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Jason Smith Designated, Alberto Arias Called Up, Sean Berry to have Surgery

cardsjason — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:55:38 +0000

Some news from the home town club today.

The Astros have designated Jason Smith for assignment and called up Alberto Arias. I don’t think anyone saw this one coming…okay, that is sarcasm. Arias is a much needed arm for our ailing bullpen.

On a much more serious note, Astros‘ hitting coach Sean Berry has a tumor on his kidney:

“Astros hitting coach Sean Berry has what doctors believe is a cancerous tumor on his kidney and plans to have it removed in the next few days.

Berry had experienced bleeding for the past few days while Houston was on a road trip and figured he was simply passing kidney stones. The tumor was found on his right kidney during a consultation with a doctor on Wednesday and another visit is set for Thursday to schedule the procedure.

Berry played 11 major league seasons, including three for the Astros. He joined the organization as a minor league coach in 2003.”

Hopefully the surgery will go well for Sean. I wish he and his family the best.

Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs Game 4 Preview

cardsjason — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:54:25 +0000

Houston begins a two game series with the Chicago Cubs tonight in Houston with Mike Hampton on the bump facing Rich Harden.

Starting 9:
Matsui
Bourn
Berkman
Lee
Tejada
Pence
Blum
Rodriguez
Hampy

Houston Astros Finish Road Trip 4-3…to be continued

cardsjason — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:46:59 +0000

The game today was suspended after a long rain delay in the bottom of the 11th with the game tied 10-10.

So until the game resumes, which will take place on the Nat’s road trip to Houston, the Astros come out of this road trip 4-3. This 4-3 road trip feels like it has lasted all season and the Astros are coming home beat up.

Usually I would be bummed to see the Astros facing the Cubs in this kind of shape for the next two games but the Cubbies aren’t faring much better these days.

So according to JJO at the Chronicle:

“Jose Valverde is likely out until early to mid June, and I doubt if Doug Brocail returns before June.”

It gets better…

“It’s not even May 6 yet, but the Astros bullpen’s tank may be close to empty. Even worse, it’s unclear how long Roy Oswalt will miss or how much he’ll be affected by the bone bruise in his right index finger.

It would be silly if the Astros try to acquire bullpen arms. Might as well see what the kids can do.
Lance Berkman says this is a mature team, which means this is an old team. Old teams get hurt, as the Astros have often this season.

If they’re 20 games out on July 31, I won’t be surprised. At that point, Valverde should be healthy and able to bring back a few good prospects via trade.
Suck it up, Houston, because this could be a 100-loss team.”

So a month in JJO is saying Houston is going to lose 100 games. Who knows? They very well could. I don’t think they will.

Houston may find themselves in a hole come July but they may not. Everyone though the Stros were screwed last season when Carlos was out and Lance wasn’t hitting but they managed to hang around.

Bring up some arms from RR and see what we can do for the next two months. Stick Paulino in the rotation and drop Ortiz to the pen.

The big question is Roy. If he misses a start or two then it wont be nearly as big of a deal. However, if this ends up being long term, JJO could be right.

Chip over at the chronicle says it’s time for Houston to “shuffle the deck.” He covers a lot of ground in his post but the part that really jumped out to me was the stuff on Coop:

“Ah, yes, and that brings us back to Mr. Cooper . . . again. From the outside, it appears he has no control of this team. If that’s the case, it won’t be long before the inner murmurs and grumblings begin to leak out. Then, it gets ugly quick.”

The more I watch this team this season the more I think Chip is right. I like Cecil but the past few games seem like Coop has…well, not much of an idea of what to do. I understand he is in a tough position with the rain-out forcing his hand with the pen but perhaps pulling Wandy wasn’t the answer.

I’m not ready to give up hope in early May. Lance Berkman is hitting better over the past 4 games and our starting pitching staff has looked decent. We just really really really really really really really need to get the bullpen back in order and get our team healthy…which could take a while.

Houston Astros @ Atlanta Braves Game I Preview

cardsjason — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:36:40 +0000

Houston sends Brian Moehler to the mound for his first start back from the DL.

Stros starting 9:
Matsui
Bourn
Berkman
Lee
Tejada
Pence
Rodriguez
Keppinger
Moe

Hopefully by some miracle Brian Moehler can go deep in this game.

Houston Astros @ Atlanta Braves Game I Preview

cardsjason — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:18:40 +0000

Houston opens up a 3 game series with Atlanta today.

Here is your starting 9:
Matsui
Bourn
Berkman
Lee
Tejada
Pence
Blum
Rodriguez
Hampton

Should be interesting to see what kind of reception Hampton gets in Atlanta.

Let’s go Mike!
Let’s go Stros!

Let’s go Lance!

Houston Astros Move Felipe Paulino to the Bullpen

cardsjason — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:15:26 +0000

From Stros.com:

“Right -hander Felipe Paulino will move to the bullpen beginning Friday, the pitcher confirmed.

Paulino, who made three starts in place of Brian Moehler, was impressive enough to merit staying on the roster after Moehler returns. Moehler is expected to start Tuesday.

This likely means Jeff Fulchino will return to Triple-A Round Rock once Moehler is activated from the DL.”

I’m all for keeping him on the club but I was really hoping he would stick in the rotation. Maybe things will change when Big-Val gets back.

Houston Astros @ Atlanta Braves Series Preview

cardsjason — Fri, 01 May 2009 06:01:13 +0000

Houston will start a 3 game series with Atlanta starting tomorrow afternoon.

Here are the probable pitchers:

Game I
Mike Hampton LHP (1-1) 3.86
vs.
Derek Lowe RHP (2-1) 3.10

This should be a good pitching match up. Hopefully Hampy can have a solid start and our offense will kick it in to gear.

Game II
Roy Oswalt RHP (0-2) 3.94
vs.
Jair Jurrjens RHP (2-2) 1.72

I’m calling it right now. Roy O will get his first win.

Game III
Wandy Rodriguez (2-2) 1.69
vs.
Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1) 4.26

Can Wandy keep up his torrent start?

We win the series if: Lance Berkman finally remembers how to hit. If their pitching keeps doing what they are doing then it is pretty much up to our offense.

We don’t win the series if: our offense doesn’t support our starting pitching. With Valverde out for possibly three weeks, Houston needs their starting pitchers to go deep into games and try and minimize the bullpens activity. The best way for this to happen aside from their starting pitching throwing well is Houston’s offense to put some runs up.

My prediction:
Houston takes two of three. Hampton will toss a good game but I don’t think our offense is ready for Lowe right now. However, Roy and Wandy are going to pitch well and our offense is going to hit well enough to get 2 wins out of the series.

Houston 9-13
Atlanta 10-11

Jose Valverde to Miss up to Three Weeks

cardsjason — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:47:31 +0000

From astros.mlb.com:

“Closer Jose Valverde was hoping to miss only the 15 days required after he went on the disabled list earlier this week, but it looks like he’ll be on the shelf longer than that.

Valverde had approximately 20 cc of fluid drained from his right calf at the Methodist Hospital on Thursday by team physician Dr. David Lintner. There is still approximately 60 cc of fluid remaining that will have to be removed on Friday, at which time doctors will make a small incision in order to drain the remaining fluid.

Valverde is expected to miss up to three weeks after the final procedure on Friday. ”

Bad news for Valverde but at least they got him when they did. Hopefully they can get this knocked out and he will be fine for the remainder of the season.

Houston Astros Shutout in Game III to Reds: Paulino Pitches Well

cardsjason — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:08:16 +0000

Houston 0

Reds 4

Instead of putting 0-whatever after everyone I’m just gonna post strike outs, hits, and walks.

Matsui 2K

Bourn 2K

Tejada 1-4, 2B

Lee

Pence

Blum 2K

Erstad

Towles HBP, K

Paulino

Michaels BB

Berkman 0-1

Pitching Lines:

Felipe Paulino

5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3K, 1 earned run

Chris Sampson

1 IP, H

Tim Byrdak

1/3 IP

Doug Brocail

1 IP, H, 2 BB, 1 earned run

Good News: Felipe Paulino was great tonight. I would really like for him to stick in the rotation. Samp and Byrd also threw well tonight. Also, Houston won the series.

Bad News: Our offense was shut out tonight for the 4th time this season. Defense wasn’t looking real alive tonight either, especially on a goof up in the outfield when Bourn and Lee collided on an easy fly ball.

Houston is off tomorrow and will head to Atlanta to open a 3 game series with the Braves starting Friday.

Paulino gets the undeserved loss.

Let’s take a moment to praise Wandy Rodriguez

cardsjason — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:44:18 +0000

Wandy Rodriguez got his second win of the season last night and put up his fifth consecutive quality start.

Wandy is fourth in the league in ERA with a 1.69 ERA with 27 strikeouts.

The has 2 losses and a no decision which could have been/should have been wins meaning he could possibly be 5-0.

Keep it up Wandy.