Astros @ Phightins August 5, 2014

[Mr. Happy]

Your lineups for tonight's NL style tilt (note: 70% chance of rain):

Astros

2BJose Altuve (R)
RFRobbie Grossman (S)
LFChris Carter (R)
CJason Castro (L)
1BJ. Singleton (L)
3BMatt Dominguez (R)
CFJake Marisnick (R)
SSMarwin Gonzalez (S)
PDallas Keuchel (L)
Dallas Keuchel (L)  (10-7, 2.97)

Phightins

CF Ben Revere (L)
SS Jimmy Rollins (S)
2B Chase Utley (L)
1B Ryan Howard (L)
RF Marlon Byrd (R)
C Carlos Ruiz (R)
LF Darin Ruf (R)
3B Cody Asche (L)
P Kyle Kendrick (R)
PHI: Kyle Kendrick (R)  (5-11, 4.92)

[juliogotay]

How is your drinking water situation?

[Mr. Happy]

The drinking water situation is better today, but the long-term prognosis is not good, and we can expect more algae problems. This city has been so poorly run for so long that the infrastructure is literally crumbling around it.

[NeilT]

The drinking water situation is better today, but the long-term prognosis is not good, and we can expect more algae problems. This city has been so poorly run for so long that the infrastructure is literally crumbling around it.

Time to issue bonds.

[Mr. Happy]

Time to issue bonds.

You're absolutely right. Since the city is struggling to pay the debt that it has, why worry about taking on more? Surely the feds or the State of Ohio will come to the rescue?

[NeilT]

You're absolutely right. Since the city is struggling to pay the debt that it has, why worry about taking on more? Surely the feds or the State of Ohio will come to the rescue?

I'm really extremely lucky to be in Houston. I probably have sat through more meetings about water treatment, sewer treatment, and flood drainage than anyone who isn't a civil engineer should ever have done, and I've got this warped view that that's one of the things government's best at.  The flip side is that if you delay taking care of your stuff it doesn't take care of itself, and it gets more and more expensive.  Sounds like you're saying that's part of the problem in Toledo.  I'm joking about the bonds, but it sounds like a mess.

[Mr. Happy]

I'm really extremely lucky to be in Houston. I probably have sat through more meetings about water treatment, sewer treatment, and flood drainage than anyone who isn't a civil engineer should ever have done, and I've got this warped view that that's one of the things government's best at.  The flip side is that if you delay taking care of your stuff it doesn't take care of itself, and it gets more and more expensive.  Sounds like you're saying that's part of the problem in Toledo.  I'm joking about the bonds, but it sounds like a mess.

That's exactly the problem. I knew that you were joking about the bonds. I understand where you come from on that issue, and I obviously worry about paying the debt back.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Neil, that is so true. Deteriorated infrastructure only gets worse and the worse it gets to more it cost to repair/replace.

[jbm]

That's exactly the problem. I knew that you were joking about the bonds. I understand where you come from on that issue, and I obviously worry about paying the debt back.

Drinkable water? or more debt? 

Really doesn't sound like a tough one.

[Mr. Happy]

Drinkable water? or more debt? 

Really doesn't sound like a tough one.

But it actually is. When the debt is greater than the city's ability to repay, the risk of loss falls on the bondholders, which is wrong in my opinion. The people made the mess by electing the wrong people, and they should bear the expense.

[NeilT]

But it actually is. When the debt is greater than the city's ability to repay, the risk of loss falls on the bondholders, which is wrong in my opinion. The people made the mess by electing the wrong people, and they should bear the expense.

As a general matter, bondholders aren't idiots, and they're getting paid for their risk.  The question really becomes whether the risk is properly disclosed.

[Fredia]

is it just me or does it look strange for pitchers to bat

[Fredia]

am i in the wrong place

[Aussie Astro]

This game seems to be a snoozer.

[MusicMan]

Keuchel gets out of 1st/2nd nobody out in B5 when Kendrick pops the bunt, and then two ground outs follow.

[NeilT]

I have two pitchers in the fantasy league tonight. They've both pitched into the 6th inning and between them given up only 3 runs.  Both are losing and only one is Dallas Keuchel.

[Aussie Astro]

Anyone else struggling with MLBtv?  I can only stream for 20 - 30 seconds at a time.

[chuck]

Anyone else struggling with MLBtv?  I can only stream for 20 - 30 seconds at a time.

Mine's working fine.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Same here.

[BizidyDizidy]

Never pity a bondholder.

[Aussie Astro]

Mine's working fine.

I should not have complained... cant get a damned thing now.

[Aussie Astro]

Same here.

I guess this is what happens when you live south of he border.

[NeilT]

I should not have complained... cant get a damned thing now.

This is an important life lesson.  My other pitcher blew up.  At least Keuchel didn't, and I'll keep my mouth shut about Sipp.

[Aussie Astro]

This is an important life lesson.  My other pitcher blew up.  At least Keuchel didn't, and I'll keep my mouth shut about Sipp.

I have a history of being a bit of a slow learner when it comes to these sorts of lessons.

[BizidyDizidy]

Was that a called strike or check swing?  Either way seemed questionable

[Aussie Astro]

From my view it looks like they lost power and everyone is just standing there in the dark...

[Lefty]

This city has been so poorly run for so long that the infrastructure is literally crumbling around it.

You're absolutely right. Since the city is struggling to pay the debt that it has, why worry about taking on more? Surely the feds or the State of Ohio will come to the rescue?

The people made the mess by electing the wrong people, and they should bear the expense.

I thought you left Louisiana?

[subnuclear]

Santana gets to 3rd and Altuve to 2nd with 2 outs, but Grossman flies out. To the Bottom of the 10th.

[Reuben]

Well that was crappy and embarrassing. Carter needed to hustle in and call for that ball.

[subnuclear]

Manage to get out of the inning with no runs. Top of the 11th.

[Aussie Astro]

Joba the Chamberlain plunked Jeter.  I have the sound down but I bet that got the boo birds started.

[subnuclear]

Castro swung at some crap pitches right there.

[Reuben]

Castro swung at some crap pitches right there.

He did. And this guy wasn't even throwing 99.

[Reuben]

Just spotted the Citizen's Bank or whatever it's name is scoreboard, using Braveheart clips to fire up the fans.

[Reuben]

Downs nearly rolled that first one up there. And Howard still swung at it. (now watch him hit one out).

[subnuclear]

So Adam Dunn is pitching in the CWS vs. Rangers game.

[roadrunner]

When is Fowler due back?  This season?

[subnuclear]

When is Fowler due back?  This season?

This season.

[Reuben]

When is Fowler due back?  This season?

The day before Albers comes back, and two days before Crain.

[NeilT]

From RotoWorld.  Take it for what it's worth:

stros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday that the club is "days away" from considering a rehab assignment for Dexter Fowler (intercostal).
Fowler is with the club in Philadelphia and will ramp up his workouts, as the Astros clearly need to see more progress before clearing him to play in games. He's been out since late June with an intercostal strain.

[Aussie Astro]

The good news is that normal services have been resumed in the southern hemisphere.

[roadrunner]

The day before Albers comes back, and two days before Crain.

I guess acquiring injured players is Luhnow's idea of market inefficiency.

[roadrunner]

At what point does Oswalt play left field

[subnuclear]

Zzzzzzzzz.

[NeilT]

Zzzzzzzzz.

Yep.

[jbm]

Zzzzzzzzz.

Yes, some day this game will end. Probably before Fowler comes off the DL.

[Aussie Astro]

Second stretch...

[Mr. Happy]

Astros fall in 15 2-1. Shitfuck.