We're back for G4 at Cincinnati, where we're giving you living room fodder for your Astros Watching Party. If you have those.
*The Astros did wonders for Mike Leake's ERA in his rookie 2010 season. Overall, he posted a 4.23 ERA/1.50 WHIP, with a 1.86 K:BB ratio and a .320 BABIP against. In two games against the Astros, he was 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA/1.40 WHIP, allowing 19H/5ER in 19.1IP. The Astros were able to draw some walks against him, getting a BB eight times, as opposed to 11Ks.
*If the Astros can get runners in scoring position, opponents are hitting .306/.387/.562 off Leake - and that's with a relatively normal .308 BABIP.
*The trick is to be patient - something the Astros haven't really done this season. With the batter ahead in the count (in 2010), they posted a .979 OPS, as opposed to a .649 OPS when Leake was ahead.
*Lefties hit Leake to the tune of .292/.342/.490 in 2010, for an .832 OPS. This would be good news if Astros lefties could hit RHPs. Astros lefties are 1x18 against RHPs in 2011.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
