Braves series

[iowafan]

I think the change in climate was too much for the Astros pitchers when they went to Milwaukee. Hopefully we will get things back under control in Houston against the Braves. Norris will start out and he gets to pitch against a guy who is making his first major league start, I believe. The guy has been pitching well in AAA. I hope the Astros can bounce back for getting swept in Milwaukee. Carlos Lee has been hitting well lately. I really don't like the way they set up the lineup. I don't think Pence should be hitting 3rd of 4th. I am not sure how I would do it, but Johnson has been much more effective at the plate than Pence. Pence should be no. 5.

[iowafan]

This offense continues to produce runs. I probably shouldn't say anything because then things will turn around. Norris contines to improve. I wouldn't say he improved but at least he is turning in decent starts. Our team isn't a big homerun hitting team but the single and run the other team to death. I really like that. Tomorrow Happ pitches, so we will see what happens. At least it is in Houston.

[cangrejero]

Wallace continues to have good at bats.

[iowafan]

I am really excited about the lot of these new players. I think Sanchez has been extremely tough at the plate, and though he may not end up being the starter, he has demonstrated that he is a professional quality player. Wallace was great in that game as was the whole team. Lee seems to be inspired by their play and his batting average is shooting up astronomically in recent days. It is getting exciting to be an Astro fan again.

[changeup]

As I said on another thread, Lee looks a lot better now that Berkman is gone. It is nice not to have to look at Berkman leave runners on base and whine to the umpire everytime he takes a pitch down the middle. Berkman stopped being much of a player once Biggio and Bagwell were not around to take the pressure off him. He will shape up in New York or get booed out of town.

[iowafan]

Thanks for posting Jb. I am looking forward to this game tonight. I want to see what happens to Happ. Happ sure has a happening name. I hope he pitches a happening game tonight.

[changeup]

Happ looked like he quit in St. Louis. We don't need another pitcher who gets spooked on the road. We already have Wandy around for that.

[iowafan]

Lindstrom has been a disaster in save situations lately. Billy Wagner was outstanding. Not much else to say about that game. We were stung by Braves hitting homeruns off of Lindstrom. Happ had a good game. He has control problems but if he ever gets those squared away, he will be a good starter. It was a pity to waste such a good start, but that other pitcher really pitched a good game. He had pinpoint control the whole game. Tomorrow it is Rodriguez and Hanson. Should be another tough game unless we can get the bats going.

[changeup]

Great job by Happ. Too bad Lindstrom coughed up another win. He blew that three run lead in Milwaukee and now this one. Right now, he sucks.

[iowafan]

I would run someone else as closer until he gets his confidence back. He is capable but must have something going wrong with his mechanics. His control was terrible.

[iowafan]

This time it was Lyon who had troubles. I think maybe he has been getting overworked lately. Whatever the reason we also didn't hit their pitcher which puts the team in a two game hitting slump. It was ashame to waste another good start by Wandy. We'll have him start getting pissed off like Oswalt. However it is worse because Wandy has been really consistant lately. Oswalt has never been that consistant. We did better against Wagner this game which isn't surpising since it was Pence and Lee which did most of the damage. They are pretty good fastball hitters. Anyway their pitching beat us.