Astros vs Cardinals

[Horry For 3!]

This shall be a great series just like last year.


It looks as Game 1 starters will be Pettitte vs Carpenter

[gospursgojas]

Damn I just know the Astros are good enough to beat the Cards....Lets go 'Stros

PS
I really want them to win just to spite Beltran

[Sense]

Teams are really even...


I can't predict this outcome.

[TexasAggie2005]

The redbirds haven't looked so good lately. They're hurt and they sucked it up the last month, including dropping two to the Astros (one with Backe winning over Carpenter). Then they swept the Padres, but unimpressively. I mean, come on, it's the PADRES and the Padres one decent pitcher was apparently hurt. I like the Astros in six.

[Willinsa]

I think the Cards hitters are all healthy and think they win in 6, hopefully I am wrong.

[TexasAggie2005]

I think the Cards hitters are all healthy and think they win in 6, hopefully I am wrong.

Rolen's been out for a while, he didn't even make the NLDS roster. Sanders and Larry Walker were hurt off and on over the past month or so. Mulder caught one on the biceps, but will probably be able to pitch by game 2 or 3. Seems like they've got more guys hurt than that, but that's all I can think of offhand.

[T Park]

Sanders is MORE than fine.

Did you guys not hear about that setting an NLDS record for RBIs in a series??

Eckstein is hard to get out

Pujols is the best in baseball period

Edmonds is still that clutch MFer that all Stros fans hate.

Walker is still solid and will be looking forward to getting back to the NLCS

Nunez is still an underrated and unsung hero.

Yadier Molina came on late in the Padres series and will be harder than you think


Cy Young

Morris who pitches well in STL

Mulder

Suppan

then Carpenter again.




including dropping two to the Astros (one with Backe winning over Carpenter)

What team, did those games mean more to???


Thanks for playing.

[T Park]

Rolen's been out for a while, he didn't even make the NLDS roster

He wont even come close to playing.

Hes done for the year.

He had serious surgery to his shoulder.

He will be lucky to be a 280 hitter ever again.

The Scott Rolen everyone knew before this year, is gone more than likely.

[TexasAggie2005]

Okay, I can make up cute little statements about all of our players too. Doesn't mean a thing. And maybe those games did mean more to the Astros, but it was still "Cy Young" on the mound vs. Brandon Backe, and we still won. Thanks for playing.

P.S. If you really think your starting rotation is better than ours, you're on crack.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

The Cards don't look nearly as invincible as they did last year, and a healthy Andy Pettite is worth his weight in gold. I think the Astros gut this one out in seven.

[Ballcox]

^ I think Pettite is the difference maker this year for the Astros, they win a tough series in 7 games.

[Jimcs50]

^ I think Pettite is the difference maker this year for the Astros, they win a tough series in 7 games.

So, you think having Andy Pettitte start two games instead of Pete Munro starting 2 games makes a difference then?


:)

[2pac]

So does TPark just jump on the bandwagon of whoever the Stros are playing?

[clooneyschick04]

The Cards don't look nearly as invincible as they did last year, and a healthy Andy Pettite is worth his weight in gold. I think the Astros gut this one out in seven.

I couldn't agree more about the Cardinals. I was pretty nervous about playing them last year but we nearly beat them! I'm confident in the 'Stros and their pitching. Astros in seven. :elephant

[T Park]

Someone wanna tell me how this team is any different than last year???

[/QUOTE]So does TPark just jump on the bandwagon of whoever the Stros are playing?


[QUOTE]

Classic coming from you.

No, Ive been a Cardinals fan for as long as I've been alive.

I was a Cardinals fan before being a fan of the Spurs.

Have been there through thick and thin with guys like Mark Whitten, Greg Jeffries, Lee Smith, Geranamo Pena and other stiffs.

[T Park]

it was still "Cy Young" on the mound vs. Brandon Backe

So you think Chris Carpenter, had his total playoff focus, and was totally dialed in for that game, like he was in game 1 VS the Padres??? Or before the Cardinals clinched the division??

Get freakin real.

[2pac]

Classic coming from you.



What exactly do you mean by that? I have never been a fair weather fan for any team. Spurs season ticket holder since 1987. As a current resident of Houston, the Astros are my favorite baseball team. Now that I live near the ballpark (5 blocks) I have season tickets for the Stros. I was born in New Orleans, and my family has had season tickets to the Saints in every season they were in New Orleans. I still cheer for them and even bought tickets to the SA games, even though I wont be able to get to any of the games. My buddies lucked out there.

You on the other hand are the guy who promised to stop posting here if the Spurs won the Championship. You are the one who didnt believe. You were also the one cheering for the Braves in the NLDS and now go for the Cards. Considering your history, bandwagon isnt too far from the path.


So you think Chris Carpenter, had his total playoff focus, and was totally dialed in for that game, like he was in game 1 VS the Padres??? Or before the Cardinals clinched the division??


So he just half asses this stuff? He gets paid to play 35 times a year and cant get that down?

[TexasAggie2005]

So you think Chris Carpenter, had his total playoff focus, and was totally dialed in for that game, like he was in game 1 VS the Padres??? Or before the Cardinals clinched the division??

Get freakin real.

I would hope he looks a little better in the playoffs, but you can't just shut it off the last month of the season. You should know as a Cardinals fan they didn't want the Astros to make the playoffs. I would've expected a little better showing against Houston. The 'stros had the best record in baseball since mid-May (when Pettitte started getting back into it after surgery and Berkman came back from his injury). Besides, no sane manager would want to face Pettitte-Oswalt-Clemens in the playoffs.

Cy Young wouldn't have mailed it in. That tell you anything about Carpenter?

[atlfan25]

That tell you anything about Carpenter?
He's never thrown this many innings. In early september he surpassed his career high.

It would be understandable that he got a bit tired. I'd be surprised if he didn't.

Last year was his first full year in some time and he suffered an injury at the end of the year too to miss the playoffs.

[Das Texan]

The Astros are going to give the Cardinals one hell of a time. Astros win a tight series...due to their pitching.

If you think the cardinal rotation is on par with the Astros you are on crack. Likewise if you think the Astro bats are on par with the cardinal bats you are also on crack.


however....pitching wins titles.


astros win.

[T Park]

If you think the cardinal rotation is on par with the Astros you are on crack

against a weak hitting astros team it can be.

Look at the ERAs for Clemens and Oswalt and Backe for the regular season against the Cardinals.

Oswalt I think is in the 4s.




You should know as a Cardinals fan they didn't want the Astros to make the playoffs.

No, I wanted them to make it ahead of Philadelphia.

Philly who had the best record since the All STar break, owned the freakin Cardinals all year,

while the Cardinals were 11-5 vs the Astros this year.

Hmmmmmm, weigh it up.

[Jimcs50]

against a weak hitting astros team it can be.

Look at the ERAs for Clemens and Oswalt and Backe for the regular season against the Cardinals.

Oswalt I think is in the 4s.
.

TPark, Roy has more problems with Cards than all the other Houston pitchers, mostly because of Jim Edmonds who owns him.

Oswalt vs Cardinals:

OPPOSING HITTER AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS

Totals 223 57 12 0 5 23 11 50 256 .288 .377 .665 5.2 ERA

But Pettitte, tonight's starter has a 1.35 ERA against the Cards :smokin

and Clemens has a 2.6 ERA

The pen has been dominant against the Cards and there is no Miceli there this year, who was the reason why St Louis won last year.

Wheeler has a 0.87 ERA :smokin

Lidge has a 0.00 ERA :smokin

So, as you can see, there is only one major pitcher that St Louis has had success against and that is against a pitcher who for the last 3 months has been getting stronger and stronger.

[Low End Specialist]

'stros down 0-2 at the moment. If only Bernie Williams could do what Sanders can. :(

[clooneyschick04]

3-0 Cardinals top of the 3rd. :depressed

[Sense]

I was a Cardinals fan before being a fan of the Spurs.


You were never a Spurs fan.

[Horry For 3!]

Burke 2-Run HR

[Spurminator]

Springer in?

It's over.

[Spurminator]

Some fucking bullshit strike calls going on right now...

[Spurminator]

Vizcaino??????????????????




Fuck.

[clooneyschick04]

How low were those so-called "strikes"? :pctoss

[Jimcs50]

Those were some pretty questionable strike calls most of the night.

The home team wins again in this series.

[Jimcs50]

How low were those so-called "strikes"? :pctoss

just below the kneecaps

[Spurminator]

Doesn't matter much if you're going to bat Jose Fucking Vizcaino with the game on the line and Bagwell on the bench. Dear god.

[T Park]

Pettite wasn't getting those calls either??

Like Lyons said at the end of the game, "A strike zone undisputed all night"

[Jimcs50]

WhiteSox win!!!

[Jimcs50]

Pettite wasn't getting those calls either??

Like Lyons said at the end of the game, "A strike zone undisputed all night"

Yeah, that is why Carpenter had 17 ground ball outs tonight and the astros had 8.

:rolleyes

[T Park]

But Pettitte, tonight's starter has a 1.35 ERA against the Cards

What is that ERA now??


there is only one major pitcher that St Louis has had success against

?? Rethink?

[Spurminator]

I don't care who was getting the calls, they were bullshit.

[Horry For 3!]

Don't start saying shit now T Park, you will eat the crow.

[Jimcs50]

Man there was a very questionable call in the Chicago game. The Angels will be disputing this game bigtime.

[T Park]

Yeah, that is why Carpenter had 17 ground ball outs tonight and the astros had 8.


That wouldn't be because, Carpenter might be a great, CY Young, ground ball pitcher??

NAHHHH

lol, nah, Carpenter wasnt good, it was the umpires.

Classic, Dont let me catch you in the Spurs forum Jimmy whining about the refs there either.

[Duff McCartney]

If there's one team I hate more than the Red Sox it's the Astros and possibly the Cardinals. In a perfect world...Busch Stadium would blow up.

[T Park]

Don't start saying shit now T Park, you will eat the crow

eat crow over what??

So far what I have said, has come true.

You all doubted the Cardinals last year and tried to tell me how horrible the Cardinal's pitching was and how fan fuckin tastic the Astros are.

The Astros DO have a better rotation.

But the Cardinals arent freakin chopped liver and should be discounted every time.

[Horry For 3!]

eat crow over what??

So far what I have said, has come true.

You all doubted the Cardinals last year and tried to tell me how horrible the Cardinal's pitching was and how fan fuckin tastic the Astros are.

The Astros DO have a better rotation.

But the Cardinals arent freakin chopped liver and should be discounted every time.
You all? I have never said anything about the Cardinals. I already know their offense is good and Carpenter is a good pitcher.

[T Park]

In a perfect world...Busch Stadium would blow up

And you would pay back Jim.

But the world aint perfect is it Deadbeat.

[Duff McCartney]

And you would pay back Jim.

But the world aint perfect is it Deadbeat.

I know the world isn't perfect...which explains your whole existence.

[Jimcs50]

eat crow over what??

So far what I have said, has come true.

You all doubted the Cardinals last year and tried to tell me how horrible the Cardinal's pitching was and how fan fuckin tastic the Astros are.

The Astros DO have a better rotation.

But the Cardinals arent freakin chopped liver and should be discounted every time.

I know the Cards are a great team, I am an Astros fan and I believe they are better...you have a problem with that????

[Jimcs50]

I am not whining about the strike zone, I said it was questionable, but it was consistant all night...the Astros needed to swing at the low pitches and foul them off, that would have stopped them.

[T Park]

lol.

Thats it??

Stick on topic Steinbrenner. BTW, pay close attention to this series.

Steinbrenner can take a page from these two teams.

But Im sure hell go sign a couple more overrated 100 million dollar players, fail in the postseason and blame the manager.

Go away.

[T Park]

I know the Cards are a great team, I am an Astros fan and I believe they are better...you have a problem with that????

Yeah I do. :P

[T Park]

the Astros needed to swing at the losw pitches and foul them of, that would have stopped them


They did, and he still got em out.

When will anyone start to give credit to Chris Carpenter?

[Jimcs50]

They did, and he still got em out.

When will anyone start to give credit to Chris Carpenter?

um, he is the 2005 Cy Young winner, what more do you want? :rolleyes

[T Park]

people to recognize that he might be a better pitcher than Pettite.

everyone says "Well they didnt have Pettite last year, and this year they do"

This year the Cardinals replace Jason Marquis with Mark Mulder, and Woody Williams with Chris Carpenter, and 2005 Matt Morris is FAR better than 2004 Matt Morris.

Nunez is playing a more solid 3rd than Rolen last year.

Reggie Sanders is heads above last year.



Once again, the Cardinals improved too. And everyone just wants to ignore the Cardinals "Eh, they are much worse"

[2pac]

Nunez is playing a more solid 3rd than Rolen last year.



Whatever you say, Missing Link.

[T Park]

Nunez is hitting about 300 and driving in runs and is HEALTHY.

Rolen last year was hitting, 000, and yeah ok.

But keep talking shit about Nunez.

[IcemanCometh]

don't start sucking your own dick just yet tpark
its a long series

[TexasAggie2005]

I think the Cardinals are a better team, on paper (higher payroll, too). I just figured the Astros would gut this one out as well as they're playing right now and with the ability to set their rotation. Let's not forget that the big three of Clemens-Oswalt-Pettitte pitched a grand total of three games in the series last year and are set up to pitch six of them this year.

I don't want to make excuses, but I wonder how Andy was feeling? I know he came down with the flu and then he got nailed by a ball in warmups. Carpenter did look pretty good though, we just have to start taking advantage of situations. One more timely hit or two and we put up a couple runs early. I'm not going to complain about the strike zone because it was called pretty evenly, our players just have to adjust and they didn't.

[T Park]

don't start sucking your own dick just yet tpark
its a long series

haha.

You were Cardinal hater 1 last year.

Well they wont win the division their pitching sucks

Well they dont have anyone to win a playoff series

Jeff SUppan cant outpitch Roger Clemens.


Wanna keep being wrong jughead?

[T Park]

Let's not forget that the big three of Clemens-Oswalt-Pettitte

who are 5-12 vs the Cardinals this year BTW.

Carry on...

[TexasAggie2005]

who are 5-12 vs the Cardinals this year BTW.

Carry on...

I'm not going to take the time to figure this out, but there's no way the three of them picked up 17 decisions against the Cards. If you're going to be so arrogant, at least sound somewhat reasonable. Or is that just who you are?

[T Park]

I guess I am that.

Thats what everyone says I am. Go ahead and just hate me.

Get in line, you'll save alot of time.

[T Park]

I apologize, I was wrong.

12-5 is the overall Cards vs Astros record.

I looked up game by game, and officially, the Cardinals are 4-2 vs the "Big Three"


beating Pettitie, Clemens, and Oswalt (Oswalt more than once, even stopping an 8 game winning streak in june)


So the Cardinals HAVE had success against the big three, they KNOW how to beat the big three.

So save the NL Champion Astros gear, this series may not be that easy Stro fans.

[Horry For 3!]

I think the Cardinals are a better team, on paper (higher payroll, too). I just figured the Astros would gut this one out as well as they're playing right now and with the ability to set their rotation. Let's not forget that the big three of Clemens-Oswalt-Pettitte pitched a grand total of three games in the series last year and are set up to pitch six of them this year.

I don't want to make excuses, but I wonder how Andy was feeling? I know he came down with the flu and then he got nailed by a ball in warmups. Carpenter did look pretty good though, we just have to start taking advantage of situations. One more timely hit or two and we put up a couple runs early. I'm not going to complain about the strike zone because it was called pretty evenly, our players just have to adjust and they didn't.
Yeah, Pettitte was playing hurt and sick. He wasn't as effective with his pitches, I think its because of that.

[2pac]

At least T Park doesnt argue with the fact that he is the missing link that paleontologists have been searching for.

[Marcus Bryant]

When the 'stros tie up the series will T Park jump off the Cardinals' bandwagon?

[Spurminator]

He sure was quiet during the middle 3 last year....

[T Park]

He sure was quiet during the middle 3 last year....

Hmm, couldn't have been, I was working and had a job?

Nahhhh.

[2pac]

Luckily now that the Cards won, you are unemployed with plenty of free time.

[tlongII]

Pettitte is overrated and that was proven last night.

[King]

The Astros have a great starting rotation - possibly the best in the league - but what's going to end up killing them, is the same thing that killed them all year long. Run support. They don't have a great offense.

Clemens, Oswalt, and Pettitte can pitch great, and give up only 2 runs - but they're probably only going to score one.

[TexasAggie2005]

What the Astros have to do is force St. Louis to go to the bullpen earlier. I'm impressed with their starting pitching (although we could've easily put up a couple more on Carpenter with some more timely hitting). We OWN Isringhausen though, and have fair success against the rest of their bullpen. The games we lose are the ones that their guy pitches eight or nine innings and only gives up a run or two.

[Spurminator]

I still can't believe they brought in Jose Vizcaino.

[Marcus Bryant]

Well, they did take Berkman out of Game 4 of the NLDS when it was tied late. Well, "late" so we thought.

[TexasAggie2005]

They took Berkman out Sunday because Garner wanted a pinch runner and a chance to put it away. And Vizcaino was hitting because he's actually decent at getting on base. Bagwell still doesn't have the power to put it out of the park and Luke Scott didn't make the NLDS roster. We really don't have a whole lot of power on the bench right now.

[Spurminator]

And Vizcaino was hitting because he's actually decent at getting on base.

By what standard is a .299 OBP decent? I suppose compared to pinch hitting with a pitcher, Jose is the choice, but you've got a Hall of Famer on the bench who has delivered in key situations even since coming back from his most recent injury.

If I'm going to go down, I want to go down with the best option... Not Jose Vizcaino. If Jeff Bagwell bats and grounds out, you wouldn't hear anyone say "Damn, we shoulda put Vizcaino up there."

[TexasAggie2005]

By what standard is a .299 OBP decent? I suppose compared to pinch hitting with a pitcher, Jose is the choice, but you've got a Hall of Famer on the bench who has delivered in key situations even since coming back from his most recent injury.

If I'm going to go down, I want to go down with the best option... Not Jose Vizcaino. If Jeff Bagwell bats and grounds out, you wouldn't hear anyone say "Damn, we shoulda put Vizcaino up there."

And Bagwell's 3 for 12 since he came back with a 0.333 OBP and a 0.250 slugging percentage. I love the guy, but I don't know that he's all that useful at this point. Especially not when you still need a couple of hits to tie it up. Bagwell wasn't going to put it out of the park. He doesn't have the power. At least Vizcaino's got wheels.

[Marcus Bryant]

Not that you should reasonably expect a 18 inning game when you are tied late but still, taking him out is hard to defend.

Game might've been over soon in the extra innings if Berkman was left in.

[Spurminator]

I don't expect him to put it out of the park, I just wanted to get to the top of the order. Pinch run Viz if you have to.

[T Park]

We OWN Isringhausen though

If Eckstein throws to second a little calmer, no runs get scored yesterday.

He gave up one bloop hit into left field, and a infield fielders choice (wich would it have been had eckstein not hurried the throw)

Izzy looked good for Izzy last night.

Izzy is not shutdown, but hes still a top 8 closer in the league.

[TexasAggie2005]

I don't expect him to put it out of the park, I just wanted to get to the top of the order. Pinch run Viz if you have to.

Bagwell's no better of a hitter than Vizcaino right now. The guy's still hurt pretty bad. And if you pinch run Vizcaino on a Bagwell hit, you just burned through two guys for virtually no benefit.


Not that you should reasonably expect a 18 inning game when you are tied late but still, taking him out is hard to defend.

Game might've been over soon in the extra innings if Berkman was left in.

And if Berkman had been thrown out on a hit, everyone would be talking about Garner being an idiot. Berkman's SLOW, incredibly slow. And has a tendency to forget what he's supposed to be doing on the basepaths (and in left field, for that matter). I have my disagreements with Garner from time to time, but I don't fault him here. You get a guy in scoring position, you do your best to put the game away. If he'd pinch run for Berkman on first base, I might agree with you. But, it's reasonable to assume the game has a good chance of being over by the time Berkman's spot comes back up.

[TexasAggie2005]

If Eckstein throws to second a little calmer, no runs get scored yesterday.

He gave up one bloop hit into left field, and a infield fielders choice (wich would it have been had eckstein not hurried the throw)

Izzy looked good for Izzy last night.

Izzy is not shutdown, but hes still a top 8 closer in the league.


Isringhausen's good ......... against everyone else. How many saves has he blown against the Astros in the past couple years?

[Trainwreck2100]

Stupid ass Berkman swinging at that shit.

[Marcus Bryant]

Get off the plate, bitch!

[Jimcs50]

OMG!!!

Jim Edmonds is the man.

That catch was one of the best that I have seen this year.

[Jimcs50]

Pujols goes yard.

2-1 Astros

[Spurminator]

Speaking of walking a little slow to first after a homerun........

[Jimcs50]

Roy was dominant in the 7th inning...Burke made the mistake in his positioning, giving up the double on what should have been a fly out. Roy threw heat and got out of the inning w/o any damage.

Lidge time in the 8th.

[Jimcs50]

Burke gets another RBI!!!!

:elephant


I think we have our DH in the World Series...yes?

[Spurminator]

Lane looks like shit this postseason.

(Come on mojo)





Oops, guess I'm late... Forgot I was watching it on DVR delay... :lol

[Jimcs50]

Sanders is hurt. Man he hit the ground with his head hard...you know he has a concussion.

[Marcus Bryant]

4-1 now on the triple by Everett. Sanders' jump into the warning track fails.

[Spurminator]

Looked like he landed on his tailbone.

Ouch.

[Spurminator]

That was a huge inning. If anything happens, by the time the Cards get enough activity on the bases to tie the game, they'll be at the bottom of the order.

[Jimcs50]

Astros are 143-1 when leading by 2 runs in the 8th inning the last 2 yrs.


IT IS OVER!!!

[Horry For 3!]

Looked like he landed on his tailbone.

Ouch.
He also hit his head on the ground hard, you know he has a concussion.

[Jimcs50]

It Is Over!!!!!

[T Park]

Congrats to the Stros.

Fantastic game by Oswalt, fantastic games by Burke and others.

First time since 03 a road team has won.

[TexasAggie2005]

Burke gets another RBI!!!!

:elephant


I think we have our DH in the World Series...yes?

Should we be lucky enough to get to the WS, either Bagwell DH's or Burke starts in left and Lamb DH's. Honestly, I'd go with the latter.

[Spurminator]

I bench Lane at this point.

[Jimcs50]

Glad we got off the schnide with that 0-14 when Astros have runners in scoring position...that could have stayed in their heads even at home.


The Astros are going to be flying home without their plane tonight.....great win for them.

That 2-0 series against the Cards 2 wks ago really worked wonders for their confidence down the stretch, carrying over into this series.

TPark, your Cards have a chance, but I will bet any amt that the Astros have won this series.

[TexasAggie2005]

I bench Lane at this point.

Bench Lane? Why? Who plays right?

And this game isn't over yet, everyone calm down.

[T Park]

your Cards have a chance, but I will bet any amt that the Astros have won this series

You mean like when the Stros were up 3-2 last year when you said that?

Cards will have Suppan and Carpenter going in 4 and 5.

So Id say they are OK.

[T Park]

And this game isn't over yet, everyone calm down

The Astros havent blown a game past the 8th inning in two years.

Lidge = Gagne.

Period.

[Spurminator]

Bench Lane? Why? Who plays right?

And this game isn't over yet, everyone calm down.

Play Palmiero in right.

2B Biggio
CF Tavarez
1B Berkman
3B Ensberg
DH Bagwell/Lamb
LF Burke
RF Palmiero
SS Everett
C Ausmus

Not permanent, but I think Lane could use a day off.

[Jimcs50]

You mean like when the Stros were up 3-2 last year when you said that?

Cards will have Suppan and Carpenter going in 4 and 5.

So Id say they are OK.

I was not confident last year because they had Munro going in game 6 instead of Clemens on 3 days rest. That was a mistake it turned out.

[TexasAggie2005]

Play Palmiero in right.

2B Biggio
CF Taveras (fixed for spelling)
1B Berkman
3B Ensberg
DH Bagwell/Lamb
LF Burke
RF Palmiero
SS Everett
C Ausmus

Not permanent, but I think Lane could use a day off.

HELL NO.

Lane was one of our best power hitters all year (well, by Astros standards). He's a good fielder, too (see the play he made today on that ball?). Ensberg sucked it up today, as well. You want to bench him?

Besides, if we're benching him for a "day off", we don't have a DH spot. We only get one of those if we make it to the Series.

[Spurminator]

Who's talking about today? Have you seen Lane's postseason numbers? Have you watched his at-bats? He looks like a pitcher up there.



Besides, if we're benching him for a "day off", we don't have a DH spot. We only get one of those if we make it to the Series.

It was my understanding that we were talking about the Series.

[Jimcs50]

HELL NO.

Lane was one of our best power hitters all year (well, by Astros standards). He's a good fielder, too (see the play he made today on that ball?). Ensberg sucked it up today, as well. You want to bench him?

Besides, if we're benching him for a "day off", we don't have a DH spot. We only get one of those if we make it to the Series.

That was what I said...in the World Series in the AL park, Burke will be the DH.

[TexasAggie2005]

Who's talking about today? Have you seen Lane's postseason numbers? Have you watched his at-bats? He looks like a pitcher up there.



It was my understanding that we were talking about the Series.

The guy's struggling a little. You don't bench one of your best hitters because he's having a few bad games. Have some patience.

[Jimcs50]

The guy's struggling a little. You don't bench one of your best hitters because he's having a few bad games. Have some patience.


Lane will be in Rt Field...Burke will play left field and DH.

[TexasAggie2005]

That was what I said...in the World Series in the AL park, Burke will be the DH.

Why would you waste Burke's defense and speed as the DH? He's leaps and bounds better than Berkman out there. We don't have him in the offense for his power, even if he's hit a couple long lately.

[Spurminator]

I dispute the suggestion that he is one of our best hitters. He's certainly not irreplaceable for one day. He has decent power numbers but subpar OB numbers.

And I predict that he will get a day off this series.

[Horry For 3!]

Oswalt pitched bad ass like I knew he would :)

[Jimcs50]

Why would you waste Burke's defense and speed as the DH? He's leaps and bounds better than Berkman out there. We don't have him in the offense for his power, even if he's hit a couple long lately.


Lance will be on 1st base.

[Horry For 3!]

The only mistake Oswalt made the whole game was trying to throw a fast ball past Pujols in which he hit a HR.

[Spurminator]

Lance at DH and Lamb at 1B wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[TexasAggie2005]

I dispute the suggestion that he is one of our best hitters. He's certainly not irreplaceable for one day. He has decent power numbers but subpar OB numbers.

And I predict that he will get a day off this series.


It was my understanding that we were talking about the Series.

Make up your mind. This series or the World Series?

Either way, you don't bench him. At the end of the day, he's one of the best hitters in a weak lineup. You really think Palmeiro is a better hitter? Palmeiro???

[TexasAggie2005]

Lance will be on 1st base.

Lance plays left when Burke's not out there. Which is what we were talking about.

[Spurminator]

Don't be an ass. We were talking about the World Series, and I am adding that I believe he will (also) be benched this series.

Palmiero has had big hits for us in his career.

[TexasAggie2005]

Lance at DH and Lamb at 1B wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Finally, an intelligent suggestion. I could go for this, with Burke out in left. Hopefully Garner doesn't give in to sentimental pressure and use Bagwell as our DH.

[TexasAggie2005]

Don't be an ass. We were talking about the World Series, and I am adding that I believe he will (also) be benched this series.

Palmiero has had big hits for us in his career.

I'm not being an ass, you're just not making much sense, in trying to make suggestions and the ideas involved in the suggestions themselves. I honestly can't tell which series you're talking about because you keep changing your mind. And Lane's not getting benched for Palmeiro. Not unless he's hurt or something.

[Jimcs50]

Finally, an intelligent suggestion. I could go for this, with Burke out in left. Hopefully Garner doesn't give in to sentimental pressure and use Bagwell as our DH.


No, Berkman sucks in left field. Leave him at 1st base.

I like Burke starting as DH, then going into Left in 7th inning and bring Bags into the DH spot in the 7th, 8th anf 9th inning. Lane in rt field...Ensberg at 3rd and Lamb subbing in for him there.

[TexasAggie2005]

No, Berkman sucks in left field. Leave him at 1st base.

I like Burke starting as DH, then going into Left in 7th inning and bring Bags into the DH spot in the 7th, 8th anf 9th inning. Lane in rt field...Lamb at 3rd.

HUH???

What are you reading?

Berkman - DH
Burke - LF
Lane - RF
Lamb - 1B
Ensberg - 3B
(in no particular order)

Bagwell - Pinch Hitter

[Jimcs50]

HUH???

What are you reading?

Berkman - DH
Burke - LF
Lane - RF
Lamb - 1B
Ensberg - 3B
(in no particular order)

Bagwell - Pinch Hitter


You do not put your star player on the bench, Berkman will NOT be DH.


Lamb is the weakest hitter...you have him come off the bench to play 1st, 3rd or left, right field

[Spurminator]

Which star player is on the bench in that scenario?

[Spurminator]

By the way, Orlando Palmiero had the 6th best OPS on the team this year, 40 points below Jason Lane. If Lane gets a day off, Palmiero is the ideal replacement.

[T Park]

If I could interrupt the NLCS championship talk for the Stros for 1 minute.

Supposedly Reggie Sanders has a sprained back.

IMO hes toast. Series got bleaker. Of course thats what you get for having an old outfield.

Oh well.

Continue.

[T Park]

Also,

Orlando Palmeiro was the best bench player for the Cardinals Ive seen in my lifetime.

SO if you Stros fans dont want him, Ill bring him back for the backup OF positions, thanks.

[Horry For 3!]

If I could interrupt the NLCS championship talk for the Stros for 1 minute.

Supposedly Reggie Sanders has a sprained back.

IMO hes toast. Series got bleaker. Of course thats what you get for having an old outfield.

Oh well.

Continue.
Did he have a concussion too? It seemed as he would with his head hitting the warning track hard.

[Horry For 3!]

If I could interrupt the NLCS championship talk for the Stros for 1 minute.

Supposedly Reggie Sanders has a sprained back.

IMO hes toast. Series got bleaker. Of course thats what you get for having an old outfield.

Oh well.

Continue.
La Russa also said one of the team doctors had described Sanders' injuries as a ``train wreck.''

``He hit his back, he hit his head, he's got sore spots all over his body,'' La Russa said. ``He's bruised quite a bit all over and we'll see how he feels.''

[TexasAggie2005]

If I could interrupt the NLCS championship talk for the Stros for 1 minute.

Supposedly Reggie Sanders has a sprained back.

IMO hes toast. Series got bleaker. Of course thats what you get for having an old outfield.

Oh well.

Continue.

That sucks. Hope he can make it back. Of course, when he gets back I hope he goes into a slump....

[TexasAggie2005]

By the way, Orlando Palmiero had the 6th best OPS on the team this year, 40 points below Jason Lane. If Lane gets a day off, Palmiero is the ideal replacement.

I have nothing against Palmeiro. I think he's one of our best guys off the bench. I'd just be surprised if Lane gets benched.

And Jim, do you understand the concept of a DH?

[Boulevard1]

Astros need to win Game 3. Morris is a good pitcher but he isn't lights out. They're at home with the momentum, with Clemens on the mound... Game 3 is a must win. That way no matter if they lose Game 4 with Backe they could have Pettitte/Oswalt/Clemens in games 5, 6 and 7 (needing to win 2).

Great game by them tonight.

[midgetonadonkey]

I think this is the best chance the Astros have ever had to get to the Series. I agree that game 3 is a must win. If Clemens is as good as he can be, they need to give him the run support to win it. If game 3 is taken, this series will be over in 6.

[Marcus Bryant]

Astros need to win Game 3. Morris is a good pitcher but he isn't lights out. They're at home with the momentum, with Clemens on the mound... Game 3 is a must win. That way no matter if they lose Game 4 with Backe they could have Pettitte/Oswalt/Clemens in games 5, 6 and 7 (needing to win 2).

Great game by them tonight.


That's been my rule of thumb. They should win 2 of the 3 consecutive starts of Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens. Do that twice in a series and you win.

[Jimcs50]

And Jim, do you understand the concept of a DH?


Hellooo????? My favorite player and the one that I think has a shot at AL MVP is Ortiz....a DH....duh.

Berkman does not want to go to "bench" defensively...that is my point.

[TexasAggie2005]

Hellooo????? My favorite player and the one that I think has a shot at AL MVP is Ortiz....a DH....duh.

Berkman does not want to go to "bench" defensively...that is my point.

Berkman DOES want to be benched defensively. He's a hitter, first and foremost. He's not a "star" on defense. The man admits to daydreaming about hitting while he's out in the field. He commonly forgets how many outs there are. Ausmus used to give him crap because he'd start jogging in when there were only two outs every so often. Trust me on this, he might as well be a DH, he's not in our lineup for his defense.

[TexasAggie2005]

P.S. If your favorite player is a Red Sox player, you have no business being an Astros fan. I hate the Red Sox and the stinkin' East Coast media love they get.

[Horry For 3!]

Reggie Sanders says he is going to play game 3.

[T Park]

No Reggie Sanders.

So Taguchi in his place today. Taguchi supposedly has hit Clemens well.



I just heard also, that no Taveras, but Burke in center, and Lamb at 1st and Berkman in left?!?!?

Why would Garner take out Taveras, he was IMO one of the big reasons the Astros are were they are.

[TexasAggie2005]

No Reggie Sanders.

So Taguchi in his place today. Taguchi supposedly has hit Clemens well.



I just heard also, that no Taveras, but Burke in center, and Lamb at 1st and Berkman in left?!?!?

Why would Garner take out Taveras, he was IMO one of the big reasons the Astros are were they are.

Garner's pulling Taveras? And putting Burke in center? The man moves people around a little too much for my tastes. I really don't like Berkman in left either. Besides, Taveras has one of the best OBP on our team.

Is Larry Walker playing?

[Horry For 3!]

Garner's pulling Taveras? And putting Burke in center? The man moves people around a little too much for my tastes. I really don't like Berkman in left either. Besides, Taveras has one of the best OBP on our team.

Is Larry Walker playing?
Yeah Larry Walker is playing.

Stros are up 3 - 2

[TexasAggie2005]

Yeah Larry Walker is playing.

Stros are up 3 - 2

Thanks, but I'm watching the game. I can tell he's playing now. :lol

Stros 4 - Cards 2 now

[Marcus Bryant]

Bottom of 9th
2 out

Astros 4
Cards 2

Runner on 2nd

1-2 to Mabry

Lidge on the hill

[Marcus Bryant]

Mabry doubles to left. Runner scores.

4-3 Astros.

[Marcus Bryant]

Stros win!

:)

[mavsfan1000]

Hell yeah. The Stros kick ass.

[Horry For 3!]

2 - 1 Stros in the series :smokin

[Jimcs50]

You do not put your star player on the bench, Berkman will NOT be DH.


Lamb is the weakest hitter...you have him come off the bench to play 1st, 3rd or left, right field


Do I know my shit or what?

BATTING
2B: M Lamb (1, M Morris); A Everett (1, J Tavarez)
HR: M Lamb (1, 4th inning off M Morris 1 on, 0 Out)
RBI: M Lamb 2 (2), J Lane (1)


:lol

[Jimcs50]

I bench Lane at this point.


BATTING
2B: M Lamb (1, M Morris); A Everett (1, J Tavarez)
HR: M Lamb (1, 4th inning off M Morris 1 on, 0 Out)
RBI: M Lamb 2 (2), J Lane (1)

You know your stuff too, eh Spurm?

:)

[King]

Injuries are just going to kill St. Louis. It's been their problem all year.

Reggie Sanders - their hottest hitter - gets hurt in game two.

Abraham Nunez - an injury fill-in playing well - gets hurt, and his replacement promptly lets in a run on an error.

Not to say the Astros aren't playing damn well. Their pitching is just ridiculous.

[Boulevard1]

Man a Game 4 win would put a stranglehold on the series :smokin

[Horry For 3!]

Game 4, Backe vs Suppan

Lets Go Backe! Go Stros!

[Sense]

Chi and Stros would be the best WS and the most entertainin to see.

[T Park]

Abraham Nunez - an injury fill-in playing well - gets hurt

I was working at the time, didn't know he got hurt.

Not suprising.

This team is cursed, like the 02 team, the 87 team, the 85 team, hell last year's team with Carpenter getting hurt had its bad luck.

Not suprising. The Cardinals can never have a healthy team going into post season.

[Jimcs50]

Game 4, Backe vs Suppan

Lets Go Backe! Go Stros!


It is amazing that with 30 something starts this year, Suppan has not pitched against the Astros this year. This could favor St Louis. This is the only game that I feel the Cards can win the rest of the way. Andy will be 100% in game 5, and will not let Carpenter get the best of him again and Roy was awesome the last start.

Looks like Astros in 6 max.

[T Park]

of course not......

[TexasAggie2005]

It is amazing that with 30 something starts this year, Suppan has not pitched against the Astros this year. This could favor St Louis. This is the only game that I feel the Cards can win the rest of the way. Andy will be 100% in game 5, and will not let Carpenter get the best of him again and Roy was awesome the last start.

Looks like Astros in 6 max.

I feel the Cards can win any number of the four possible games remaining. Backe's been having trouble, Andy could still be hurt (and he has to go up against the best pitcher in the NL not on the Astros roster), Roy's game will be in St. Louis, and Roger hasn't been Roger in a while. Let's not get cocky, we're up 2-1, but it could easily be even after today. Besides, who knows when our offense is going to abandon us again.

[Horry For 3!]

Fuck yes! Astros win!

[Horry For 3!]

Astros lead the series 3-1 now, Pettitte vs Carpenter tomorrow.

[Low End Specialist]

That double-play was incredible.

[King]

Son of a bitch.

Nice turn by the Astros, though.

[Marcus Bryant]

I was working at the time, didn't know he got hurt.

Not suprising.

This team is cursed, like the 02 team, the 87 team, the 85 team, hell last year's team with Carpenter getting hurt had its bad luck.

Not suprising. The Cardinals can never have a healthy team going into post season.


Excuses, excuses...

[clooneyschick04]

Now that was an un-freakin-believable double play! :elephant :elephant

[atlfan25]

Simply Fantastic 9th Inning

[Horry For 3!]

Simply Fantastic 9th Inning
Damn right. Lidge got me scared but I knew he could get out of it.

[Brutalis]

I feel sorry for the Cardinals. They're a franchise known for injuries and bad timing. Then having Tony and Jim thrown out was just sorta comming. Doesnt help they're facing a force just as strong as they are. (were) They always seem to get the short end of the stick.

The Astros just want to win. They wanna be in the WS and they're playing with nothing to lose. They are showing the killer instinct and I dont see the Angels or Sox beating them if they make it there.

[Marcus Bryant]

LaRussa and Edmonds deserved it.

http://www.americanlegends.com/politicians/truman.jpg

Can't stand the heat? Well,...

[Trooper 2112]

Now that was an un-freakin-believable double play! :elephant :elephant
ditto

[Jimcs50]

I feel the Cards can win any number of the four possible games remaining. Backe's been having trouble, Andy could still be hurt (and he has to go up against the best pitcher in the NL not on the Astros roster), Roy's game will be in St. Louis, and Roger hasn't been Roger in a while. Let's not get cocky, we're up 2-1, but it could easily be even after today. Besides, who knows when our offense is going to abandon us again.

I am cocky because I know a great team when I see one and this Astros team is the best team right now. They have a never say die attitude and they claw and fight for every win....I love this team's grit.

There is no way in hell that the Cardinals can do what my Red Sox did in 03, and that is win 3 straight games to win a series.


The Astros are WS bound, baby.....I am going to my first World Series.


:elephant

[Spurminator]

I am 100% sure the Cardinals will win out. All they have to do is beat Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens. No sweat. Cards in 7.

[Sense]

I am 100% sure the Cardinals will win out. All they have to do is beat Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens. No sweat. Cards in 7.


:wtf
ok buddy.

[Jimcs50]

I am 100% sure the Cardinals will win out. All they have to do is beat Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens. No sweat. Cards in 7.


Spurm=TPark

[Jimcs50]

The Astros have it cinched...I dare the baseball gods to show me anything different...comon, give me your best jinxing......the Astros are the NL champs........St Louis has NO shot...none, nada, zip.....zero......


The Cards are finished, kaput, dead meat, stick a fork in them......


Astros=NL pennant winners for 2005!!!!!

[TexasAggie2005]

I am cocky because I know a great team when I see one and this Astros team is the best team right now. They have a never say die attitude and they claw and fight for every win....I love this team's grit.

There is no way in hell that the Cardinals can do what my Red Sox did in 03, and that is win 3 straight games to win a series.

The Astros are WS bound, baby.....I am going to my first World Series.

You've gotta be kidding me. We've barely won the past two games and they could've easily gone to the Cards. I love how you waited to post this until after we barely won it in the ninth. They've still got Carpenter going tomorrow and then two possible games at home, it's not over yet.

You're a disgrace to baseball fans, Astros fans especially. Quit jumping on everyone's damn bandwagon. And if a tool like you gets World Series tickets........

[Brutalis]

I am 100% sure the Cardinals will win out. All they have to do is beat Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens. No sweat. Cards in 7.
Cards will win the next game for sure. I dunno about another one tho.

[Sense]

Astros are gonna win, I'm not certain in which of the next two...


But Oswalt can finish a series ending game.

[T Park]

There is no way in hell that the Cardinals can do what my Red Sox did in 03

Why not?? Things set up for it.

Carpenter going tommarow, if you win that game you come home VS Oswalt, sure he beat you last time, but its a second time around so who knows, then you just have to get it to a game 7.

Remember, the Cardinals were down 3-2 going home last night.

If the Cardinals can pull out the game tommarow they win this series, from help from the home crowd and momentum.

But the team looks beat.

Key guys are hurt, balls are bouncing the wrong way, balls that usually go fair stay foul or the other way around.

THat Pujols ball today pretty much summed up the NLCS, so close, but turns the other way.

Props to the Astros pitching again, Backe, Qualls, Wheeler and Lidge were unhittable.

If the Astros beat the Cardinals, they will beat the White Sox in 5, easilly.

The Astro's pitching when on, is unbeatable.

Clemens Pettite Oswalt is almost a gauranteed 3 game win in a series.

If the Astros win, l'll definately be rooting for them in the WS, I like Biggio, I like Berkman, Cant help but like Berkman him being texas born and raised, although you must question the intelligence, playing flag football in the offseason.

Im not giving up on the Cards, but if they do, you will have no bigger supporter than me in the WS, the Astros are class all the way, and they are easily my second favorite NL team.

[Jimcs50]

You've gotta be kidding me. We've barely :lol won the past two games and they could've easily gone to the Cards. I love how you waited to post this until after we barely won it in the ninth. They've still got Carpenter going tomorrow and then two possible games at home, it's not over yet.

You're a disgrace to baseball fans, Astros fans especially. Quit jumping on everyone's damn bandwagon. And if a tool like you gets World Series tickets........


What the fuck is your problem????

Would you like to ask Kori if I have been an Astros fan for over 20 yrs??? I was at the 86 series with the Mets and saw Mike Scott dominate the Mets in the Dome. Joe Sambito was my favorite player as well as JR Richard...so just STFU. Calling me a bandwagoner just shows how totally ignorant you really are. You are a disgrace to the Aggies because you are so fucking stupid.

I have known her for over 6 yrs and she has known that I was a fan since I have known her. Also ask Travis, Cosmic Cowboy, Crazy and any others that have been in Spurs forum with me since 99.

And stop this "we" crap...you have been betting AGAINST the Astros every game in vBookie...you are the one that is not a fan...you stupid prick.

Yes, I am going to WS, because I love my team, and I can afford to...you got a problem with that????

[Jimcs50]

Why not?? Things set up for it.

Carpenter going tommarow, if you win that game you come home VS Oswalt, sure he beat you last time, but its a second time around so who knows, then you just have to get it to a game 7.

Remember, the Cardinals were down 3-2 going home last night.

If the Cardinals can pull out the game tommarow they win this series, from help from the home crowd and momentum.

But the team looks beat.

Key guys are hurt, balls are bouncing the wrong way, balls that usually go fair stay foul or the other way around.

THat Pujols ball today pretty much summed up the NLCS, so close, but turns the other way.

Props to the Astros pitching again, Backe, Qualls, Wheeler and Lidge were unhittable.

If the Astros beat the Cardinals, they will beat the White Sox in 5, easilly.

The Astro's pitching when on, is unbeatable.

Clemens Pettite Oswalt is almost a gauranteed 3 game win in a series.

If the Astros win, l'll definately be rooting for them in the WS, I like Biggio, I like Berkman, Cant help but like Berkman him being texas born and raised, although you must question the intelligence, playing flag football in the offseason.

Im not giving up on the Cards, but if they do, you will have no bigger supporter than me in the WS, the Astros are class all the way, and they are easily my second favorite NL team.

TPark, I commend you for staying confident. I would too if I were you..you, like me are a hopeless romantic.

Carry on.

[Spurminator]

You know your stuff too, eh Spurm?

:)


It appears my Reverse Mojo works on individual players as well...

Hmmm.





Morgan Ensberg sucks. Start Mike Lamb at third from now on and bring Ensberg off the bench behind Vizcaino.

[King]

Jim - it's looking like the Astros will win - but they haven't dominated a single game they've won. Last night's game was literally about two inches from going into extra innings, and possibly 2-2. Astros are definitely in the driver's seat - but discounting the Cards just yet is pretty naive. Their bats have been quiet - but they can wake up, and wake up quick and loud.

[Jimcs50]

Jim - it's looking like the Astros will win - but they haven't dominated a single game they've won. Last night's game was literally about two inches from going into extra innings, and possibly 2-2. Astros are definitely in the driver's seat - but discounting the Cards just yet is pretty naive. Their bats have been quiet - but they can wake up, and wake up quick and loud.


The close wins make me think that destiny is about.

That is why I am so freaking confident.

:)

[Spurminator]

Buck Harvey: Before you party: Chaos can always turn for the Cards
Web Posted: 10/17/2005 12:00 AM CDT

San Antonio Express-News

HOUSTON — Before you book the first Texas World Series, wait. Before you think Pettitte-Oswalt-Clemens can't help but win one of the next three games, revisit the chaos of Sunday.

Then, in the ninth inning, Brad Ausmus wasn't sure what was going on around him. Albert Pujols had stepped on a toe trying to score, and Ausmus was bent over in pain.

Brad Lidge held the ball then, and he had reason to relax. The ump was bent over, brushing dirt off home plate.

But behind them, as various Astros tried in vain to call time in the noise, the game kept going. Larry Walker, the Cardinals' right fielder, went from second base to third.

Before you book the first Texas World Series, remember this chaos.

That's how these games are being decided.

The Cardinals lean on this hope, because it's about all they have. If they lose tonight, then the best team in baseball will be eliminated with its first four-game losing streak of the season.

So these Cardinals aren't used to losing, which is likely a reason they raged about balls and strikes Sunday. Tony La Russa was ejected for arguing with the home-plate ump, Phil Cuzzi, and Jim Edmonds left, too, in the middle of an at-bat.

As is the code of this game, little was directly said afterward. The Cardinals said, instead, if you watched the game, then you know.

If you watched the game, you mostly knew that nobody could hit anybody. But that's what makes these games so unpredictable. When the slightest nuance can change a game, then nearly anything is possible.

The Astros will be remembered for slapping together a game-ending double play, for example. But an earlier lineup change meant far more. Then Phil Garner subbed Willy Taveras to run for Orlando Palmeiro in the seventh.

That moved worked perfectly. Morgan Ensberg hit a medium-deep fly to center, and Taveras' speed is what beat Edmonds' throw to the plate.

Garner also wanted Taveras' glove in the game, but did even Garner know this move would be so dramatic? In the eighth it was. Then Edmonds got his ejection on a 3-2 count, and that sent a pinch hitter named John Rodriguez to the plate for one pitch.

Talk about chaos. But Rodriguez, cold and dismissed, fouled off a couple of pitches before launching a drive to deep center.

The starting center fielder this day, Chris Burke, likely wouldn't have gotten there. Besides, this ball went all the way to the elevated terrace, meaning Burke might have stumbled.

Taveras, instead, made the catch. Little wonder the Cardinals wanted to yell at someone Sunday. Does every move have to go the Astros' way?

Then came the ninth inning, as well as a reason the Cardinals have a chance. They've been able to get their bats on Lidge the past two games.

The Cardinals are as amazed as anyone. La Russa says Lidge "ranks up there with best," and Walker went further. Lidge is the best he's seen in his 17 years.

So Pujols felt blessed to drop to an 0-2 count, then push a Lidge pitch into right field. But then came another Astros' break. The ball sharply bounced off Taveras — and went directly to Houston right fielder Jason Lane.

Walker followed by lining a 3-2 slider down the first-base line, and the same Cardinals that won 100 games this season had runners on first and third with no outs. They had to feel good then, right?

Again from Walker: "With Lidge, you never feel good until you touch home plate."

Maybe that's why Pujols took off from third on a Reggie Sanders' bouncer. He wanted to at least touch home plate, even if he was out in doing so.

The mistake was eliminated, however, because Walker kept going from first. With Ausmus limping and the ump dusting, Walker went into the third standing up.

That meant the Cardinals still had runners on first and third with only one out. But then the Astros made the kind of double play that teams make on their way to the World Series.

They just haven't had to make them for Lidge. He had induced two double plays all season before Sunday.

And that's what Walker talked about afterward. "In games like these," he said, "it becomes a matter of who gets the break at the right time."

The Astros could get a few more tonight, especially with another reliable arm, especially in this ballpark that has blessed the Astros this season.

But when the difference can be so slight? When the chaos can be so real?

Before you book the first Texas World Series, wait.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]

[TexasAggie2005]

The close wins make me think that destiny is about.

That is why I am so freaking confident.

:)

There's no such thing as destiny. And I still maintain that anyone who loves the freakin' Red Sox so much, acts like he knows nothing about baseball, posts like he knows nothing about the Astros, and in general acts like a 12 year old kid is a disgrace. We haven't even come close to dominating in this series and it could turn today. Go back to Boston, bandwagoner.

P.S. You think putting vBookie money on the Cards makes me less of a Stros fan? It's FAKE money. Besides, I only do it to give me something to be mildly happy about if we lose. It's called a victory tax, although it obviously works better with real money. What's sad is that you went and looked up what I've bet FAKE money on.

[Jimcs50]

There's no such thing as destiny. And I still maintain that anyone who loves the freakin' Red Sox so much, acts like he knows nothing about baseball, posts like he knows nothing about the Astros, and in general acts like a 12 year old kid is a disgrace. We haven't even come close to dominating in this series and it could turn today. Go back to Boston, bandwagoner.

P.S. You think putting vBookie money on the Cards makes me less of a Stros fan? It's FAKE money. Besides, I only do it to give me something to be mildly happy about if we lose. It's called a victory tax, although it obviously works better with real money. What's sad is that you went and looked up what I've bet FAKE money on.

The players believe in destiny, so it exists and drives them, if only in their psyches.

The Red Sox have been my team since I was 7 yrs old, my grandfather played for their organization, my dad has been a fan for 70 yrs, thus I was brainwashed into being their fan from Texas.

My love for Houston came when I moved to College Station and I got to go to Astros games in 1985.

They are in 2 leagues, they never played each other, so in baseball you can have love for 2 different teams without having any harsh decisions unless they meet in the WS, which the Astros were 1 game away from doing that in 86 and 04.

And I know more about baseball then you have ever known or hope to know. I do not know where you get your info from, but try to get someone else to agree with you and I will kiss your ass.

It is not hard to see that you are betting against the Astros because you mentioned it. I read the posts in this forum, so I read your posts and I found it odd that someone claims to be a fan and bets his fake money against them. I can understand betting real money against your team, but not fake money. How much pleasure can one derive from winning fake money when his team is eliminated from the playoffs????? If you win a few hundred real dollars if your team loses, at least you can go buy liquor and drown your sorrows...but fake money???

I bet you do not even go to A&M, because I thought one had to have some intelligence to attend that school.

[Jimcs50]

Cardinals are favorites tonight...unbelievable.

I can not pass up this bet, although it smells like a trap.

1) BET ID=33401444
Straight Wager 10/17/05 14:32 ET
100.00/127.00 Result: Pending
Cardinals(StLouis) (Carpenter)
Astros(Houston) (Pettitte) 10/17/05 (20:30 ET)
Astros(Houston) +127

[Jimcs50]

TPark, here is your chance to win money on your team:

Odds to win World Series:

Chicago White Sox 5-7


Houston Astros 3-2


St Louis Cardinals 12-1

[TexasAggie2005]

They are in 2 leagues, they never played each other, so in baseball you can have love for 2 different teams without having any harsh decisions unless they meet in the WS, which the Astros were 1 game away from doing that in 86 and 04.

And I know more about baseball then you have ever known or hope to know. I do not know where you get your info from, but try to get someone else to agree with you and I will kiss your ass.

It is not hard to see that you are betting against the Astros because you mentioned it. I read the posts in this forum, so I read your posts and I found it odd that someone claims to be a fan and bets his fake money against them. I can understand betting real money against your team, but not fake money. How much pleasure can one derive from winning fake money when his team is eliminated from the playoffs????? If you win a few hundred real dollars if your team loses, at least you can go buy liquor and drown your sorrows...but fake money???

I bet you do not even go to A&M, because I thought one had to have some intelligence to attend that school.

I find it hard to believe anyone can be this stupid. Half the people posting in this thread disagree with you. You keep trying to jinx us. Congrats, apparently it worked today. And you're the one who's making a big deal out of betting fake money, I'm just doing it to screw around. Why don't you explain how it makes me less of a fan to bet fake money against my team? Why don't you explain why you care so much about what I bet fake money on?

If you want an example of why you know nothing about baseball, here it is: you think Berkman's a great defender. You called putting him at DH benching a star player. Garner would love to not have to play Berkman in the field, he's a huge liability. Unfortunately, he'd probably go with Bagwell as DH for sentimental reasons and Berkman would have to play in the field.

A real Astros fan's not going to claim some loser from an East Coast team as his favorite player. Did you watch the NLCS last year? Probably not, no one did because all everyone cares about is freakin' Yanks-Sox. I jumped for joy when the Red Sox lost this year, just so I didn't have to hear everyone talk forever about them at the expense of the Astros.

As for being an Ag, you're welcome to come here and have a look at my ring or my diploma on the wall. But I'm done with this thread. Feel free to respond, I'll probably read it, but this is quickly becoming pointless.

[Jimcs50]

If you want an example of why you know nothing about baseball, here it is: you think Berkman's a great defender. You called putting him at DH benching a star player. Garner would love to not have to play Berkman in the field, he's a huge liability. Unfortunately, he'd probably go with Bagwell as DH for sentimental reasons and Berkman would have to play in the field.

A real Astros fan's not going to claim some loser from an East Coast team as his favorite player. Did you watch the NLCS last year? Probably not, no one did because all everyone cares about is freakin' Yanks-Sox. I jumped for joy when the Red Sox lost this year, just so I didn't have to hear everyone talk forever about them at the expense of the Astros.

.

Show me where I said Berkman was a great or even a good defender. Please. If you find that quote from me, I will send you a bottle of a fine wine just to show you that I made a mistake with you. Deal?

I said that you do not bench your star player, that was my quote.

If your star player is on the "bench" instead of being in the field like he always is, then that is "benching" him.

Lance is by far, the Astros best player, and to take him out of half the game is an insult to your best player. That is my opinion. He can play decent in right field and at 1st base, so I felt that it would not be in the best interests of the team to take him out of the game and only use him at batting, because he is the star of the team and the star should not be the one relegated to the bench.

What loser from what East coast team are you referring to?

Who disagrees with me and what do they disagree with me about??? You have me confused here.

And if you do have a college degree, I find it preposterous and totally absurd that you believe in jinxes...seriously...tell me you are kidding about that...I worry about Texas A&M if they actually let someone get a degree from there that believes in jinxes. Do you believe in the tooth fairy too?

[Jimcs50]

Top of 9th
Runs: 3
Hits: 2
Errors: 0
- Cardinals ninth.
- Lidge pitching.
- Rodriguez pinch-hitting for Luna.
- Rodriguez struck out.
- Mabry struck out.
- Eckstein singled to left.
- On defensive indifference, Eckstein to second.
- Edmonds walked.
- Pujols homered to left on a 0-1 count, Eckstein scored, Edmonds scored.
- Sanders struck out.


Just 1 freaking strike away from the World Series.

:cuss :cuss :bang :bang :pctoss :pctoss