2006 Reality Check

[nolanryan5714]

As the season is winding down, I find myself thinking more and more that our hopes for a postseason are dismal. Yes, the last 2 years were incredible stories of winning down the stretch, but it would take more than a miracle to get the Astros to the playoffs this year.

Here's a list of problems I've seen:
1) Lack of offense in general (again, yes, but worse than 2005).
2) A shaky bullpen, led in shakiness by Lidge, but furthermore not as consistent as last year.
3) Morgan Ensberg - what happened to you? If he keeps the pace up that he's on, he'll be lucky to hit .230 with 22 homers.
4) Jason Lane - also, what happened to you? I was expecting a .260-.270ish season from you, with about 25-30 dingers and 85 RBI.
5) Andy Pettitte - love ya man, since 1996 and through all those Yankee years, but even though you've pitched well as of late, for most of the season the ERA has been around 5.00


What a strange year this has been...just when you think you can't see stranger seasons (referring to the last two, but in positive context).

Thoughts?

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by nolanryan5714

As the season is winding down, I find myself thinking more and more that our hopes for a postseason are dismal. Yes, the last 2 years were incredible stories of winning down the stretch, but it would take more than a miracle to get the Astros to the playoffs this year.

Here's a list of problems I've seen:
1) Lack of offense in general (again, yes, but worse than 2005).
2) A shaky bullpen, led in shakiness by Lidge, but furthermore not as consistent as last year.
3) Morgan Ensberg - what happened to you? If he keeps the pace up that he's on, he'll be lucky to hit .230 with 22 homers.
4) Jason Lane - also, what happened to you? I was expecting a .260-.270ish season from you, with about 25-30 dingers and 85 RBI.
5) Andy Pettitte - love ya man, since 1996 and through all those Yankee years, but even though you've pitched well as of late, for most of the season the ERA has been around 5.00


What a strange year this has been...just when you think you can't see stranger seasons (referring to the last two, but in positive context).

Thoughts?

Well like you said, the offense is going to be terrible when you dont add any big hitters in the offseason...

Jason Lane - Ive said it before, and i will say it again...That guy is a terrible, terrible, hitter. His swing is disgusting, and he is flat out not good enough to be in the major leagues....He had a nice little .260 with 20 some jacks last year, and i expect that to be his career high. And no, Garner, putting him in the 3 hole wont help him become a hitter that he isnt.

Bullpen and Pettitte - I can honestly say i did not see this coming, especially Lidge, and sometimes ineffectiveness of Qualls....these guys should be in their prime, and they are having issues...but im personally surprised Miller is still around.

I still think Zobrist should have been kept too, he will be an impact player in TB.

[rtrenz]

Looks like you spoke too soon man! The stros are making yet another amazing comeback. Only 1/2 a game back with 3 to play. If they make the playoffs this year...these last three years will have to go down as the best comebacks by one team in history.

[nolanryan5714]

Originally Posted by rtrenz

Looks like you spoke too soon man! The stros are making yet another amazing comeback. Only 1/2 a game back with 3 to play. If they make the playoffs this year...these last three years will have to go down as the best comebacks by one team in history.

It was a fun ride.