Jim Baker breaks down the weekend’s featured tilts, including a mismatchup of historic proportions.
The Devil Rays appear ready to move B.J. Upton off of shortstop for good, most likely to third base. It won’t hurt his value as much as you might think.
News on Bill Mueller, Roy Halladay and Ivan Rodriguez pales in comparison to some interesting information about Matt Morris’ performance.
HOUSTON ASTROS
Played an old-school eight games and went 5-3, though it could have been a bigger week; Pittsburgh gave them more trouble than they should have. In the three losses in Steeltown, the offense couldn’t get started, though most of the principles did well on the week. The restaurant scene in Pittsburgh is said to be lacking, that could bring a team down… In a reversal of the usual order of things, Brad Ausmus batted .368/.400/.421, but opponents were safe in five of six stolen base attempts. Happy new year, Brad! Life is (a) a bowl of cherries, (b) a beach, (c) none of the above, (d) a mixed bag at the best of times, (e) all of the above. GRADE: B-
Addition by subtraction is today’s theme, although “the only PTP with three playoff teams” could also work.
Chris Kahrl has all the roster expansion and early-September movings and shakings in this supersized edition of Transaction Analysis.