Andy White with the lumber We never believed the high after winning the NBA title could get any higher. We never thought there was another plateau above nirvana.
Here we go.
The Texas Rangers won 3-2 in Houston last night winning not only the series, but the season series and, thus, the vaunted Silver Boot. It is staying exactly where its at.
I'm sure Neftali Feliz drank champagne out of it. I'm sure Nolan Ryan took a piss with it. I know that Michael Young left the field right after the final out to cry in the clubhouse.
I know that overemphasizing the importance of winning the Silver Boot, a trophy no one cares about, is fun and all, but there is a hint of seriousness. Although we may not necessarily care about the Houston Astros, I care a whole lot about beating the shit out of any team from Houston.
I hate Houston. Most notably, I hate the Rockets. But I have zero love for the Texans and Astros. Maybe there's not a rivalry, but I'd rather see those teams lose than most other teams. It is what it is.
Yesterday, Nolan Ryan said that he'd like to see the Houston Astros brought to the American League West as realignment talks have gotten hot over the weeks. Ryan, of course, talks about the television market and being able to stay in state. This is true.
It also wouldn't hurt having the Astros on your schedule 15 times a year.
Notes:
1. If nothing else, Colby Lewis is going to be well-rested for his next start. Lewis was cruising the entire game until the seventh inning. He was pulled after giving up two runs and three hits. He'd thrown 74 pitches. What I don't get is that Lewis absolutely wipes out the Astros for six innings and gets the yank at the first tilt of the boat, but C.J. Wilson can throw 130 pitches so you can avoid the bullpen? What happened to "one more inning?" It worked, so there's little to actually bitch about. Still, it's two straight nights for Neftali Feliz and Mark Lowe because of Tuesday night.
2. All of this, of course, is based on my idea that Lewis was alright. He did look extremely sweaty out there and the Houston smog might have gotten to him.
3. Ian Kinsler continues to kill it. Two home runs. Average up to .243.
4. No problem with Mark Lowe as of late. Funny, his ERA drops from 6.10 to 2.45 in his road/home splits. Him getting outs on the road is huge.
5. In his last 20.1 innings, Colby Lewis: 4 ER, 3 HR, 4 BBs. He's officially at 100 innings pitched.
6. Love the strike-them-out-throw-them-out to end a game. By the way, why was Carlos Lee on the bases, why was he stealing? This is why you want to play Houston 15 times a year.
7. If Colby Lewis and Andres Blanco are your big hitters, you're in trouble. Two straight starts for Brett Myers against the Rangers and he's handled them pretty well despite a 6.00 career ERA against them. Love of off-speed junk.
