RE: Recap and tonight's game

[Jacksonian]

Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

[juliogotay]

Albers looks like he's got a little Charley Kerfeld in him.

[astrox]

I'd just like to say that I love the Astros.  I love every man left in scoring position with less than two out.  I love every batter who fails to drive in a run in said situation.  I love every pitcher who throws a 0-2 meatball right down the pipe, as well as every pitcher in the bullpen who has a bad day.

With each disappointing loss it only makes the Astros eventual World Series Championship all the more sweet...however many years down the road it may be.

May I still be alive to see it.

Go Astros!

[pravata]

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Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

[MusicMan]

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Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

The two-step of the botched rundown and Lamb's failure on stopping the runner were my breaking point.  I have no faith left that this team will put it together this season.

The pathetic thing is that I still can't rule out the playoffs, since the NL stinks like week-old diapers, but the 2006 Astros are not a good team.

[jasonact]

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The pathetic thing is that I still can't rule out the playoffs, since the NL stinks like week-old diapers, but the 2006 Astros are not a good team.

The funny thing is that the individual players are probably a little better than 2005, but as has been said, there is no chemistry, and they simply don't appear to be playing as a team. In the 2004, 2005, and prior seasons, the whole really was more than the sum of its parts. Not so much this season. It just looks like a team of individuals. I'll be interested to see if the brass feel the same way, as will probably be indicated by off-season trades and signings or the lack thereof.

[Jacksonian]

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Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

It struck me that Garner was half-joking with Albers that they've have to work on the rundown drill.  JD seemed to excuse Albers failure to run at the baserunner as a first major league game/jitters/not wanting to screw up a rundown and let the runner be safe play.  

Was it Brownie who remarked that the Astros haven't been good with the rundown for several years now?

[MusicMan]

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Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

It struck me that Garner was half-joking with Albers that they've have to work on the rundown drill.  JD seemed to excuse Albers failure to run at the baserunner as a first major league game/jitters/not wanting to screw up a rundown and let the runner be safe play.  

Was it Brownie who remarked that the Astros haven't been good with the rundown for several years now?

No - that was JD, who was spot-on with most of his comments last night.  I thought he was a little easy on Lamb on the bunt play.

[pravata]

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Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

It struck me that Garner was half-joking with Albers that they've have to work on the rundown drill.  JD seemed to excuse Albers failure to run at the baserunner as a first major league game/jitters/not wanting to screw up a rundown and let the runner be safe play.  

Was it Brownie who remarked that the Astros haven't been good with the rundown for several years now?

Yes that was Brown.  It defys explanation.

[JimR]

chemistry is bs. that comes from winning. no team that is losing has chemistry.

[Fredia]

i can imagine a playoff burth or a ws ring makes for lots of friendly feelings in the clubhouse. i mean if you wanted to blame it on chemistry then should all new team memebers be banned and should they drag bagwell out with a wire cage to hold his arm in catching posisiton.

[jaklewein]

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chemistry is bs. that comes from winning. no team that is losing has chemistry.

If one wanted to...one might throw the "chicken or the egg" arguement at you...but I won't, b/c by and large I agree with you.

[Limey]

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I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

That's because a double is typically the product of good hitting and/or a mistake pitch.  A botched rundown is the product of a group of players combining to take a routine play and brainfuck it to death.

[JimR]

i'll sleep better tonight knowing that.

[astro pete]

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Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.

I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.

It struck me that Garner was half-joking with Albers that they've have to work on the rundown drill.  JD seemed to excuse Albers failure to run at the baserunner as a first major league game/jitters/not wanting to screw up a rundown and let the runner be safe play.  

Was it Brownie who remarked that the Astros haven't been good with the rundown for several years now?

I gave Albers a pass for his part of the run down.  At least he threw to third.  Huff, on the other hand, has been a disaster.  From his inability to field the grounder in the first, to his inability to drive in a run, to his inability to record the out at second in the aforementioned rundown.

[jasonact]

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chemistry is bs. that comes from winning. no team that is losing has chemistry.

It's easier to play the game (or do anything, for that matter) when you enjoy the people you're working with. Of course, I don't know what goes on in their clubhouse, but they just don't seem to enjoy playing together. I'm not saying that's the only problem, but it certainly does not help. They're a group of individuals, rather than a team. That's chemistry (or lack thereof).

It may seem amorphous and unscientific, but that doesn't make it less real.

[astro pete]

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chemistry is bs. that comes from winning. no team that is losing has chemistry.

It's easier to play the game (or do anything, for that matter) when you enjoy the people you're working with. Of course, I don't know what goes on in their clubhouse, but they just don't seem to enjoy playing together. I'm not saying that's the only problem, but it certainly does not help. They're a group of individuals, rather than a team. That's chemistry (or lack thereof).

It may seem amorphous and unscientific, but that doesn't make it less real.

What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?

[Arky Vaughan]

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No - that was JD, who was spot-on with most of his comments last night.  I thought he was a little easy on Lamb on the bunt play.

JD was on him -- should have stared the runner down a little longer to get him going back to third before throwing to first.

[Arky Vaughan]

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What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?

Exactly. If they were each playing better individually, I imagine they'd be playing better as a team.

[jasonact]

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What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?

I was referring to the concept of "chemistry" on teams as being real, not my assessment of the Astros. I readily claim that I don't know the tenor of their clubhouse, and it only  seems that they lack chemistry. I was only speculating on that and didn't mean to imply certainty.

[astro pete]

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What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?

I was referring to the concept of "chemistry" on teams as being real, not my assessment of the Astros. I readily claim that I don't know the tenor of their clubhouse, and it only  seems that they lack chemistry. I was only speculating on that and didn't mean to imply certainty.

Okay.  That's not what you typed, but fair enough.

[jasonact]

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What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?

I was referring to the concept of "chemistry" on teams as being real, not my assessment of the Astros. I readily claim that I don't know the tenor of their clubhouse, and it only  seems that they lack chemistry. I was only speculating on that and didn't mean to imply certainty.

Okay.  That's not what you typed, but fair enough.

Well, that's what I meant. It's sometimes easier to type something quick rather than accurate, even though it's more ripe to be misunderstood.