Author Topic: I thought the bully was going to be a strength this year (Read 5460 times)

WulawHorn · « **on:** April 03, 2007, 10:11:04 pm »

Obviously still early- but I thought of all the areas on the team (offense, defense, starting pitching, bullpen) that the one I was least worried about was the bullpen.

0-2, two blown late inning leads, and it's been qualls, wheeler and Lidge- a real group effort so far.

I know, I know, it's early. I'm also not seeing the hitting I wanted to see thus far.

On the positive side I loved Carlos Lee's first hit as an Astro- sure it didn't travel but 120 feet, but it was a great two strike approach, and he got just enough of it to make it work.

Also- I'm afraid Bidge's quest to 3,000 is going to be a little tougher than I anticipated. He's looked horrible in all 8 AB's he's had this year. Really looks about done in my mind (I hope like hell I'm wrong- as I've said many times before he is my favorite ballplayer ever).

Frobie · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2007, 10:38:11 pm »

I'd be more worried if they were blowing 3-4 run leads in the late innings. When you are up by a run it's obviously not real hard to give that up.

jaklewein · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2007, 10:46:15 pm »

And I thought the team was going to improve in regards to its situational hitting. Ausmus' poor approach with Everett on 2nd and nobody out almost made me puke. Ditto Lane in the bottom of the 9th up in the count 2-0.

Oh, and I must agree with the few posts I've read in concerns to Bidge...and his new found ability to impersonate Alicia Silverstone at the plate. I hope he gets this turned around...and soon.

matadorph · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2007, 10:57:51 pm »

I think we all agree that it sucks to lose two close games on late failures by the bullpen, but I'll keep my sunny side up and say this: if the staff surrenders three or four runs a game, I like our chances. The problem is a familiar one--impotent offense.

Wheeler, like Lidge last night, threw some good pitches but the Pirate hitters just got enough wood on 'em to plate a couple of runs.

Now it's Woody's turn. The bats need to come alive tomorrow night.

TangerineDream · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2007, 06:19:13 am »

Could someone please give Lee directions to the Crawford boxes? So far they appear to be something of a tourist attraction in that only visitors make much use of them.
All in all its not too bad. The pen has given up two games in the late innings but the 1 and 2 starters have both had pretty good outings (it was nice to see Jennings have a good first outing). Offense hasn't jelled yet but there is time for that to happen (though instantly would be nice). Bringing in the guys stranded on base would have won both games. The thing that's most annoying was coaching on the paths. First Burke out coming home on Monday and then Everett at second last night. When you work so hard to get on base at all it sucks to throw that away with poor judgement on the base paths.
Oh, one other thing, what the fuck is up with all the booing in Houston? Whenever a RP gives up a run or ever gives up two balls (like with Wheeler last night) the house starts whining. I'm tired of all of the Lidge bashing and the shit attitude. WTF is wrong with these people? If its your team support 'em and if they're not the get the fuck out of the ballpark and give away me your Astros swag. I feel like I'm in Goddamn Atlanta or Fucking New York!

JimR · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:26:22 am »

Quote from: TangerineDream on April 04, 2007, 06:19:13 am

The thing that's most annoying was coaching on the paths. First Burke out coming home on Monday and then Everett at second last night. When you work so hard to get on base at all it sucks to throw that away with poor judgement on the base paths.

you did not read the TZ at all yesterday, did you?

AE was thrown out on a botched hit and run. what "poor judgement on the base paths"
was involved in that?

S.P. Rodriguez · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:29:41 am »

Quote from: Jim R on April 04, 2007, 07:26:22 am

you did not read the TZ at all yesterday, did you?

AE was thrown out on a botched hit and run. what "poor judgement on the base paths"
was involved in that?

Jim, you assume fans know what a hit and run actually means. I suspect if they understood the art of the hit and run, they might better understand why Everett will contribute more from the 2-hole, among other reasons for hitting him second.

Phil_in_CS · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:36:13 am »

Scoring 4 runs in 2 games against Pittsburgh isn't going to cut it. A fantastic bully might save that for you, but you shouldn't count on it.

MikeyBoy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:39:20 am »

Quote

AE was thrown out on a botched hit and run. what "poor judgement on the base paths"
was involved in that?

And like everything, the result made it a poor judgement.

Limey · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:45:24 am »

Somehow, this seems appropriate.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2007, 08:15:34 am »

Wheeler made some great pitches that the umpire diodn't give him. I ain't worried about a thing. We've got a bullpen that just about every team in the league would like to have.

jaklewein · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2007, 08:22:03 am »

Quote from: Jim R on April 04, 2007, 07:26:22 am

you did not read the TZ at all yesterday, did you?

AE was thrown out on a botched hit and run. what "poor judgement on the base paths"
was involved in that?

Ahhh, thanks Jim. That botched hit and run was the other play of the game that almost made me puke. I understand that players aren't perfect, but team execution early on has been poor. Better execution in both of the first two games might of left us at 2-0, instead of the alternative. Hopefully this will change for the better soon.

TheWizard · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:59:19 am »

Quote from: Paul Hood on April 04, 2007, 08:15:34 am

Wheeler made some great pitches that the umpire diodn't give him. I ain't worried about a thing. We've got a bullpen that just about every team in the league would like to have.

I wasn't sure if he was missing on those pitches or if the ump wasn't giving him the call, its always tough to tell on TV. Regardless, the deep counts early were hurting him. Wheeler is a really good pitcher, but not an overpowering thrower that is effective just straight challenging a hitter if he is behind or in a hitter's count. Only two games in, things will straighten out.

ValpoCory · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:07:23 am »

Quote from: WulawHorn on April 03, 2007, 10:11:04 pm

On the positive side I loved Carlos Lee's first hit as an Astro- sure it didn't travel but 120 feet, but it was a great two strike approach, and he got just enough of it to make it work.

That, or the fact Snell gave him a meat ball on an 0-2 pitch. It was an obvious mistake. Lee was swinging at everything; no need to pitch an actual strike.

ValpoCory · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:08:59 am »

Quote from: Jim R on April 04, 2007, 07:26:22 am

AE was thrown out on a botched hit and run. what "poor judgement on the base paths"
was involved in that?

The announcers said it was a botched hit and run, but the replay showed that AE did not turn his head while running to 2nd, obviously that being the usual indicator of a hit-and-run.

ValpoCory · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:10:03 am »

Quote from: Phil_in_CS on April 04, 2007, 07:36:13 am

Scoring 4 runs in 2 games against Pittsburgh isn't going to cut it. A fantastic bully might save that for you, but you shouldn't count on it.

Bingo. I saw too many home run swings by Astros that ended up as strikes.

Texifornia · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:27:34 am »

Quote from: Paul Hood on April 04, 2007, 08:15:34 am

Wheeler made some great pitches that the umpire diodn't give him.

It looked to me that Lidge didn't trust Wheeler's stuff...but that was just on TV so I can't be sure.

HurricaneDavid · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:28:05 am »

Quote from: ValpoCory on April 04, 2007, 10:08:59 am

The announcers said it was a botched hit and run, but the replay showed that AE did not turn his head while running to 2nd, obviously that being the usual indicator of a hit-and-run.

The replay I saw showed him turning his head.

Astroholic · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:43:43 am »

Quote from: HurricaneDavid on April 04, 2007, 10:28:05 am

The replay I saw showed him turning his head.

I don't think his back pocket was lining up with the earths orbit properly.

mihoba · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:51:15 am »

Quote from: Astroholic on April 04, 2007, 10:43:43 am

I don't think his back pocket was lining up with the earths orbit properly.

He failed to compensate for the moons gravity.

utastro · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:53:03 am »

Quote from: mihoba on April 04, 2007, 10:51:15 am

He failed to compensate for the moons gravity.

The roof was open and his body didn't carry as far.

Russ99 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2007, 11:55:19 am »

It stinks that Lidge, Qualls & Wheeler had bad games, but it's a long season. I just hope that homer on opening day doesn't mess with Lidge's head and affect future games.

Bench · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2007, 12:55:11 pm »

Quote from: Russ99 on April 04, 2007, 11:55:19 am

It stinks that Lidge, Qualls & Wheeler had bad games, but it's a long season. I just hope that homer on opening day doesn't mess with Lidge's head and affect future games.

Or Roy's. Or Qualls'. Or Jennings' (the next day).

CJM · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2007, 04:32:15 pm »

Quote from: ValpoCory on April 04, 2007, 10:10:03 am

Bingo. I saw too many home run swings by Astros that ended up as strikes.

and what is your definition of a "home run swing"?

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2007, 06:11:43 pm »

Quote from: ValpoCory on April 04, 2007, 10:07:23 am

That, or the fact Snell gave him a meat ball on an 0-2 pitch. It was an obvious mistake. Lee was swinging at everything; no need to pitch an actual strike.

Lee is being paid $100 million to do what Morgan Ensberg refused to do last year; namely take his cuts and try to drive in runs. If this aggressive approach from the cleanup hitter gives you heartburn, it's gonna be a LONG summer for you.