Last night, as I sat there sipping a cold Amber ale, I turned on the Stros game. It was in the fifth inning and the Rangers were winning 8-2, and I thought "damn, I guess they were due a buttkicking." But then that magical mojo, if you will, crept in and our mighty Astros began chipping away Bourn and Pence got on with infield errors. Tejada dropped a double and then The Big Puma steps up to the plate. Lance smashed the ball to halfway between the plate and first and it died and he reached safely. The 5th inning ended with the score 8-7. The Stros tied it at 8 in the 6th and Hunter Pence made an awesome play in right field with the bases loaded, if it had happened in September,it would have made him a legend. Well, the Cowgirls.......I mean Rangers ended up going homer crazy off the bullpen and we lost 16-8.
But think about this. It was the second day in a row where the Astros were down by at least 6 runs and manage to win in San Fran and tie and make it a game in Texas. In 2005, The Astros had the best starting rotation in the National League, but the worst offense. They say great pitching beats great hitting, and they proved that and ended up in the World Series. Now those were great times for Houston and Astros fans. The problem with that season was how each and every game was a nail biter. If a starting pitcher gave up more than 3 runs, there was no way the Stros would win, they simply did not have the bats. This season however, it's almost a guaranteed win if the starter gives up 3 or more runs. This lineup looks sloppy early in games and after they see the starter through the first couple of innings.......IT'S ON!
So I ask you- would you rather have stellar pitching and no offense or big bats that have the ability to come from behind no matter what the deficit? All I can say is, it's May and I find this brand of baseball a lot more exciting than any playoffs or World Series the Astros have given us.
GO ASTROS!!!
4 comments:
I would say that the series team will always hold a place in my heart. That being said , most of the season was unwatchable. I don't ever remember being this excited about baseball in may. This team may not have the starting rotation that the '05 team had but I'd say the bullpen is comparable(oscar molotov villareal not withstanding). So with the lineup they've got who's to say they can't make it to the series again. GO 'STROS!
Mmnnnn amber ale!!!!
The '05 team was the team that made it to the big show and will it will always stand out as a memorable year for Houston fans and players but it wasn't the brand of baseball that we are seeing this year. Let's face it, as the commercials said back then 'chicks love the long ball!'. I'm a baseball purist and a 1 to 0 game with a classic pitches dual is as pure as it gets. After all the mighty Casey in the story came out with the game on the line and it was a fastball that he swung at and missed and the mighty Casey struck out! But as I said I'm a purest and it takes one to appeciate games like that. This year's team is definately more exciting to watch and as mentioned we are never out of any game it appears until the final at bat. This type of team keeps the exits cleared until the game is over. It keeps the kids from yawning and falling asleep on Daddy's shoulder by the 5th inning. And it keeps hope alive in Houston that we may see another October with the 'Star' on player's heads as we watch our big screens with Amber Ale in hand and a good buddy there to high five when the Big Puma approaches the plate and an an opposing manager walks out to the mound and takes the ball from a terrified pitcher. This is going to be a fun year!
Once again the Astros found thenselves down three runs early but the confidence was so high in that clubhouse that it was just a matter of time before they would get right back in it. I think the biggest part of their improved game this year may not even be the hitting, although that is a huge difference from years past. Another big part of their game this year is the running game. They have had speed before but the ingredient this year is knowing when to run. The Astros are routinely showing smart baserunning. The Big Puma didn't get the game changing hits last night but stealing second which allowed him to score was huge. I give most of the credit to this vast improvement to our skipper. He's calling the plays and the boys are executing them but knowing when to take the gamble is the key.
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