Post by joshsbix on Sept 27, 2023 10:31:40 GMT -5
It seems that the Astros needed to get out of town for a little bit, in the worst kind of way. After splitting a 4 game series with the Braves and dropping 2 out of 3 from the Mets, the Astros showed up in San Diego and the coastal air did them good as they took 3 of the first 4 games from SD. They hope the success can continue as they travel to Colorado, Arizona, and Los Angeles. The developing story seems to be the bullpen. The talk of the town was the veteran bats that arrived late in the off season. However, it has been the pitching, and particularly the bullpen that has helped keep the team on a consistent trajectory towards the division. The Astros are a perfect 4-0 in one run games so far in the young season.
Jason Frasor enters May with 10 saves, leading the NL by 3 saves and trailing league leader Oogie by 1 save. Ted Lilly did a nice job of stepping up after Francisco Cordova's season ending injury, pitching 7 strong innings, giving up 2 ER and striking out 4 while walking 2, earning the POG award. He looks ready to remain an important part of the rotation for the rest of the season. The rotation faces another tough challenge tonight as Cliff Lee is going to miss a turn in the rotation due to a stiff shoulder. Dontrelle Willis will be asked to spot start as the Astros try to get the rare 4 game sweep. The team expects Lee to start his next scheduled start. Rookie Villareal continues to struggle but it is a good growth year for him, and garbage time opportunities will continue to be available.
The bats continue to be mostly ice cold. The same old names are doing the same old thing at the plate. Hopefully the SD series has helped them come to life because it looks like the NL central looks like it is going to be tight. While the pitching ranks amongst the top 33% in the league, the hitting continues to struggle in the middle third and it seems like the team has gone honest as base stealing has all but disappeared from the team. Adams and Erstadt led the team in thefts last year but have been taken a bench role for players that are suppose to be producing more power and runs. That isn't happening right now. How long will price wait before he inserts more speed, to create more opportunities?
Jason Frasor enters May with 10 saves, leading the NL by 3 saves and trailing league leader Oogie by 1 save. Ted Lilly did a nice job of stepping up after Francisco Cordova's season ending injury, pitching 7 strong innings, giving up 2 ER and striking out 4 while walking 2, earning the POG award. He looks ready to remain an important part of the rotation for the rest of the season. The rotation faces another tough challenge tonight as Cliff Lee is going to miss a turn in the rotation due to a stiff shoulder. Dontrelle Willis will be asked to spot start as the Astros try to get the rare 4 game sweep. The team expects Lee to start his next scheduled start. Rookie Villareal continues to struggle but it is a good growth year for him, and garbage time opportunities will continue to be available.
The bats continue to be mostly ice cold. The same old names are doing the same old thing at the plate. Hopefully the SD series has helped them come to life because it looks like the NL central looks like it is going to be tight. While the pitching ranks amongst the top 33% in the league, the hitting continues to struggle in the middle third and it seems like the team has gone honest as base stealing has all but disappeared from the team. Adams and Erstadt led the team in thefts last year but have been taken a bench role for players that are suppose to be producing more power and runs. That isn't happening right now. How long will price wait before he inserts more speed, to create more opportunities?
