http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/551 Recent articles about Wandy Rodriguez en-us More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP Before you can criticize a man, you have a to walk a mile in his shoes. Here's your chance to have free reign with Eddy in the future. Browse more photos » We're pretty much at the first of two nadir's for the baseball offseason (is that possible in the logical sense?).  This week and then those two of purgatory before pitchers and catchers report.  ... Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:46:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/GM_for_the_day_What_would_you_do_if_Ed_Wade_handed_you_the_key_to_the_Astros/1630120 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/GM_for_the_day_What_would_you_do_if_Ed_Wade_handed_you_the_key_to_the_Astros/1630120 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/GM_for_the_day_What_would_you_do_if_Ed_Wade_handed_you_the_key_to_the_Astros/1630120 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/61be763630e72f3ed1744c5072fd36afac1bba3e/small/MLB_MAY_14_a8e5.jpg When you think of the starting pitching in Houston, the name that comes to mind is almost assuredly Roy Oswalt. Yet for the 2010 season and beyond, Wandy Rodriguez looks like the player to keep your eye on. This 30-year-old lefty has been with the Astros his entire five year career in the Major Leagues. He [...] Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:14:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Player_Prediction_Wandy_Rodriguez/1591527 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Player_Prediction_Wandy_Rodriguez/1591527 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Player_Prediction_Wandy_Rodriguez/1591527 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/9117b2da465adc6882f3a0d9d9e88e611749cf66/small/MLB_MAY_14_ba5f.jpg One thing you couldn't have accused the Astros of just before the 2009 season was having a great deal of pitching depth.  Wandy Rodriguez had improved in 2008, but it was unknown whether he could continue the trend after just one really good year.  The bullpen had been (in part) anchored by such luminous names as Doug Brocail and later the previously-mediocre LaTroy Hawkins.  Randy Wolf had been let go, and the starting rotation depended on several injury-prone pitchers... Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:32:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Pitching_depth_in_2010/1557035 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Pitching_depth_in_2010/1557035 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Pitching_depth_in_2010/1557035 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/61be763630e72f3ed1744c5072fd36afac1bba3e/small/MLB_MAY_14_a8e5.jpg Other than Michael Bourn and Wandy Rodriguez, one of the best under-the-radar stories of the Astros 2009 season was the major league debut of Bud Norris.  It wasn't quite sparkling, marred by a four game slump, but his other six starts showed a lot of promise, especially his 13 shutout innings against the Cardinals.  And even when he was struggling, he showed great composure on the mound, except perhaps in the August 23rd game against Arizona when he only lasted a single inn... Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:38:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Reflection_Bud_Norris_and_his_rookie_season/1352140 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Reflection_Bud_Norris_and_his_rookie_season/1352140 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Reflection_Bud_Norris_and_his_rookie_season/1352140 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/c/8cc30543c0a605f7c7ec0c22a4a7661004c70722/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_19_745d.jpg Current Series 3 game series vs Mets @ Citi Field --> Mets lead the series 1-0 Fri 10/02 WP: John Maine (7 - 6) LP: Wandy Rodriguez (14 - 12) 1 - 7 loss Houston Astros The Crawfish Boxes @ New York Mets Amazin' Avenue Sunday, Oct 4, 2009, 12:10 PM CDT Citi Field Wilton Lopez vs Nelson Figueroa   Complete Coverage > Sun 10/04 12:10 PM CDT Sorry for the delay on this.  This is our third a... Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:34:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Houston_Astros_at_New_York_Mets_Oct_3_2009_1210_PM_CDT/1299701 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Houston_Astros_at_New_York_Mets_Oct_3_2009_1210_PM_CDT/1299701 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Houston_Astros_at_New_York_Mets_Oct_3_2009_1210_PM_CDT/1299701 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/7/d745f832e02c3673e1bcfe8293d2ea1f6855e4ad/small/MLB_MAY_14_d55b.jpg The last baseball game of the year here at home, another meaningless game, except for Wandy, my favorite Astro, on the mound, but I said to myself, it IS Wandy and after all, you won't be able to go to another baseball game until next April, so out we went - Brother and the kids and me. Husband was SUPPOSED to go, but he said - Baby, I'm too tired. I should have been suspiscious, but I was, as usual, in a hurry as kids, as usual, excel at lollygagging. I always make them eat and drink... Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:09:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/51_Wandy_Rodriguez_Wins_His_51st_ML_Game_And_The_Astros_Have_A_Wining_Record_At_Home_For_2009/1257061 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/51_Wandy_Rodriguez_Wins_His_51st_ML_Game_And_The_Astros_Have_A_Wining_Record_At_Home_For_2009/1257061 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/51_Wandy_Rodriguez_Wins_His_51st_ML_Game_And_The_Astros_Have_A_Wining_Record_At_Home_For_2009/1257061 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/9117b2da465adc6882f3a0d9d9e88e611749cf66/small/MLB_MAY_14_ba5f.jpg by David J. Phillip - AP 3 days ago: Houston Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino with the bases loaded to end the top of the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) View full size photo uploaded September 7, 2009 Yesterday, HLP issued the opening salvo in an on going argument he and I hav... Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:15:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_is_the_Astros_2009_team_MVP_DQs_response/1131752 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_is_the_Astros_2009_team_MVP_DQs_response/1131752 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_is_the_Astros_2009_team_MVP_DQs_response/1131752 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/7/d745f832e02c3673e1bcfe8293d2ea1f6855e4ad/small/MLB_MAY_14_d55b.jpg by David J. Phillip - AP View full size photo uploaded September 4, 2009 With a title like that, you would expect the Astros to have played well. That they did this Friday evening. Behind a sterling effort from PMVP (pitching MVP) Wandy Rodriguez, and a bloop/blast performance from the offense, our Astros took on a streaking Phils team and beat them soundly. The Astros' ninth shut out victory of the season was spearheaded by Wandy... Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:53:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Astros_beat_World_Series_Champs_and_Cy_Young_winner_in_Series_Opener/1116948 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Astros_beat_World_Series_Champs_and_Cy_Young_winner_in_Series_Opener/1116948 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Astros_beat_World_Series_Champs_and_Cy_Young_winner_in_Series_Opener/1116948 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/9117b2da465adc6882f3a0d9d9e88e611749cf66/small/MLB_MAY_14_ba5f.jpg More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP 1 day ago: Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez takes a drink in the dugout after pitching during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Browse more photos » A starting pitcher question this week: Of the top twenty-five players in career win-loss percentage, five... Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Thursday_TCB_Trivia_Question/1056376 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Thursday_TCB_Trivia_Question/1056376 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Thursday_TCB_Trivia_Question/1056376 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/61be763630e72f3ed1744c5072fd36afac1bba3e/small/MLB_MAY_14_a8e5.jpg More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP 4 days ago: Houston Astros' Wandy Rodriguez (51) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Florida Marlins in a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, in Houston. Rodriguez earned his 12th win of the season with the 4-1 win. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) Browse more photos » Current Series 3 game series vs Cardinals @ Busch Stadium --> 3 game serie... Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:15:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Houston_Astros_at_St_Louis_Cardinals_Aug_25_2009_715_PM_CDT/1044813 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Houston_Astros_at_St_Louis_Cardinals_Aug_25_2009_715_PM_CDT/1044813 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Houston_Astros_at_St_Louis_Cardinals_Aug_25_2009_715_PM_CDT/1044813 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/61be763630e72f3ed1744c5072fd36afac1bba3e/small/MLB_MAY_14_a8e5.jpg More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP Browse more photos » It would be tough to argue that Wandy Rodriguez is the best starting pitcher in baseball. While his stock has definitely risen in 2009, he still has a ways to go in order to get into the conversation dealing with being a part of the "baseball's best starter" conversation. Still, it bears mentioning that there is more than one way for a starting pitch... Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Something_you_may_not_have_known_Wandy_being_clutch/1036777 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Something_you_may_not_have_known_Wandy_being_clutch/1036777 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Something_you_may_not_have_known_Wandy_being_clutch/1036777 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/9117b2da465adc6882f3a0d9d9e88e611749cf66/small/MLB_MAY_14_ba5f.jpg My VERY favorite baseball player!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSS Hopefully I won't be having to read stuff about how he's just a number 5 or he melts under pressure or he is too emotional or some such nonsense. OR that he owes his success to Cecil Cooper (yes, I have heard that nonsense, too...) Yes, he had an icky 3 weeks between May 25 and June 16, but he straightened himself out and now has the 5th best ERA in the NL. He threw 5 games in June, 27 hits, 7 BB, 3 R/ER, 34 K over 36 IP for a 0.... Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:41:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_Is_The_July_2009_NL_Pitcher_Of_The_Month/934121 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_Is_The_July_2009_NL_Pitcher_Of_The_Month/934121 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_Is_The_July_2009_NL_Pitcher_Of_The_Month/934121 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/61be763630e72f3ed1744c5072fd36afac1bba3e/small/MLB_MAY_14_a8e5.jpg Go On BOY!!! The way he made them feelHe knocked them offn their feetyeah yeahTheir lonely days are here.. They hate the feelin he's givin them3 nasty pitchesAnd they're back on the bench againHe gives them fever from on the moundThey try to hit, but just have to sit back down The ump is squeezin himSomethin fierceBut he just goes outAnd Ks Steven Pearce That curve is cuttin from 12-5The FB is hoppin, full of lifeIf they get on, He gets a double playThey take a pitch but strike outAny... Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:49:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_Pitches_A_Complete_Game_5_Hitter_To_Beat_Pirates/785034 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_Pitches_A_Complete_Game_5_Hitter_To_Beat_Pirates/785034 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_Pitches_A_Complete_Game_5_Hitter_To_Beat_Pirates/785034 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/61be763630e72f3ed1744c5072fd36afac1bba3e/small/MLB_MAY_14_a8e5.jpg More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP Browse more photos »   Pirates_Astros_133848086_lbig_medium.png" /> That's my kind of game board. A game that the Astros had in hand seemingly the whole way. Wandy escaped his biggest threat in the second when he struck out two batters with two runners on base. From there, Michael Bourn, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman did the rest. Mr. Rodriguez pit... Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:48:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_goes_distance_in_series_clinching_win_against_Pittsburgh/784647 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Wandy_Rodriguez_goes_distance_in_series_clinching_win_against_Pittsburgh/784647