Astro-nomical losses bankrupt supporters
Julian Dickinson
http://www.covers.com/includes/articles.aspx?theArt=27341&tid=24&t=2
The Houston Astros haven't won as many games as everyone expected when they stole two of the top pitchers from the Yankees rotation last winter. But they're not dead yet, even though they're 9 1/2 games behind in the National League Central division.
Only 3 1/2 games separate Houston from the second-place Cubs, and they're still on the right side of .500 at 43-42. They also have a few arms in their rotation that should keep them in contention right through the summer.
But as far as bettors are concerned, the Astros died a long time ago.
You would have to be either crazy or fearless to wager on a team that has lost more than 18 units in half a season. And this is a team with a winning record.
How does a team drop that much cash without ending up in the league's basement? Simple. They've seen an obscene amount of chalk.
You can count on one hand the number of times Houston has gone into a game as an underdog. And when the starting pitcher is Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte or Roy Oswalt, the price usually creeps into a range even George Steinbrenner would balk at.
Houston's top three hurlers are an uninspiring 6-6 in their last 12 contests, but that record is a lot worse when you look at the moneyline. Although Oswalt has put together some strong wins lately, they've still dropped about three units through that stretch.
Pettitte, who gets the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers today, has been the worst investment of the three. The Astros have lost three of his last four starts, including both of his appearances since returning from a month-long stint on the DL with a strained forearm.
In his most recent outing, the man who won 21 games with the Yankees last season was roughed up by the Rangers in an embarrassing 18-3 rout as a -175 favorite. He struggled to get out of the early innings and a wild pitch that allowed a run to score was the exclamation point in the story of his troubles this season.
"This is very disappointing," Pettitte said after the game. "I was bad. I need to get a lot better."
Supporters have been stung for more than three units in Pettitte's last four games. As a result, the Astros are even money today against Jeff Weaver, a price that's more than reasonable.
Pitching hasn't been Houston's only problem. With a lineup that includes names like Biggio, Berkman, Bagwell and now Beltran, you would expect more than the 4.2 runs per game the Astros have produced over their last 10 contests. Houston needs to put it all together if it hopes to earn those much-needed wins against Los Angeles.
"When we're hitting, we have to pitch well," said Houston starter Pete Munro. "When we pitch well, we have to hit and play defense. We just haven't been able to be on the same page."
Julian Dickinson
http://www.covers.com/includes/articles.aspx?theArt=27341&tid=24&t=2
The Houston Astros haven't won as many games as everyone expected when they stole two of the top pitchers from the Yankees rotation last winter. But they're not dead yet, even though they're 9 1/2 games behind in the National League Central division.
Only 3 1/2 games separate Houston from the second-place Cubs, and they're still on the right side of .500 at 43-42. They also have a few arms in their rotation that should keep them in contention right through the summer.
But as far as bettors are concerned, the Astros died a long time ago.
You would have to be either crazy or fearless to wager on a team that has lost more than 18 units in half a season. And this is a team with a winning record.
How does a team drop that much cash without ending up in the league's basement? Simple. They've seen an obscene amount of chalk.
You can count on one hand the number of times Houston has gone into a game as an underdog. And when the starting pitcher is Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte or Roy Oswalt, the price usually creeps into a range even George Steinbrenner would balk at.
Houston's top three hurlers are an uninspiring 6-6 in their last 12 contests, but that record is a lot worse when you look at the moneyline. Although Oswalt has put together some strong wins lately, they've still dropped about three units through that stretch.
Pettitte, who gets the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers today, has been the worst investment of the three. The Astros have lost three of his last four starts, including both of his appearances since returning from a month-long stint on the DL with a strained forearm.
In his most recent outing, the man who won 21 games with the Yankees last season was roughed up by the Rangers in an embarrassing 18-3 rout as a -175 favorite. He struggled to get out of the early innings and a wild pitch that allowed a run to score was the exclamation point in the story of his troubles this season.
"This is very disappointing," Pettitte said after the game. "I was bad. I need to get a lot better."
Supporters have been stung for more than three units in Pettitte's last four games. As a result, the Astros are even money today against Jeff Weaver, a price that's more than reasonable.
Pitching hasn't been Houston's only problem. With a lineup that includes names like Biggio, Berkman, Bagwell and now Beltran, you would expect more than the 4.2 runs per game the Astros have produced over their last 10 contests. Houston needs to put it all together if it hopes to earn those much-needed wins against Los Angeles.
"When we're hitting, we have to pitch well," said Houston starter Pete Munro. "When we pitch well, we have to hit and play defense. We just haven't been able to be on the same page."
