Now’s the best time of the baseball season, the beginning of spring training. Everyone, even Cubs fans, think they have a chance to win the World Series. I’m the same way with the Astros. This is our year. I don’t care the Mets signed Santana, (what does playing Black Magic Woman have to do with baseball?) The Astros will have one of the best offenses in the NL. Pitching is going to surprise people. Maybe we have to bring back Nolan Ryan and Mike Scott, but things will be better. Watch the young guns. Mark my words, at least one player you’ve never heard of will break through on the mound.
This might be my last blog. I let it slip around the office in Chicago that I’m doing an Astros blog, so if the word spreads, I might be in fear for my life. Then again, what’s to be scared of when the mascot is a little furry teddy bear? Not even full grown. Do men get embarrassed when they root root root for the Cubbies? Just kidding Kim, keep me anonymous.
To answer a comment on a previous blog, Popeye ate spinach so BIOYA!
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13 comments:
I'll have you that the little cubs have Big Sticks. And it is quite possible that Sweet Lou will show Coop a thing or two.
As for Spring Training....I nearly peed my pants. I too had my first full baseball practice today and I can't wait for the season.
Astros or Cubs?.....I hope both. It would be a great NLCS. My hope is the Mets sink, the Cards plunge and oh yeah....Griffey out in 30.
Too all those who Pudding wrestle....or at least watch large friends pudding wrestle.....
PLAY BALL!!!
By the way.....for a good Trade....we can send some pitching south......I think we have 7 starters.
Would Brian Roberts in Cub uniform make you shake? it may or may not happen but I'll be in a tavern somewhere on opening day and chances are it's not for the Hot Buttery P-Corn.
Todd
BTW....How is the NEW,,,,,and Improved Sausage King of Chicago?
I don't know where these "big sticks" I keep hearing about are. If you compare the rosters the Cubs have one position that is statistically better than the Astros, 3B. Every other position is either equal or in the Astros favor. Actually the best bet on the Cubs is a pitcher. Maybe Zambrano should play CF on his off days.
You must be going to the Sears tower too much because you are still in the clouds.
Pence -- Fukudome C'mon. With a name like that. Also he has no issue running into windows
We get Pie and Fuld in the Center spot.....who do you have?
Soriano in Left....Carlos in Left........Does Carlos Steal bases or just break legs of fellow shortstops?
Ramirez vs. Wiggington ---kidding right?
The-Riot vs Tejada. Ok you win that one but he is now off the juice.....so we'll see.
Matsui vs. DeRosa. You might win again.....but We have a Japanese player too
Lee vs Berkman....Lee is better. Berkman is a great player, but Lee is a better pick. Also Lee doesn't run like Steven Seagal.
Soto vs. Ausmus (Towles)...Have you seen Brad's stats? They are something I would see on the way to Wrigley....interstate numbers.
Big Z vs Roy O......Z wins only because of his hitting. About the same on pitching.
Rest of SP. I forgot you have Woody and Backe.......now I am scared.
Top 5 in your order are good. We have 6 that are good and every 5th day a 9th batter that could bat 6th easy.
We have 7 starters right now and 10 rp's. We are ripe fr a great trade to bolster an already great lineup.
Chachi...sigh...they must be putting some strong chemicals in carpet these days.
To start, I'll give you starting pitching and 3rd base. Especially 3rd base, no contest, at least at the plate.
I'll take the bullpen (having the league leader in saves in an off season deal is big) 2nd and SS like you say.
The rest
LF - Soriano vs. Lee
Soriano .299/33/70 19SB...but 130SO in 135 games. Ouch. Also has only hit 100 RBI in his carrer twice
Lee - .302/32/119 10 SB, only 63SO in 162 games. Hit 100 RBI three times in career and is smart enough a player to know that if you're going to break someone's leg, make it the worst offensive player on the team. Offensive got BETTER after that.
I'd take Lee
CF - Pie/Suld - Bourne
um..you do know Pie hit .215 last year with a .271 OBP and has never hit .300 at a higher level than AA? Is he batting 8th?
Bourne - .277 - 18 out of 19 steals, .350 OBP
Bourne's the pick
RF - Fukodome vs. Pence
Fukodome has never hit major league pitching and when he played against top compitition as in the World Baseball Classic only hit .182
Pence .322/17/69 good defense playing out of position.
I think with Fukudome a 31 yr old Rookie vs. Pence who hit .322 as a rook and is only 24, I'll take Pence with a bigger upside...however...I'll give you a push until we see how Fukudome does in NL.
Catcher - Soto vs. Towles
Soto .389/3/8 18 games 14SO in those 18 games has to scare you a bit.
Towles .375/1/12 14 games only 1 SO
Both young, too early to call, I say Push.
That leads us to 1B. Both Lee and Berkman are good players, but statistically Berkman put up better numbers.
Last year:
Lee - .317/22/82
Berkman - .278/34/102
Since Berkman came into the league, season averages:
Lee (excluding 06 when he was out most of the year - .281/30/87
Berkman .300/32/105
Lee hit 100 RBI once in his career
Berkman five times.
Over their career, Berkman has better numbers in .OBP, .SLG, AVG, HR and RBI in 172 less games. I'll take Berkman.
Like I said before, offensively, with the exception of 3B, Astros are equal or better than the Cubs at every position.
Cubs - 3B
Astros, LF, CF, 2B, SS, 1B
Push - C, RF
Should be interesting. Astros are going to score runs, no doubt as I think they are solid 1-8. If your #8 hitter is a .278/22/70 guy, I'm feeling pretty confident.
I guess that's why the play the games, but isn't this a fun part of the season?
Always the optimist! You have to get to a save situation before the closer comes into relevance.
You could have 4 closer with 1000 saves and it wouldn't help your team when thay are behind.
Bullpen (minus the closer) is still the cubs as the combined ERA is far better....if we are going stats.
1B Although Berkman is consistant...so is Lee. Lee had a broken hand in '06....that does crimp his style. Last year he a few issues, however I believe that he is still better....after all he has won a World Series.
Soriano/Lee. I might say push but I still feel the speed and overall ability of Soriano is better. Lee is no chump though.
Center is probably Bourne, however Pie has done very well in winter ball and Fuld is no sissy. Pie has the speed to match Bourne (Not Jason) however hitting is the issue. Again 8th spot is right.
Pence......Dude.....He can't even open a door. But Jury is out. Pence is good but is Fukudome better.......we'll have to see.
Soto is still a better catcher. Offensive wise maybe a push, however you have one of the best in Blanco behind him. Ausmus is no slouch.......probably a manager one day....but we will have to see. I still think Soto is an inch or 2 ahead.
Cubs SP, RP,1B, 3B, Bench
Stros CL, SS, 2B,CF
Push C, RF, LF
Don't forget.....if need be you still have Blum and Erstad.
P.S.
I need Spell check
Oh come on...at best for you 1B is a push, at worst it's Berkman. Remember he's put up most of his numbers after have ACL re-construction so don't give me the "crimp the style" because of Lee's hand. Taking 06 out of the equation, Berkman still has overall better numbers. The furthest I'll go is a push. Dont' forget, Lee is also older and has more at-bats than Berkman..and I'm talking strictly offensive so I'll go with.
Cubs 3B
Astros CF, 2B, SS
Push LF, RF, 1b, C
still supports what I originally said that with the exception of 3B the Astros are equal or ahead at every offensive position.
Ok.. Put your money where your mouth is. What is the wager?
I think that an impartial party such as myself should draw up the lines of these wagers. Money isn't the object here so it should involve humiliation.
If Chachi loses he must spend the entire off-season:
Referring to dog as his better half, drink only Miller Lite for alcohol consumption and wear a Cardinals t-shirt or hat (I will provide) every friday.
If Astros Fan loses:
Cannot eat at a restaurant that offers a drive thru at any location (closing the loop hole) but still giving you Hooters. Grow the stand alone mustache and wear an Astros t-shirt/jersey of Jason Lane/Ensberg/Taverez/Beltran at least once a week in public.
Game on.
As a courtesy to Astro Fans wife I dutifully remove the stand-alone mustache. I know that the drive through is torture enough.
With my job I can't do the drive through. Too much travel for that one to be possible. Sounds like something you give up for lint.
Thanks for pulling back the stand along mustache comment. As you know, my wife would divorce me and I'd have to move into your guest room.
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