Traveling up to St. Louis, the Astros are coming off an opening series loss to Chicago. Chew on these links, and maybe the taste of defeat can leave your mouth:
- Yesterday saw a matchup of studly young pitchers in Chicago. Zack Greinke out-dueled Gavin Floyd, as the Royals shut out the White Sox 2-0. Juan Cruz and Joakim Soria closed the door on the Sox, the day after Kyle Farnsworth coughed the game up for the Royals. Why even sign Cruz if you're not going to use him? High leverage situations call for using your best relievers. The Jim Thome at bat was one to be sure, and Farnsworth is not the guy you want in that situation.
- Fate wouldn't allow the Astros to come back last night because an even better come back occurred earlier in the day, with the Phils beating the Braves 12-11. Astros fans can take heart in the fact that even Bobby Cox is prone to misjudgment.
- Joba Chamberlain is sort of a non racist version of John Rocker. He recently apologized for making some not so nice comments about New York drivers and Yogi Berra. Can you really blame the guy for being frazzled when he said those things? Who isn't a little loopy after coming home after a late night of drinking and strip club hopping?
- Think you can do a better job than Ed Wade?? You probably can! I mean, this guy was recently elected mayor of a town in Wisconsin, and he's only 22! He has to run an entire town, all you would have to do is be in charge of personnel decisions for a major league franchise! Piece o' cake.
- The French are nipping at the heels of Lance Armstrong again. Apparently, he didn't stay under the direct observation of his drug tester, and instead asked to go shower, which he was given the ok to go do.
- George Will writes an article where he ties together the law and baseball. I usually like to keep these areas separate, like church and state, but it makes for an interesting read. Of course it does, Evan. It's George Will.
- Brandon Backe threw 40 pitches off a mound on Wednesday, and reported no pain. Despite this bit of good news, the team is taking a cautious approach to his recovery.
- Milo Hamilton was honored yesterday for being Milo Hamilton. As he should be. I mean, he could throw out the score every so often, but that's an insignificant detail..
DQ's findings:
- BtB's Harry Pavlidus breaks down the wonder's that are the new premium-Game Day.
- Tragedy for Angels fans.
- One of the most eloquently written eulogies for a ball player I've come across. The way RevHaloFan cuts to the core of what baseball players mean to us is profound. RIP Nick.
As a teaser: In the next few days, expect a book review about an Astros pictograph essay that will bring tears to your eyes. it did for me.
And to think Rotowire was trying to talk me out of starting him yesterday. Good thing I paid no heed.
First thing I’d do if I were in charge of the Astros: bring back orange and blue as the team colors. Oh, and cut the Michaels/Smith combo in favor of a Maysonet/Gall/Saccomano combo. What the hell did Wade do to the bench?
Only_A_Lad - April 9, 2009
I cannot tell you
How much I concur with your suggestions.
Stephen Higdon - April 9, 2009
Want to Be a Baseball Writer?
‘Cause Baseball Prospectus is having an American Idol-style contest where each week the contestants write on a baseball-related topic. BP subscribers will vote on the writers they want to read and they’ll cut one person a week until only one remains.
Winner gets $1,000 plus a contract to write one article per week for BP for the rest of the 2009 season and receive $75 an article. If you make top 10, you get a free year of BP subscription.
Don’t mean to sound like a BP advertiser, but if you know you want to work in sports, this could be a good foot in the door or a great line on a resume.
AstroAndy - April 9, 2009
Chicago radio WSCR this morning
Hampton and Holmes do a little segment about what is going on in the NL and AL central divisions. They both agreed that although a challenge to the mighty Cubs was unlikely, the Astros were the team to fear if any. They talked a bit about the Reds (young talent blah, blah) and the Cards (Tony blah, blah). But they never even mentioned the Brewers after Gallardo kicks butt!
But they both said something along the lines of “hey that Bourne kid is really good.”
ol Pete - April 9, 2009
Hahaha
That’s interesting.
Yovani…SO GOOD
Stephen Higdon - April 9, 2009
the only teams I'd really be frightened of this year
if I were the Cubs would be the Brewers and Reds. Both are young enough to break out, both have plenty of underrated pieces, both have a chance to still be in the WC or division race in July, and both have the prospects to turn into a blockbuster trade, the only issue being payroll. The Astros are only scary if they’re still in it at the deadline, because Drayton will go for another suicide bum rush at the playoffs, win or die trying.
Well, and the Cardinals, I guess.
Okay, fine. Don’t count anybody out but the Pirates.
Only_A_Lad - April 9, 2009
Hahahaha
I love talking myself out of something.
Stephen Higdon - April 9, 2009
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