Author Topic: Pitching and defense (Read 3375 times)

EasTexAstro · « **on:** April 02, 2006, 01:35:59 am »

I am concerned with the 2nd string catcher situation. I am interested to see how Garner is going to work that out.

Defense-wise, this looks to be a pretty good team, if Lance can be reminded of the number of outs.

Roy, Andy,
Brandon, Wandy,
Taylor....

Not too bad...

The bats need to get going, but this looks like a pretty good team.

mihoba · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2006, 09:36:14 am »

Quote:

Roy, Andy,
Brandon, Wandy,
Taylor....

Not too bad...

The bats need to get going, but this looks like a pretty good team.

Think about the rotation for a minute.

Roy Oswalt
Andy Pettitte

No concerns here, two of the best in MLB. If they stay healthy, the Astros will remain competitive.

Brandon Backe

Needs to improve consistency in his promotion to 3rd starter. We all know his success in big games, but can step up and give the team solid innings the entire year?

Wandy Rodriguez

Decent rookie season, but a 5.53 ERA is not going to cut it as the 4th starter.

Taylor Bucholtz

An unproven rookie in his ML debut.

Needless to say, I am quite worried about the rotation.

Ankh · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2006, 12:59:55 pm »

At least Wandy and Buccholz can be replaced by Astacio, Nieve, and Carlos Harnandez. We have good back-of-the-rotation depth, so we can switch these guys out without too much trouble. Throw enough bodies at the problem, and something is bound to shake out.

Backe inconsistency is my biggest concern. His big postseason games are sandwiched around some awful ones as well. And his midseason injury last year doesn't bode well for me, either. Clearly, Backe has it in him to be a good pitcher. Hopefully, he can put 35 starts together into a solid package.

Fredia · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2006, 05:09:38 pm »

spring training seemed to not go well for bache. but like limey and others have often remeinded me it it just spring. just have to wait to game three and see .. just hopes he stops throwing stuff down the middle

NeilT · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2006, 05:50:19 pm »

I don't get it. Clemens pitched spectacularly for a good part of the season, and with any luck he should have won 18 or 19 games. He didn't though. The Clemens discussion reminds me of last year's Central Gardner discussion, except that Clemens actually had a great season. Beltran didn't, at least until the playoffs. Backe can win 10 games again. He could do better, and it won't take much to beat the 13 wins from the bottom of last year's rotation.

We've got the same bullpen as last year, which was a great bullpen. Defensively, who's better than the 'Stros? Wilson may have lost some range, but watching him and Tuvariz Friday night was like watching 2 central gardners in the outfield. Wilson motors. Jugamientos. The offense can't be worse than last year, and I think it will be better enough to make a difference.

I just don't see how we're not as good or better of a team than last year.

Greg M · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2006, 06:56:05 pm »

I don't see how you can't be apprehensive when the rotation has two starting pitchers with little to no big league experience. The depth is nice but the bullpen's probably going to get worked pretty heavily to start the season. Hopefully Pettitte's ready to pitch deep into games while the rest of the rotation finds its groove.

EasTexAstro · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2006, 07:13:44 pm »

mihoba is correct, of course, but I think it is a good point to say there are some good options if one or more fails, and even more options, possibly, as the season progresses. With the solid defense, the pitching might have a little leeway, being able to pitch their game and trust to the fielders.

Backe is a concern for #3, but he can eat some innings and come up big.

Clemens could still come back and take up some slack in a month or so.

Yeah, Roy and Andy need to stay healthy.

I don't expect much from Wandy, who seems to be the pitcher with the least potential out of this group. Taylor has done nothing in the bigs so far, but he looks to have a higher upside if he can stick for a while.

Offense and defense are both better to start the season. It is a good place to begin.

I'm still not sure about Munson.

Greg M · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2006, 07:22:13 pm »

The depth of starting pitchers is definitely a bonus but the bottom of the rotation may or may not be settled come the all-star break. The strength of the bullpen will hopefully pick up the slack.

I'm as optimistic as you on the defense. The offense can't be any worse than last year. A full year of Wilson versus what was trotted out in LF last season alone will be a huge plus. One concern are all of the low OBP guys. Hopefully Lane, Taveras and Biggio will draw a few more walks this year.

LonghornCDR · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2006, 11:50:26 am »

Maybe we should qualify it this way...

Backe will never be more than a #4 guy for a top tier team .

But as Tralfaz points out, there are plenty of teams out there that would take him at #3.

We know that Backe can step up when the pressure's on. Maybe the #3 spot will be enough pressure for him to pitch to his potential more consistently.

JimR · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2006, 12:12:40 pm »

no way.

S.P. Rodriguez · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2006, 03:08:07 pm »

From past observations, doesn't Backe also throw a late breaking curve? I think his challenge is getting it over for strikes, called or otherwise. I've never noticed anything unique about his fastball. I don't know that this is a knock on his talent, but Backe doesn't appear to have any "nasty" pitch like a knee buckling curve or a 30mph difference between his curve and fastball. Does that mean he'll never be more than a #3 or #4?

Last I read, Garner would be happy if he simply throws strikes with greater consistancy.... oh, and win 15 games this year!

Author Topic: Pitching and defense (Read 3375 times)

No? in Austin

No? in Austin