Post by joshsbix on Oct 10, 2023 19:35:37 GMT -5
Joe Price said after the Astros dropped the series opener to San Diego, "That was a bad ball team that just beat us. I am hoping this is rock bottom." If this is indeed rock bottom for this Astros team, then they have 2 games against the 19 win Padres to try to get things going before they face the Cubs for a three game weekend series and an early week home series against an Arizona team that will be favored to break the 3-3 season series tie. They have a day off before heading to St Louis. The schedule may give some fans a sliver of hope that if things can get turned around, they could be right back in the thick of things by the July. The realist knows that time and time again this team has thrown away opportunities and it is more likely that they end up 15 back than get back under 10.
Derek Lowe will get the first opportunity to break the 4 game losing streak against Padre starter Sam Marsonek. Hopefully the Astros can take advantage of their #2 being matched up with the SD #3 starter. Brian Anderson will get his second start as an Astro and hopefully will be in a position to win the 3 game series against Jorge De la Rosa and hopefully getting the train back on track.
#4,#5, and #1 will be projected to get their turns against the Cubs. Bronson Arroyo finds himself in the #4 slot after the All-Star break shuffle. This will be his second start against the Cubs in his last 10 starts. He dominated them on 5/23 giving up only 1 run, pitching into the 7th inning. He has pitched well enough to win in 80% of his last 10 starts. We believe that he will turn in a good outing against the Cubs, the bats may struggle but the pitching will show up when the lights are closest to dehydrating us.
Rookie Dontrelle Willis will get the Saturday start. He has gotten roughed up in his last couple of starts but hopes to regain his confidence in his 9th start. The team has noticeably been more cautious with him pulling him at the first signs of trouble. This is likely to continue as long as the bullpen continues to be a strength of the team. This formula can allow Dontrelle to build on his successes, and learn from his struggles while still giving the team a chance to compete. The team will be watching for him to go longer into starts as he continues to adjust to ML hitting. We think that Dontrelle could struggle in this one even with all the optimism I can muster, I still think the Cubbies steal this one from us.
Sunday's starter will be Cliff Lee. The lefty will bring a 6-9 record and a 4.28 ERA. Consistency is what we are looking for out of Cliff. He has gotten shelled in 2 of his last 4 starts but in the other 2 he won POG. Lee went 9 innings against the Cubs the last time he faced them but took the 4-1 loss. We think that his recent pattern will continue and he is due to have an exceptional start. Lee takes care of business, I will all the no-no here.
Astros Win 4 outta 5 headed to STL.
Lowe, Anderson, and Arroyo will lead the three game sweep against the Cards after taking the Arizona series 2-1. The prediction is that the Astros will be 10 back getting ready for the Black and Gold.
Derek Lowe will get the first opportunity to break the 4 game losing streak against Padre starter Sam Marsonek. Hopefully the Astros can take advantage of their #2 being matched up with the SD #3 starter. Brian Anderson will get his second start as an Astro and hopefully will be in a position to win the 3 game series against Jorge De la Rosa and hopefully getting the train back on track.
#4,#5, and #1 will be projected to get their turns against the Cubs. Bronson Arroyo finds himself in the #4 slot after the All-Star break shuffle. This will be his second start against the Cubs in his last 10 starts. He dominated them on 5/23 giving up only 1 run, pitching into the 7th inning. He has pitched well enough to win in 80% of his last 10 starts. We believe that he will turn in a good outing against the Cubs, the bats may struggle but the pitching will show up when the lights are closest to dehydrating us.
Rookie Dontrelle Willis will get the Saturday start. He has gotten roughed up in his last couple of starts but hopes to regain his confidence in his 9th start. The team has noticeably been more cautious with him pulling him at the first signs of trouble. This is likely to continue as long as the bullpen continues to be a strength of the team. This formula can allow Dontrelle to build on his successes, and learn from his struggles while still giving the team a chance to compete. The team will be watching for him to go longer into starts as he continues to adjust to ML hitting. We think that Dontrelle could struggle in this one even with all the optimism I can muster, I still think the Cubbies steal this one from us.
Sunday's starter will be Cliff Lee. The lefty will bring a 6-9 record and a 4.28 ERA. Consistency is what we are looking for out of Cliff. He has gotten shelled in 2 of his last 4 starts but in the other 2 he won POG. Lee went 9 innings against the Cubs the last time he faced them but took the 4-1 loss. We think that his recent pattern will continue and he is due to have an exceptional start. Lee takes care of business, I will all the no-no here.
Astros Win 4 outta 5 headed to STL.
Lowe, Anderson, and Arroyo will lead the three game sweep against the Cards after taking the Arizona series 2-1. The prediction is that the Astros will be 10 back getting ready for the Black and Gold.
