Houston and Berkman

[Careless]

Houston is currently the #2 team in the central, 1.5 games behind the Cubs. Berkman is slugging .808. 32 of his 59 hits (essentially 1.5 hits per game and 2/3 of a walk per game) have been for extra bases.

 

So, Houston has been very good (3rd best run differential in the NL), and Berkman has been simply amazing. While I think it's safe to assume that Lance can't keep this up, what do those here who have been paying attention to them think of this Houston team?

[TruffleShuffle]

berkman's SLG% last year was .339 on June 3 and everyone was trying to figure out where his power went. this year everyone is trying to figure out when he turned into roid-era bonds.

[XZero771679666304]

Three words: gamma-irradiated twinkies.

[gerby23]

his #'s the last 2 weeks are insane...

[BCVM22]

Three words: gamma-irradiated twinkies.

 

The Incredible Berk?

[OleMissCub]

berkman's SLG% last year was .339 on June 3 and everyone was trying to figure out where his power went. this year everyone is trying to figure out when he turned into roid-era bonds.

 

Except he steals bases! Berkman has 7 already.

[SouthSideRyan]

Houston won't finish over 500.

[Sammy Sofa]

Like the Cardinals, it would be insane if their pitching held up over the course of the season to keep them in serious contention. Their offense is surprising, bt it wouldn't be nearly as surprising if Tejada comes back down to Earth (and given how few walks he's taken, that seems all but inevitable) and Berkman cools off.

[XZero771679666304]

Houston won't finish over 500.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Houston won't finish over 500.

 

This.

 

BA/SLG/OBP/OPS with runners on base:

 

.296 .354 .478 .831

 

The same with bases empty:

 

.233 .298 .381 .679

 

 

When those two lines begin to converge, and they will, their run-scoring will slow down.

[BigbadB]

Unless Berkman pitches as well as he hits, Houston will be in serious trouble sooner rather than later.

[David]

Houston won't finish over 500.

 

This.

 

BA/SLG/OBP/OPS with runners on base:

 

.296 .354 .478 .831

 

The same with bases empty:

 

.233 .298 .381 .679

 

 

When those two lines begin to converge, and they will, their run-scoring will slow down.

 

Just curious as to how those same splits look for us... I'd look them up myself but I'm too damn lazy.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Houston won't finish over 500.

 

This.

 

BA/SLG/OBP/OPS with runners on base:

 

.296 .354 .478 .831

 

The same with bases empty:

 

.233 .298 .381 .679

 

 

When those two lines begin to converge, and they will, their run-scoring will slow down.

 

Just curious as to how those same splits look for us... I'd look them up myself but I'm too damn lazy.

runners on:

282/369/437/806

 

bases empty:

292/381/451/831

[David]

That's about as reassuring as I could've hoped.

[17 Seconds]

That game winner Berkman hit yesterday was one of the most monstrous home runs I've ever seen in my life.

[17 Seconds]

Berkman over his last 11 games-

 

 

.619 /.686/1.214 (1.900)

[AlwaysaCub]

Berkman over his last 11 games-

 

 

.619 /.686/1.214 (1.900)

 

Is that even legal?

[Vanilla Ice]

Berkman over his last 11 games-

 

 

.619 /.686/1.214 (1.900)

:shock:

[Oscar Zamora]

It wont last. I expect the Cubs to take 2/3 at Minute Maid.

[minnesotacubsfan]

the "Sanford and Son" express is riding high on Berkman, but that wont last. he aint superman

[TruffleShuffle]

Unless Berkman pitches as well as he hits, Houston will be in serious trouble sooner rather than later.

 

good call

[sneakypower]

what's more impressive

 

Bourn's 36/37 SB% the last two years in only 284 PA

 

or

 

He still has an everyday job with .522 OPS

[VanceJergins]

Unless Berkman pitches as well as he hits, Houston will be in serious trouble sooner rather than later.

 

good call

 

5 errors!

 

But yeah, I agree with SSR. They won't be above .500.

[17 Seconds]

Berkman just went deep again, #16. He's pretty good at baseball.

[BCVM22]

Berkman just went deep again, #16. He's pretty good at baseball.

 

And yet Oswalt gave up all 6 runs in the 6-2 loss. They just don't have the pitching, and apparently Oswalt is now facing possible DL time with a groin issue.

 

It's gotta suck to have that many instances of "pray for rain" in your rotation when your home venue has a retractable roof.