Post by John on May 9, 2006 10:20:15 GMT -4
Forget the Rocket: Astros rotation flying high
Scott Miller May 9, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
SAN FRANCISCO -- Roger Clemens this. Roger Clemens that. Will he pitch? Where will he pitch? When will he pitch?
Will he pitch on a Friday if one of his sons is playing hopscotch?
What about on a Saturday if another of his sons is playing croquet?
Hey. Next time some breathless, overcaffeinated reporter is giving you the latest update from America Held Hostage by Roger, Day 87, take a deep breath yourself and drop in these numbers:
The defending National League champion Houston Astros rotation started this week with a league-best 3.57 ERA.
Even without Clemens, and with Brandon Backe on the disabled list, in all of baseball, only Detroit's rotation, at 3.47, was faring better.
Sure, everybody knows about ace Roy Oswalt, who was uncharacteristically off in Houston's 7-5 drubbing by San Francisco on Monday night. At 5-2, he is currently attempting to become the first pitcher since Tom Glavine to record three consecutive 20-win seasons.
And unless the sight of Yankees pinstripes sent you into seizures during the late 1990s, you're aware that Andy Pettitte can pitch, too.
But Taylor Buchholz tied for third in the NL with a 2.16 ERA? Wandy Rodriguez at 4-1? Fernando Nieve, capably plugging the leak left by Backe?
"I'm surprised they're pitching this well this early," Astros general manager Tim Purpura admits. "I have a lot of confidence in their ability. The talent level is there. I'm pleased at the way they're coming together.
"In some ways, you tip your cap to our developmental people. Our theory is to get them ready not just for the big leagues, but so that they're here to stay when they get here."
Not to paint everything as perfect in Astroville. Monday's loss was their fourth in a row after the Rockies cleaned their clocks in Colorado over the weekend. Phil Garner's club now is running third in the NL Central.
Let's just say that if Clemens decides he would like to pitch for Houston, the Astros remain all ears.
Clemens' representatives have indicated to the club that if he does decide to play, he expects to play no later than the All-Star break -- and, possibly, as early as mid-June.
"If you're talking mid-June, you're talking about starting in late May to get prepared," Purpura says.
So he expects that the Astros should hear of a final decision, like, soon.
As we wait, let's just get this off of our chest: This talk of Clemens maybe pitching for the Red Sox or Yankees is just plain stupid.
If, at 43 and having sat out for the first two months of this season, Clemens thinks it is a good idea to re-join the AL East and face those bruising lineups night after night, I'll show you a Hall of Fame resume that's about to get bruised and battered.
Plus, do you seriously believe Clemens would leave behind Pettitte, his beloved sidekick?
"I call him 'The Ambassador,'" Purpura says, chuckling. "Ambassador Pettitte."
Seriously, though, look at these guys in their current situation.
The right-handed Buchholz, 24 and acquired from Philadelphia in the 2003 Billy Wagner trade, is holding opponents to a .154 batting average, lowest in the NL.
Rodriguez, a 25-year-old left-hander, is improving. Purpura says he is more polished this year than last.
Nieve, a 23-year-old right-hander who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1999, is the least-experienced in the group, but he's competed well since Backe has been out.
"Like our pitching held us together last year, pitching has been our strong point again this year," Purpura says.
As a staff, Houston, entering Monday night's game, had walked only 89 hitters -- the lowest total of anybody in the NL.
"I'm really proud of the way this club has gone about its business without (Clemens) here," the GM says. "What are we going to do, cry in our soup because he's not here?
"I'm really proud of our effort. Our young pitchers have just been tremendous. Those three guys (Buchholz, Rodriguez and Nieve) are learning from Oswalt and Pettitte how the game is pitched."
Fact is, if you can block out the Nightline reports and breaking news bulletins regarding America Held Hostage by Roger, as these young Astros have -- you can learn (and accomplish) quite a bit.
A couple of weeks back, as Rodriguez was dealing against Pittsburgh one night, Houston pitching coach Jim Hickey walked down the dugout and approached Buchholz.
"Imagine yourself out there," Hickey told the kid, pointing out to Rodriguez on the mound, playing the Pirates like a conductor. "Visualize yourself in that situation. Visualize yourself pitching, breathing. Because one day you may be in that situation."
The very next night, Buchholz went 8 2/3 innings against the Pirates, almost snatching the first complete game of his career.
"Best feeling of my life," Buchholz said. "I was ready for it."
"That's the kind of stuff that coaches do and people never see," Purpura says. "The kind of stuff where, when the time comes, guys say, 'I've done this. I'm prepared for it.'"
Scott Miller May 9, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
SAN FRANCISCO -- Roger Clemens this. Roger Clemens that. Will he pitch? Where will he pitch? When will he pitch?
Will he pitch on a Friday if one of his sons is playing hopscotch?
What about on a Saturday if another of his sons is playing croquet?
Hey. Next time some breathless, overcaffeinated reporter is giving you the latest update from America Held Hostage by Roger, Day 87, take a deep breath yourself and drop in these numbers:
The defending National League champion Houston Astros rotation started this week with a league-best 3.57 ERA.
Even without Clemens, and with Brandon Backe on the disabled list, in all of baseball, only Detroit's rotation, at 3.47, was faring better.
Sure, everybody knows about ace Roy Oswalt, who was uncharacteristically off in Houston's 7-5 drubbing by San Francisco on Monday night. At 5-2, he is currently attempting to become the first pitcher since Tom Glavine to record three consecutive 20-win seasons.
And unless the sight of Yankees pinstripes sent you into seizures during the late 1990s, you're aware that Andy Pettitte can pitch, too.
But Taylor Buchholz tied for third in the NL with a 2.16 ERA? Wandy Rodriguez at 4-1? Fernando Nieve, capably plugging the leak left by Backe?
"I'm surprised they're pitching this well this early," Astros general manager Tim Purpura admits. "I have a lot of confidence in their ability. The talent level is there. I'm pleased at the way they're coming together.
"In some ways, you tip your cap to our developmental people. Our theory is to get them ready not just for the big leagues, but so that they're here to stay when they get here."
Not to paint everything as perfect in Astroville. Monday's loss was their fourth in a row after the Rockies cleaned their clocks in Colorado over the weekend. Phil Garner's club now is running third in the NL Central.
Let's just say that if Clemens decides he would like to pitch for Houston, the Astros remain all ears.
Clemens' representatives have indicated to the club that if he does decide to play, he expects to play no later than the All-Star break -- and, possibly, as early as mid-June.
"If you're talking mid-June, you're talking about starting in late May to get prepared," Purpura says.
So he expects that the Astros should hear of a final decision, like, soon.
As we wait, let's just get this off of our chest: This talk of Clemens maybe pitching for the Red Sox or Yankees is just plain stupid.
If, at 43 and having sat out for the first two months of this season, Clemens thinks it is a good idea to re-join the AL East and face those bruising lineups night after night, I'll show you a Hall of Fame resume that's about to get bruised and battered.
Plus, do you seriously believe Clemens would leave behind Pettitte, his beloved sidekick?
"I call him 'The Ambassador,'" Purpura says, chuckling. "Ambassador Pettitte."
Seriously, though, look at these guys in their current situation.
The right-handed Buchholz, 24 and acquired from Philadelphia in the 2003 Billy Wagner trade, is holding opponents to a .154 batting average, lowest in the NL.
Rodriguez, a 25-year-old left-hander, is improving. Purpura says he is more polished this year than last.
Nieve, a 23-year-old right-hander who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1999, is the least-experienced in the group, but he's competed well since Backe has been out.
"Like our pitching held us together last year, pitching has been our strong point again this year," Purpura says.
As a staff, Houston, entering Monday night's game, had walked only 89 hitters -- the lowest total of anybody in the NL.
"I'm really proud of the way this club has gone about its business without (Clemens) here," the GM says. "What are we going to do, cry in our soup because he's not here?
"I'm really proud of our effort. Our young pitchers have just been tremendous. Those three guys (Buchholz, Rodriguez and Nieve) are learning from Oswalt and Pettitte how the game is pitched."
Fact is, if you can block out the Nightline reports and breaking news bulletins regarding America Held Hostage by Roger, as these young Astros have -- you can learn (and accomplish) quite a bit.
A couple of weeks back, as Rodriguez was dealing against Pittsburgh one night, Houston pitching coach Jim Hickey walked down the dugout and approached Buchholz.
"Imagine yourself out there," Hickey told the kid, pointing out to Rodriguez on the mound, playing the Pirates like a conductor. "Visualize yourself in that situation. Visualize yourself pitching, breathing. Because one day you may be in that situation."
The very next night, Buchholz went 8 2/3 innings against the Pirates, almost snatching the first complete game of his career.
"Best feeling of my life," Buchholz said. "I was ready for it."
"That's the kind of stuff that coaches do and people never see," Purpura says. "The kind of stuff where, when the time comes, guys say, 'I've done this. I'm prepared for it.'"