Lance Berkman
Photo: Icon SMI

The series on team offense continues with the Houston Astros. I plug the probable lineup from CBSSportsLine into the Lineup Analysis Tool, and fill in the numbers with Marcel the Monkey projections. For pitchers, I used the Astros 2008 numbers. The results:

• Best lineup: 4.63 runs per game
• Probable lineup: 4.46 runs per game
• Worst lineup: 4.03 runs per game
• Regressed lineup: 4.32 runs per game

The Astros scored 4.42 runs per game in 2008.

This is really a tale of two lineups. The Astros two-three-four hitters are very good. The rest of the lineup leaves a lot to be desired, with the six-seven-eight slots just awful. The probable lineup rates as high as it does says a lot about the ability of Pence, Berkman and Lee to hit.

There’s not much Cooper can do with this group of hitters. It’s going to be up to Ed Wade to improve this offense over time. Astros fans need to hope the pitching is going to be very good this year if they’re going to win.

Update: I just saw Ivan Rodriguez signed with the Astros. I redid the lineup with Pudge batting eighth and here are the results.

• Best lineup: 4.68 runs per game
• Probable lineup: 4.50 runs per game
• Worst lineup: 4.08 runs per game
• Regressed lineup: 4.34 runs per game

Not much of a change.

Other teams in this series:

• Texas Rangers (see this entry for a full explanation of this system).
• Chicago Cubs
• Boston Red Sox
• Minnesota Twins
• Detroit Tigers
• Chicago White Sox
• Cleveland Indians
• New York Mets
• Philadelphia Phillies
• New York Yankees
• Baltimore Orioles
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Florida Marlins
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Atlanta Braves
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Colorado Rockies
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• Arizona Diamondbacks

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