As recently as two weeks ago the astros were like 6 games behind the cardinals in the central division. With the texans first game ever this past monday,pretty much everyone in houston has ignored baseball for the past week. Well i now look at the standings an the astros are now 1 game behind the redbirds. What the hell happened???? Did someone from the cardinals get injured or is the team just in big collective slump?? Not that i'm concerned about the team or anything. I'm thrilled that the astros are back in the division race but im just curious.
(man, he does not look like the dynamite kid at all!!!!)
Cardinals + Scott Rolen - Placido Polanco - Woody Williams - Garrett Stephenson + crappy new relievers = seven game losing streak.
The bats went cold and the pitching wasn't always there; Andy Benes pitched a gem and his offense couldn't get him the (very) few runs he needed. No concern; the lineup will come around and Williams and Stephenson will come off the DL, and all will be well in Cardinal Nation.
1: The 'Stros finally started playing like they should be playing. Oswalt finally has some pitching support, the hitting's finally come around fully. Quite dangerous, they are now.
2: The Cards, on the other hand, have been dead cold this past week. When you have to pull a pitcher out of retirement, you're desperate for help. Williams is beginning to throw again, but no timetable for his return, Stephenson is pitching tomorrow (today), but no word on if that'll be in Memphis or St. Louis. Once again, pitching is the problem, and this time, the hitting isn't backing them up.
The answer to your question: Yes.
Peter, I hope you're wrong.... at least I can hope it's the NLCS loss to 'Zona. Of course, that would require the Braves to lose 23 in a row or so, not that I'd mind that.
They played a good game today... maybe a sign they might be coming out of the slump?. Morris pitched decent. And if Stephenson can come back with any kind of good form... we'll be in a better position. We need Williams back. With the Houston team playing good... we need to start playing better... thats for sure.
I've torn myself apart.... and tried to figure out why... but the only answer i was ever given... that really fits..... is the fact... that women are crazy.
The Philadelphia fans must love seeing a team with J.D. Drew and Rolen pull an el-choko. And remember, Jimy Williams managing was a key reason the Red Sox were a playoff team two straight years, and possibly a third if he wasn't dumped by Duquette.
Wouldn't say they're choking yet. However, I wouldn't go so far to say they've turned it around, either. Let's see how they are after this weekend, then we can figure it out one way or the other. If they win the series, they're fine. If they don't, the Astros are in first.
And yes, I think we all know that Red Sox management is a little insane - and not too bright.
4 out of the last 5 games. And i believe 16 hits ... then 17 hits and now 18 hits. It might be ok to say the cardinals bats have come alive. Go Rolen.
I've torn myself apart.... and tried to figure out why... but the only answer i was ever given... that really fits..... is the fact... that women are crazy.
Now the question remains to be seen if their pitching staff can get healthy. If they can, yeah, it's over, go Astros for the wildcard - or at least anyone not named "Los Angeles Dodgers".