Here comes the Astros

[Lefty]

Houston had a horrible start to the season but they have been on fired of late and are now playing 500 baseball. They are back in the wild card race.

 

[ajcardfan]

Houston had a horrible start to the season but they have been on fired of late and are now playing 500 baseball. They are back in the wild card race.

Oakland has pulled off a similar turn around in the American League. From 15 games under back to .500. You look at the A's talent and it seems like the DBacks could put together a nice run at some point too.

 

[Lefty]

Oakland has pulled off a similar turn around in the American League. From 15 games under back to .500. You look at the A's talent and it seems like the DBacks could put together a nice run at some point too.

I know the A's are hot but because the Diamondbacks play in the NL, as do the Astros, I thought I would mention how hot Houston is playing.

 

[ajcardfan]

I know the A's are hot but because the Diamondbacks play in the NL, as do the Astros, I thought I would mention how hot Houston is playing.

The common denominators for both squads are very good pitching mixed with some timely hitting. We haven't put those two things together over more than couple of games all year. I would hope at some point we would to put together a 15-5, or 24-9, run.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Oakland has pulled off a similar turn around in the American League. From 15 games under back to .500. You look at the A's talent and it seems like the DBacks could put together a nice run at some point too.

First I don't agree that the A's are noticeably less talented than the DBacks, but I do think both teams are only capable of one big run and the D-Backs had theirs to begin the season while the A's are in the midst of theirs right now.

And the Stros have two #1's on their staff, an above average #2, and a bullpen that leads the majors in K's per inning. Teams with that kind of pitching are much more likely to go on big runs than offensive-minded teams with average pitching like the DBacks.

 

[ajcardfan]

And the Stros have two #1's on their staff, an above average #2, and a bullpen that leads the majors in K's per inning. Teams with that kind of pitching are much more likely to go on big runs than offensive-minded teams with average pitching like the DBacks.

That's why I brought up the A's. I think the Astros are better than both the DBacks and the A's because of that pitching. I guess April could count as the DBacks' run, but I don't remember them getting ten games over .500 for a stretch of 20 games or so. If Haren and Blanton keep it up, then I think the A's have a better staff than the DBacks. I don't think their hitters are really much to talk about though. Chavez and Kotsay are the only two to cause any concern at all.

But, as Zona pointed out, the Astros are more directly pertinent. They passed the DBacks in overall record tonight, and we'll play them again.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

That's why I brought up the A's. I think the Astros are better than both the DBacks and the A's because of that pitching. I guess April could count as the DBacks' run, but I don't remember them getting ten games over .500 for a stretch of 20 games or so. If Haren and Blanton keep it up, then I think the A's have a better staff than the DBacks. I don't think their hitters are really much to talk about though. Chavez and Kotsay are the only two to cause any concern at all.

The reason I said the A's are more talented than the D-Backs is because a young team like that is more likely to get better as the year goes on while a team stacked with injury-prone vets on the downside of their careers. Plus the only area in which we are better than the A's right now is in power numbers. They have a higher team batting average, get on-base more, have the much superior bullpen, the more talented staff and catch the ball better (especially in the outfield) all while having a greater record than us in a better division and league.

 

[ajcardfan]

The reason I said the A's are more talented than the D-Backs is because a young team like that is more likely to get better as the year goes on while a team stacked with injury-prone vets on the downside of their careers. Plus the only area in which we are better than the A's right now is in power numbers. They have a higher team batting average, get on-base more, have the much superior bullpen, the more talented staff and catch the ball better (especially in the outfield) all while having a greater record than us in a better division and league.

Okay, you convinced me. I didn't realize their hitting had improved to that extent. Maybe Durazo getting hurt was the key. At that point, they had to give up on the "moneyball" concept.