Today: Pirates-Astros, 7-22-08

I love seeing 7 run 9th innings against the 'Stros.  Given, this one wasn't as amazing or exciting as the last one (plus I was at the one almost exactly 7 years ago, and thankfully didn't leave early for some reason).

www.post-gazette.com/.../20010729bucs0729p2.asp

Don't sweat the hurricane, Dejan. Unless they move the game to Brownsville, or at worst Corpus Christi, Dolly shouldn't be a problem, especially with it being an afternoon game. Yes, there will probably be rain and thunderstorms in Houston, but any hurricane force winds should be way south of Houston.

Lest there ever be any doubt, Thunder knows Weather.

Don't fret Dejan, if your flight is cancelled, you can easily drive.  I just mapquested it for you, and you can cover the 1342.63 miles in only 21.5 hours, as long as you don't take any pee breaks (gallon jugs work best) you'll be able to pull into PNC just in time for the Padres game--even with the time change.  Buck up, and rent a car.  Link below:

www.mapquest.com/maps

I'd take Kip Wells back now!  Josh Fogg, come home, all is forgiven!  (No, no calls for Matt Morris.)

I hope JVB can build off of this.

Was Bullington that disliked that they dropped him from the 40 man over Luis Munoz, who couldn't cut it at AAA ?

I know for trades you try to get quality players for depth regardless of position, but in this teams case, its got to be pitching dont it?

Yet they kept Munoz over Bullington?  

Also, I don't think Munoz' appearance in Pittsburgh was shy of desperation in the slightest.  

What's Jeff Weaver doing these days?  It's got to be better than Munoz.

For Thursday's game, I think the Pirates need to start thinking outside the box a little bit.  Have they even considered offering the Padres a 7-0 lead and starting the game with two outs in the top of the third?

I don't guess the Astros checked Wolf's stats too carefully.

ERA at the pitcher's heaven in Petco:  3.17

ERA everywhere else:  6.63

Must be nice to have a AAA pitcher to trade for, well, anything.  You know you're a diehard Bucs fan when you see Wolf's 4.76 ERA and think, "Wow, wish we had him!"

How about the artist formerly known as Freddy Garcia? Is there any life left in that rehabbing arm? He is I think, an FA available to anyone. Surely worth a make good contract  for AAA with a shot at PNC.

What do we know about the prospect the Astros gave up for Wolf? Do we have anyone comparable?

Figures Herrera is pitching Thursday because I think I'm going to the game. Hopefully there won't be any trades before then so at least I can see our offense attempt to put up some big numbers to counteract what he's sure to do on the mound.

Hey, DK, can you shed any light on a rumor I've seen on a few websites that the Pirates are interested in Cardinals players Chris Duncan and Anthony Reyes? Please say it isn't so!! Those guys are NOT what I want to see in Pittsburgh. I thought the Pirates were supposed to be looking for talented, young players to build a winning organization. Neither of them fits that description.

To reply to 48jj...scratch Chris Duncan from any trade rumors for the next week. Cardinals put him on the DL today and recalled Mather.

Reyes isn't all that old, and there are some people that think all it will take to turn him around is to get him away from LaRussa.

Kip Wells' line from last night: 1/3 IP, 7H, 8R (7ER), 1BB, 1K. Too bad he wasn't brought off the DL in time to face the Bucs.

Listened to Astros' announcers on way home from airport last night.  They were commenting on how the Astros' series against the Cubs was important and why beating up on their Central foes (the Bucs and, next, the Brewers) was important.  They clearly were of the belief that the Astros were still in the hunt for the division title.

Paul Maholm has some pretty terrible numbers at Minute Maid Park 0-3, 14.73 ERA.  Hopefully, the Gunner's hidden vigorish will kick in!  ;(

I caught some of the Astros broadcast on XM, too.  Keep in mind one of their announcers is Milo Hamilton.  During the time I was listening, all he was doing was going ga-ga over having two of the players' wives in the booth with him talking about an upcoming gala.  Just like when he was doing the Bucs' games, he missed half the plays -- only at least he had an excuse last night -- he was preoccupied with the women.  I swear, he never did explain the play that Sanchez scored on early in the game.  When I was back in range of the Pirates network, I flipped the channel on a batter, only to find the count was 2-1, and Milo hadn't yet called a pitch!  And he's in the Hall of Fame!  At least when Lanny and Greg have guests, they still broadcast the game.

Looks like the Diamondbacks picked up Jon Rauch from the Nats and gave them their #6-rated prospect (as per Baseball America), speedy 23 yr.-old infielder Emilio Bonifacio.  Bonifacio is by no means a sure thing to be a good regular in the majors, but I would certainly take most other teams' #6-rated prospect for Damaso Marte (though Rauch is signed to a very team-friendly contract, whereas Marte is not so much).  That being said, this trade makes me feel good about the value of a Nady or Bay right now.  

Thanks to Paul Maholm for not letting the rest of the starting pitching get him down.