Astros @ Twins August 4, 2013

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for today's matinee:

Astros
FRobbie Grossman
2BJose Altuve
CJason Castro
1BBrett Wallace
DHChris Carter
RFMarc Krauss
3BMatt Dominguez
CFBrandon Barnes
SSJonathan Villar
HOU: Brad Peacock (1-3, 8.07)

Twins

2B Brian Dozier
RF Chris Herrmann
DH Joe Mauer
1B Justin Morneau
C Ryan Doumit
LF Oswaldo Arcia
CF Clete Thomas
3B Jamey Carroll
SS Douglas Bernier
MIN: Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 5.31)

[austro]

Mr. Happy, are you ok? There are spaces between the positions and the names today.

[Mr. Happy]

Mr. Happy, are you ok? There are spaces between the positions and the names today.

Doing swimmingly well, thanks. The spacing comes from the source of the lineups each day because I just cut and paste them onto the page.

[NeilT]

Doing swimmingly well, thanks. The spacing comes from the source of the lineups each day because I just cut and paste them onto the page.

I don't know, your sarc meter may be on the blink again.

[OregonStrosFan]

Mr. Happy, are you ok? There are spaces between the positions and the names today.

C'com Austro, get with it. There are generally spaces between the positions and the names in one of the two posted  lineups.

[OregonStrosFan]

I don't know, your sarc meter may be on the blink again.

Every year I ask Santa to give Mr. Happy a new sarc meter for Christmas, and every year he evidently declines. Guess that should tell you whether I am on Santas naughty or nice list each year...

[OregonStrosFan]

20 years ago today: http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2013/08/04/55860216/the-nolan-ryan-robin-ventura-fight-happened-20-years-ago-sunday

[OregonStrosFan]

I've really enjoyed Smith's Astros coverage, so was sad (for me, happy for him) to see this:

“@ChronAstros: Thrilled to announce I'll soon be covering @HoustonTexans for @HoustonChron, joining @McClain_on_NFL and @sportywineguy on the beat. #NFL”

This, however... FML

“@ChronAstros: Thanks to everyone on #Astros beat. Great readers and fans; fascinating team. Will continue to share beat with @OrtizKicks through September”

[Ron Brand]

Given the Chron's weak non-coverage of the team I'm inclined to shrug and think, "What the hell." At least the Astros have a plan on how to compete in the future.

[jbm]

This means Smith is off the beat, and it is left to Ortiz?  

If so, it is appropriate: crap on crap.

[jbm]

Given the Chron's weak non-coverage of the team I'm inclined to shrug and think, "What the hell." At least the Astros have a plan on how to compete in the future.

I found Smith to be pretty good at the job.

[Ron Brand]

I found Smith to be pretty good at the job.

He's been the best of the bunch, but that's not saying a lot.

I always have that momentary catch when I see his constant praise of JdJO. It's like when I read one of Footer's fawning tweets about DoRay.

[Ron Brand]

This means Smith is off the beat, and it is left to Ortiz?  

If so, it is appropriate: crap on crap.

“Will continue to share beat with @OrtizKicks through September”

[Ron Brand]

2-0 Twinkies, bottom 3. Both runs on a Morneau HR.

[OregonStrosFan]

I found Smith to be pretty good at the job.

Coming from a basketball beat, and following Levine (who I liked a lot), I was dubious of him. However, agree that he has done a solid job across the board and grew to appreciate his work quite a lot.

In any event... Middle 3: HOU 0 MIN 2. Peacock gave up a bomb on a bad pitch, but has otherwise looked pretty solid...

[Ron Brand]

Tied in the top of the fifth on a couple of two-out singles by Wallace and Carter.

[Jose Cruz III]

Don't look now but we got a couple of solid singles with RISP and 2 outs. 2-2

[Ron Brand]

Dominguez is THE MAN.

[Ron Brand]

Dives to his right, makes the stab, jumps up and fires to first ahead of the runner.

[Ron Brand]

Peacock continues to come right at the hitters. 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth.

[Ron Brand]

Two flyouts and a nice strikeout ends the sixth for Peacock.

[Ron Brand]

Astros have seven hits, three for the Twins.

[austro]

Encouraging outing for Peacock.

[Ron Brand]

Encouraging outing for Peacock.

I hope this is the guy they traded for, and not the guy who showed up at the start of the season.

[Ron Brand]

Walking Carter has got to be a great way to piss off your manager.

[Ron Brand]

Bases loaded, two outs, Hoes up.

[Ron Brand]

Groundout to short and it's still 2-2 going to the bottom of the seventh.

[Ron Brand]

Twins announcers called it, and Arcia obliges with a go-ahead HR on a fastball up.

[Mr. Happy]

I liked what I saw of Peacock today.

[Ron Brand]

I liked what I saw of Peacock today.

The beautiful plumage?

[Ron Brand]

Sorry, I'm thinking of the Norwegian Blue.

[Ron Brand]

Twins win, 3-2.

[austro]

Twins win, 3-2.

You know, the good news in all of these crappy late-inning losses is that they could actually turn around with a semi-competent bullpen, and that's the easiest thing to fix.

[NeilT]

You know, the good news in all of these crappy late-inning losses is that they could actually turn around with a semi-competent bullpen, and that's the easiest thing to fix.

Hey!  I've said the same thing for the last two years!

If they do have 20 million to spend next year, it'd be ok by me if they spent every bit of it in the pen.

[jbm]

Agreed, but why would the payroll increase next year?  Won't the arguments, "Why spend money for a few more wins" or it's cousin "Why spend until a championship is possible" still apply?

[austro]

Agreed, but why would the payroll increase next year?  Won't the arguments, "Why spend money for a few more wins" or it's cousin "Why spend until a championship is possible" still apply?

From the fans' standpoint, I think there's a huge difference between winning one out of every two as opposed to one out of every three.

[NeilT]

From the fans' standpoint, I think there's a huge difference between winning one out of every two as opposed to one out of every three seven.

[jbm]

I liked what I saw of Peacock today.

Just watched the replay.  He did look pretty promising.  He probably has the best assortment of secondary pitches on the staff. 

As Ashby mentioned, I guess the pressing question is it normal for him to miss so badly and so frequently with his fastball.  If that wildness was an abberation, then you have to think he can be successful to some degree, even with that meaty four seamer.

[Reuben]

Hey!  I've said the same thing for the last two years!

If they do have 20 million to spend next year, it'd be ok by me if they spent every bit of it in the pen.

That would be quite hilarious, if they spent 20m out of a roughly $30m payroll just on the bullpen. I wonder what team has spent the highest percentage on the pen in baseball history. Maybe the Padres in the waning Trevor Hoffman years?