Darnit WadeSmith, look what you did to my 2008 lineup card!!!

[Noe]

That'll teach me to write out a lineup card in pen.

Any way, one thing about the announced lineup by Ed Wade at the press conference that is true... it's way ahead of what could actually happen come Opening Day.  Many a slip betwix here and the lips as it were.  But one thing I realized with this deal that had me thinking about a huge achilles heel for the Astros in that last several years that I think will happen less and less now:

Hitting poorly against left handed starters.

If you remove Matsui from the lineup because he doesn't hit lefties well and insert Loretta into the lineup (playing second base) against, say Rich Hill of the Cubs, this is what Hill may face:

1. Abercrombie
2. Loretta
3. Pence
4. Berkman
5. Lee
6. Tejada
7. Wiggington
9. Towles

*OUCH*, that is not a weak lineup at all.  Abercrombie would be facing some challenge pitches in that lineup and he has the potential to excel in the all righty lineup like that.

Just something to kick start some conversations about fun with lineups for the 2008 Houston Astros.

[Twoniner]

If you remove Matsui from the lineup because he doesn't hit lefties well and insert Loretta into the lineup

I am really glad we are going to hold on to Loretta.  Matsui could work out well, but there is a real chance Loretta is needed to step in and see a good bit of action at 2nd.    Back to your point about that lineup..  I think if say Wandy is facing Rich Hill,  the Astros can't be that big of an underdog.    If Oswalt stays healthy, he wins 20 with this lineup.

[Jacksonian]

That'll teach me to write out a lineup card in pen.

Any way, one thing about the announced lineup by Ed Wade at the press conference that is true... it's way ahead of what could actually happen come Opening Day.  Many a slip betwix here and the lips as it were.  But one thing I realized with this deal that had me thinking about a huge achilles heel for the Astros in that last several years that I think will happen less and less now:

Hitting poorly against left handed starters.

If you remove Matsui from the lineup because he doesn't hit lefties well and insert Loretta into the lineup (playing second base) against, say Rich Hill of the Cubs, this is what Hill may face:

1. Abercrombie
2. Loretta
3. Pence
4. Berkman
5. Lee
6. Tejada
7. Wiggington
9. Towles

*OUCH*, that is not a weak lineup at all.  Abercrombie would be facing some challenge pitches in that lineup and he has the potential to excel in the all righty lineup like that.

Just something to kick start some conversations about fun with lineups for the 2008 Houston Astros.

Are you assuming or implying that the Astros won't start Bourn against most lefties?  Or just the few ridiculously tough ones?

[Sleepy]

Slightly off topic, but related. Do we have any indication whether Cooper likes to keep bench players fresh by playing them fairly often, such as in righty-lefty matchups or just spot starts?  Or does he like to stick with a key group of starters.  I'm not sure I can tell by how the season ended last year, given the opportunities afforded to the younger crop.

[Limey]

Slightly off topic, but related. Do we have any indication whether Cooper likes to keep bench players fresh by playing them fairly often, such as in righty-lefty matchups or just spot starts?  Or does he like to stick with a key group of starters.  I'm not sure I can tell by how the season ended last year, given the opportunities afforded to the younger crop.

I.e. will he be more Dierker-Dierker or Jimyfied.

[Kent's Moustache]

"Derka, derka... Mohammed jihad."

[Noe]

Are you assuming or implying that the Astros won't start Bourn against most lefties?  Or just the few ridiculously tough ones?

The tough ones for sure.  I do also want to see how well Abercrombie will do as the fourth outfielder on this team.  He's a talented kid who somehow just hasn't put it together yet.  Maybe he'll turn out to be a Carl Everett in 1998 for this current Houston Astros.   You know, guy who hasn't put it together yet, but has talent waiting to explode.

[Noe]

Slightly off topic, but related. Do we have any indication whether Cooper likes to keep bench players fresh by playing them fairly often, such as in righty-lefty matchups or just spot starts?  Or does he like to stick with a key group of starters.  I'm not sure I can tell by how the season ended last year, given the opportunities afforded to the younger crop.

Coop is the same type of manager as Phil Garner.  Garner used over 120 lineups in 2006 (compare him to Tony LaRussa though, who uses on average 150 or so lineups per year).  Another comparison: Larry Dierker used about 75 lineups in 1998 and slightly more in 1999.  Drove Gerry Hunsicker crazy that Dierker would not use left handed hitters such as Orlando Merced or Daryl Ward against tough righties like Jon Lieber (at the time, of the Cubs and their ACE).  Dierker just didn't like to change lineup nor pitchers in any games.

[Froback]

The tough ones for sure.  I do also want to see how well Abercrombie will do as the fourth outfielder on this team.  He's a talented kid who somehow just hasn't put it together yet.  Maybe he'll turn out to be a Carl Everett in 1998 for this current Houston Astros.   You know, guy who hasn't put it together yet, but has talent waiting to explode.

HUGE difference though, C4 was given a starting gig, at best Abercrombie will be an occassional start and 4th OFer mostly. (barring injury of course)

[Andyzipp]

HUGE difference though, C4 was given a starting gig, at best Abercrombie will be an occassional start and 4th OFer mostly. (barring injury of course)

Everett (2/3) split time with Hidalgo (1/3) in 1998.  Depending on how Bourn performs, that situation could absolutely repeat itself. Playing time...not necessarily results.

[Noe]

HUGE difference though, C4 was given a starting gig, at best Abercrombie will be an occassional start and 4th OFer mostly. (barring injury of course)

No, he was brought in as the fourth outfielder, Hidalgo was the starter.

[Andyzipp]

No, he was brought in as the fourth outfielder, Hidalgo was the starter.

Seems like I've heard this somewhere before...

[Noe]

Seems like I've heard this somewhere before...

I suck.  I saw his reply and hit reply.