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Astros’ Jose Altuve and Jarred Cosart Show The Horizon Looks Bright

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Tuesday, August.20, 2013

Jose Altuve is a great and dynamic player for the Astros. He is a threat to steal bases constantly, as he has swiped 30 bases and has only been caught eight times. He is hitting .277 on the season with 164 Total Bases, that includes him having 128 hits. He knows how to put the ball in play with him only striking out 67 times in 462 at-bats. Altuve does great against left-handers with a .302 batting average against them, but is only hitting .267  facing right-handers on the season. He is best when he hits from the lead off position, as indicated by a .326 average. He also has a .429 batting average when he bats in the 6th inning.

Jose Altuve is a great and dynamic player for the Astros. He is a threat to steal bases constantly, as he has swiped 30 bases and has only been caught eight times. He is hitting .277 on the season with 164 Total Bases, that includes him having 128 hits. He knows how to put the ball in play with him only striking out 67 times in 462 at-bats. Altuve does great against left-handers with a .302 batting average against them, but is only hitting .267 facing right-handers on the season. He is best when he hits from the lead off position, as indicated by a .326 average. He also has a .429 batting average when he bats in the 6th inning.

By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner)

The Houston Astros are not having a great baseball season in 2013 and this was not much of a surprise. This is the first season in which they are playing in the American League, as they were members of the National League since 1962.

They joined the American League West division and as expected they are last in the division. The Astros trail the Texas Rangers by 30 ½ games and at 41-83, they have the worst record in baseball.

Jose Altuve 2013 Highlights – Parental Guidance Is Advised

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MLB 30 Team Power Rankings: Week 21

42 - 8, 25 - 3, 19 - 1, 10 wins in a row.  These are all significant numbers put up with a team with deep pockets, the ability to outdraw everyone, and owners willing to do whatever it takes to bring home the 1st World Series Title since 1988.  No one can touch these guys right now. Best 3 Starters in the NL and hottest 2 NL Hitters in Puig and Ramirez.  Oh yeah, the Bullpen has been lights out for the last 50 contests!

42 – 8, 25 – 3, 19 – 1, 10 wins in a row. These are all significant numbers put up with a team with deep pockets, the ability to outdraw everyone for park attendance, and owners willing to do whatever it takes to bring home the 1st World Series Title since 1988. No one can touch these guys right now. Best 3 Starters in the NL and hottest 2 NL Hitters in Puig and Ramirez. Oh yeah, the Bullpen has been lights out for the last 50 contests!

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

It is time for the MLB Power Rankings.  These are based on my thoughts on whether who has the best chance to win the World Series.

A lot of these positions are based on who has the toughest Strength of Schedule left, who their competition is for the Division, and possibly even the League they are in,

The races for the Divisions (AL East, AL West and NL Central are starting to tighten up, while the NL West, AL Central and most notably NL East are looking to be foregone conclusions

The Braves have rattled of a 18 – 3 stretch, and have been ousted by the Dodgers for the #1 spot in the MLB Rankings .

The Rangers are trying to ricochet off of a couple of great deals, in order to flame down the Oakland Athletics.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.14th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

AP Photo/Matt York

AP Photo/Matt York

Aaron Hill singled home the tying run in the 9th and the winning run in the 14th inning, completing the the Diamondbacks’ sweep of the Orioles, 5-4.

Francisco Liriano snapped the Pirates losing streak in a big way, defeating the Cardinals 5-1 with a complete game effort, with just 4 hits and one run. 

Alfonso Soriano for the second straight night hit a pair of homers. He drove in 7 runs and doubled and walked, driving the Yankees to an 11-3 thrashing of the Angels. 

Jarred Cosart pitched 6 shutout innings in Oakland, setting the Astros up for a 2-1 extra inning victory.

They all owned baseball on August 14, 2013.

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.

To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (July.23rd) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

AP Photo/Nick Wass

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Gerrit Cole pitched 7 innings of 2 hit, 1 run ball against the Nationals. He not only got credited for the 5-1 Pirates win, but went 2-3 with an RBI for good measure.

Adrian Gonzalez went 2-4 including a go ahead 3 run homer in the 8th inning that capped a wild Dodger comeback victory against the Blue Jays, 10-9.

Eduardo Nunez collected a pair of hits including a one out RBI triple in the 9th off of Rangers closer Joe Nathan. That tied the game and would later score the go ahead run as the Yankees stunned Texas, 5-4.

Jarred Cosart threw 7 terrific innings, letting up only one earned run. He did not get the win, but his fine outing put the Astros in a position to come from behind and beat Oakland 5-4.

They all owned baseball on July 23rd, 2013.

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.

To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry

2 And A Hook Podcast #11: Its All About – How Many Altuves? The ALL – Star Game + Reds Chat

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Friday, July.19, 2013

A picture put up during a Houston Astros broadcast - helped the movement immensely - photo courtesy of howmanyaltuves.com

A picture put up during a Houston Astros broadcast – helped the movement immensely – photo courtesy of howmanyaltuves.com

‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball:  ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)

By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran )

Guests On The Show:

Today, my brother Daniel joined me for the show.

We talked to MLB XM Home Plate Radio Host Mike Ferrin (16 Minute Mark and a 22 Minute Segment) I asked him about the origin in which he and Morgan Ensberg started this ‘phenomenon’ – and their reaction to how it has blown into a huge fanbase for the guy – based on one night that it was all started by the former Astros player Enberg, Ferrin and CO.

Jose Altuve is the shortest man in the MLB at approximately 5 FT 5, but he does not get cheated at the plate with his heavy swings.  His big heart and hustle have inspired his own measurement.  Go and check out @howmanyaltuves or www.howmanyaltuves.com  for all of your Home Run (or any measurement for that matter) needs.

Jose Altuve is the shortest man in the MLB at approximately 5 FT 5, but he does not get cheated at the plate with his heavy swings. His big heart and hustle have inspired his own measurement. Go and check out @howmanyaltuves or http://www.howmanyaltuves.com for all of your Home Run (or any measurement for that matter) needs.

Next up was Astros County Writer and http://www.howmanyaltuves.com owner Bryan Trostel (41 Minute Mark and a 18 Minutes Segment)  or We talked about how he joined the ‘Jose Altuve’ Phenomenon, created a twitter  account and website surrounding it, and how it has thrived and blossomed over the last 14 months.  We even learned the metric conversion for an ‘ALTUVE’. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (July 12th) – Updated Yearly “WOB” Standings

(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Jarred Cosart had a big league debut for the ages. Facing a hot Rays team, the one time Phillies prospect tossed a no hitter for 6 1/3 innings for Houston before letting up his first hit. He finished the game by pitching into the 9th, letting up no runs and 2 hits. That’s a line any Cy Young contender would be proud of, The Astros won in Tampa, 2-1.

In a potential playoff preview, Bronson Arroyo pitched the Reds to a 4-2 victory over the Braves. He tossed 7 innings, 3 hits and 1 run to get credited with his 8th win.

Raul Ibanez clocked a pair of homers and a double, going 3-4 and leading the Mariners over the Angels, 8-3.

And Buster Posey led the Giants attack. He tied a 1-0 game with a sacrifice fly in the third. Then he twice came up with 2 outs and runners on and came through. He broke open the game with a 2 out 2 run single in the 6th and turned it into a laugher with a 2 out 2 run double in the 7th, giving the Giants a 10-1 win over the Padres. 

They all owned baseball on July 12th, 2013.

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.

To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast July 13th, 2013

Boston Red Sox Pitching Roster in 2013:  State Of The Union Part 2

Why are so many Red Sox fans loving this team? Because for the first time in years, being a Red Sox fan is FUN again!

Jarred Cosart Bronson Arroyo ,Raul Ibanez, And Buster Posey all owned baseball on July 12th, 2013.

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – July 13, 2013

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Chase Headley: Contract Talks Or Trade Bait?

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Monday May 6th, 2013

Headley led the NL with 115 RBI in 2012 amongst 31 HRs, he will need to put up monster numbers for the Padres to compete with the LA Dodgers going forward.  Headley caaptured a Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger in 2012. He ended up finishing 5th in NL MVP voting.  He hit 23 HRs and 73 RBI in just 75 Games after the 2012 ALL-Star Game.. Chase Headley actually fared well at Petco Park in 2012 - with a 3 Slash Line of .272/.357/.812.  He added 13 HRs and 51 RBI.  He could potentially hit a few more out with the fences drawn in.

Headley led the NL with 115 RBI in 2012 amongst 31 HRs, he will need to put up monster numbers for the Padres to compete with the NL West teams  going forward Chase Headley actually fared well at Petco Park in 2012 – with a 3 Slash Line of .272/.357/.812. He added 13 HRs and 51 RBI. He could potentially hit a few more out this season with the fences newly drawn in.

Bernie Olshansky (Baseball Writer):

For the past few seasons, Chase Headley has been the one guy on the roster that the San Diego Padres can rely on. Last year, he put up MVP-like numbers, hitting 31 HR and driving in 115 runs.

This year, he is really the only guy in the lineup that can truly produce runs. Yonder Alonso has that capability, but he is still a bit raw. Headley is signed to a one-year $8.58 million contract.

He becomes Arbitration-eligible in 2014 and is a Free Agent in 2015. The Padres are faced with a conundrum: should they trade Headley?

This third baseman is 28 years old—about the time when most players enter their prime. With the season we saw from Headley in 2012, I think it is safe to say that he has already entered his prime, and probably has two or three more years similar to 2012 ahead of him.

If the Padres are building for the future, which I sure hope they are, they need to trade Headley right away.

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Houston Astros Roster In 2013: State Of The Union:

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Monday, February.11,  2013

houston_astros-9413By Nicholas Rossoletti (MLB Reports Trade Correspondent):

In 2005, the Houston Astros completed a run to the World Series. It was the culmination of the Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell teams in Houston. That team had players on it named Clemens, Pettitte, Oswalt,Bagwell and Biggio. This Houston team is a far way from that National League Champion. Houston has failed at epic levels the last two seasons. The state of the current union of this team is summed up in one word: bad. With that said, there is a ray of hope in these dark days.

When I first learned of this assignment, I planned on doing a portion of a piece on the Astros most expensive and possibly most prominent offensive piece, Jed Lowrie. Houston, in an effort to aggressively proceed with rebuilding its roster, traded Lowrie for several pieces. The trade itself has been covered by this site and our Astros’ corespondent already so I’m going to focus on piece of it. Chris Carter, the First Baseman/Outfielder, acquired by the Astros. Carter has shown consistent power at the Minor League levels as he consistently posted well above league average ISO numbers. His brief stint in the Majors with the A’s prior to the 2012 season did not see those numbers translate. Finally in 2012, we got a look at what we hope is the real Chris Carter.

Carter posted 16 Home Runs in less than 300 Plate Appearances while posting a spectacular ISO. Carter is not the type of player who will hit for average as his Strike-Out rates are consistently well above league average, but he does so an excellent propensity for taking walks. Carter is an Adam Dunn – type player. Big power, good On Base Percentage, but a high Strike Out rate with a low Batting Average. Overall, I think he will make a fine number four hitter, but the pieces around him need to fit. The other issue is where does Carter play. He is traditionally a First Baseman, but Houston is currently playing 26-Year Old Brett Wallace at first in an effort to determine his value. More important than Wallace though is one of Houston’s top prospects, First Baseman Jonathan Singleton.

Bagwell and Biggio Mix of Highlights:  Who will be the next tandem of Astros greats?:

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Houston…We Have a Problem: The Astros Are in for a Painful Rebuild

Thursday August 9th, 2012

John Burns:  With a 36-76 record the Houston Astros have been the laughing-stock of baseball this season. Houston is going into a complete rebuilding phase after trading the very few veterans they had, such as: Carlos Lee to Miami, Wandy Rodriguez to Pittsburgh, Brett Myers to Chicago (White Sox), Chris Johnson to Arizona, and J.A. Happ to Toronto. It is safe to say that Houston was definitely a seller at the recent non-waiver trade deadline and they made the right decision. They had one of the best deadlines in my opinion because they got rid of players that they were not going to win with and got very talented prospects in return. With the load of prospects Houston received, they will most definitely need several of their new young players to pan out if Houston plans to contend in the A.L. West one day. Oh yeah… I forgot to mention the worst team in baseball is going to one of the best divisions in baseball in 2013. A difficult situation is about to get a whole lot tougher. Read the rest of this entry