Mano e mano. The big dookaroo. St. Louis in one corner and the Astros in the other.
It’s pretty obvious to anyone who doesn’t still think that the Cowboys are a good team (obligatory football dig…check), that the home and home series between these two clubs is crucial to the outcome of the NL Central. The Astros must win – full stop! They cannot afford to drop more than a game (maybe two) of the remaining seven. But let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture (shh, no one tell Co Russa) because the Astros and Co-ards also have to keep winning in their other series too.
At this point, the STL starting rotation is hanging on by a thread. A thread that I believe the Astros can cut with a chain saw this weekend. Morris and Williams have not proven themselves fully recovered as yet. In Morris’ case this is because he’s only been back one game, but neither of them has faced anything like a team with the quality of the Astros. In fact, the last time the Co-ards faced a team over .500 was way back in the first week of August, when they were swept by Atlanta.
Are You Ready for Some Goofball?
Still, despite seeing only the dregs of the baseball world, La Meat Grinder continues to live up to his name. He used 4 relievers last night in support of Morris, including his closer, to nail down an 8-3 win over the Brewers, in which Astro AAA reject Franklin had started and been hammered and never made it out of the 6th inning. This on the day after which he’d been forced to dip into his pen for 4 innings to support Williams, two days after he’d needed 8+ from his pen because Chuck Kitaen was scratched up (get it?) by the pathetic Cubs. In fact, he’s needed 16+ innings from the pen in the last 4 games.
My Theory…That is Mine
Four games in MMPUS has the potential to shred the remnants of the Co-ards pitching staff. The reason I think this is because Co Russa is like clockwork, and will brainfuck his team to death. Take a look at this: Vizcaino; Biggio; Berkman; Bagwell. That’s not an unusual top of the order for Jimy (if there is such a thing as “usual” with Jimy). Or better yet, take a look at it through Russa-coloured glasses: Switch; Right; Switch; Right.
With the options that the Astros offer, including Blum down the line-up, and Merced and Ward from the bench, Tony’s going to think himself into a frenzy. He’ll be calling the pen more often than a stoner calls Pizza Hut. And don’t forget, it’s not just appearances that count, it’s warm-ups too. I look forward to seeing the STL bullpen being a mass of activity not seen since I last stood (unsuspectingly) in a fire ant bed.
We’re Gonna Smash ‘Em and Mash ‘Em and Rip ‘Em and Tear ‘Em
The job for the Astros is to keep the offense moving. Keep the hits and walks coming. Get Co Russa grinding. It may not pay off exactly at the time, but all the activity that can be generated will help later on. The key to this series is to keep the games close, whether it be 0-0 or 10-10. If it’s close, Co Russa will be grinding, and that’s advantage Astros.
After an arm-shredding 4 games in Houston, the Co-ards head off to that pitchers’ funhouse in the sky called Coors Field. Then they go home to await the Astros. Whatever damage the Astros can do should be continued in Colorado, ensuring that the STL pen is mashed beyond belief by the time Part Deux of this final act comes to pass.
The Astros hold, in their own hands, the opportunity to knock the Co-ards completely off-balance for the rest of the year. The bell is has been rung, and the Astros must come out swinging.
Go get ’em, Champ!