It’s that time of year again.
The Houston Astros’ time of year.
Forget what happened before the All-Star break. Watch what happens the rest of the way.
The Astros under Phil Garner EXPECT to win after the All-Star break.
Houston took two of three games from the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers before winning two of the first three (in a four-game series) from the San Diego Padres, who top the NL Wild Card standings.
The Astros have won six of their last nine.
Sure, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are gone. But the pitching staff is tied for No. 3 with Chicago and Atlanta in the National League with 54 quality starts. The Astros have more quality starts than Milwaukee (48) and St. Louis (40) – two teams ahead of them in the NL Central.
And someone will unexpectedly emerge in Hunter Pence’s absence to help Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman carry the offensive load.
Remember this: The Astros will win the NL Central this year. (The Cubs will overtake the Brewers in the wild-card race.)
I guarantee it.
Jason and Roy, my good friends, we’ll have a good time in Houston this October.
11 Comments:
Larry, please. Please. Please. Give it up.
18 RUNS??????????????????
10.5 back in the division (behind 3 teams) and 12.5 in the Wild-Card? Please start watching a real contender like the Cubs. The Astros are so hot, yet they've lost ground in their own division. Between you and Watson and the Simpsons movie, there are WAYYYY too many Homers.
Roy,
The Astros HAVE to get rid of Jason Jennings. Eleven runs in one inning? The Astros could've won 11-7 if Jennings had retired the first three batters he faced. Even after Jennings put the Astros in a deep hole, they fought back and made a game of it.
The Astros could have won ... come on .. how can the opposing pitcher focus with an 11-0 lead. Happens all the time.
The Astros are AWFUL.
They were awful in the first half. They'll be a LOT better from here on out. Wigginton's an upgrade at the plate. He'll help until Pence returns. For some reason, the Astros don't feel a sense of urgency until after the All-Star break.
Larry, you still have some defense after these shellackings?
Roy,
That was just a bump in the road. Sampson is injured, and he doesn't want to admit it. He will have to be replaced in the rotation. Pretty soon, they're going to put a lengthy winning streak together.
Larry, the Astros, to even have a chance to get in the playoffs, would have to go 39-16 the rest of the way. And all that would get them is in the running.
39-16???? Just for a chance. Don't think so.
There isn't any reason to think they can play .500 ball, let alone .710. Like several teams right now, realizing it's not gonna happen, they are going in the tank.
No big deal, you can't win every year, but the rose-colored glasses have to come off!
It won't be easy, but these guys seem to thrive when they've been given up for dead. In 2004 and 2005, they came out of nowhere to make the playoffs. This team was 15 games under .500 (15-30) in 2005 before it reached the World Series. They're comeback specialists. They've still got a BIG run left.
Larry, being 45 games into a season and 105 is completely different. They have less than 60 games left. Check where they were 58 games after their 15-30 start -- i'll bet they weren't in first place.
This isn't even worth talking about it's so ridiculous. Oh and did I mention they are behind TEN teams. YES TEN!
Roy,
The 'Stros kept fighting back last night until they finally beat the Braves (12-11). They're relentless after the All-Star break.
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