Wandy better watch out

[OldBlevins]

I know he's penciled in as the fourth starter, but he sure hasn't looked very good.  Does he still have minor league options?

[jaklewein]

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I know he's penciled in as the fourth starter, but he sure hasn't looked very good.  Does he still have minor league options?

Really?  I thought that he'd reeled off 2-3 good starts prior to the last one.  From everything I've read, the coaching staff has been pleased with his work.  I think he gets every opportunity to hold his spot in the rotation.  He is after all the #4 starter...we can expect for him to post Oswalt/Pettitte numbers.

[astro pete]

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Does he still have minor league options?

Yes.

[Rebel Jew]

Actually, yesterday's start wasn't bad despite the amount of runs allowed.  He had an awful first inning, giving up four runs, but came back and pitched four scoreless after that.  McCann hit a solo homer on a pretty decent inside pitch in the sixth.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I don't get the impression anyone other that Oswalt and Pettitte are locks.  Backe, Rodriguez, Buchholtz, and Nieve have all been inconsistant in ST.  Backe has the most experience out of the 4, so it stands to reason he'll probably get a longer opportunity to turn it around from ST, if ST is even pertinent to regular season.  But Wandy, Buchholtz, and Nieve all have to show more positives than negatives because there is a list of guys in AAA ready to push them: Hernandez (who may still get the #5 spot in the rotation), Hirsh, and Astacio to name a few.  Barthmaier could also be an option for pitching help.  

The backend of the rotation is young and inexperienced but they have a number of candidates they can trot out there should anyone falter.

[Bench]

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Actually, yesterday's start wasn't bad despite the amount of runs allowed.  He had an awful first inning, giving up four runs, but came back and pitched four scoreless after that.  McCann hit a solo homer on a pretty decent inside pitch in the sixth.

Agreed. He was shaky in the first, but really settled down for the next four innings. JD explained it away as he's been facing minor leaguers recently and it takes some time to re-adjust to major leaguers.

Outside of the first he was locating well, had a sharp break on his curve, and mixed in enough fastballs in the right places to keep the hitters honest. Overall, I thought it was a good start.

[Matt]

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I don't get the impression anyone other that Oswalt and Pettitte are locks.  Backe, Rodriguez, Buchholtz, and Nieve have all been inconsistant in ST.  

I think Buchholz has been anything but inconsistant.

[Jacksonian]

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I don't get the impression anyone other that Oswalt and Pettitte are locks.  Backe, Rodriguez, Buchholtz, and Nieve have all been inconsistant in ST.  Backe has the most experience out of the 4, so it stands to reason he'll probably get a longer opportunity to turn it around from ST, if ST is even pertinent to regular season.  But Wandy, Buchholtz, and Nieve all have to show more positives than negatives because there is a list of guys in AAA ready to push them: Hernandez (who may still get the #5 spot in the rotation), Hirsh, and Astacio to name a few.  Barthmaier could also be an option for pitching help.  

The backend of the rotation is young and inexperienced but they have a number of candidates they can trot out there should anyone falter.

Barthmaier is not an option.  Buchholz has been the most consistent of them all.  But, the Astros do have a number of young guys they can rotate into the rotation.  And, they could still do a trade.  And, and, if Clemens returns that's one spot less to worry about.

[WulawHorn]

I'm not worried about Backe. He seems to pitch best when the pressure is on (see stretch drive and playoffs- 04 and 05), so I'd say it stands to reason that not competing for a spot means a complete absence of pressure to perform.

I think he is what he is, a guy that I'm penciling in for a 4 or so era with 175-200 innings pitched.  With his bat he should be good for an extra run or 2 in the occasional start as well.  I'd say we win 20 or 22 out of his 35 starts if he takes the ball every turn.  This is my biggest concern with him.

Wandy-rod has a short lease imo, but I'm thinking he doesn't kill us.  Him and #5 need to go .500 combined.  Who knows if that will happen, but that and the health of the top 3 is the key to the season.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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I don't get the impression anyone other that Oswalt and Pettitte are locks.  Backe, Rodriguez, Buchholtz, and Nieve have all been inconsistant in ST.  

I think Buchholz has been anything but inconsistant.

Early on, all 4 were struggling.  Again, it's ST, and I'm basing this on comments in articles.  The stat lines are almost meaningless as we have no idea what a pitcher was working on during their outing.  Buchholtz last few starts have been solid from what I've read and all his pitches are working for him.  It definitely appears like his time has come.  We'll see.  This is all speculation until next week.