Cardinals series

[iowafan]

Westbrook against Happ in today's game. It looks to me like we have a fairly good chance in this one. However whenever I say that we lose, therefore I think our chances are very poor. Happ got pounded by St. Louis the last time. Westbrook is a great pitcher who is having a mediocre unlucky, and frustrating year. I am sure the Astros will feel sorry for his sorry arse and hit poorly. Therefore I am gloom and doom.

[cangrejero]

wallace and happ having great games. Another RBI for el Caballo.

[iowafan]

Wallace was the offensive player of the game. Of course we didn't do much offensively but what is new? Happ is the story here. And Philadelphia, how could they have given this guy up? He had great control today, especially toward the end of the game. He is really beginning to be a great addition for the Astros and contributing more than Oswalt. I really feel bad that we had to give up the ace to get him. Am I a liar?

[iowafan]

I think the Astros have a nearly impossible task tonight. I hope Rodriguez realizes this because he has to take on a team that has been in a slump that is trying to save face and also has loads of talent. What is worse they have to pitch against the other team's ace, Carpenter who is in a similar predicament. Carpenter has shown no signs of being injured so expect him to be at his best tonight. A good stratagy would be to try to wear down Carpenter, and run up the pitch count while trying your best to get on base. With Rodriguez, he will have to be perfect to win this one I predict.

[sadoug]

if Wandy can get ahead in the count and stay that way all game, I like our chances.We have the reckless abandon of youth going for us, and they are beginning to squeeze the sawdust out of the bats. The cardinals can either suck it up and play likie the champs they ought to be, or be yet again, another high talent LaRussa team that falls by the wayside.

[changeup]

Wandy is great until runners get on base and then he becomes a scared, gutless little wimp. As long as things go his way, he is one of the best. He'd better be because Carpenter is a tough customer.

[iowafan]

I think Wandy needn't be nervous about this however. There is nothing riding on whether we win or lose, just the fun of beating the Cardinals and there is little that is more fun to me. I love beating Cardinals, Braves, Mets, Dodgers, especially in the National League. There is nothing more fun than beating the Yankees. Rodriguez just should relax and have fun. No reason to win except the fun of winning.

[iowafan]

Carpenter had 6 pitches in the first inning, and Rodriguez had 20. That does not bode well for this game. It is still 0-0 but that stat shows that Carpenter is ahead of Rodriguez at this point.

[iowafan]

Since that post Rodriguez has proved me wrong. He has outpitched Carpenter since then. We are going into the 6th inning and there is still lots of game left but Rodriguez has been tough. This team continues to surprise. I really liked the way Sanchez worked the count even if he did end up grounding into a double play he made it hard on Carpenter. He keeps making himself valuable.

[iowafan]

The Astros have done it again behind a flawless game by Rodriguez and strong relief work. I bet most people didn't think earlier in the season we would be in this position right now. I certainly didn't. Drayton should be kicking himself that he didn't work to make these kinds of moves earlier. There is no use fighting a losing battle with older players. Might as well take a chance on some younger ones. We may not have gotten the people we wanted otherwise but quite a few of the players that are winning for us were released by their previous teams. Pence and Bourn were the main ones to produce the runs today.

[cangrejero]

Astros continue to play great baseball, this is what i was CALLING for a looooooooong time.

Yes, it gave me problems with guys like Chandler that protects management NO MATTER WHAT, but i wanted to get young, exciting again and win games with them instead of carrying a Hall of Fame 2nd basemen that WAS UNABLE TO PLAY, a 1b that was missing straight fastballs, an ACE that was not pitching like an ACE for a long time, or guys like Matsui or Feliz when had other opitions at the time.

This team is starting to look like a real good team for the future, and the rotation is very interesting, especially if Norris is able to prove me wrong.

[iowafan]

Norris will not be a great pitcher if he does not at least develop a changeup. I do believe that Norris has the ability to be a great pitcher and certainly the stamina. Man, Rodriguez had every pitch working for him tonight. So did Happ last night. We have shut out the Cardinals two games in a row. When has Houston had pitching like that? It has been awhile.

[cangrejero]

For next year we have 3 strong pitchers working for us, Wandy, Myers and Happ.

Now, Norris could be a nice 4 if he becomes more consistent and get a slow pitch.

Now, number 5 could be Paulino who was having a nice year.

[iowafan]

Figueroa makes a great fill in and it sounds like he is itching to start. If Paulino is in trouble we can use Figueroa over Paulino or Norris. We are really set pretty good for starters. I am really beginning to be impressed with this GM. I'm with you on Oswalt, I thought we should have gotten rid of him years ago when he was going downhill. He was just so inconsistant. No reason to keep Moehler unless he is really cheap. Moehler is not a great reliever. This is Astros baseball like I remember it. I got to love the Astros because of their pitching, running, and defense. In the Astrodome it didn't pay to have too many homerun hitters.

[changeup]

Forget Moehler...........go forward with the kids. Chris Sampson is another guy we don't need.

The Astros win again today to sweep the Cards and hopefully put them out of their misery. Stick a fork in the redbirds..........they are done! Good pitching and a three-run homer by Pence did the trick.