Post by joshsbix on Oct 26, 2023 7:26:10 GMT -5
The Astros have managed to secure a .500 season no matter what happens during the 1 game sim to end the season. Through the swoon of summer, the Astros goals changed from winning the division or catching the WC spot, to simply improving on last years record. The squad takes a 81-80 record to the last game of the sim with hopes of finishing above .500. Let's see what went down to put the Astros a 1 game scenario to clinch a winning season.
The sim started off with a 3-1 loss to the Cubs on 9/23. Frazor got beat up for 3 runs in the 9th to blow Bronson Arroyo's 8 inning scoreless gem. Troy Glaus led off the top of the 9th with a solo shot to tie the game after Pat Burrell's 4th inning solo HR. The Cubs poured it on from there scoring 2 more runs to take a 3-1 lead to the bottom of the 9th where Pedro Strop closed the door for save #28.
9/24 The Astros bounced back for another game 2 win. Does anyone else see a pattern forming? The Astros scored 1 in first, 3 in the 4th and 1 in the 8th. CJ Wilson picked up the 4 out save to put himself in the driver seat for the Closer position next season. Runs Adams, it is worth noting, going 4/5 with 3 RBIs. He got 3 parts of the cycle but couldn't muscle the ball out of the park to complete it. Astros tie the series and the sim 1-1.
9/25 After another 2 game split the Astros traveled to Pittsburgh and, you guessed it, the Astros drop game 1 of the series to the Pirates, The Pirates overcame 2 errors with strong start by former Astro minor leaguer Carlos Villanueva and and multi RBI games by Cuyler and Hart. Lilly was able to keep the Astros in the game but the Pirates blew it wide open by getting to MR Moyland for 3 runs. Astros drop to 1-2 on the sim and lose the one game series. I feel silly for complaining about 2 game series.
9/26 The Astros headed home after the 1 night stand in Pittsburgh to face off against the Reds. The Astros were able to squeak out a 9th inning win against the Reds. The Reds scored two early but the Astros responded with a 2 run double by Nieves in the 6th and then walked it off in the 9th. Lew Ford led off the 9th with a double and Jose Guillen would drive him in for the come from behind win. Sime record improves to 2-2. Astros take 1-0 lead in Reds series.
9/27 Off Day to mentally prepare for a lot of golf
9/28 Bronson Arroyo got the nod against Milwaukee in what is likely his last chance to improve his trade value for the offseason. Boy did he ever, he went 8.2 scoreless innings and striking out 10. Villareal relieved Arroyo for the last out to finish off the 5-0 win that secured Arroyo's 18th win of the season and running his scoreless inning streak to 20. The Astros are loving 1 game series as they take their second straight 1 game series and improve the sim record to 3-2. Can we just do 162 1 game series next year?
9/29 The Astros continue to play good ball as the season winds down. How else will they give false hope to the fan base for 2008? Dontrelle Willis picks up win number 9 for his rookie campaign to improve to 9-10. The Astros scored 5 early and 3 late to cruise to an 8-1 win. Adams extended his hitting streak to 5 with 4 being multi hit games. If there was ever an indication of a talent bump coming, this is the one we are predicting.
9/30 The Astros took flew from SD to ATL and the jet lag was apparent as the Braves wailed on the Astros to a tune of 11-1. If ever there was evidence that the league travel schedule needs to be adjusted, this is it. Oscar Villareal literally had to be shaken awake from a nap in the bullpen when they got the early call to relieve Lilly in the 3rd. If Lilly was hoping to get that teeny tiny extension he wanted, this was not the performance he was hoping for, giving up 7 runs and and turning the game over to the bullpen during the 3rd inning.
The Astros will head home for the final game of the season. Hopefully they can get some sleep before they try to secure the +.500 record for the season against the Marlins, in Florida. Derek Lowe is the scheduled starter as it is a one game, do or die, to determine whether the Astros can turn the page on a season that has been so full of ups and downs, hope and failure, this is an opportunity to finish the season a positive note.
The sim started off with a 3-1 loss to the Cubs on 9/23. Frazor got beat up for 3 runs in the 9th to blow Bronson Arroyo's 8 inning scoreless gem. Troy Glaus led off the top of the 9th with a solo shot to tie the game after Pat Burrell's 4th inning solo HR. The Cubs poured it on from there scoring 2 more runs to take a 3-1 lead to the bottom of the 9th where Pedro Strop closed the door for save #28.
9/24 The Astros bounced back for another game 2 win. Does anyone else see a pattern forming? The Astros scored 1 in first, 3 in the 4th and 1 in the 8th. CJ Wilson picked up the 4 out save to put himself in the driver seat for the Closer position next season. Runs Adams, it is worth noting, going 4/5 with 3 RBIs. He got 3 parts of the cycle but couldn't muscle the ball out of the park to complete it. Astros tie the series and the sim 1-1.
9/25 After another 2 game split the Astros traveled to Pittsburgh and, you guessed it, the Astros drop game 1 of the series to the Pirates, The Pirates overcame 2 errors with strong start by former Astro minor leaguer Carlos Villanueva and and multi RBI games by Cuyler and Hart. Lilly was able to keep the Astros in the game but the Pirates blew it wide open by getting to MR Moyland for 3 runs. Astros drop to 1-2 on the sim and lose the one game series. I feel silly for complaining about 2 game series.
9/26 The Astros headed home after the 1 night stand in Pittsburgh to face off against the Reds. The Astros were able to squeak out a 9th inning win against the Reds. The Reds scored two early but the Astros responded with a 2 run double by Nieves in the 6th and then walked it off in the 9th. Lew Ford led off the 9th with a double and Jose Guillen would drive him in for the come from behind win. Sime record improves to 2-2. Astros take 1-0 lead in Reds series.
9/27 Off Day to mentally prepare for a lot of golf
9/28 Bronson Arroyo got the nod against Milwaukee in what is likely his last chance to improve his trade value for the offseason. Boy did he ever, he went 8.2 scoreless innings and striking out 10. Villareal relieved Arroyo for the last out to finish off the 5-0 win that secured Arroyo's 18th win of the season and running his scoreless inning streak to 20. The Astros are loving 1 game series as they take their second straight 1 game series and improve the sim record to 3-2. Can we just do 162 1 game series next year?
9/29 The Astros continue to play good ball as the season winds down. How else will they give false hope to the fan base for 2008? Dontrelle Willis picks up win number 9 for his rookie campaign to improve to 9-10. The Astros scored 5 early and 3 late to cruise to an 8-1 win. Adams extended his hitting streak to 5 with 4 being multi hit games. If there was ever an indication of a talent bump coming, this is the one we are predicting.
9/30 The Astros took flew from SD to ATL and the jet lag was apparent as the Braves wailed on the Astros to a tune of 11-1. If ever there was evidence that the league travel schedule needs to be adjusted, this is it. Oscar Villareal literally had to be shaken awake from a nap in the bullpen when they got the early call to relieve Lilly in the 3rd. If Lilly was hoping to get that teeny tiny extension he wanted, this was not the performance he was hoping for, giving up 7 runs and and turning the game over to the bullpen during the 3rd inning.
The Astros will head home for the final game of the season. Hopefully they can get some sleep before they try to secure the +.500 record for the season against the Marlins, in Florida. Derek Lowe is the scheduled starter as it is a one game, do or die, to determine whether the Astros can turn the page on a season that has been so full of ups and downs, hope and failure, this is an opportunity to finish the season a positive note.
