SB Nation Houston: All Posts by Terri Schlather

The Houston Astros Vegetable Garden - Buying Seeds and Nurturing Growth

2013-05-08T17:00:07Z

Everyone tosses the term "rebuilding" around as if it's commonly understood, but for the average baseball fan, the minor leagues are a place of mystery. I was thinking about just this thing the other day while sitting on my back deck, enjoying the rare Houston day where sitting outside is a lovely thing.

As I stared out at my growing vegetable gardens I realized exactly why the minors are referred to as the farm system. You see, about six weeks ago three raised beds were built in my backyard for me to play in the dirt and grow fresh produce - my own farm of sorts. I love nothing more than a meal made with fresh and perfect produce, but it's not always available when you want or need it. The process of building, planting and nurturing the tomatoes, beans, zucchini, etc in my backyard are a great analogy for baseball and specifically what is happening with the Houston Astros.

To start the process of vegetable gardening, I had to first build the structure for my beds. Of course, in the Astros system that structure was in place long before this season. A host of minor league teams at various levels serve as the club's structure. Once the beds were built and filled with dirt, there were many possibilities of what I could plant, but until I did, there was really nothing to look forward to harvesting.

Such was the state of the Astros farm system 2 years ago. The vegetables had all been harvested, but no one had ever really bothered to replant and when they did, it wasn't planted properly with the right seeds or transplants. The teams across the club were essentially bare vegetable gardens with no hope of tomatoes or squash ever being ready to eat or player being fit for the big league club's use.

Enter Jeff Luhnow and a new front office determined to "rebuild" the Astros in a way that would feed the major league ball club for years to come. Over the past two years, the Houston Astros have traded their ripe and tasty squash, tomatoes and beans for seeds. Seeds came in the form of players from trades, draft picks with bright shiny futures and talent acquired from Latin America.

Right now as I watch my vegetable garden grow and bloom, I see the hope of produce. I see the possibilities of good produce, but there is nothing ready to harvest and put to use in my kitchen. The blooms on the plants tell me that I'm doing something right, giving the plants enough nutrients, water and nurturing that they are growing, developing into just the things that I had longed for.

Not every plant and not ever seed will produce something edible in the long run, just as not every prospect and not every new player will ever reach the majors. But now there is hope.

When a fan favorite player is traded away to another team, it sometimes feels as if the Astros have thrown away their best hope. That's not the case at all, they've simply realized that to build a club that can compete season after season and be the team fans remember of yesteryear, they must continually acquire more seeds and more transplants to fill the farm. If the minor league system is robbed of its chance to restock and rebuild, the Astros will forever be doomed to repeat seasons of heartache and loss - something no fan wants to see.

As of right now there are a lot of blooms and plants thriving in the minor league system. The Houston Astros managed to take a barren farm and replant, providing the water and nutrients needed for growth. We see the blooms happening right before our eyes as prospect like Mike Foltynewicz, Delino Deshields and Carlos Correa garner experience, attention and success at their respective levels. They're not alone, in fact they are surrounded by thriving plants... I mean, players on each team.

And so on nights when the team on the field at Minute Maid Park is making silly mistakes and struggling to shut down an opponent, I am reminded that this is not the Houston Astros of the future. The team I'll cheer for in years to come is still down on the farm, growing and developing into tasty tomatoes, squash and beans. Patience is hard to come by in a sports fan, but it is the trait that Houston Astros fans need in spades right now. Because there are blooms on the plants and the best produce is yet to come.

Astros v White Sox Series Preview: Conquering the South Side

2012-06-08T16:32:33Z

The Houston Astros head to the South side of Chicago today to take on the Chicago White Sox in interleague play. This is a trip that will become ridiculously familiar in coming years, but for now is still a novelty.

After finishing a long and comically bad loss to the Cardinals at Minute Maid Park in which we saw David Carpenter get his first major league hit and Brian Bogusevic get his first relief pitching appearance in the majors, the Astros will be looking to settle into some normalcy and one again find the magic they’ve been chasing on the road.

Friday, June 8, 2012: Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 3.14 ERA) v Gavin Floyd (4-5, 5.32 ERA) – Wandy’s had a rough few starts, giving up nine hits and nine runs alone in the Astros game against the Reds last Saturday. He’ll be looking to prove he can bounce back while in Chicago, despite the road woes the team’s been facing. Floyd is in a similar position after allowing four homers in the first four innings of his start last Saturday. Both pitchers will have something to prove which should make for some pretty terrific baseball.

Saturday, June 9, 2012: Jordan Lyles (1-1, 4.97 ERA) v Chris Sale (7-2, 2.30) – This will be a straight up experience versus inexperience matchup of the young guns. Sale is coming off his first complete win that led the Sox to a series win over the Mariners. Meanwhile, Lyles broke the losing streak for the Astros last Sunday in his first win of the season against the Reds. This will be a contest against himself for Jordan Lyles to see if the kid can keep his wits about him on the road against another young pitcher who has more time under his belt.

Sunday, June 10, 2012: Lucas Harrell (5-4, 4.70 ERA) v Philip Humber (2-3, 5.68 ERA) – Harrell will be facing the team that drafted him for the first time in his start against the White Sox. The club drafted Harrell in the 4th round of the 2004 draft. The Astros claimed Harrell off waivers last year. In his last start he led the team to win at home against the Cardinals. Humber, on the other hand, struggled in his last start, throwing a whopping 37 pitches in the first inning alone. If Harrell can be consistent, and the offense can give him some run support, he has the chance to prove to the White Sox just what a talent they gave up.

While playing in interleague play, Carlos Lee is usually slotted as the Astros DH, however, with him on the DL with a hamstring injury, Mills has speculated he will use J.D. Martinez as the DH. Meanwhile, Jordan Schafer has returned to the Houston lineup after illness and struggled at the plate last night, but is hopefully feeling better for the road trip.

Astros vs Cardinals Series Preview: Will The Astros Rise Again?

2012-06-05T17:41:36Z

Coming out of their longest losing streak of the season the Astros are set to face the St. Louis Cardinals over the next three days. It will be interesting to see if yesterday's day off coupled with the win on Sunday over the Reds are enough to energize them to play to the standards that the month of May got us all accustomed to watching. If they can find their stride, this division rivalry will be a fun three games.

Tuesday, June 5th - Jaime Garcia (3-3, 3.78 ERA) vs. Lucas Harrell(4-4, 4.71 ERA) - Harrell stumbled quite a bit in his last start in Denver and will be looking to show his strength again, as he did in Los Angeles when he faced Clayton Kershaw. Look for the confidence to return and his breaking ball to be much more efficient that his last start. Meanwhile, Garcia is coming off the bench as he skipped his last start with some elbow issues.Whether or not there is any lingering discomfort or whether the injury messed with his head could go a long way to deciding how strong of a start he has.

Wednesday, June 6th - Adam Wainwright (4-6, 4.98 ERA) vs. Bud Norris (5-2, 4.52 ERA)- Norris has struggled of late as well with his last start only going 1 2/3 innings in Denver on Thursday thanks to a strained hip flexor. After a phenomenal showing in May, Bud will want to show he's that pitcher again. If he's truly healthy, this could be one hell of a show. Meanwhile, Wainwright pitched well in his last outing despite allowing seven runs. Prior to his last start he had only allowed one run in fifteen straight innings. This could be the pitching battle of the series.

Thursday, June 7th - Lance Lynn (8-2, 2.63 ERA) vs. J.A. Happ (4-5, 4.31 ERA) - Happy put in a quality start on Friday against the Reds, despite the loss. In his last four starts he's gone 2-2 with a 2.13 ERA. He may not be a lot of flash and power from the mound, but he has been Mr. Consistent of late for the Astros. Meanwhile, Lynn is coming off a start in which he threw 105 pitches during which he allowed five hits and a whopping four walks. He struggled in his last outing with command and it will be interesting to see if that continues.

In all three games we'll see the hitting display the Astros offense has continued to put on despite the struggles from the mound. In Sunday's game the second half of the order was hot, so I expect to see the top half of the order come alive again Thursday for sure.

Keep an eye on the bat of Brett Wallace and Fernando Martinez as each continue to try to prove that the big club is where they belong while they're up filling spots of the injured Travis Buck and Carlos Lee. And of course, we'll all be cheering Jose Altuve as he continues his reign as the hitting King of Houston.

Regardless of the outcomes of these three games, it's always exciting when the Cardinals come to town. Rivalries like this one can't be manufactured...or broken.

Astros vs Reds Series Review: The Streak Is Over

2012-06-04T16:10:56Z

I believe in streaks. I respect the streak like any rational and superstitious baseball fan, so as the Houston Astros entered into this series with the Reds with a streak of losses, I did everything I could to change my behavior in the hopes they’d pull out a win.

It took all three games to get there, but the Houston Astros brought their losing streak to an end Sunday.

Friday night when the Reds arrived, J.A. Happ handed his Astros a quality start, but that was not enough to overcome the strong seven inning start and offensive powerhouse of the Reds. Mike Leake definitely put his mark on Minute Maid Park while Joey Votto continued to pound the Astros at home, as he has for quite some time. In the end, Happ’s start wasn’t enough to lead the Astros to a win and they fell 4-1, losing an injured Carlos Lee along the way.

Saturday would prove to be a long and grueling battle between these two clubs as the first four innings along went a whopping two hours. After the Reds started off as an offensive bulldozer, running over Wandy Rodriguez’s pitching with 8 runs in the first two innings, the Astros finally found a groove and began battling back in the 3rd and 4th, putting up another 7 runs of their own. By the top of the 5th it was a 9-8 ballgame with Astros on top. That lead would be squelched in the late innings as the Reds continued to put on a home run display and finished off the Astros 12-9 in an epic 3 hour and 47 ballgame.

Sunday afternoon would tell a different tale and turn the tide of the Astros. After calling up Jordan Lyles to start on the mound as well as Brett Wallace to cover for Lee at first (Matt Downs was sent to AAA as a result), the Astros refused to go down. The 4-8 hitters found a groove against Reds pitcher, Bronson Arroyo and managed to take an early lead then battle in the second half to regain it again after falling behind in the third. Justin Maxwell’s two run homer in the 7th sealed the fate of the ball club as the Astros broke their losing streak and beat the Reds, 5-3.

I have a theory that because Lyles hadn’t been with the big club for that devastating road trip to LA and Denver he wasn’t tainted by the streak. Regardless of whether my theories are right or wrong, it was behind his leadership on the mound that the offense was able to turn things around and the Regulators were able to shut down Cincinnati effectively.

The Astros will take this off day to choose their first overall draft pick in the Rule 4 First year Player Draft and fans will wait with bated breath to see if the they can take this win and carry it into the next series against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals.

Astros v Reds Series Preview: Is Home the Key?

2012-06-01T14:20:37Z

The Houston Astros return to Minute Maid Park today to begin a three game series against the division-leading Cincinnati Reds. Will they prove that home really is where their heart is? The Astros return from a road trip with a six game losing streak in hand and will be looking to break that with this series against the Reds.

Friday – Mike Leake (1-5, 5.47 ERA) v. J.A. Happ (4-4, 4.37 ERA) – In his last outing, the Reds’ Leake lasted only 3 2/3 innings on the mound, giving up nine hits and three runs in that start. He’ll be looking to keep his pitches down as he struggled with that in his last start. For the Astros, J.A. Happ has turned heads with much improved performance this year over last. In his last three starts he’s 2-1 with a 1.47 ERA. Even in that one loss, against the Dodgers, Happ struck out 10 batters. Look for a strong start from Happ.

Saturday – Mat Latos (4-2, 4.58 ERA) v. Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 2.49 ERA) – Wandy has been shaky of late allowing 28 hits and 8 earned runs in his last eighteen innings pitched. He did recently grab second on the club’s all-time wins list for a lefty. Wandy is solid even when he struggles, and expect him to show that excellent attitude and aptitude again Saturday. He’ll be facing Latos who just became the first Reds pitcher to allow five home runs in a game. Despite that title, he still walked away from last Sunday’s game with only 96 pitches in 7 1/3 innings. This could be a great pitching battle on Saturday.

Sunday – Bronson Arroyo (2-3, 3.59 ERA) v. TBD – The starter for Sunday’s game has not yet been announced by the Astros, but whoever it is will face righty, Arroyo who only lasted four innings in his last start. He had a difficult time closing down innings as all four runs he allowed came with two outs on the board.

On an offensive note, the Astros hit a lot of baseballs in their last series against the Rockies, and it’s likely we’ll see that again in this first series in back in Houston. Jose Altuve is still getting on base more than an other Astro with a BA of .317 and OBP of .363. Jed Lowrie is closely behind him with an OBP of .357. If these guys can keep it up and J.D. Martinez can continue to approve his comfort level at the plate, the boys might just give us a good show this weekend.

Astros v Rockies Series Review: Thank Heaven The Roadtrip is Over!

2012-06-01T11:31:19Z

The Rockies put the final nail in the coffin of this series against the Astros early last night. By the second inning the game was essentially through and the series was a complete disaster. Their problems on the road are still a bit of mystery, but the fact remains that they are 6-19 on the road while capturing a 16-10 record at home.

Six of those road losses were walk-offs, so it’s not as if the team has simply rolled over and given up on the road, they are often in the race until the bitter end. That was simply not the case in Denver.

Games one and two of this series, a doubleheader on Memorial Day, could have gone either way. Both games saw the Astros in the hunt for the win, the second games even going to 10 innings before the Rockies captured both wins.

Games three and four were not as close. Wednesday’s 5 homers by the Rockies sealed the fate of the Astros who could only stand by and watch as the scoreboard tally grew to a final of 13-5. Thursday night’s final game was much the same as the Rox lead 9-1 by the end of the second inning, finishing off the ’stros with a final score of 11-5.

The pitchers all seemed to struggle in the mile high city, not one bettering or equaling their previous performances. They’ll each get a chance t redemption as they head back home to Houston to face two division rivals back to back, first the Cincinnati Reds, then the St. Louis Cardinals.

Let’s hope the sight of Minute Maid Park sets them back on track.

Heading to Minute Maid Park? A Primer on Ballpark Etiquette

2012-05-26T18:00:08Z

There are things as a die-hard baseball fan that drive me crazy at the ballpark. Of course, it makes me nuts when the Astros make mistakes they shouldn't, but lately it's the johnny-come-lately fans and the way they behave at a game. I do want people to come cheer for the Houston Nine, but I think there should be rules that people agree to follow when they purchase a ticket to a baseball game.

I've decided to name myself the Emily Post of baseball.

If you're new to live baseball or baseball in general, give these rules a gander...and follow them. If you do, you're less likely to hear me yelling at you during a game.

#1 - Getting Up and Sitting Down: In a perfect world I would tell you to only walk to your seat or leave your seat at the half inning mark during the mid-inning changeover. But since this culture is in so much of hurry that people even honk in the drive thru lane, I'll say this: at the very least, only leave your seat or go to your seat BETWEEN batters. Do NOT under any circumstances get up or go sit down during a player's at bat, unless you're really crouching down. You are blocking someone's view of the game and frankly, if it's me...I'm bound to get more than a bit testy about it. (This also applies to standing up to wave to a friend across the ballpark while talking to them on the phone.)

#2 - The Wave: Don't do it. Okay, I'll admit that's my opinion. I detest the wave. It's the most ridiculous cheer in existence, but if you MUST do the wave, only do it when your team is at bat. You see, it's an offensive cheer. So when the Astros are on defense, doing the wave is tantamount to cheering for the other team.

#3 - Bringing a Glove: If you are still in elementary school or middle school, then by all means bring your glove to the game. After all, even I can appreciate that it is part of the childhood baseball game experience. If you are not under the age of 13? It's time to leave the glove at home. If you bring it, you just look like a tool. Trust the woman on this one.

#4 - Getting Dressed for the Game: When getting dressed for a baseball game, please remember it is a game played on grass and dirt. I know YOU will not be in the grass and dirt, but clubbing attire is not necessary and just makes you a laughingstock to the true baseball fan. Leave the stilettos at home. If you don't own an Astros shirt, no problem, a simple tee and shorts or jeans will do. But if we're playing the Reds and you show up in a Yankees shirt, I'm going to point and laugh as well. I'd rather you wear the logos of the two teams playing or no logos at all. And ladies, dresses are NOT forbidden. I wear sundresses and ball caps to the park all the time...with flip-flops.

#5 - Cheering and Jeering: Let your voice be heard. Cheer for your team, jeer at a bad call or something great the other guys did. That is all a part of the game. However, don't yell directly at opposing fans. And don't cuss - this is a family game. I must say that Astros fans are pretty good about this, but I can't say the same for others who come to Minute Maid Park. Last season (when the Astros couldn't buy a win) a Brewers fan yelled in my then 9 year old's face about how the Astros sucked and Brewers were awesome. Did that make y0u feel big and important? Not necessary or called for, so pipe down.

#6 - Arriving Late & Leaving Early: This is one of my big pet peeves. If you want to come to a baseball game, then please arrive before "Play ball!" and don't leave until you hear, "That's a winner!" or the other possible result. If you want to watch two innings of baseball, then do it at home. Perhaps this is the traditionalist in me, but I believe that winning or losing, you support your team through an ENTIRE game. Do you leave work early when you don't like what's happening? Don't be a three inning fan, be a baseball fan. Baseball fans stick around until that final out.

#7 - Walking in a Busy/Crowded Concourse: I am a cell phone addict. I text and tweet and email with ridiculous and possibly criminal frequency. But I don't do it while walking in a busy concourse. You know why? I don't want to be the person that runs over a kid, spills your $8 beer or makes you drop a $12 burger. I would guess you don't want to be that guy either, so put the phone away until you get where you are going.

#8 - Waving Homemade Signs: I am a fan of the signs. I know some people make them to try to get on tv or to get their smiling mug up on El Grande, but I think they're fun....right until you put in front of my view. Raise your sign for your favorite team or player proudly, but do it in between innings and batters and not during play. It blocks my...I mean, people's view and makes them a little angry. If they're cute and catchy you'll still get on El Grande in between innings.

#9 - Drinking and Baseball: A cold beer is almost required at baseball games, right? And I highly encourage you to enjoy your favorite while taking in the game. But please manage your intake. Nothing is as annoying or irritating than the drunk guy two rows back yelling at umpires inappropriately or getting sick right behind me (sadly that's a true story). Know your limits and respect them. We'll all have more fun that way.

#10 - Teaching the Game: I keep score at every game, as does my daughter. I started teaching her the basics of baseball at live games when she was about 4 and now at age 10 she's a walking stat sheet. Pass along your love of the game to you son or daughter who you bring. They'll enjoy the game so much more if they understand the action happening in front of them. They'll also be much more apt to sit in a seat for a full nine innings (and I do acknowledge that those with small children may not be able to adhere to rule #6 - no worries, we've all been there!) And if you happen to be sitting by me and don't understand something, just ask, most die-hards are happy to explain a rule or a call.

So there you have it. Ten simple rules to keep you and me both happy at Minute Maid Park. Any questions?

For more on Minute Maid Park and the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes and Baseball Nation.

Astros v Dodgers Series Preview: Bring it!

2012-05-25T23:10:47Z

The Houston Astros head to Los Angeles to take on the NL West leading Dodger and to prove that they are rising from last year's ashes.

The Houston Astros have traveled to Los Angeles to take on the National League West leading Dodgers. What good can come of this challenge for Houston? Well, quite a lot.

Not only will this give the Astros a chance to test their new found mojo on the road, but it might just make the world of baseball stand up and take notice to the drastic changes happening inside this ball club. Jim Crane, Jeff Luhnow & company made some great moves in the off season and we're seeing the pay-off, but is anyone watching? If the Astros pull off some wins in Dodgerland the whole nation just might notice.

Friday 5/25 - Lucas Harrell (3-3, 4.09 ERA) versus Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 1.90 ERA) - At first glance this match up might not look like a pitcher's duel, but in his last outing, Lucas Harrell put up a 1.59 ERA, so this guy's got the skills to hang with a pitcher like Kershaw. Since his start on April 23rd of this year, Harrell's number have improved with each start. If Harrell's on...this is going to fun to watch.

Saturday 5/26 - Bud Norris (5-1, 3.14 ERA) versus Chad Billingsley (2-3, 3.91 ERA) - Barring something really bizarre happening, this is Bud Norris' game. He's put up amazing number in the last 30 days going 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA, striking out 35 and walking 10 in 32.2. innings. This guy is red hot right now. If the team's run production backs him up, this is a game the Astros could very well walk away with.

Sunday 5/27 - J.A. Happ (4-3, 4.56 ERA) versus TBD. - There's no way to guess what sort of pitching match up this will be without knowing who it is, but we know this: Happ has been spot on as of late allowing only 1 earned run in his last twelve innings pitched.

On the hitting front, two Astros now have batting averages over .300 for the season - Jose Altuve (.309) and Carlos Lee (.306). In addition, look for J.D. Martine to continue finding his way back to a comfort zone at the plate after starting to string together some success in the series versus the Cubs.

If those three hit well and Astros home run leaders Jed Lowrie (7), Chris Johnson (5), and Carlos Lee (4) keep dinging the occasional homer, this could be a really fun series. Root! Root! Root!