1st Place, Fish-slingers, and the schedule so far...

[Texifornia]

I've wondered a little about the Fish-slingers and if they have the team to continue to compete for the ALW even though this year was thought to be a rebuild.

Last night after the games I took a look at the extended standings at MLB.com and noticed that the Astros have played every single game against winning teams. In contrast, Seattle has played only ten games against teams over .500 and are a measly 2-8 in those games. The Angels have the same schedule anomaly as Houston, but are 9-16 while the Astros are 15-9.

I like the Astros' chances.

 

[juliogotay]

I've wondered a little about the Fish-slingers and if they have the team to continue to compete for the ALW even though this year was thought to be a rebuild.

Last night after the games I took a look at the extended standings at MLB.com and noticed that the Astros have played every single game against winning teams. In contrast, Seattle has played only ten games against teams over .500 and are a measly 2-8 in those games. The Angels have the same schedule anomaly as Houston, but are 9-16 while the Astros are 15-9.

I like the Astros' chances.

good info. Thanks.

[Lefty]

The only 4 games that Tampa has played vs teams over .500 were the 4 against the Stros.

[HudsonHawk]

The only 4 games that Tampa has played vs teams over .500 were the 4 against the Stros.

And only two of those were against a team above .500.

[Jacksonian]

And only two of those were against a team above .500.

Only one.

[HudsonHawk]

Only one.

I guess I was counting game three when the Astros were exactly .500.  But technically, yeah...one game against a team with more wins than losses.

[TeeJoe]

I'm surprised about Tampa's standings too, but I'm thinking fish slingers is in reference to Seattle.

[Texifornia]

I'm surprised about Tampa's standings too, but I'm thinking fish slingers is in reference to Seattle.

Of course. This is but one more chapter in the historic rivalry.

[Texifornia]

The lopsidedness of the Astros' schedule against winning teams has been curiously persistent. I took a look this evening and was surprised to find that even at this rather late stage in the season Houston has played 73 of their 107 games, or about 68%, against winning teams. They are 45-28 (.616) in those games.

By contrast, the Yankees and Twins have both played 53 of their 105 games, or just over 50%, against winning teams. The Yankees are 33-20 (.623) in those games while the Twins are 29-24 (.547).

The schedules are not balanced, so teams won't necessarily end with 50% vs winning teams, but I expect it to even up quite a bit before the end of September.  This should play out to the Astros' benefit.

[JimR]

The lopsidedness of the Astros' schedule against winning teams has been curiously persistent. I took a look this evening and was surprised to find that even at this rather late stage in the season Houston has played 73 of their 107 games, or about 68%, against winning teams. They are 45-28 (.616) in those games.

By contrast, the Yankees and Twins have both played 53 of their 105 games, or just over 50%, against winning teams. The Yankees are 33-20 (.623) in those games while the Twins are 29-24 (.547).

The schedules are not balanced, so teams won't necessarily end with 50% vs winning teams, but I expect it to even up quite a bit before the end of September.  This should play out to the Astros' benefit.

and they are getting hot winning teams lately.

[geezerdonk]

And beating them.

[Snuffy]

During the games against, former Ranger - now announcer David Murphy, observed that whether or not the opposing team is on a hot or cold streak may be more important than their W-L record. 

[JimR]

During the games against, former Ranger - now announcer David Murphy, observed that whether or not the opposing team is on a hot or cold streak may be more important than their W-L record.

How astute of him. Who knew?

[Snuffy]

How astute of him. Who knew?

Doesn't take much to impress me.....