So, what's the lineup look like today?

[Gizzmonic]

Without Tejada, maybe without Pence! as well?

Here's my guess:

Bourn CF
Matsui 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Pence RF
Blum SS
Wigginton 3B
Towles C
Sampson P

[JimR]

no e in Bourn, did you know?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I think Cruz Jr. could use some more at-bats... I know some are calling for him to be replaced but I don't think his at-bats have been bad, especially in PH situations.  He's not lifting the ball, for the sacrifice, but his approach seems solid so far.  I hope he sees some results soon. 

Bourn CF
Matsui 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Cruz RF
Blum SS
Wigginton 3B
Towles C
Sampson P

[Gizzmonic]

Thanks, I'm gonna have to correct my lineup as well, Astros.com says Wigginton might not play until Friday.

So Loretta will probably be at 3B.

This is pure speculation, but Lee might get the day off too since he hurt his wrist.

no e in Bourn, did you know?

[Noe]

Bourn CF
Matsui SS
Erstad LF
Berkman 1B
Blum 3B
Loretta 2B
Cruz RF
Towles C
Sampson P

[SaltyParker]

Bad day to rest Tejada as Sampson needs the best IF behind him and I hate to see Miggy on the bench against Lincecum. Hopefully Cooper changes his mind.
Perfect opportunity to rest Miggy in Texas as a DH.

[austro]

This is pure speculation, but Lee might get the day off too since he hurt his wrist.

I didn't seem all of the game last night, and the GZ just had an oblique mention of this. What happened?

[pravata]

Bad day to rest Tejada as Sampson needs the best IF behind him and I hate to see Miggy on the bench against Lincecum. Hopefully Cooper changes his mind.
Perfect opportunity to rest Miggy in Texas as a DH.

Cooper isnt going to change his mind.  He's been trying to get Tejada a day off for 2 weeks.  Berkman and Lee are scheduled to DH.

[BudGirl]

I didn't seem all of the game last night, and the GZ just had an oblique mention of this. What happened?

Dove for a ball and landed on his left hand/wrist.  Seemed like it rolled a bit.

[Noe]

Bad day to rest Tejada as Sampson needs the best IF behind him and I hate to see Miggy on the bench against Lincecum. Hopefully Cooper changes his mind.
Perfect opportunity to rest Miggy in Texas as a DH.

Matsui is no slouch at SS.  Loretta is okay if he's the 2B or 3B and Blum can play either 2b or 3B depending where they put Loretta.  The more I think about it, Loretta 3B, Matsui SS, Blum 2b is not too shabby an infield.  It is times like this that a guy like Eric Bruntlett would help this team.  Carrying so many pitchers cut the chances of such an ubber utility guy.  BTW - in the minors, the Astros do have some candidates to become the next Eric Bruntlett for this team if the need ever arises.  I think once Cooper settles in with his bullpen and Wandy comes back, he can make such a call to get one young guy up here to help or a veteran like Tomas Perez.

Those are the types of adjustments that teams make along the way in a marathon season.

[pravata]

Matsui is no slouch at SS.  Loretta is okay if he's the 2B or 3B and Blum can play either 2b or 3B depending where they put Loretta.  The more I think about it, Loretta 3B, Matsui SS, Blum 2b is not too shabby an infield.  It is times like this that a guy like Eric Bruntlett would help this team.  Carrying so many pitchers cut the chances of such an ubber utility guy.  BTW - in the minors, the Astros do have some candidates to become the next Eric Bruntlett for this team if the need ever arises.  I think once Cooper settles in with his bullpen and Wandy comes back, he can make such a call to get one young guy up here to help or a veteran like Tomas Perez.

Those are the types of adjustments that teams make along the way in a marathon season.

Particularly in this stretch of 20 games in 20 days.

[Reuben]

Matsui is no slouch at SS.  Loretta is okay if he's the 2B or 3B and Blum can play either 2b or 3B depending where they put Loretta.  The more I think about it, Loretta 3B, Matsui SS, Blum 2b is not too shabby an infield.  It is times like this that a guy like Eric Bruntlett would help this team.  Carrying so many pitchers cut the chances of such an ubber utility guy.  BTW - in the minors, the Astros do have some candidates to become the next Eric Bruntlett for this team if the need ever arises.  I think once Cooper settles in with his bullpen and Wandy comes back, he can make such a call to get one young guy up here to help or a veteran like Tomas Perez.

Those are the types of adjustments that teams make along the way in a marathon season.

I would be surprised if they moved Matsui back to short just for one game, wouldn't you? He didn't play there at all last year.

[Noe]

I would be surprised if they moved Matsui back to short just for one game, wouldn't you? He didn't play there at all last year.

Didn't play shortstop for some games in spring or am I just dreaming that happened.  If not, then Blum is your only option to play shortstop for Tejada.  All the more reason you need a good ubber utility guy on this club.

[OregonStrosFan]

Cooper isnt going to change his mind.  He's been trying to get Tejada a day off for 2 weeks.  Berkman and Lee are scheduled to DH.

Agreed Coop is unlikely to change his mind, but given the matchup against Lincecum, the need for the best D possible behind Sampson in particular, and Wigginton being out until Friday, I'd think it would be more 'advantageoous' Miggy his day off in Arlington. 

[billemite]

Didn't play shortstop for some games in spring or am I just dreaming that happened.  If not, then Blum is your only option to play shortstop for Tejada.  All the more reason you need a good ubber utility guy on this club.

I thought Kaz didn't play in any ST games on account of that thing we're not talking about anymore.

[Noe]

I thought Kaz didn't play in any ST games on account of that thing we're not talking about anymore.

Like I said... musta been dreaming it then.  I stand corrected.

[jbm]

I just assumed Loretta was our backup at short, is it really Blum?

[billemite]

Like I said... musta been dreaming it then.  I stand corrected.

I agree with you about the need for a uber-utility guy. Loretta has good hands but no range and no arm. I don't think I've ever seen Blum play SS. Is he any good? Even average?

[T. J.]

Just posted:

Hitters AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
M Bourn CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 .187
K Matsui 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
H Pence RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .388
C Lee LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 .279
G Blum 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217
M Loretta SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
J Towles C 0 0 0 0 0 0 .157
C Sampson P 0 0 0 0 0 0 .077

[ValpoCory]

Bourn  CF
Matsui 2B
Pence RF
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Blum 3B
Loretta SS
Towles C
Sampson P

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=280515126

ETA: got me by 16 seconds T.J.   That's what I get for typing it in.  Anyway, the link is here.

[Noe]

Just posted:

Hitters AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
M Bourn CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 .187
K Matsui 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
H Pence RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
L Berkman 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .388
C Lee LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 .279
G Blum 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217
M Loretta SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
J Towles C 0 0 0 0 0 0 .157
C Sampson P 0 0 0 0 0 0 .077

For one day, Loretta at short isn't going to hurt anyone (long term), but he's not the best option as a reserve to take over for Tejada.  But apparently, he's the *only* option right now.  You know, the thought occured to me that Sampson could use the Wrigley Field strategy he employed a while back.  He told Bourn (see NYCU) "I'm just going to let them hit it in the air, you make all the plays".  SF has a huge outfield and this is just insane enough of a strategy to work!