Commissioner Hates Astros

Home games...Perhaps an overrated thing, but then again, maybe not. But maybe we got a definitive answer this week when the Astros had to go play at Wrigley North against the Cubbies. The Commish says there were no other options, but I beg to differ. There were lots of other options. And pulling these guys away from their families and loved ones hours after a devestating disaster...was NOT the answer.

The Commish says he had to do it. But Brad Ausmus, who lives in West U, had other things on his mind. He had a few of his teammates at his house when the storm rolled in. The water got so close to his front door, that he was afraid he was going to have to wake his sleeping friends to ask them to move all his furniture up to the second floor.

Lance Berkman luckily has a home near his home town of New Braunfels, in San Marcos. Or maybe that's not so lucky. Since he got a call at 4 a.m. to leave his family, and get back to Houston for a 10 a.m. flight to Milwaukee.

And all this while, what are the Cubbies doing? Just relaxing in their homes, and then getting on a bus a couple hours before BP and riding the 80 miles to Miller Park from Wrigley. Man, that sounds so fair.

It was an incredibly difficult situation for ALL involved. There is no doubt about that. Would I want to be in Selig's shoes to make that decision? No, not at all. Did he make the right decision? No, not at all. Baseball is a business, everyone gets that...But there are about what, 8 gajillion other business in the Houston area? And all of them understood the importance of family after this storm, all except Major League Baseball.

The games had to get played, and sooner, rather than later, no doubt about that one. And could MMP have hosted a game on Sunday? Yes, it could have. Should it have? No, probably not. But making the Houston Astros go to Milwaukee to play the Cubs? That is about like asking a team on the west coast to play a "home game" against the Yankees at Shea.

So why not put the onus on the Cubs to have crappy conditions? Maybe play the games in Round Rock? No, that wouldn't have drawn much, but hey, so what? At least it would have almost been like a home game for the Astros, at least more so than the Cubs right? And just play one there on Sunday, and then back at MMP on Monday, which would have been perfectly fine. This city was ready for a game on Monday. It would have been a really nice distraction. And then just play the last game, if needed, on the Monday after the season is finished.

But instead, the Commish thought it would be more fun to completely ruin the Astros emotional state. Is he the reason the Astros got 1 hit in 2 games? No, not exactly. They are professionals, and should have been ready to play mentally. But can we blame them for not being ready to play?

Chris Sampson said that he didn't even want to get on the plane because he hadn't heard from some of his friends and family yet. Is that not more important than a freaking baseball game? The way that tv runs the world is a great thing in some ways...but in others...it is just stupid. And this is one of those moments. Couldn't the playoff tv schedule have been slightly adjusted if needed? And hell, we don't even know if it would have needed to be. The Astros may have been no hit, and one hit no matter where they played. But that doesn't seem too likely does it? Given that they are the best team in baseball in the second half, it seems like had things gone a little closer to their way, it might have been a bit better for them.

But now it's finished. They have lost 3 straight, but luckily, the Brewers are just awful and have lost everything lately. So it is still up to the Astros to go out there and take it! They have only games left against crap teams, and have no one to blame anymore. Rally around your city and make us proud. But I will be honest. In this bloggers opinion, it doesn't matter how it turns out, they have done me very proud. They have continued to fight, and play hard, and that is all we can really ask for. But they are the best team of the 3 in the fight for the Wild Card, so hopefully they will go and take it!

Could They?

Ok, this is getting a little interesting. With another strong performance from Randy Wolf, and a great night from the Puma, the Astros pulled themselves to within 4 games of the Wild Card lead. There are 17 games left to play, and if the Astros finish up 12-5, that gets them to 90 wins. Is that enough to get in?

I think that it could be. The Brewers are awful. The Phillies could fall, if it weren't for one Brad "Lights Out" Lidge. And the Astros are just better than the Cards. The only real problem here is that the Astros don't have any games left with any of those teams. But you know, 4 games is not that much, so let's at least wait and see. Got 5 left with the Pirates, so that should help...

And on that note. If the Astros somehow pull off this thing, and make the playoffs, how can anyone but Lance Berkman be the MVP? With no El Cachubby for a month, Roy struggling early, and Wandy going out recently, Lance has been the steady hand for this team. So if the Astros make it in, Lance has to be the MVP, and Coop may be Manager of the Year too...

2008 and Beyond

I saw something this morning that greatly disturbed me. I often sit in amazement at just how absolutely stupid some fans are. I was reading Chip Bailey's blog on chron.com and at the bottom, in the comments section, a fan commented how the Astros should trade Valverde, Oswalt, and Berkman before next season.

Really? Come on...how stupid can someone seriously be? Is this team, as assembled a World Series champ? No, not very likely to be. But it is a lot closer than it would be without those three guys. There are so many stupid things with that comment, I am honestly not even sure where to start.

First of all, this years team is really not all that bad! Those 3 have been incredibly effective for huge hunks of this season, and we have no reason to believe that next season, they won't be effective for huge hunks of the season. The last month, Roy has been by far the best pitcher in all the game, as he was from 2003-2005. Valverde has made good on his last 15 save opportunities, and Lance is hitting over .330.

So sure, they could probably get a crap ton on the trade market, but let's not forget, none of them want to go anywhere, and they shouldn't go anywhere either. Basically, the fan was saying that the "rebuilding process" should begin. Again, that is just showing his total ignorance for the game of baseball. A team that will finish the season about 15 games over .500 aren't exactly in a place where rebuilding is necessary. This is a team that is a catcher, and second starter away from being very, very good. So why would we blow it all up?

Good thing Uncle Drayton does not listen to idiot fans who post on chron.com.

Randy Wolf=Best GM Award for Ed Wade

Is this guy for real? Did he really just throw a complete game shut out against the Cubbies? That is pretty awesome! Many people were wondering exactly what Wade was doing when he made this trade, and while this team still is nowhere near the playoffs, I have to say, I dig it. What it shows is that he and Uncle Drayton will not give up on winning. And that is a good thing to show a team. It shows that sometimes, all a player needs to rejuvinate himself is a change of scenery, a la Lights Out Lidge.

Most important about all this though is that this team is showing perhaps there is something to look forward to in 2009! Roy looks like Roy again. Wandy really looks like a guy who could be a very solid third starter, Backe looks like he can be solid in the back of a rotation, Wolf looks like he still has a little left, and Brian Moehler looks incredible. The only thing really missing is a solid 2. If this team can go out and get one of those, very little is actually missing. There is enough offense to take care of that pitching staff with a solid 2 added. A catcher should be high on the list, and Darin Erstad just needs to get more playing time instead of searching for a centerfielder again this off season.

And oh yeah, the bully...it's pretty good too! Chris Sampson has really found his home. He is perfect as the long reliever. Wesley Wright is a great lefty in the pen, LaTroy Hawkins is just like Randy Wolf, and has found himself, and Valverde is a lot better than I thought!

I believe in this teams ability to compete in 2009! Much more on that much later though!