Why'd we lose last night?

[Mr. Happy]

Because we left more runners on base than the number of Pittsburgh fans in attendance.

[JimR]

Because we left more runners on base than the number of Pittsburgh fans in attendance.

no, it is really quite simple: when the game ended, the Pirates had one more run than the Astros.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

no, it is really quite simple: when the game ended, the Pirates had one more run than the Astros.

Or, is it so simple? Maybe there was a shift in an astral plane. Or a butterfly flapped. A Berku not realized.

[Mr. Happy]

no, it is really quite simple: when the game ended, the Pirates had one more run than the Astros.

Once again, our situation hitting sucked eggs.

My proposed lineup today

Loretta 2B
Everett SS
Lamb 3b
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lane CF
Palmeiro 1B
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

[mihoba]

That would be fine and dandy Paul, except that OP has appeared in 1,119 games in his 13 years, and not a single one of them at first base.

[Mr. Happy]

That would be fine and dandy Paul, except that OP has appeared in 1,119 games in his 13 years, and not a single one of them at first base.

I knew that. But I just wanted his bat in the lineup.

[homer]

I knew that. But I just wanted his bat in the lineup.

No, you just want to punish the vending machine because he isn't hitting.

[Mr. Happy]

No, you just want to punish the vending machine because he isn't hitting.

Twinkie needs a day off. Badly. Seen enough weak grounders to 1B.

[mihoba]

Twinkie needs a day off. Badly. Seen enough weak grounders to 1B.

Why? Do you think he is physically tired?

ETA: Berkman has a career OPS of 2.270 against Armas. 6-9 including 2 dingers and a triple w/ 4 BB's and you want him to sit?

[Limey]

Or, is it so simple? Maybe there was a shift in an astral plane. Or a butterfly flapped. A Berku not realized.

Three hits in an inning - zero runs.  Rinse, repeat.

[Alkie]

Twinkie needs a day off. Badly. Seen enough weak grounders to 1B.

Paul.  Lance Berkman does not need a day off.  Does not.  That is not the problem.  He won't get his timing back by sitting on the bench, man.  He's not tired.  His timing is off.  He needs MORE swings, not less. 

[WulawHorn]

Has lance seen an inordianate amount of lefties this year so far?  It seems like the stros keep getting lefty starter after lefty starter, and RH Lance Berkman is slightly above average whereas LH Lance is HOF calibre.

[Limey]

Has lance seen an inordianate amount of lefties this year so far?  It seems like the stros keep getting lefty starter after lefty starter, and RH Lance Berkman is slightly above average whereas LH Lance is HOF calibre.

Three lefties this series.

[Noe]

Once again, our situation hitting sucked eggs.

My proposed lineup today

Loretta 2B
Everett SS
Lamb 3b
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lane CF
Palmeiro 1B
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

Loretta is not a leadoff man.

[DVauthrin]

Once again, our situation hitting sucked eggs.

My proposed lineup today

Loretta 2B
Everett SS
Lamb 3b
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lane CF
Palmeiro 1B
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

lmao.  Ok, bench berkman for OP, that's gonna help things.   You have to just be patient and let Lance work his way out of a slump.   He will come out of it.   

[Mr. Happy]

Loretta is not a leadoff man.

The trouble is that we don't have a true leadoff man.

[Noe]

The trouble is that we don't have a true leadoff man.

Chris Burke.  Are you just making stuff up as you go along?

[DVauthrin]

Chris Burke.  Are you just making stuff up as you go along?

Thank you.   I was about to post the same thing.  Burke has good plate discipline, speed and makes contact more often than not.   The best 1-2 combo would be burke in CF, loretta at 2b as far as getting on base, and making contact are concerned.

[MikeyBoy]

Thank you.   I was about to post the same thing.  Burke has good plate discipline, speed and makes contact more often than not.   The best 1-2 combo would be burke in CF, loretta at 2b as far as getting on base, and making contact are concerned.

Chris Burke might be the closest thing to a true lead off hitter on the team, but his approach at the plate hardly makes him an ideal top of the order hitter.

[DVauthrin]

Chris Burke might be the closest thing to a true lead off hitter on the team, but his approach at the plate hardly makes him an ideal top of the order hitter.

I would disagree.   Now early on this year he was trying to be a power hitter, something he's not, but when he plays within himself you have a good contact hitter, who draws his fair share of walks and is a line drive gap hitter.   

[Mr. Happy]

Chris Burke.  Are you just making stuff up as you go along?

I don't see Burke as a prototype leadoff hitter, but I respect your judgment there.

I know that Berkman haws owned Armas, Jr. in the past. So let's go with

Burke CF
Loretta 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lamb 3B
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

What sayeth you about that proposal?

[homer]

Paul.  Lance Berkman does not need a day off.  Does not.  That is not the problem.  He won't get his timing back by sitting on the bench, man.  He's not tired.  His timing is off.  He needs MORE swings, not less. 

But he needs to learn a lesson about his poor performance. He needs to think about what he has done so that he won't do it again.

And he needs to work on his serious face.

[Alkie]

I don't see Burke as a prototype leadoff hitter, but I respect your judgment there.

I know that Berkman haws owned Armas, Jr. in the past. So let's go with

Burke CF
Loretta 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lamb 3B
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

What sayeth you about that proposal?

I really like Loretta-Berkman-Lee-Scott-Lamb.   A lot.

[mihoba]

I don't see Burke as a prototype leadoff hitter, but I respect your judgment there.

I know that Berkman haws owned Armas, Jr. in the past. So let's go with

Burke CF
Loretta 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lamb 3B
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

What sayeth you about that proposal?

Much better. I agree with sitting Mo after last night and the fact that he is 0-9 against Armas.

[MusicMan]

I think all the lineup dances in the world aren't going to change the fact that Biggio is actually 3rd on this team in slugging, and that's a pretty damning indictment of Berkman and co.

[DVauthrin]

I don't see Burke as a prototype leadoff hitter, but I respect your judgment there.

I know that Berkman haws owned Armas, Jr. in the past. So let's go with

Burke CF
Loretta 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lamb 3B
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

What sayeth you about that proposal?

now that's a lineup I'd go to war with game in game out, even if you put biggio in loretta's spot most games.

[Alkie]

What if we traded Lance Berkman for Lance Berkman?

[Mr. Happy]

I think all the lineup dances in the world aren't going to change the fact that Biggio is actually 3rd on this team in slugging, and that's a pretty damning indictment of Berkman and co.

And, as always, you are correct. Did you survive the 17th?

[MusicMan]

Thanks, I've lived to fight another year.  Not sure I was going to survie the 16th last night though.

[DVauthrin]

What if we traded Lance Berkman for Lance Berkman?

maybe this seasons lance berkman is an elvis impersonator in disguise, that would explain a lot.

[DVauthrin]

Thanks, I've lived to fight another year.  Not sure I was going to survie the 16th last night though.

look on the bright side, at least this time mike gallo wasn't there to pitch in a marathon game vs the pirates at PNC park.

[Noe]

I don't see Burke as a prototype leadoff hitter, but I respect your judgment there.

I know that Berkman haws owned Armas, Jr. in the past. So let's go with

Burke CF
Loretta 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Lamb 3B
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Rodriguez P

What sayeth you about that proposal?

I don't care.  Just wanted to point out that Loretta at lead off tells me you're graping at straws.

[Noe]

Chris Burke might be the closest thing to a true lead off hitter on the team, but his approach at the plate hardly makes him an ideal top of the order hitter.

Depends what approach he uses.  The one he used when he hit leadoff last year or the one he uses when he has to bat sixth.

[DVauthrin]

Depends what approach he uses.  The one he used when he hit leadoff last year or the one he uses when he has to bat sixth.

If it was me, under no circumstances do I bat burke 6th.   He needs to be either 1st or 2nd in the order as he is a get on base line drive hitter, not a rbi man.

[Noe]

If it was me, under no circumstances do I bat burke 6th.   He needs to be either 1st or 2nd in the order as he is a get on base line drive hitter, not a rbi man.

Eggszactly.  MoBerg at the top has helped him some, but quite frankly (and yes, it's a tired argument already) he should be helping this team as a middle of the lineup, run producer.  Like last night.... oh, wait!

[DVauthrin]

Eggszactly.  MoBerg at the top has helped him some, but quite frankly (and yes, it's a tired argument already) he should be helping this team as a middle of the lineup, run producer.  Like last night.... oh, wait!

Ensberg shouldn't need "help" anymore and the fact he does, is an indictment of his inconsistent play.  This is his 5th or 6th big league season.   The inconsistency has to stop or he needs to go to another team.(I still wish the team had kept huff dealt ensberg this offseason)

[Noe]

Ensberg shouldn't need "help" anymore and the fact he does, is an indictment of his inconsistent play.  This is his 5th or 6th big league season.   The inconsistency has to stop or he needs to go to another team.(I still wish the team had kept huff dealt ensberg this offseason)

I don't know why MoBerg is reluctant to be a good middle of the lineup run producer.  He has the tools, he works hard, he is a good guy.  But somewhere between the situation at hand and the time he steps into the box, a little switch is flipped and he becomes Mr. Leadoff Hitter and he tries to work to get on-base.  The switch doesn't go back off until he sees strike three land in the mitt of the catcher and the umpire rings him up.  Then he has that look of "Hey, I forgot, I'm supposed to drive those guys in! Darn!"

[DVauthrin]

I don't know why MoBerg is reluctant to be a good middle of the lineup run producer.  He has the tools, he works hard, he is a good guy.  But somewhere between the situation at hand and the time he steps into the box, a little switch is flipped and he becomes Mr. Leadoff Hitter and he tries to work to get on-base.  The switch doesn't go back off until he sees strike three land in the mitt of the catcher and the umpire rings him up.  Then he has that look of "Hey, I forgot, I'm supposed to drive those guys in! Darn!"

I think that is what makes him so frustrating to watch as a fan.  He is capable of doing the job the team needs, but he just for whatever reason refuses to do so.   I have to think this season is his last chance with the club, it's up to him whether he is an astro in 2008 or not.

[Noe]

I think that is what makes him so frustrating to watch as a fan.  He is capable of doing the job the team needs, but he just for whatever reason refuses to do so.   I have to think this season is his last chance with the club, it's up to him whether he is an astro in 2008 or not.

Which may be right around the trading deadline too.  Think of it this way:

Astros move Burke to 2nd base, make him leadoff.  So now they need a CF.
Astros move Loretta to 3rd base, let him bat second.  So now they need a middle of the lineup hitter.

Hmmmm... a CF that hits in the middle of the lineup.... hmmmm.  Doable?  Yes, at the trading deadline, one might possibly show up.  It's not entirely MoBerg that needs to perform mind you, but the fix to a lineup that is not working sometimes goes this way.  One adjustment leads to another and another and before you know it, you're expendable because you've showed you are nothing more than a glorified #2 hitter and there is already a guy on the team that plays your position that can do that better than you.

[DVauthrin]

Which may be right around the trading deadline too.  Think of it this way:

Astros move Burke to 2nd base, make him leadoff.  So now they need a CF.
Astros move Loretta to 3rd base, let him bat second.  So now they need a middle of the lineup hitter.

Hmmmm... a CF that hits in the middle of the lineup.... hmmmm.  Doable?  Yes, at the trading deadline, one might possibly show up.  It's not entirely MoBerg that needs to perform mind you, but the fix to a lineup that is not working something goes this way.  One adjustment leads to another and another and before you know it, you're expendable because you've showed you are nothing more than a glorified #2 hitter and there is already a guy on the team that plays your position that can do that better than you.

Of course, when you change one part to fix a problem, you usually open up a different problem that will need fixing.

[Noe]

I really like Loretta-Berkman-Lee-Scott-Lamb.   A lot.

Paul was close, but Garner put Lamb before Scott in his lineup today:

1. Burke
2. Loretta
3. Berkman
4. Lee
5. Lamb
6. Scott
7. Everett
8. Ausmus
9. Wandy

That 1-8 is a well constructed lineup, IMNSHO!

[Noe]

Of course, when you change one part to fix a problem, you usually open up a different problem that will need fixing.

The easier fixes are the ones where you switch one player for another in the same spot (Lamb vs. MoBerg) and be done with it.  That fixes a lineup perhaps, but does it fix your defense need in CF?  See where I'm going with this?

[DVauthrin]

The easier fixes are the ones where you switch one player for another in the same spot (Lamb vs. MoBerg) and be done with it.  That fixes a lineup perhaps, but does it fix your defense need in CF?  See where I'm going with this?

yep, either guys start to perform or trades become a necessary evil. 

[MikeyBoy]

Depends what approach he uses.  The one he used when he hit leadoff last year or the one he uses when he has to bat sixth.

I guess I've only noticed the free swinging, trying to yank every pitch, high strike out, low walk approach. I have not seen much of the disciplined, work deep into counts, use all fields approach. If he can do more of the latter, then I'm all for Burke leading off, beyond just this year.

[ValpoCory]

More LOB:

Today:
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/boxscore/MLB_20070426_HOU@PIT

[Noe]

I guess I've only noticed the free swinging, trying to yank every pitch, high strike out, low walk approach. I have not seen much of the disciplined, work deep into counts, use all fields approach. If he can do more of the latter, then I'm all for Burke leading off, beyond just this year.

Seeing as how I have been labeled (along with the entire TZ I might add) as an official "Burke hater" (which of course is not true at all, but I digress), I will say that last year he impressed me with his limited spot duty when Tavares got benched.  Burke was very good at hitting line drives from gap to gap.  He was leading off as I remember correctly as well.

He helped the Astros with his bat as much as anything else last year in his limited spot duty and he showed he can make his approach fit the situation.  Trouble is, he is not going to get that chance as a #1 as long as Biggio is in hot persuit of the 3K huge milestone.  #2 for Burke?  I dunno if that suits him as well as #1, so he's had to enjoy some more moving up and down the lineup until he has to settle for a position that opens up for him.

But from my vantage point, he's a leadoff hitter without a home and will not help the team as much in any other position in the lineup.