Last month I felt that by August 10th, we'd have a very clear idea as to the fate of the Houston Astros during the 2009 baseball season. I stand corrected. Today, we're still unsure as to which way things will go in Houston, largely to some consistently neutral play.
During the last 13 games, the Astros have played some important series that were crucial to the continuation of the team's season. The team lost eight of these games, and blew some games they easily could have one. The team was hit with injuries too, plenty of them.
With two months of baseball remaining, there's only one way the Astros can make a run at the playoffs. They'll have to outplay every one of their opponents. The team hasn't played to this form all season, so it's unclear as to whether they can no.
In 2004, they took off on the sort of run they will need to reproduce this year. Back then, they had only two good starting pitchers - Oswalt and Roger Clemens. They had to depend on the offense to win the other three starts in the rotation. This year, they might just have three dependable starters if Oswalt and Rodriguez can stay healthy and Bud Norris continues to pitch well. Brian Moehler is a 50-50 proposition every time out.
As far as offense was concerned, players like Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Jeff Kent, and Carlos Beltran lined the roster, leading an effective charge. Do Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Miguel Tejada compare? Perhaps, but they'll need to heat up.
The Astros did nothing as far as the trade deadline was concerned. No concessions and no bolstering moves. It's doubtful that they'll make any significant waiver moves. However, the team does have the talent to make a run.
The only reason I wouldn't give up on Houston just yet is simply for the fact that it seems they've pulled it together so many times at this point in the season. Their problem in 2009 is the depth of their division and they'll literally have to play their best baseball of the season, as they can't count on the crumbling of any of their foes.
There are still reasons to watch the Astros and not emotionally quit on them. But it is "put up or shut up" time. They need to get hot and it needs to start now.
During the last 13 games, the Astros have played some important series that were crucial to the continuation of the team's season. The team lost eight of these games, and blew some games they easily could have one. The team was hit with injuries too, plenty of them.
With two months of baseball remaining, there's only one way the Astros can make a run at the playoffs. They'll have to outplay every one of their opponents. The team hasn't played to this form all season, so it's unclear as to whether they can no.
In 2004, they took off on the sort of run they will need to reproduce this year. Back then, they had only two good starting pitchers - Oswalt and Roger Clemens. They had to depend on the offense to win the other three starts in the rotation. This year, they might just have three dependable starters if Oswalt and Rodriguez can stay healthy and Bud Norris continues to pitch well. Brian Moehler is a 50-50 proposition every time out.
As far as offense was concerned, players like Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Jeff Kent, and Carlos Beltran lined the roster, leading an effective charge. Do Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Miguel Tejada compare? Perhaps, but they'll need to heat up.
The Astros did nothing as far as the trade deadline was concerned. No concessions and no bolstering moves. It's doubtful that they'll make any significant waiver moves. However, the team does have the talent to make a run.
The only reason I wouldn't give up on Houston just yet is simply for the fact that it seems they've pulled it together so many times at this point in the season. Their problem in 2009 is the depth of their division and they'll literally have to play their best baseball of the season, as they can't count on the crumbling of any of their foes.
There are still reasons to watch the Astros and not emotionally quit on them. But it is "put up or shut up" time. They need to get hot and it needs to start now.
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