Final series with the Cubs

[iowafan]

I have a bad attitude about this last series because the Astros have not been playing well lately. Norris is pitching against Coleman and Norris is going to have to be perfect again to win because the Astros are not producing runs, playing all of these rookies. They have not been hitting much. I expect the Astros to give the Cubs some end of season hope, and get beat and to leave Astro fans with a bad taste in their mouths. No use taking a chance playing Bourn at this time of year. Save him for next year.

[cangrejero]

well, our manager is not managing to win.

With bases loaded, end of 5th inning he allows the pitcher to hit losing 2 to 0.

Well, taht move only gave us one more inning of Bud.

Mills is not managing to win at this moment.

[iowafan]

Do you think that is the right thing to do? I wonder if someone just told the team to punt the rest of the year. Myers just seemed to shut off his pitching all of a sudden. I am sure they would want him not to risk his health in what was already a losing cause. Perhaps it is the smart thing to do. Those young players don't have anything to lose by playing their best. That hasn't been very good however.

[iowafan]

What can you say about getting clobbered again by the Cubbies. We are looking to tie the Cubbies for second to last place in the division. Milwaukee has passed us up easily. I guess either we are shooting for draft picks or are just plain bad right now. I would pick the second one.

[iowafan]

There was some encouraging things that happened in this game. For one, Figueroa pitched well and has towards the end of the season. Maybe he likes it here in Houston and wants to stay. I read a writeup on him and it looks like he might stick here in Houston at least for awhile. Lopez also has been pitching well since coming back from his extended rest. Lyon has been cleaning up in the last inning and since he has not been pitching so much he has improved. I have liked the way the team is looking but have not been impressed with any of these later people they have brought in. Bourgeois has shown some promise. Manzella has shown some promise along with Sanchez. They need to get Castro and Wallace to hit consistantly but they have shown promise. Any left over have not succeeding in catching my eye.

[cangrejero]

yes, johnson.

[iowafan]

That was one of the earliest newcomers. He needs to adjust with his hitting because he couldn't hit as well later in the season. I certainly think Johnson is a keeper and may become a star. Did you notice that Pence's hitting dropped way off these last couple of weeks. Maybe he is still hurting. I like the gm and I like the pitching coach. I am not that crazy about the manager, at least right now. It was an odd season to evaluate a manager.

[Coach]

Brett Wallace didn’t show much this year. The last fat dude with no power was Tony Gwynn and the boy ain’t no Tony Gwynn.

[iowafan]

He has a long way to go to be a major league first baseman. I am not that hot on Lee either. When is his contract up. I would rather have a healthy Berkman around. I didn't think so before but I think they are going to have to make some changes, get some hitting, if we are going to be competative next year.

[Coach]

It was nice to see Berkman have a good night last night against the Twins.

[iowafan]

I would rather see him flub against the Twins. It is painful for me to see a true Astro in a Yankee uniform. I was for trading him but that doesn't make it any easier. We need someone that can hit like Berkman when he is well and doing his best. He was like Bagwell when Bagwell was in his prime, lots of walks, and a high on base percentage. We really don't have anyone like that right now.

[cangrejero]

agree, it would be great if we get crawford and move lee to 1b