Nothing remarkable about this story. It's interesting to see how the Astros compare to this time last year. So, here we are, May 30, 2009, as the Astros prepare to play the Pirates. Last year at this time, the Astros had lost two games in a row, and played the Brewers, to whom they lost, 5-1.
Astros Record
May 30, 2009: 18-27, 8 GB
May 30, 2008, 30-26, 4.5 GB
Batters
(BA, OPS)
Bourn 2008: .209, .571 2009: .289, .741
Matsui 2008: .260, .684; 2009: .219, .583
Tejada 2008: .323, .843 2009: .344, .844
Berkman 2008: .386, 1.228; 2009: .234, .844
Lee 2008: .269, .813; 2009: .359, .876
Pence 2008: .303, .838; 2009 .351, .940
Erstad 2008: .304, .788; 2009: .146, .414
Blum 2008: .235, .619; 2009: .266, .664
Starting Rotation
Rotation on May 30, 2008
Backe 4.54 ERA
Oswalt 5.45 ERA
W. Rodriguez 2.89 ERA
Chacon 3.59 ERA
Sampson 6.94 ERA
6th Starter Moehler, 4.40 ERA
Rotation on May 30, 2009
Oswalt 4.62 ERA
W. Rodriguez 1.71 ERA
Hampton 5.62 ERA
Moehler 6.43 ERA
Paulino 6.75 ERA
6th starter Ortiz 4.88 ERA
Key Relief Pitchers on May 30
Closer
2008 Valverde 4.00 ERA; 2009 Hawkins 2.75 ERA
Set Up Pitchers
2008 Brocail 2.79 ERA; 2009 Sampson 2.17 ERA
Middle Relievers
2008: Borkowski 6.86 ERA ; Villareal 4.94 ERA
; 2009: Fulchino 4.08 ERA; Arias 4.35 ERA
Lefthanded Specialist
2008: Wright 4.66 ERA; 2009: Byrdak 3.71 ERA
We could mine the comparative data above for many comments. However, some thoughts: (1) We tend to blame the bullpen for the current Astros problems, but the bullpen appears to be better now than it was on May 30, 2008; (2) Berkman...wow, a different start to the season, eh? (3) Generally, the starting rotation was performing better in 2008, although Oswalt was a real problem at this time last year; (4) Until I typed this up, I didn't notice that Ortiz's ERA has dropped significantly below Hampton's.
Any thoughts or comments?
0 recs | 3 comments
Do you know the record in 2008 after 45 games?
It won’t matter much. Even if Astrsso win their next 11 games in a row they would still have a worse record than the 2008 team.
Joe in Birmingham - May 30, 2009
Astros Pitching
The problem with the Astros pitching……..I could probably write a book on this subject.
Chapter 1: They can not consistently throws strikes which results in higher pitch counts, more pitches that are favorable to the batter and more bases on balls.
Chapter 2: They are being taught the wrong mindset. That is a quality start is 5-6 inning giving up no more than 3-4 runs. They make their 90-100 pitches and they know that the shower is waiting on them.
Chapter 3: The Astros hitters are impatient free swingers always with an eye on the Crawford boxes for a cheap home run which results in the Astros starting pitcher having no more than a few minutes before he is back on the mound. After the 3rd or 4th inning they are huffing,puffing and wheezing with a pitch count closing in on 100.
Chapter 4: The starters are ALL overrated especially Roy Oswalt. He is NOT A #1 starter, at beast a #2. The Astros don’t have a #1. Right now Wandy Rodriquez probably should be a #2, Ozwalt a #3 and the rest of them would best be fitted for an AARP uniform rather than a major league uniform.
To summarize: They stink and I will be pleasantly surprised if they do not loose 100+ games this season.
Professional Assassin - May 31, 2009
I think Roy Oswalt is suffering from the WBC
So I’m in concurrence with you except for the first part of Chapter 4. This time last year everyone was pitching in on the Roy Oswalt is done conversation and he dazzled everyone in the second half. I don’t know whether or not Roy Oswalt will dazzle, but I’m not ready to write him off either. There are already some trade rumors percolating about Oswalt, which I take as other MLB teams also not thinking the first part of Chapter 4 is correct as well.
Finally, I think Wandy could easily be considered a number one right now as well. He’s had a bad outing in 2009 so far. What more can you ask for in an ace?
Stephen Higdon - May 31, 2009
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