Nats @ Astros, 5/7/2008

[OregonStrosFan]

SnS Series Preview (MRaup)
Footer Game Preview/ Berkman "Sneeky Speed" article
MLB Gameday Press Pass / Pregame Notes
MLB Gameday PBP

Astros Pitching: Oswalt

Astros Lineup:

Bourn, CF    
Matsui, 2B    
Tejada, SS    
Berkman, 1B    
Lee, LF    
Pence, RF    
Wigginton, 3B    
Ausmus, C
Oswalt, P

Nats pitching: Odalis Perez (LHP)

Nats lineup:

F. Lopez, 2B
C. Guzman, SS
R. Zimmerman, 3B
N. Johnson, 1B
L. Milledge, CF
A. Kearns, RF
P. Lo Duca, C
W. Mo Pena, LF
O. Perez, P

[JaneDoe]

OSF--check your PM.

[Gleek]

Ms. Footer was just on with Do-Ray...  MMMMMMMM I love me some Footer.

[OregonStrosFan]

OSF--check your PM.

Responded.  Thank you!

[OregonStrosFan]

Don't think I've been Cabrerad on this one, but the Official Pregame Notes state that Randolf has been traded to Philly for a player to be named later.  [On the 1st page, right column towards the bottom]. 

[Gleek]

Don't think I've been Cabrerad on this one, but the Official Pregame Notes state that Randolf has been traded to Philly for a player to be named later. 

I havn't heard anything, but that probably means less than nothing.

[OregonStrosFan]

Don't think I've been Cabrerad on this one, but the Official Pregame Notes state that Randolf has been traded to Philly for a player to be named later.  [On the 1st page, right column towards the bottom]. 

It also notes on that same page that Paulino has returned to the Astros Spring training facility in Florida to "begin a throwing program."

[moriartp]

Am I the only one getting the Braves/Pads game on the HD feed?

[Gleek]

OSF, you quoted yourself? Really?  Isn't that akin to refering to yourself in the third person.  Gleek is not impressed.

[OregonStrosFan]

By the way... I'm leaving the office for home in about 20-30, so won't be able to pick up play-by-play until the 6th or 7th.  Any takers?

[Gleek]

By the way... I'm leaving the office for home in about 20-30, so won't be able to pick up play-by-play until the 6th or 7th.  Any takers?

Wish I could, but i'm at work all night, and wonn't have the time to do consistent PbP, sorry.

[OregonStrosFan]

OSF, you quoted yourself? Really?  Isn't that akin to refering to yourself in the third person.  Gleek is not impressed.

The conversations OSF has with himself are much more impressive...  [Just trying to keep the 2 bits-o-news together...]

[mihoba]

By the way... I'm leaving the office for home in about 20-30, so won't be able to pick up play-by-play until the 6th or 7th.  Any takers?

I can do a few, if anyone needs PBP

[mihoba]

Blum must be lurking. He just introduced the lineup and said.... Thunderpants...i mean...Hunter Pence.

[Gleek]

Anyone catch what type of pitch Zimmerman hit out?

[Ty in Tampa]

Blum must be lurking. He just introduced the lineup and said.... Thunderpants...i mean...Hunter Pence.

I heard it as 'underpants' but I'm listening through my laptop speakers.

[mihoba]

Anyone catch what type of pitch Zimmerman hit out?

I missed it too, but Roy was pissed.

[Gleek]

I missed it too, but Roy was pissed.

so was I.

[Gleek]

way to hang in there Kaz.

[Ty in Tampa]

I missed it too, but Roy was pissed.

JD was talking about him having trouble with his curve right after the HR. I don't know what the pitch was, though.

[AtascAstro]

Anyone catch what type of pitch Zimmerman hit out?

Gameday says Fastball (93 mph).  Belt high, middle-away

[Amy]

Gameday says Fastball (93 mph).  Belt high, middle-away

Yep, I saw it and that's what it looked like to me.

[mihoba]

I heard it as 'underpants' but I'm listening through my laptop speakers.

'The burner' was Bourn, he then gave a decent Ninja accent on Kazuo Matsui, Miggy, Fat Elvis, El Cabello, then came Thunder Pants.

[Gleek]

Gameday says Fastball (93 mph).  Belt high, middle-away

Thanks, don't have gameday up tonight, pretty busy at work.  I'm just trying to make some kind of sense out of Millo and Do-Ray.

[SaltyParker]

Is Berkman hot or what?

[Gleek]

Is Berkman hot or what?

not what.

[austro]

Anyone catch what type of pitch Zimmerman hit out?

Thigh-high fastball on the outer third.

[remy]

6 K's through 2 innings.

Um... wow.

[believin]

6 K's through 2 innings.

Um... wow.

I hope Berkman doesn't doze off in the field.

[Gleek]

6 K's through 2 innings.

Um... wow.

If only he'd quit pitching to contact and go for more strikeouts... uhh, wait.

[AtascAstro]

6 K's through 2 innings.

Um... wow.

Yes, and now he's mad.

[austro]

This Washington defense is not good.

[remy]

8 K's through 3.

[mihoba]

Blum wearing the mic during batting practice. Tried to dupe Spaz into thinking he wasn't in the lineup, but Berkman ratted him out. Funny stuff.

[petner]

Up here in DC they got Tolman (Nats' 3rd base coach and former Astro) mic'ed.  Not near as interesting, he told Felipe that anything off the roof is in play.  I will say, they got Don Sutton calling the game and he and the other guy are pretty damn good.

[BatGirl]

off the tracks!

[mihoba]

Wow Lance, no matter which side. Unbelievable.

[Gleek]

That Berkman fella, i think he might just make it at this level.

[AtascAstro]

[kermit] It is gone! [/kermit]

[Ty in Tampa]

Damn, his hands are fast.

[SaltyParker]

What is that, 11 for last 12? Unfreaking real.

[Amy]

JD has this song in my head now.

Fish gotta swim
Birds gotta fly
I gotta love one man till I die
Can't help lovin' that man of mine

Tell me he's lazy
Tell me he's slow
Tell me I'm crazy
Maybe I know
Can't help lovin' that man of mine

[mihoba]

What is that, 11 for last 12? Unfreaking real.

Tied a club record with 8 straight hits.

[austro]

Wow, Reliford really bailed out Perez with that one.

[Ty in Tampa]

JD called it!

[austro]

The BBGs didn't like that strike call either.

[Gleek]

I love it!

[OregonStrosFan]

Looks like someone is playing with a chip on his shoulder this evening.

[mihoba]

Wow, Rellaford really bailed out Perez with that one.

Ausmus was furious, but it was too close to take.

Roy picks him up with a 2-run single!

[remy]

Fuck YES, Roy!!!


Wow, where the hell was Odalis on that Bourn grounder?

[pots]

That was one of the best called shots ever.  Called the pitch and the result

[OregonStrosFan]

Wow, where the hell was Odalis on that Bourn grounder?

Getting his rear chewed for it a couple of moments later... 

[Gleek]

Do-Ray:  "Bourn could have run down and touched the foul pole before Perez got to first base."

Thought this was funny.

[austro]

Wow, where the hell was Odalis on that Bourn grounder?

I wouldn't mind a little Perez mental meltdown about now.

[mihoba]

Getting his rear chewed for it a couple of moments later... 

He hesitated, saw who was running, then gave up.

The Astros aggressive approach shook him up that inning.

[OregonStrosFan]

Good place for a 6 pitch inning.  Oswalt's pitch count through the top of the 5th is 69 (49/20). 

 

[AtascAstro]

Milo:  Streak stops right there at 7
Do-Ray: Yeah, and 8 overall so he will only tie the club record at 8

[Ty in Tampa]

Relaford's giving away that low outside.

[austro]

Sheeeee-it.

[MRaup]

Hey Roy, what say you stop hanging fat ones to Zimmerman... He can hit...

[MRaup]

And Roy clearly just said FUCK after the 3-1 putout on Johnson.

[austro]

It's especially annoying since Reliford is clearly giving the low strike tonight. Roy could pound with the low fastball all night and there would be nothing they could do about it.

[mihoba]

It's especially annoying since Reliford is clearly giving the low strike tonight. Roy could pound with the low fastball all night and there would be nothing they could do about it.

And Ausmus know that fact first hand.

[MusicMan]

And Roy clearly just said FUCK after the 3-1 putout on Johnson.

He also threw a 95 mph fastball to Matsui, standing about 10 feet away.

[austro]

He also threw a 95 mph fastball to Matsui, standing about 10 feet away.

I noticed that. Geez, Roy, it wasn't Kaz's fault.

[MRaup]

Meant to say something earlier, but man, Nick Johnson's mustache is ridiculous.

[MusicMan]

I think Roy is pissed b/c he finally has command of his stuff, but 2 mistakes have cost him 3 runs.  (Not trying to be obvious here - what I'm saying is that while before, he knew he didn't have his stuff, tonight he's just not getting the results.)

[MikeyBoy]

Meant to say something earlier, but man, Nick Johnson's mustache is ridiculous.

No, shit. If you go with the stand alone, it needs to be the Magnum PI look. And I mean that in a totally straight way.

[OregonStrosFan]

I think Roy is pissed b/c he finally has command of his stuff, but 2 mistakes to the same batter have cost him 3 runs.

FIFY

[MRaup]

No, shit. If you go with the stand alone, it needs to be the Magnum PI look. And I mean that in a totally straight way.

Instead of the Mr. Slave look?

[Gleek]

Good. Move. Coop.

[idlelife]

Meant to say something earlier, but man, Nick Johnson's mustache is ridiculous.

If by ridiculous you mean totally flippin' sweet.

[Gleek]

Does O'Connor look as much like Mr. Bean in person as he does in his Gameday pic?

[Gleek]

shit

[MusicMan]

"He had no play at 2nd b/c the infield was pulled in" - no, he had no play at 2nd b/c the 2b and SS were pointing to third.

[OregonStrosFan]

Nice swing of the bat by Roy. Good glove work on the mound.  C'mon BOURN!

[austro]

Time for Bourn to bust out.

[MusicMan]

Why the FUCK are you chasing that on 3-1??

Bourn's approach is totally unsuited to any RBI situation.

[remy]

Bourn is ice cold.

[MikeyBoy]

Instead of the Mr. Slave look?

Or the Big Gay Al look.

[Gleek]

fuckin rookie swing.

[Gleek]

Bourn's approach is totally unsuited to any RBI situation.

I'm really starting to believe that I fixed this for ya.

[JimR]

It is a pressing swing, rookie or no. That swing is what is wrong with Bourn. He was trying to get a hit and drive in runs instead of getting on base. A leadoff hitter must accept his role or he is worthless.

[MusicMan]

I'm really starting to believe that I fixed this for ya.

Negative, he's approaching his leadoff role correctly.

[mihoba]

It is a pressing swing, rookie or no. That swing is what is wrong with Bourn. He was trying to get a hit and drive in runs instead of getting on base. A leadoff hitter must accept his role or he is worthless.

Yep, he swung at a blatant ball four.

[Gleek]

It is a pressing swing, rookie or no. That swing is what is wrong with Bourn. He was trying to get a hit and drive in runs instead of getting on base. A leadoff hitter must accept his role or he is worthless.

I agree, he is definately pressing.  Feeling the pressure a bit?

[MusicMan]

WTF is going on behind the nats dugout?

[pravata]

There are some real assholes in this city.

[Gleek]

Negative, he's approaching his leadoff role correctly.

Sorry I have to respectfully disagree here.

[remy]

Dammit, I switch to American Idol and missed it... wtf just happened?

[OregonStrosFan]

Yep, he swung at a blatant ball four.

Seemed like he just guessing fastball down the pipe on the 3-1 pitch (and got fooled BADLY)?

[OregonStrosFan]

There are some real assholes in this city.

Turned away and didn't catch what was going on. 

[MusicMan]

Seemed like he just guessing fastball down the pipe on the 3-1 pitch (and got fooled BADLY)?

Correct.  JD called it "unprofessional".

[Ty in Tampa]

Dammit, I switch to American Idol and missed it... wtf just happened?

Idol!? No recap for you.

[MusicMan]

Idol!? No recap for you.

Seconded.

Hang that one much, Roy?

[mihoba]

Dammit, I switch to American Idol and missed it... wtf just happened?

You lost your mind?

[petner]

Wow, that jack@ss jawing at Lo Duca with a broken hand really made Houston look classy.  Kudos for the security kicking him out so quickly.

[MikeyBoy]

Dammit, I switch to American Idol and missed it... wtf just happened?

Dude.

[austro]

Turned away and didn't catch what was going on. 

LoDuca reinjured his wrist on a swing, and then apparently one of the fat fucktards behind the dugout was ragging on him as he went to the dugout.

[Gleek]

Seconded.

Hang that one much, Roy?

I have to respsctfully agree with you here.

[OregonStrosFan]

You lost your mind?

Lets see: (1) changed the channel (2) to American Idol (3) and admitted it.  I'd have to say the minds a goner...

[remy]

Idol!? No recap for you.

wife: Can you switch to idol real quick while it's between innings?

remy:  sure, love.  Just hope I don't miss anything exciting!

wife:  Nah.  There's only like 1 minute left of the show.

[MusicMan]

Pena is both slow and lazy.

[remy]

That was some terrible baserunning by Pena.

[Gleek]

wife: Can you switch to idol real quick while it's between innings?

remy:  sure, love.  Just hope I don't miss anything exciting!

wife:  Nah.  There's only like 1 minute left of the show.

Ahhh, the old blame it on the wife trick ehhh..?  Well mister, i'm not fooled, not one bit!

[mihoba]

Wily Mo was styling too much, lmao.

[pravata]

Lo Duca, injured, reinjured?, his hand on a swing.  As he's going into the dugout, some of your basic beefy, barely escaped high school, encephalitic, early 20s types sitting above the dugout were taunting and applauding, Lo Duca had words.

[petner]

Nice throw by Bourn.  That makes up for one of the rookie swings.

[pravata]

Pena is both slow and lazy.

biggest baserunner in the league

[austro]

Ole!

[JimR]

Ausmus wanted NO part of Wily Month.

[OregonStrosFan]

Have to believe Wily Mo just ran a sign there. 

[remy]

Ahhh, the old blame it on the wife trick ehhh..?  Well mister, i'm not fooled, not one bit!

Hey, it usually works!

Thanks, prav.  All I saw was Lo Duca going into the tunnel... didn't know if he was ejected or what.  So the fans got thrown out?

[JimR]

Uh, Mo

[MRaup]

biggest baserunner in the league

Willy Mo was out by about 15 feet and Brad made it look close...

I love seeing a baserunner look up about half way home and realize he's dead in the water.

[pravata]

Ole!

It's how he stays pretty.

[MusicMan]

Ausmus wanted NO part of Wily Month.

He may be slow, but the "m*v" equation is still high.

[mihoba]

wife: Can you switch to idol real quick while it's between innings?

remy:  sure, love.  Just hope I don't miss anything exciting!

wife:  Nah.  There's only like 1 minute left of the show.

"It's not between innings, honey. Nice try though."

[MRaup]

Uh, Mo

Stupid blackberry autotext...

[MusicMan]

Stupid blackberry autotext...

I just figured he was adopting the kids' new autotext slang.

[pravata]

Hey, it usually works!

Thanks, prav.  All I saw was Lo Duca going into the tunnel... didn't know if he was ejected or what.  So the fans got thrown out?

Didnt see that but really wish I had.  Especially the part where the worm gets the "who me, what did I do? My mommy lets me say anything I want!" look.

[Twoniner]

Ausmus wanted NO part of Wily Month.

 Ausmus didn't even want his wrist to accidently touch Pena.

[Ty in Tampa]

Well, month is about how long it took him to get tagged out.

[petner]

Does anybody else cringe every time Kaz slides?

[MRaup]

Man, that was hilarious. 2nd base ump made the safe call on Kaz's steal from his backside.

[pravata]

Does anybody else cringe every time Kaz slides?

yeah... but we really need to stop.

[Ty in Tampa]

Didnt see that but really wish I had.  Especially the part where the worm gets the "who me, what did I do? My mommy lets me say anything I want!" look.

He made that face right after LoDuca pointed toward him.

[MusicMan]

Does anybody else cringe every time Kaz slides?

No.

GREAT job of moving the runner by Tejada.  I love watching this guy bat.

[MRaup]

I'm pretty sure Hanrahan is a pitch away from hitting the bull...

Jesus. 98 and no idea where its going.

[AtascAstro]

Have to believe Wily Mo just ran a sign there. 

Just keeping up with the Pujoleses

[pravata]

He made that face right after LoDuca pointed toward him.

If only there had been an open stair to that part of the stands.

[Ty in Tampa]

"Hey Hanrahan, your wife's a dyke."

I just had to.

[austro]

They're intentionally putting the Puma wheels on? Insanity!

[pravata]

They're intentionally putting the Puma wheels on? Insanity!

You cant stop him, you can only hope to contain him.

[MRaup]

"Hey Hanrahan, your wife's a dyke."

I just had to.

Damn, I love that movie.

[mihoba]

Carlos Lee is usually money in that situation. Crap.

[MRaup]

Man, that was a shitty at bat by Kabong.

[remy]

the Bull not too happy with his AB there.  I second that emotion.

[rifraft]

Carlos Lee is usually money in that situation. Crap.

hunter shouldn't see a fastball.

[austro]

I sure hope Pence watched what he did to El Kabong.

[MRaup]

Nieves, the Nat catcher, is spazzing out behind the plate between pitches...

[MusicMan]

Pitch to hit, but lined right to Milledge.

[OregonStrosFan]

Damn, I love that movie.

Reggie Dunlop: Oh you cheap son of a bitch. Are you crazy? Those guys are retards!
McGrath: I got a good deal on those boys. The scouts said they showed a lot of promise.
Reggie Dunlop: They brought their fuckin' TOYS with 'em!
McGrath: Well, I'd rather have em playin with their toys than playin with themselves
Reggie Dunlop: They're too dumb to play with themselves. Boy, every piece of garbage that comes into the market and you gotta buy it!
McGrath: Reg, Reg, that reminds me. I was coachin' in Omaha in 1948 and Eddie Shore sends me this guy who was a terrible masturbator, you know, couldn't control himself. Why, he would get deliberate penalties so he could get over in the penalty box all by himself and damned if he wouldn't... you know...

[MRaup]

Reggie Dunlop: Oh you cheap son of a bitch. Are you crazy? Those guys are retards!
McGrath: I got a good deal on those boys. The scouts said they showed a lot of promise.
Reggie Dunlop: They brought their fuckin' TOYS with 'em!
McGrath: Well, I'd rather have em playin with their toys than playin with themselves
Reggie Dunlop: They're too dumb to play with themselves. Boy, every piece of garbage that comes into the market and you gotta buy it!
McGrath: Reg, Reg, that reminds me. I was coachin' in Omaha in 1948 and Eddie Shore sends me this guy who was a terrible masturbator, you know, couldn't control himself. Why, he would get deliberate penalties so he could get over in the penalty box all by himself and damned if he wouldn't... you know...

What the hell are you guys doing?


Putting on the foil, coach!

[Ty in Tampa]

OLD-TIME HOCKEY!

[MusicMan]

1-1-3?

[MRaup]

God, that mustache... Its almost... hypnotic...

[petner]

I think Nick Johnson fixed my sink the other weekend.

[Reuben]

God, that mustache... Its almost... hypnotic...

I'm late to the dance, but I assume someone has already pointed out the resemblance to Josh Brolin in No Country for Old Men?

[Ty in Tampa]

God, that mustache... Its almost... hypnotic...

That's a Tony Orlando Special.

[MRaup]

That's a Tony Orlando Special.

Jesus Christ

[MRaup]

I'm just waiting for Brocail to start yelling at the Nationals to get off his lawn...

[remy]

Jesus Christ

That is dead on.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm just waiting for Brocail to start yelling at the Nationals to get off his lawn...

Brocail should just make that fucker dive back 20-30 times for the fuck of it.

[MusicMan]

I'm late to the dance, but I assume someone has already pointed out the resemblance to Josh Brolin in No Country for Old Men?

(http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/movies/review/2007/10/05/no_country/story.jpg)

[Ty in Tampa]

(http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/movies/review/2007/10/05/no_country/story.jpg)

That's too kind.

(http://www.bobbydarin.net/tonyo.jpg)

[AtascAstro]

Perhaps the stash is intended to avoid this look-a-like

(http://www.fleen.com/uploads/2006/05/fmji9.jpeg)

[Gleek]

Perhaps the stash is intended to avoid this look-a-like

(http://www.fleen.com/uploads/2006/05/fmji9.jpeg)

Ok, this little game has gone to far.

[AtascAstro]

Hey, didn't an inning in San Diego start off like this!

[Gleek]

Well, Cheito's problem doesn't seem to be his eye.  Dude can still draw a walk.

[JaneDoe]

Ahhh, the old blame it on the wife trick ehhh..?  Well mister, i'm not fooled, not one bit!

Wouldn't work in my house.

[Gleek]

Damn, Bourn.

[austro]

Well, Cheito's problem doesn't seem to be his eye.  Dude can still draw a walk.

Maybe he can loan one of those eyes to Bourn.

[Gleek]

Maybe he can loan one of those eyes to Bourn.

If only.

[SaltyParker]

(http://www.fleen.com/uploads/2006/05/fmji9.jpeg)

Ty Wiggington

[Gleek]

Ty Wiggington

Shit! Good call.

[Gleek]

Wouldn't work in my house.

I certainly hope not, Jane.

[JimR]

Be quiet about Bourn, Gleek. That shit is old already.

[rifraft]

Be quiet about Bourn, Gleek. That shit is old already.

Thank you, Jim.

[Gleek]

Be quiet about Bourn, Gleek. That shit is old already.

It's not just me coach, but I'll let it go.

[JaneDoe]

I certainly hope not, Jane.

I have never watched an episode of American Idol, and don't plan to.  Especially not during an Astros game.

[JimR]

That is what DVRs are for.

[pravata]

"Foul tip is a technical term, it means a foul that is caught by the catcher" Bill Brown.  JD, "oh yeah?"  Take his word for it JD, he dont know who Tootie is but this he knows.

[Gleek]

I have never watched an episode of American Idol, and don't plan to.  Especially not during an Astros game.

Me either.

[AtascAstro]

That is what DVRsTVs in other rooms are for.

FIFY

[mihoba]

Ninja! Speedy winning run on first with no outs.

[JaneDoe]

How did Roy look tonight?  I got to hear a little of the game--my sons had a game and I keep the book and pitch count and corral a 3 yr old with the game in one ear.  Not an easy task. 

[AtascAstro]

Ninja! Speedy tying run on first with no outs.

Huh?

[Gleek]

NINJA SPEED!

[JaneDoe]

That is what DVRs are for.

Why would anyone want to DVR American Idol??

[pravata]

Suey, did not look back that time

[mihoba]

Huh?

Fixed. Talking about Idol fucked me up.

[pravata]

How did Roy look tonight?  I got to hear a little of the game--my sons had a game and I keep the book and pitch count and corral a 3 yr old with the game in one ear.  Not an easy task. 

eh... slider fastball ok, trouble with the curve.  He was a facist though, lots of Ks.

[JimR]

I would answer you, Jane, but Noe might get mad.

[mihoba]

Suey, did not look back that time

Yes he did.

[JimR]

Colome was in the Texas League in 2000 throwing 100 mph. I think he was 19.

[pravata]

Yes he did.

missed it, confirms my theory.

[Gleek]

Noe, why would anyone want to DVR American Idol?  I kid, I kid.

[JaneDoe]

eh... slider fastball ok, trouble with the curve.  He was a facist though, lots ok Ks.

1st 8 outs were K's, right?  Then a string of 8 ground ball outs?  Had trouble with only 1 hitter?  That's basically what I heard.  Did hear his 2 RBI single.

[pravata]

1st 8 outs were K's, right?  Then a string of 8 ground ball outs?  Had trouble with only 1 hitter?  That's basically what I heard.  Did hear his 2 RBI single.

Looks good huh?  He wasnt Roy.  They helped him out.

[mihoba]

missed it, confirms my theory.

Japanese players peek? They showed it clearly on the replay camera in line with the basepath.

[JaneDoe]

I would answer you, Jane, but Noe might get mad.

Then he'd be a Noemad?

[JaneDoe]

Matsui has great instincts and is pretty fast, to boot.

[Gleek]

Ninja speed II.

[mihoba]

Ballgame!

[JaneDoe]

win another one in the final at bat!

[Ty in Tampa]

The Bull!!!

[OregonStrosFan]

Great heads-up play by Matsui.  Another good one for the Good Guys!

[Gleek]

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

[BatGirl]

8 straight!!

[JimR]

Matsui is a great player for this team.

[Greg M]

Nice.  Do we credit Lee or Matsui for that run?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This run has been amazing.

[Gleek]

Goodnight everyone, I LOVE this fucking team!

[petner]

Seriously, did anybody have any doubts we were going to end it in the 9th?

[austro]

Nice.  Do we credit Lee or Matsui for that run?

Matsui on 3rd brought the outfield in. But Lee still had to hit the ball.

[pravata]

Japanese players peek? They showed it clearly on the replay camera in line with the basepath.

No, my theory about brontosauruses.  They are very small at first, then get really really big, then small again.

[matadorph]

Motherfuckin' yes.

Another great win.

[juliogotay]

Matsui is a great player for this team.

Agreed.

[pravata]

Nice.  Do we credit Lee or Matsui for that run?

Baseball is a team game, lets go with both.

[matadorph]

This baserunning has been amazing.

[JimR]

Fun team, eh?

[rifraft]

Valverde now leads the team in wins with 4.  
This team just gets it done!

[JaneDoe]

Matsui is a great player for this team.

Matsui and Tejada have completely surpassed my expectations.  And it is only May. 

[Greg M]

Fun team, eh?

Definitely.

[mihoba]

No, my theory about brontosauruses.  They are very small at first, then get really really big, then small again.

Dude, then they turn into black gold, texas tea.

[JimR]

Matsui has been what I thought he'd be. Tejada has been much, much more than I thought he was.

[DVauthrin]

Kaz Matsui was a steal in the offseason.   He is one of those players that does all the little things you need to win games.   They won this game with his base running in the 9th.      Once bourn gets going, the top of the order will be a menace to opposing pitchers.  

[mihoba]

Matsui 3 BBs, 3 SBs tonight without a hit.

[DVauthrin]

Matsui has been what I thought he'd be. Tejada has been much, much more than I thought he was.

Tejada's defense and leadership qualities have really surpassed anything I expected.   I knew he could hit.    

[remy]

Miggy in a bit of a minuscule "slump" (1 hit in the last 2 games, oh no!), but the great thing is that there's always someone else in this lineup to pick him up.  Astros baseball sure is a fun to watch these days!

[AtascAstro]

Baseball is a team game, lets go with both.

And a little credit to the man who got them both here...

[pravata]

If I havent mentioned lately that Neil Hohlfeld is a giant cootie, it's not because I havent been thinking it.

[SaltyParker]

And a little credit to the man who got them both here...

And who would that be, McLane?

[matadorph]

Anyone watching gamecast of Stl/Colorado?

Izzy is imploding. Rockies just took the lead with a two-out, two-run triple. 4-3 Rockies.

[JaneDoe]

Anyone watching gamecast of Stl/Colorado?

Izzy is imploding. Rockies just took the lead with a two-out, two-run triple. 4-3 Rockies.

Fuck the Jakes.

[mihoba]

If I havent mentioned lately that Neil Hohlfeld is a giant cootie, it's not because I havent been thinking it.

So, he's the brontosaurus.

[pravata]

So, he's the brontosaurus.

Apatosaurus, yes.

[matadorph]

Fuck the Jakes!

Rockies win 4-3. Coards bullpen blew a three-run lead in the 8th. Haha. Your Astros are now 3.5 games out of first, one game behind the Cubs for second.

[OregonStrosFan]

And a little credit to the man who got them both here...

And who would that be, McLane?

Think this Spring Training post pretty much sums up the who (and the plan).    
Houston Astros 2008, thy name is "Aggressive"

For a better part of the spring training exhibition games, I've noticed a switch in the style of play for the local nine that seems to be a reflection of where the Astros would like to be in 2008 as a team.  This is a team that will be about being aggressive.  Several places where it's become more evident is in the pitching approach and base running, but it also may creep into every aspect of the game for the Astros.  Is it a good idea for this modern era of baseball?  I happen to think so, but I'm sure there will be some dissenters who will pull out some observation or metric (or both) to point to how it's really not that much of an improvement and adds risk to the game for the locals.  So be it, understood and duly noted.  But really, this is how Coop wants to run the team and Wade/Smith provided him the players to do just that.

So this is what Coop meant when he said his main observation of the team was a lack of speed.  Some of us took it to places that perhaps it was not meant to be taken.  Perhaps it was.  But by and large, the observation Coop made was probably of the lack of speed that prohibited the team of being successful at being an aggressive team.  But aggressiveness is cropping up not just in basepath running, it seems to also be the mantra of the pitching staff.  Coop seems dead set against nibblers on his staff.  He wants aggressive strikezone pitchers who are not afraid to throw strikes.  He seems to be more concerned with guys who deny themselves the strikezone and try to pitch too finite on the corners and then end up walking many batters.  So it stands to reason that if you're going to have an aggressive strikezone staff, you're going to need to back them up with some speed defense up the middle and good enough defense on the corners.  Have they done this?  Yes, pretty much they have changed the makeup of the team to match a speed up the middle defense with just enough defense on the corners to help pitchers pound the strikezone.  Will it help pitchers?  That's left to be seen, but with guys like Wandy Rodriquez this may make him a much better starter.  At the end of the season, we'll either be praising the strategy that made Wandy a good #2 or #3 starter or cursing the same for making Wandy's ERA hit stratospheric levels.  I'm going to say that we'll be talking about the former and not the latter.  See, if you have a speed defense up the middle, you've got half the battle won in terms of being a good club.  I know, we can talk about offense later (and we will), but for now... let's talk about this aggressive staff/speed up the middle strategy that is evolving right before our very eyes.  How it benefits a pitcher is that it makes the hitter go on notice that taking a pitch or two is going to perhaps put you behind the count on starters that in former days you felt comfortable taking a pitch or three until they *had* to throw a strike.  So now the hitters are on notice, but if the pitcher is smart and capable, that first couple of strikes don't have to be down the middle of the plate, but close enough in or away or up or down to get contact from the hitter.  If your defense stinks, you're going to have a merry-go-round by the other team.  If your defense, especially up the middle, is better, you're going to be successful as a starter to 1) go longer innings and 2) have a respectable ERA.

Now, about the offense.  Well what the Astros did was add one additional slugger to an already quartet of sluggers (Lee, Berkman, Pence and Wiggington).  The slugger they added is no slouch, even though some claim he's on the downside of his potential as a slugger.  That slugger being Miguel Tejada.  If a team has five sluggers in the lineup, watch out!  But oddly enough, this isn't about the team being the reincarnation of Harvey's Wallbangers.  Wade made sure he added speed to the defense with Michael Bourn and Kaz Matsui, but the other ingredient that they added was speed on the basepaths that will add an aggressive nature to the team on offense as well.  The big unknown will be the OBP prowess of Bourn and Matsui, with many already taking the career OBP numbers for both and poo-pooing the whole idea.  Well, mostly the career numbers for Matsui.  Valid point, but Matsui has a propensity to work his best numbers with a good to great leadoff man ahead of him.  His ability with bat control (a somewhat staple of Japanese baseball) pays huge dividends and makes him a reasonable if not good choice to stay #2 in the lineup.  So overall the idea is to have everyone in the lineup be aggressive on the basepaths, but if you want to put it this way and not fear being way off, then it really boils down to Bourn/Matsui setting the pace for offensive aggressiveness.  Similar to the two months of Biggio/Beltran running the basepaths and setting the pace and having Bagwell/Berkman/Kent join in the fun as well.  On this team, everyone will need to run hard and look for the extra base and be sure to get the good aggressive lead because you're going to run if you're in the lineup, that is if Coop has his way.

So when you read local and national publications question the wholesale changes on this team made over the offseason and the mis-mash of opinions of whether it was good or bad or head-scratching, realize this: They probably don't remember Cecil Cooper's words about the number 1 issue he had with the team makeup ("speed") and how that was similar to the concern that Tal Smith had and what probably got Coop the endorsement to be the 2008 manager for the team.  When Ed Wade came aboard, it was a slam-dunk what they were going to do with this team.  See, they knew what they wanted from a pitching staff, from the defense behind them, from the offense and what overall would set the team on the course they feel makes for the best team they could have in the majors to compete again.  It wasn't happenstance what they did nor the whim of a diabolical owner or even new GM to carry out the henchman job of gutting the team.  This is a planned strategy employed from the get-go late last year and now you're seeing some of the implementation in spring and you'll probably see it even more evident by the time Memorial Day rolls around and some of the pitchers are perhaps (if the defense holds true like expected) enjoying unusual success.  Put a good defense behind an average pitcher and said pitcher becomes above average.  All that is needed is buy in from said average pitcher to throw strikes and be aggressive.  Put speed guys in your lineup and tell them the basepaths are meant for being run on and not to be station to station advances and you get a good aggressive offense with a good mixture of sluggers.

So what that means is that while some may look at the 2008 Houston Astros and call them a Frankenstein team of mix parts and GM over tinkering, what is becoming more and more clear is that it is far from the truth.  It is now evident that this is the fruits of having a plan and executing it and now let's see if this will work.  Baseball men came up with this plan, so it has a good solid chance of working.

Your 2008 Houston Astros, thy slogan is "Aggressive Baby... YEAH!".  Heck, with said slogan, why not make Jose Valverde the poster child for this team!?!?

[otterjb]

Holy shit on a stick. Another one. There's been more classic wins to fill up an entire season. And it's May 7th!

An NL central pennant chase, deep into August would be alright to see.

[SaltyParker]

Think this Spring Training post pretty much sums up the who (and the plan).    
Houston Astros 2008, thy name is "Aggressive"

While I appreciate Noe's ST explanation of the direction this team is taking, I am not sure what point you are trying to make here. The original statement was thanks to one man for getting both Lee and Matsui on board? Is your point here that Tal Smith gets credit for both Lee and Matsui?

[juliogotay]

If I havent mentioned lately that Neil Hohlfeld is a giant cootie, it's not because I havent been thinking it.

Hohlfeld is one of those folks that really isn't cut out for tv. He was a terrific beat writer in his Chronicle Sports Days and much better than anyone they have on the beat now or in recent years. I actually enjoy what he has to say and he makes some points that others don't. To me,  he and Granato are the best two of the guests "commentators".

[juliogotay]

If I havent mentioned lately that Neil Hohlfeld is a giant cootie, it's not because I havent been thinking it.

[AtascAstro]

And a little credit to the man who got them both here...

Yeah my bad - I got my lines crossed, there were Tejada/Matsui and Lee/Matsui combo threads going at the same time.  I grabbed the wrong one to quote.

[pravata]

Hohlfeld is one of those folks that really isn't cut out for tv. He was a terrific beat writer in his Chronicle Sports Days and much better than anyone they have on the beat now or in recent years. I actually enjoy what he has to say and he makes some points that others don't. To me,  he and Granato are the best two of the guests "commentators".

Only because they rarely have Footer on.

[SaltyParker]

Yeah my bad - I got my lines crossed, there were Tejada/Matsui and Lee/Matsui combo threads going at the same time.  I grabbed the wrong one to quote.

Yeah, that's what I figured but then OregonStrosFan blows my mind by giving me a 20,000 word essay telling me its explained within.

[JimR]

Yeah, that's what I figured but then OregonStrosFan blows my mind by giving me a 20,000 word essay telling me its explained within.

he is Noe's apprentice.

[MusicMan]

he is Noe's apprentice.

There are always two... a master, and an apprentice...

[OregonStrosFan]

Yeah, that's what I figured but then OregonStrosFan blows my mind by giving me a 20,000 word essay telling me its explained within.

Reverting back to my YL days with the ole' cut & paste without rational explanation or thought attached.  The point was that 'the master plan' seems to be working, and that some credit needs to go to WadeSmith.  Speed and skill at the top of the lineup, with 3-4-5 hitters a force to be reckoned with, makes for a team that can, and will, win these types of ballgames.  However, seems I missed Salty's point thus my response was not particularly on point.  'Grasshopper' gets a D- on that one...