KTE: Know Thy Astros

[Guest SwitchHitter]

The Astros enter this series eight games back of St. Louis (and four games back of Cincinnati) in the NL Central. They are also 4 games back of Cincinnati for the NL Wild card. The Astros record is 46-50. On the road, they're 18-28.

Now, recently the Astros added Aubrey Huff. He's a strong hitter and he hit a 3-run shot in his first game with the Astros. He can play 1B and 3B as well as in the outfield. So he'll still have places to play once Morgan Ensberg comes back off his injured shoulder.

Speaking of injuries, Bagwell is out. He is toast. He will not be playing again. But he's on the 60-day DL while the Astros try to collect insurance money. Morgan Ensberg's out with a bum shoulder that he injured in June. He'll be back in a couple of weeks. Brandon Backe has been pitching in rehab stints. He's due to come back this weekend against the Mets. The only thing is that Garner is concerned that Backe's been giving up too many walks in his rehab starts.

Speaking of pitching, your matchups are these. Taylor Buchholz will be pitching against El Duque on Friday. They've got similar ERAs and records, with Buchholz at 6-7, 5.31 and El Duque at 5-8, 5.52. On Saturday, Brandon Backe will make his first major league start after coming off his injury. Backe's 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 2 starts. Maine is 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA in 3 starts. However, since Backe's coming off elbow problems, all bets are off as to how he's going to pitch. On Sunday, Roy Oswalt (6-7, 3.22) matches up against Mike Pelfrey (2-0, 3.27). Again, similar ERAs. The Astros have not been scoring runs for Roy O. I've heard the condition referred to as �the Clemens curse�. In his last three starts, he's 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA.

There are a couple of guys who've been with the other club. Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, and Darren Oliver were both Astros at one time. Dan Wheeler was a Met once.

Except for Berkman, Wilson and Biggio, the Astros starters aren't really hitting. Berkman is the only one with an average over .300. OTOH, the bench is doing pretty good, with Mike Lamb hitting .321 and Chris Burke hitting .296. Out of the Astros rotation, Brandon Backe has the best ERA at 2.25, though his sample size is small because of the elbow problems that had him sidelined. Roger Clemens is next with an ERA at 2.43. then Oswalt at 3.22. Both Pettitte and Buchholz have ERAs over 5. As for the bullpen, everyone knows about Lights Out (or should I say Lit-Up) Lidge. Dave Borkowski has been a pleasant surprise and Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler continue to pitch well. Trever Miller has done well in the roll of situational lefty which he took over from Mike �Lefties hit me better than righties� Gallo.

In the y'all don't care department, my boy Jason Lane was sent down to make room for Aubrey Huff. He was right around the Mendoza line, so it's not like he didn't deserve to spend some time in Round Rock. He's hitting .368 with 5 RBI in 8 games. I'm going to go to Round Rock to see the Express on the 29th. I'll wear my Jason Lane jersey.

[MFS62]

Welcome back, Annie. Great job.

I wondered why the 'Stros would want Huff. I didn't realize Ensberg had been injured. (mea culpa for not following your box scores more carefully)

Later

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Thanks!

My tolerance for another crappy outing from El "No 3 Playoff Starter!" Duque is extremely low. How about you?

[Guest Hillbilly]

I betting on a strong outing against the weak hitting Astros, but on the other hand I'd also bet that we'll be looking to Pelfrey to provide #3(4) type starts for us in the playoffs as oppossed to El Duque. That's where my money is.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I'd say Trachsel would be the number 3.

Hernandez is competing for the 4 spot against Pelfrey, Maine, and whoever.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Yeah, the No. 3 comment was only parroting Fatty McFatass on WFAN.

The point was my low tolerance for bad outings from Hernandez. OK, I can take, so-so I can live with. Great is not necessary..

But bombed into the showers within 2 innings is not okay.

Rain Delay Theater possibility is strong tonight too.

[Guest sharpie]

Good job, Annie. Good to hear perspective from an actual fan of the opposing team.

Lenny is going to the game on Sunday with his friend. First time without going without adult supervision. I remember my first time, there were some jerks sitting behind us giving us 12-year-olds a hard time.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Hasn't Garner been experimenting with guys soemwhat out of position to try and juice the lineup a bit?

[Elster88]

Thanks AstroAnnie.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy DC wrote: Hasn't Garner been experimenting with guys soemwhat out of position to try and juice the lineup a bit?

Yeah, they can use all the offensive juicing they can get (and least the legal type) and are also loaded with coner IF/OF types who make switching around possible and, seeing as how they're not all that good defensively anyway, it doesn't run that big a risk.
Ensburg, Lane, Lamb, Berkman and now even Huff are/were sort of interchangable defensively, and Biggio & Preston aren't exactly ideal middle of the diamond types anymore.



Watch Lance Berkman when he hits;
he's got this habit of gently laying the bat down after contact but before he starts to run like he doesn't want to scratch it or something. I've seen guys drop it, fling it, spin it, twirl it, and even carry it for a while, but have never seen anyone else set it down like it's a newborn.

[seawolf17]

I enjoy the Astros. My wife thinks Lance Berkman looks like me, and I've been a Craig Biggio fan ever since he coached at the baseball camp I went to as a kid.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Thanks for the knowledge Annie