And we thought our starting pitching looked rough...

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Even as we lament the spring performance of Rusch and Williams, at least things haven't gotten this bad.

 

Link

 

Brandon Backe was lit up for eight runs in six innings by the Nationals on Sunday.

He surrendered four homers on a day in which the wind was blowing out to center. Backe was also hit hard in his previous start, so his ERA is up to 8.87 now.

[Omar]

Hah... No Clemens, Backe doing a poor job... and on top of that Astros have a pretty bad offense. I think this will be the year we'll be able to hold them off.

[UK1679666180]

I watched the Royals vs the White Sox today, Nomo vs. Snyder. Nomo topped out at about 85 with no movement and Snyder is 6'8" with a FB that sits at about 86, didn't use his curve much, and has a bad change.

 

There were 6 HRs allowed in the 1st 3+ innings. Fort. for the Sox Nomo is not in consideration for any role, b/c his arm is shot, he's done.

[Outshined_One]

I refuse to count out the Astros. Last year's team looked offensively weak, too reliant on a bullpen that was a question mark, and had some health questions in the rotation. Yet, they somehow made the World Series.

 

I'm convinced at this point that Lance Berkman could come into the season weighing 300 pounds, Roy Oswalt could get struck by lightning, and Brad Lidge's shoulder could explode...yet the Astros would still somehow win the Wild Card.

[Shilzzz]

I refuse to count out the Astros. Last year's team looked offensively weak, too reliant on a bullpen that was a question mark, and had some health questions in the rotation. Yet, they somehow made the World Series.

 

hmmm. hopefully the last sentence will work out for another team in the national league central that looks like that.

[Chief_Cardinal]

I refuse to count out the Astros. Last year's team looked offensively weak, too reliant on a bullpen that was a question mark, and had some health questions in the rotation. Yet, they somehow made the World Series.

 

Agree with you. I remember someone here last year laughing because Ensberg was the cleanup hitter.....turns out, that worked out OK for them to.

[Outshined_One]

hmmm. hopefully the last sentence will work out for another team in the national league central that looks like that.

 

The Cardinals? ;)

 

Or perhaps the Brewers? :P

[Mike Scott]

Backe is one of my favorite players. The guy has heart. I saw him pitch a game in Albuquerque with playoff type intensity. Best minor league game I've ever seen. Problem is, I'm not sure how long somebody can sustain that kind of energy. I think that's why he's so inconsistent. He'll have games where he's rocked early and he'll have his fair share of gems. Backe will be fine. It's the fourth and fifth starters that scare me to no end.

[Andy]

I refuse to count out the Astros. Last year's team looked offensively weak, too reliant on a bullpen that was a question mark, and had some health questions in the rotation. Yet, they somehow made the World Series.

 

Agree with you. I remember someone here last year laughing because Ensberg was the cleanup hitter.....turns out, that worked out OK for them to.

IMO Ensberg is quite possibly the most underrated player in the league. He puts up top-tier 3B numbers but never gets mentioned among the best at the position.

[Outshined_One]

IMO Ensberg is quite possibly the most underrated player in the league. He puts up top-tier 3B numbers but never gets mentioned among the best at the position.

 

Two reasons:

 

1) He has Kyle Farnsworth Syndrome. In odd years, he puts up very good numbers and is an excellent 3B. In even years...not so much so. Cripes, he didn't hit a homerun until July in 2004.

 

2) His home/road splits, while significantly improved this year, are a little...interesting. The man knows how to use the Crawford Boxes, ya know? Kinda takes away from his perceived value.

[XZero771679666304]

IMO Ensberg is quite possibly the most underrated player in the league. He puts up top-tier 3B numbers but never gets mentioned among the best at the position.

 

Two reasons:

 

1) He has Kyle Farnsworth Syndrome. In odd years, he puts up very good numbers and is an excellent 3B. In even years...not so much so. Cripes, he didn't hit a homerun until July in 2004.

 

2) His home/road splits, while significantly improved this year, are a little...interesting. The man knows how to use the Crawford Boxes, ya know? Kinda takes away from his perceived value.

 

Interesting is a nice way of putting it.

[Jake]

I refuse to count out the Astros. Last year's team looked offensively weak, too reliant on a bullpen that was a question mark, and had some health questions in the rotation. Yet, they somehow made the World Series.

 

hmmm. hopefully the last sentence will work out for another team in the national league central that looks like that.

 

The Pirates?

[KatJ]

I refuse to count out the Astros. Last year's team looked offensively weak, too reliant on a bullpen that was a question mark, and had some health questions in the rotation. Yet, they somehow made the World Series.

 

hmmm. hopefully the last sentence will work out for another team in the national league central that looks like that.

 

The Pirates?

 

Now I know how I must have appeared to Pirates fans in the early 90s. :P