Go Astros

[Deserve]

We actually moved past the first round. Way to long in coming.

Onward to St. Louis

[emartin10]

I hope the Stros do well, they made some great moves and have a great team. I hope they give the Cards a hell of a time.

[Deserve]

The bullpen is like watching a train wreck in slow motion but like all true fans I have high hopes. Altanta has owned us for a long time I feel if we can win against them the the sky is truely the limit. Sometimes things just work out.

[Lou Schuler]

Hey Deserve,

I'm happy for the Astros, even though it's scary to see my Cardinals go up against a team with the 'Stros' talent and momentum.

A writer at Baseball Prospectus had a funny line (which I'm going to try to repeat from memory):

"That plinking sound you hear is Scott Boras' drool hitting the floor every time Carlos Beltran steps up to the plate."

For non-baseball fans, Beltran is a superstar on the Astros heading for free agency. Boras is the devil (aka, Beltran's agent).

I've really enjoyed the 'Stros' run. Clemens is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and Bagwell's been among the best the last decade.

I'll still root against them, but they're the best kind of opponent. You have to respect them.

[OldGuy]

Both series are going to be fun to watch. The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is second to none. And the Cardinals and the Astros have been playing good ball the last few years and are looking for some recognition.

I'm calling a Cardinal-Red Sox World Series.

[Deserve]

Lou,

I love the fact we are playing the Cardinals. The match up may not be as compelling as NY and Boston but like our American league counterparts we too are two high powered offenses and long time divisional foes going at it for the right to go to the World Series. Just not at it quite as long. You have to start somewhere. At least this makes for great drama in this Astro fans house. I can personally guarantee at least one pillow will be thrown at the TV in my house at some point. Usually around the time some announcer starts droning on about our previous playoff ineptness.

St. Louis has a definite edge and but I believe the match up that will decide the series is the Houston bullpen versus St. Louis’ modern day adaptation of the Gas House Gang. Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, Renteria, and Walker are intimidating to say the least.

Good luck to all St. Louis fans. It will be fun.

[RedLefty]

Deserve, I actually think the key is not so much Houston's bullpen, but how Backe and Munro will handle the load of potentially pitching two games each against St. Louis.

Even if Clemens and Oswalt are lights out and win their games, one of those other guys needs to come through for the 'Stros to pull it out. My money's on Backe winning at least one game, and pitching tough in his other. I'm not so confident in Munro, but he has the advantage of being an unknown to the Cardinals.

All I know is that being a Houstonian, this is a very exciting time! Fortunately my wife is a baseball nut too. Last week, when Berkman missed the cutoff man and the batter took second base, she lamented.. "Lance, you just took away the double play!". I'm a lucky guy. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Deserve]

I should amend my statement. The entirety of the pitching staff concerns me. The way the rotation has lined up I don’t believe that Munro will get more than one start. (You’re right if he steps it would be huge.) What is more concerning to me is that the rest of the pitching staff will have to go on 3 days rest at some point. With a potent St. Louis lineup, a taxing Atlanta series, and a suspect bullpen that has catastrophic potential.

All I ask for is a split in St. Louis. We bring in home with the series tied I believe we have a great shot at taking it. Either way I’ll be wearing my replica jersey and Berkman National League All-Star t-shirt in front of the TV tonight cheering and fretting. I live across from the high school that Woody Williams went to. I might have to through some voodoo on it on the way home tonight.

P.S. My wife's the same way. I did it right marrying her.

[RedLefty]

You're in Cy-Fair, huh? Cool! I'm in SW Houston (Westbury).

I'm teaching a class at church tonight, but should get home by the fourth or fifth inning and will be glued to the tube (my first time seeing the Astros in High-Def!).

Watching last night's game, I was struck with the obvious fact that the American League has a couple of awfully strong ballclubs as well. It's going to be a tough, tough road if they're to be World Series champs, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

[Deserve]

AARRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH. The Astros bullpen is driving me nuts. I think I'm only going to watch when we are hitting.

Yeah I'm in Cy-Fair. I like this part of town.

[bkred]

Why'd the 'Stros take their starter out when they did? He had a couple of bad breaks and pitches but it looked like the Cards were having trouble with him. Certainly more than they had with the relief pitchers.

I'm hoping for a Cards (everying good) vs. Yankees (evil empire) World Series.

Game 2 tonight should be a good one.

[Deserve]

Backe was pitching on 3 days rest for the first time in his career. So I understand pulling him when he was starting to scuffle but the relief pitchings inability to get an out is just frustrating.

[bkred]

I read an article at Noon that said Houston's manager is keeping an eye on the weather for tonight's game. Evidently there's a possibility of rain in St. Louis tonight. The thinking is that a rainout would allow Houston to start Roger Clemens in game two.

[Deserve]

Down 0-2. My good guys are off to a slow start. We should be able to claw a little back with our two horses (Oswalt and Clemens)on full rest at home.

Gotta believe.

[RedLefty]

Sorry Lou, but the 'Stros are comin' back to St. Lou-ey only needing to take one of two to get to their first World Series.

I really respect the Cardinals (except Tavarez, who I hope enjoys his time pouting in the dugout with a cast on his hand). Woody pitched a heck of a game last night in front of many friends/family.

Go 'Stros!

[Deserve]

One more. All we need is one more. I may have to sneak out early today to watch.

That was one of the best games I've watched.
- Dueling 1 hitters against two of the nastiest lineups around.
- Two home town boys.
- Great Defense (Ensberg, Rolen, Beltran, and Pujol)
- Walk off homerun.
- My team won for once.

Unfortunately, that game is over and now we have today. I'll be watching and I know that St Louis is to good to give up. These guys are fierce.

[I. Kay]

I'm with you, my man. If the Astros are there, I'm going for them, whether they face the Sox or the Yanks. I hate the Sox, the Yanks are playing like over-paid losers, and the Astros are just plain likeable, especially with my favorite player of all time, Roger.

[Deserve]

2 hours to game time.

[Deserve]

Congratulation to Lou and any other Cardinals fan out there. It was a great series and ya'll earned the right to represent the National League. Now go out there and make me proud.

[RedLefty]

Amen, Congrats Lou, and good luck to the Cardinals in the World Series. They proved over the first 162 games that they are probably the best team in baseball -- now we'll see if they can prove it over the next week. Those Sox sure have a lot of heart.

It's sure a different series with Pettite and Wade Miller healthy, but "what if's" never got anybody anywhere. That's why they play the games...

[Kevin T.]

nice pick old guy