawk]

I like Buchanan. first time I have seen him.

I thought he looked good too.  I thought Harris did a really nice job last night too, even if he did give up a single that scored what ended up being the winning run.  That inning could have gotten out of control, but he put a lid on it nicely, I thought.

[Mr. Happy]

I thought he looked good too.  I thought Harris did a really nice job last night too, even if he did give up a single that scored what ended up being the winning run.  That inning could have gotten out of control, but he put a lid on it nicely, I thought.

That job Harris did last night was excellent. He inherited bases loaded with nobody out (thank you for nothing Mr. Thatcher) and only let in one run, albeit a critical one, particularly on a night when we can't buy a hit.

[JimR]

I thought he looked good too.  I thought Harris did a really nice job last night too, even if he did give up a single that scored what ended up being the winning run.  That inning could have gotten out of control, but he put a lid on it nicely, I thought.

that single was fantastic hitting.  Harris threw him a dynamite yakker, and Lawrie just slapped it the other way.

[HudsonHawk]

That job Harris did last night was excellent. He inherited bases loaded with nobody out (thank you for nothing Mr. Thatcher) and only let in one run, albeit a critical one, particularly on a night when we can't buy a hit.

Too many missed opportunities early in the game.  I mentioned in the GZ that I liked them trying to get a quick 1-0 lead in the first, but they had several opportunities later and couldn't get a crucial hit.

[Kit]

I think that Castro's defense has improved a lot this year.

Agreed he is blocking the ball much better with fewer ..whiffs or muffs etc...although there was one last night..

[juliogotay]

That job Harris did last night was excellent. He inherited bases loaded with nobody out (thank you for nothing Mr. Thatcher) and only let in one run, albeit a critical one, particularly on a night when we can't buy a hit.

It looks like Harris could handle the closing role if asked. And I like having Buchanan in the pen too. Ground ball pitcher.

[HudsonHawk]

Agreed he is blocking the ball much better with fewer ..whiffs or muffs etc...although there was one last night..

Meh.  Castro has his moments, but on the whole, he's not a polished receiver.  He can be kinda sloppy. 

[juliogotay]

Meh.  Castro has his moments, but on the whole, he's not a polished receiver.  He can be kinda sloppy.

But he is much improved over his performance recovering from the knee surgery. One error, 2 PBs and 40% CS rate. I don't know if pitchers like throwing to him or not but Conger would probably get more PT if they didn't.