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Friday, May 16, 2008

HOU Chronicle: Justice - Down 6? No sweat. Astros steam toward the improbable.

What if the Astros disappoint us? I mean, who can win anything with this kind of starting pitching? What can you win with offense, relief pitching and tons of heart and resolve?
...
The Giants had a 6-0 lead with Tim Lincecum and his 1.61 ERA on the mound. This game was as good as lost.

Once Lincecum departed, the fun began. Carlos Lee homered. Darin Erstad homered. Lance Berkman homered. The Astros hadn’t rallied from six down to win in eight years. They did on this day, winning 8-7. This moved them ahead of the Cardinals and into second place in the NL Central, 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs.

That’s 18 victories in 24 games. They’re 6-1 on the longest road trip of the year, the one that lands in Arlington this weekend for a three-game series with the Rangers.

How are they winning? They’ve got baseball’s best hitter in you-know-who. They’ve got the best middle of the order in the National League. They’ve got heart, too. They’ve come from behind 13 times to win. They’ve won six times when trailing after eight. Even really good teams do that kind of thing about six times a year.

NTNgod Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:13 AM | 22 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. John DiFool2 Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:46 AM (#2782869)

I didn't even know Erstad was still in the majors.

Welcome to the year of parity (admittedly moreso in the AL)...

2. X-Roid User Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:56 AM (#2782871)

Isn't this why they got rid of Tyler Walker in the first place?

3. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: May 16, 2008 at 04:21 AM (#2782886)

Darin Erstad homered.

Unpossible!

4. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 16, 2008 at 04:30 AM (#2782889)

Damn, Giants score 7 runs and lose?! That was their entire May run allowance.

5. Justin T contains indigenous nudity Posted: May 16, 2008 at 04:38 AM (#2782894)

Erstad went up there as the tying run, knowing he could only hit one out on a 100 degree day in SF if he got a fastball middle in at the belt. So that's what he looked for, and Walker served it up. On the replay it really stands out just how much Erstad was all over that pitch. On one hand, you can joke that even getting all of the perfect tater pitch, he could only scrape it over the short porch in right. But that thing was a low flying missile that was around its apex when it made contact with the stands. Without that terrace getting in the way, his ball might well have traveled farther than Berkman's in the ninth.

6. Suff Posted: May 16, 2008 at 11:58 AM (#2782961)

Erstad's HR was gone before I could look up to watch it. The Astros' five old bench guys (Erstad, Blum, Loretta, Cruz, and Ausmus) are calling themselves "The Five Wise Men." I'm not crazy about the bench, but I like the nickname.

Deshais said after Berkman hit the 2-run single in the fourth (making it 6-2) that "they need to get one more against Lincecum -- preferably right here -- and make him work hard enough that he's gone after the sixth or seventh, and then make your move on the bullpen." They got another run that inning, kept having good at-bats, and then made their move once Lincecum left the game. Deshais is just a really good announcer. He's the best, really. (Not that this anecdote proves it, but his ideas are always thoughtful and usually pretty realistic.)

7. JoeHova Posted: May 16, 2008 at 12:10 PM (#2782973)

That sounds kind of like Doug Collins: "It would really help this team if they were ahead at the end of regulation. Usually, a team that is ahead gets the win."

8. Belfry Bob Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:26 PM (#2783203)

They’ve won six times when trailing after eight. Even really good teams do that kind of thing about six times a year.

And what does this tell you, Richard?

9. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:33 PM (#2783216)

The fact that Darin Erstad is having a decent season ( > 100 OPS+) proves to me that, despite all the articles to the contrary this year, the NL is not superior to the AL.

10. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:38 PM (#2783226)

The fact that Darin Erstad is having a decent season ( > 100 OPS+) proves to me that, despite all the articles to the contrary this year, the NL is not superior to the AL.

They are grittier.

11. Raskolnikov Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:48 PM (#2783239)

Yeah, but on the other hand, Steve Trachsel baffled the AL.

12. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: May 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM (#2783243)

Steve Trachsel baffled the AL.

Trachsel's got a 6.75 ERA at the moment. He's not baffling anyone.

13. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: May 16, 2008 at 04:23 PM (#2783274)

How are they winning? They’ve got baseball’s best hitter in you-know-who. They’ve got the best middle of the order in the National League.

Isn't that double counting? Berkman's got a cartoonish 231 OPS+ right now, but Lee (126), and Tejada (135) aren't anything special. The whole "best middle of the order" claim rests on Lance Berkman, which he has already taken credit for. Why not add "and the best hitting firstbaseman in the league."?

14. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: May 16, 2008 at 04:25 PM (#2783276)

Why not add "and the best hitting firstbaseman in the league."?

And they've got the home run leader!

15. Tricky Dick Posted: May 16, 2008 at 04:48 PM (#2783299)

Isn't that double counting? Berkman's got a cartoonish 231 OPS+ right now, but Lee (126), and Tejada (135) aren't anything special. The whole "best middle of the order" claim rests on Lance Berkman, which he has already taken credit for.

I wouldn't view it as double counting. On the other hand, I don't know that his claim is true; I'm not sure about the best way of comparing "middle of the order" production. I don't think all three hitters have to be ranked first, second, and third in OPS+ to be the best group. It's possible that 1 great hitter and 2 good hitters might be the best combination of middle of the order hitters. I'm not saying that is true in this case, because I haven't done the comparison. But I don't see a problem with saying "X hitter is the best hitter" and, "combined with hitters Y and Z surrounding him in the lineup, that is the best middle of the order group."

16. Bob Koo Posted: May 16, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2783320)

I can't stand all these claims about a team's "heart." It's not heart, it's simply called a good offense. Teams with good offenses are simply far more likely to come back. Therefore, a team like with a better offense is always going to have more "heart."

17. SouthSideRyan Posted: May 16, 2008 at 05:13 PM (#2783324)

Craig Monroe has a 136 for Minnesota. Your move, AL.

18. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: May 16, 2008 at 05:28 PM (#2783339)

They also have the best fat fuzzy switch hitter.

Unless you consider that to be Chipper.

19. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: May 16, 2008 at 05:47 PM (#2783377)

Your move, AL.

Mark. Kotsay.

20. CFBF Hates Hyphens Posted: May 16, 2008 at 05:49 PM (#2783382)

They also have the best fat fuzzy switch hitter.

Unless you consider that to be Chipper.

Chip's grizzled and weathered, but he's certainly not fat.

21. standuptriple Posted: May 16, 2008 at 05:50 PM (#2783385)

What I don't get is why Bochy, who walked Bonds religiously, decided to pitch to Berkman all day.

22. Walt Davis Posted: May 16, 2008 at 09:36 PM (#2783637)

I was gonna play the Hinske card but seeing as how you haven't even played the Bako card, I'm gonna wait until I have more ammo.

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HOU Chronicle: Justice - Down 6? No sweat. Astros steam toward the improbable.

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