Astros Swept by the Cubs : Season Over?
No, the Astros aren't mathematically eliminated from the post season and there's still a chance they could make it. But they just got swept by the 16 games under .500 Chicago Cubs after losing a series to the San Diego Padres. After winning 4 straight, the Astros have now lost 5 straight dropping their record to a measly 57-63. Andy Pettitte pitched great today going the distance and giving up only 4 hits, one run(a solo blast from Barrett in the 6th) with 7 strike outs. But his mound opponent Ryan O'Malley making his Major League debut for the Cubs was better, going 8 innings, giving up 5 hits and no runs. O'Malley is so new, when you go to MLB.com and look up his name in the stats, you get this.
No information on the player was found. If you prefer, you may try to locate another Major League Baseball player..
The Astros now sit 6.5 games back in the division and 4 games back in the Wild Card race. After being just 1 1/2 off the Wild Card pace earlier in the week and coming off a 4 game win streak, things were looking good for the Astros. Not anymore. Things look as bad as ever. Now the Astros head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers for 4 games and then Cincinnati for 3 and then Pittsburgh for 4. If the Astros aren't leading the Wild Card after this, they might as well hang it up. If the Astros are a good team, good enough to make the playoffs, they should mop up the Carlos Lee-less Brewers, at least win the series against the Reds, and then mop up the 2nd to last place Pittsburgh Pirates. Of these next 11 games, if they need to at least win 8 of them. That takes us into September where the schedule starts off facing the Mets for 3 games and ending with the Braves. We need to have a firm grasp on the Wildcard before September gets here. The one good thing about September is we sort of control our own fate, facing the Phillies and Reds (both ahead of us in the Wildcard) and the Cardinals who still lead the NL Central. Currently there are 5 teams ahead of us in the Wildcard and none are more than 3 games above 500.
Here's a thought, since phil loves lights out so much, fire him. Send bradley to AAA, and bring back Bagwell as manager. Why not?
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I think that would be a little extreme even though Brad is the worst pitcher on the Astros staff right now.. I was surprised,but it's true..the only pitcher on the Astros roster right now with worse ERA than Lidge is Hirsh who's only had 1 appearance. I don't think Garner needs to be fired.. and I'm not real sure Lidge can be sent back down w/out having to clear waivers..
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and i'm pretty sure Bagwell wouldn't be the best manager to choose either, he was a lead by example type of guy. Not really sure if he would be a guy that would be a great manager, arguing w/ the ref's, kicking dirt and throwing his hat. Maybe when he gets a little older but not right now. Plus w/ that bad shoulder could he even throw a base?
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