Roster Moves

[Mr. Happy]

Byrdak to the 15 day DL. Gervacio to RR. Chacin and Lopez up.

[Limey]

Byrdak to the 15 day DL. Gervacio to RR. Chacin and Lopez up.

From Pam Gardner's To Do list:

Rearrange deckchairs...check.

[MusicMan]

From Pam Gardner's To Do list:

Rearrange deckchairs...check.

Lessee... the offense is averaging more than a run per game less than the 14th-best team in the NL.  The starters and relievers each have the 9th-best ERA in the league.

Yep, let's swap relievers.  That will bring the fans back.

[MusicMan]

Lessee... the offense is averaging more than a run per game less than the 14th-best team in the NL. 

PS... the Astros franchise worst runs scored for a year is 464, by the 1963 Colt .45's.  This year's team is on pace for 473.

[Bench]

Why Chacin and not Daigle?  Jenny Finch actually might sell a few tickets.

[Fredia]

what happens when it goes back to the glory days of the dome and maybe 2000 people show up

[Ron Brand]

Why Chacin and not Daigle?  Jenny Finch actually might sell a few tickets.

LHP, since Byrdak is on the DL.

[Noe in Austin]

I have to agree with these moves as very important moves.  I was of the opinion that the Astros made a mistake to reactivate Gervacio and send Wilton Lopez back down.  For one thing, I felt that the type of injury that Gervacio was dealing with was no small thing and I found highly suspect that he was well enough so soon to pitch at the major league level.  He proved as much with his performance in his short return to the club.  Byrdak was an unknown to me, but watching him pitch and not even be able to locate well enough to fool a left-handed batter was telling you something.  That something was that he was pitching hurt and that hurt the ballclub.

I'm not saying that the Astros would have won games they lost in this now 7 game losses in a row quagmire, but when those two came in, games that were still in doubt were summarily put out of reach by their performances.  If you're trying to keep a team motivated to comeback and win a game, the last thing you need is a setup man/middle reliever to quench the whole thing and make a laughter out of winnable game.

My dos centavos.

[MusicMan]

I'm not saying that the Astros would have won games they lost in this now 7 game losses in a row quagmire, but when those two came in, games that were still in doubt were summarily put out of reach by their performances.  If you're trying to keep a team motivated to comeback and win a game, the last thing you need is a setup man/middle reliever to quench the whole thing and make a laughter out of winnable game.

My dos centavos.

It's tough to keep pitchers motivated when they know that there's a better than 50/50 chance that allowing 2 runs loses the game.

[Limey]

It's tough to keep pitchers motivated when they know that there's a better than 50/50 chance that allowing 2 runs loses the game.

It's also hard to stay motivated when, even if the ball is caught in the outfield corners, it ain't getting back to where it's supposed to be any time soon, and while runners routinely take two bases on sharp singles to LF.

[Ron Brand]

It's also hard to stay motivated when, even if the ball is caught in the outfield corners, it ain't getting back to where it's supposed to be any time soon, and while runners routinely take two bases on sharp singles to LF.

That's why it's so helpful to have those algorithmic necklaces, because it smooths out the need for motivational foolishness and helps balance the auras.

[jbm]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

[Lurch]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

Yes.

[Matt]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

[BudGirl]

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

not yet, but he might after this season.

[Noe in Austin]

It's tough to keep pitchers motivated when they know that there's a better than 50/50 chance that allowing 2 runs loses the game.

A pitcher's job in these situation is to "hold them here" and they know it.  If they're both pitching hurt and cannot do said job, they're not helping, they are just adding fuel to the fire.  It may be a vicious cycle, but you win with pitching and defense and just enough offense.  If these pitchers think it's win with offense and just enough pitching, then they're sadly mistaken.

[MusicMan]

A pitcher's job in these situation is to "hold them here" and they know it.  If they're both pitching hurt and cannot do said job, they're not helping, they are just adding fuel to the fire.  It may be a vicious cycle, but you win with pitching and defense and just enough offense.  If these pitchers think it's win with offense and just enough pitching, then they're sadly mistaken.

Of course they know that they have to hold them as close as they can.  But if you don't think we're one or two starts away from the annual "I gotta have some runs" comment from Oswalt, you're mistaken.

[Noe in Austin]

It's also hard to stay motivated when, even if the ball is caught in the outfield corners, it ain't getting back to where it's supposed to be any time soon, and while runners routinely take two bases on sharp singles to LF.

This is true.  Pitching and defense are symbiotic.  Remember the days of Jay Powell, a really good setup man whose forte was inducing the groundballs with his power sinker.  Yeah, well behind him were an aging Craig Biggio and a sometimes lost Julio Lugo playing in a super fast grass at Enron Field.  Powell got the blame and eventually traded to Colorado.  Basically got boo'ed out of town.

Now fast forward to Chris Sampson who doesn't throw a power sinker, but has the same method to get his outs... sinkers, sliders, changeup, curveball, all at the knees to induce groundball outs.  Behind him is either Keppinger or Matsui and Manzella.  Plus the grass is now slower at Minute Maid Park.  What a difference.

[Noe in Austin]

Of course they know that they have to hold them as close as they can.  But if you don't think we're one or two starts away from the annual "I gotta have some runs" comment from Oswalt, you're mistaken.

I'm not talking about Oswalt, I am talking about two *hurt* pitchers in Gervacio and Byrdak.  That is the difference to me.

[Limey]

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

Bourn does not yet have his own stalker group fan club (for which I respectfully suggest the name "Bourn's Afterburners", or perhaps "Michael's Jet Pack").