Post by joshsbix on Sept 25, 2023 6:09:28 GMT -5
While it may feel like it has been forever since the Astros had a winning season, but it has only been 2 seasons since the Astros last broke onto the positive side of .500. Joe Price led the team to 80 wins last season and the Astros have jumped out to a nice start in 2007, matching the pace with the Cubs. They dropped 2/3 to Florida to open the campaign, split a 4 game series with the Brewers before getting there groove back and winning 5 in a row, including 2/3 from the defending champion, Phillies.
Lew Ford soaked in Lew Ford Bobblehead night, received a standing ovation before his first at bat to celebrate his Gold Glove, and hasn't looked back since. Ford went 10/21 during the first 14 games, hitting 3 homeruns which currently leads the Astros and is just outside the top 10 on the NL leaderboard.
Bronson Arroyo went 3-0 posting a sub 2.5 ERA and has been switched with Cliff Lee as the #1 starter in the rotation headed into sim #2. Over the first 23.1 innings he has struck out 24 while only walking 2 and carrying a .69 ERA. Opponents hit only .171 against him over the first 14 games of the season. Some of the people in the fan club knowns as Arroyo's Aristocats (Yes, Skitty was involved, no she isn't anymore) have already started to talk about a Cy Young award, but the rest of the sane fanbase knows that it is way too early for such talk.
Closer Frasor had a tough time settling into Colts Stadium, getting roughed up on Opening Day, but has settled in nicely earning 5 Saves and a win in the 6 subsequent appearances.
Joe Price expressed a little concern after the first sim over the lack of production from 2B Jacko Wilson and C Mike Lieberthal. "Both guys were not satisfied with their first sim, they are both veterans and we expect that they will both get through the early season slumps soon and only make our lineup that much better." Wilson is hitting .182 and Lieberthal is hititng .105, both well below the Mendoza Line.
The 'Stros will wrap up their 3 game series in Washington before heading back to Texas for a big early season series against the Braves, finishing the month off against the Mets at home and then starting a 2 week west coast trip that takes them into the middle of May. Team Owner Josh Jamieson said, "We aren't going to win anything in April but we can build confidence in April. We can learn to win again because the last few years have felt like individual decades. Once we have learned to win again, we can build on that."
Lew Ford soaked in Lew Ford Bobblehead night, received a standing ovation before his first at bat to celebrate his Gold Glove, and hasn't looked back since. Ford went 10/21 during the first 14 games, hitting 3 homeruns which currently leads the Astros and is just outside the top 10 on the NL leaderboard.
Bronson Arroyo went 3-0 posting a sub 2.5 ERA and has been switched with Cliff Lee as the #1 starter in the rotation headed into sim #2. Over the first 23.1 innings he has struck out 24 while only walking 2 and carrying a .69 ERA. Opponents hit only .171 against him over the first 14 games of the season. Some of the people in the fan club knowns as Arroyo's Aristocats (Yes, Skitty was involved, no she isn't anymore) have already started to talk about a Cy Young award, but the rest of the sane fanbase knows that it is way too early for such talk.
Closer Frasor had a tough time settling into Colts Stadium, getting roughed up on Opening Day, but has settled in nicely earning 5 Saves and a win in the 6 subsequent appearances.
Joe Price expressed a little concern after the first sim over the lack of production from 2B Jacko Wilson and C Mike Lieberthal. "Both guys were not satisfied with their first sim, they are both veterans and we expect that they will both get through the early season slumps soon and only make our lineup that much better." Wilson is hitting .182 and Lieberthal is hititng .105, both well below the Mendoza Line.
The 'Stros will wrap up their 3 game series in Washington before heading back to Texas for a big early season series against the Braves, finishing the month off against the Mets at home and then starting a 2 week west coast trip that takes them into the middle of May. Team Owner Josh Jamieson said, "We aren't going to win anything in April but we can build confidence in April. We can learn to win again because the last few years have felt like individual decades. Once we have learned to win again, we can build on that."
