All-Star Break
I figure now is as good of a time as any to speak of the Astros. I have been slacking off on this blog thing, but it'll pick up as my free time does.
At the half-way point of the season, the Astros are 1 game over .500. That's a vast improvement over where they were about 2 months ago. Knowing that the Cards are the best team in the central, possibly MLB, I had high hopes for a 2nd place finish. When they were 15-30 at one point, I just about lost my desire to follow them for this season. I however, hate fairweather fans, so I held on, and I'm extremely excited that they've got their heads above water again, and are on the verge of doing something special. This is the same thing that happened last year, they started out crappy, then took off in the second half. Let's hope that they can pull off another 12 game winning streak, or perhaps even more.
Actually the long winning streaks do nothing but bring more attention to the team. I'd like for them to do something like when 30 out of 40. Do great, but throw in a loss here and there. Then, at the end of the season, when all the media has been talking about the Yankees and the BoSox, the unnoticed Astros have snuck in there and taken the Wild Card. (Yes I realize that the 'Stros and the other two are in different leagues, I am just saying that they get too much media attention).
It's nice to see Biggio showing some pop in his bat. I realize his numbers aren't close to what they once were, but the leadership that he provides for the team make up for any loss of production over the years. I've always liked Biggio, but been much more of a Bagwell kind of guy. I played 1st base growing up, I wanted to wear #5 like Bags, I just thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. With him missing most of this season though, I've really began to become a Biggio fan. I think if you were to pick 1 Astro to represent the club, all time, it would have to be Biggio.
The rest of the supporting staff is doing an unbelievable job. The obvious person to talk about it Roger Clemens. He's great, always has been. It's hard to believe that a man his age can completely dominate guys half his age. It really shows what a competitor he is. Lidge had proved himself to be the man, the go to guy. There isn't another closer that I would choose over Lidge. Of course I am terribly biased, but I'm not sure who else you could argue for. Morgan Ensberg is finally doing what was expected out of him last year. He and his frosted tips are well on the way to breaking some all time Astro records at 3rd base. I don't think that he's capable to keep going at the same pace that he was at during June, but he'll be close to it. I imagine that he'll end up with between 35 and 40 dingers.
The two guys that I think deserve a lot more credit are Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte. After the All Star selection, Oswalt is beginning to gain some more notice, but he should be considered a top 5 pitcher in the NL. It's hard to fathom that two of the top 5 are from the 'Stros, but based on record and ERA it's clear. Pettitte on the other hand, has been flying below the radar since his move to Houston last year. He's been injured, and overshadowed by Clemens, but he's quietly putting together a decent year. The record might not say that, but the ERA and lack of run support does. Keep an eye on him in the 2nd half, he'll impress if healthy.
Even though they are starting the 2nd half of the season on an up note, they've still got a huge mountain to climb. Can they do it? Look at last year for reference. They don't have a Carlos Beltran to help them out, but an Adam Dunn might be on his way. (wouldn't that be great). If they can fight off the Cubs, and all of the NL East, they'll be there. I guarantee you that the other teams don't want them to make the post season because the 1-2-3 punch of Clemens, Oswalt and Pettitte will be too much for them to handle. Go Go Astros....
At the half-way point of the season, the Astros are 1 game over .500. That's a vast improvement over where they were about 2 months ago. Knowing that the Cards are the best team in the central, possibly MLB, I had high hopes for a 2nd place finish. When they were 15-30 at one point, I just about lost my desire to follow them for this season. I however, hate fairweather fans, so I held on, and I'm extremely excited that they've got their heads above water again, and are on the verge of doing something special. This is the same thing that happened last year, they started out crappy, then took off in the second half. Let's hope that they can pull off another 12 game winning streak, or perhaps even more.
Actually the long winning streaks do nothing but bring more attention to the team. I'd like for them to do something like when 30 out of 40. Do great, but throw in a loss here and there. Then, at the end of the season, when all the media has been talking about the Yankees and the BoSox, the unnoticed Astros have snuck in there and taken the Wild Card. (Yes I realize that the 'Stros and the other two are in different leagues, I am just saying that they get too much media attention).
It's nice to see Biggio showing some pop in his bat. I realize his numbers aren't close to what they once were, but the leadership that he provides for the team make up for any loss of production over the years. I've always liked Biggio, but been much more of a Bagwell kind of guy. I played 1st base growing up, I wanted to wear #5 like Bags, I just thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. With him missing most of this season though, I've really began to become a Biggio fan. I think if you were to pick 1 Astro to represent the club, all time, it would have to be Biggio.
The rest of the supporting staff is doing an unbelievable job. The obvious person to talk about it Roger Clemens. He's great, always has been. It's hard to believe that a man his age can completely dominate guys half his age. It really shows what a competitor he is. Lidge had proved himself to be the man, the go to guy. There isn't another closer that I would choose over Lidge. Of course I am terribly biased, but I'm not sure who else you could argue for. Morgan Ensberg is finally doing what was expected out of him last year. He and his frosted tips are well on the way to breaking some all time Astro records at 3rd base. I don't think that he's capable to keep going at the same pace that he was at during June, but he'll be close to it. I imagine that he'll end up with between 35 and 40 dingers.
The two guys that I think deserve a lot more credit are Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte. After the All Star selection, Oswalt is beginning to gain some more notice, but he should be considered a top 5 pitcher in the NL. It's hard to fathom that two of the top 5 are from the 'Stros, but based on record and ERA it's clear. Pettitte on the other hand, has been flying below the radar since his move to Houston last year. He's been injured, and overshadowed by Clemens, but he's quietly putting together a decent year. The record might not say that, but the ERA and lack of run support does. Keep an eye on him in the 2nd half, he'll impress if healthy.
Even though they are starting the 2nd half of the season on an up note, they've still got a huge mountain to climb. Can they do it? Look at last year for reference. They don't have a Carlos Beltran to help them out, but an Adam Dunn might be on his way. (wouldn't that be great). If they can fight off the Cubs, and all of the NL East, they'll be there. I guarantee you that the other teams don't want them to make the post season because the 1-2-3 punch of Clemens, Oswalt and Pettitte will be too much for them to handle. Go Go Astros....
posted by Sancho at 7:15 PM
0 comments
