Astros Insight: What's going on?

The Astros are sadly on the heels of a seven game losing streak after being swept in Cincinnati by the Reds. Their record now stand at 18-27, last in the NL Central and 9 games out of the first place Cardinals. Normally the Astros are slow first half starters and this year is no different. I remember 2005, the last and only World Series appearance by my Houston Astros. That year, the sport columnist of the Houston Chronicle, Dave Justice, posted an article with a tombstone and gave the Astros up for dead. Their record then stood at 15-30, worst than this year. The rest is history of course, as the Astros rallied and won the Wild Card and a wild ride to the World Series. I know, they lost, actually swept by the White Sox, but I will always remember that team, that even though they were given up for dead by most (me included), they still came back and shocked the world by advancing that far.

So, what do they need to do now to accomplish that same goal? Well, for starters, how about some pitching? Both starting and relief. This year corp has really been unsettling wth pitchers seemingly pitching on thin ice. The rotation, apart from Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez on occassions, has been disastrous. Mike Hampton, Russ Ortiz, Felipe Paulino and Brian Moehler are not exactly names that spell fear to the opposition. And as a fan, I'm always praying more than usual when any of those guys take the mound. Hopefully Brandon Backe comes back and delivers this group from its misery. Whatever happened to the times when the Astros were known for their pitching and their talents? The bullpen is in disarray as well. Having lost Jose Valverde and Doug Brocail to injuries the Astros had to plug in Latroy Hawkins as their closer, leaving the other guys (what are their names anyways?) to figure the rest out.

On the offense side, I see a lot of progress, namely Michael Bourn. This Houston native is leading the league in stolen bases and he's getting on base more regularly as his .286 batting average attests. Lance Berkman also needs to hurry up and find his groove because he is the weakest and missing link. At .229 average, Berkman is batting 70 points below is career average. If he starts to get hot and the pitching figures out a way out of its mess, I see the Astros shocking the world once again with another berth in the grand finale. The World Series.

My All-Star Teams

With the All-Star game fast approaching, here are the guys who won my vote:

NL ALL-STARS:

C-Ivan Rodriguez, Astros
1B- Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
2B- Chase Utley, Phillies
SS- Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3B- David Wright, Mets
OF- Carlos Lee, Astros
Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
Carlos Beltran, Mets
Starting Pitcher- Tim Lincecum, Giants


AL ALL-STARS:

C- Victor Martinez, Indians
1B- Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B- Brian Roberts, Orioles
SS- Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B- Michael Young, Rangers
OF- Jason Bay, Red Sox
Nick Markakis, Orioles
Torii Hunter, Angels
Starting Pitcher- Zack Greinke, Royals


And there you have it. My lineups for the All-Star game. Anybody I left out that you think should be in the starting lineup? Leave me a comment and we'll talk about it.

Quick and to the point with Fraud-Ram

I won't dwell on this topic of the Steroid Era for too much because sincerely, my opinions of this matter was buried, or so I thought, a long time ago. Right after the A-Rod news came out. I wasn't hoping for a day in which we would hear another Superstar linked to the Steroid Era, much less a guy like Manny Ramirez. But hey, I said that I wasn't going to be surprised if another player of his caliber would get caught, and frankly, I'm not. It was just a matter of days. And it will only be another matter of days for the next leaf of the Steroid tree to dwindle and fall, and disgrace the game even more.

I really don't care anymore whether it was a mysterious cream, or vitamins from the GNC store, or female hormone pills, the list of banned substances are given out each and every year to every member of the players union. I would assume that any player with the right frame of mine, and who wants to protect his reputation, should look over that list ANY time that they take any medicine or a trainer's miracle cream. You know, just in case there is anything that might get them SUSPENDED and hurt their team in the process.

Well, the Dodgers sure are glad that they didn't trade Juan Pierre this past offseason. He is their starter for at least the next 50 games. He'll steal you a bunch of bases and score a lots of runs, but he is no Manny.