Need more consistent production from the top of rotation guys or this team will likely remain middling most of the season. The question is whether Seattle and Texas will continue to join them in this middling
Espada is so lucky that the AL West is the worst division in baseball. Astros gave the other teams a huge chance to bury them this season. The rest of the Division: "Na, we're good."
If the Astros were in the AL East, we would be 12 games back. If the Astros were in the AL Central, we would be 11 games back.
Name one team that would actually want to play the Astros in the playoffs? (let alone face them with Garcia and LMJ back in the fold?) There's also been years where if the Astros were in one of those divisions, they'd have an easier path to the playoffs/WS. It evens out.
Oh yeah they beat us in a series...I'm turrrified of them Turns out a whole roster of players having career years isn't exactly sustainable and they're right back where they usually are. It will be an accomplishment for them to even get back in the playoffs.
Rivalries don't have anything to do with your chance of success. They exist because the teams involved want to punish each other. Its about pride and sometimes hate for the opposing club. So I stand behind my response and add the Yankees to that list for the same reasons.
Punish involves retribution for a past transgression. The Yankees have done nothing of significance against the Astros that deserves punishment.
No, but the Astros have done plenty to the Yankees. Thus, back to the original question of "What teams would like to play the Astros in the playoffs". The Yankees have a plethora of reasons to want a chance to punish the Astros.
My apologies on that point. I was refering to your use of rivalries. I don't see how that is relevant with the Astros and Yankees. I don't like the Yankees, but the fun of dumping on them for me and I'm guessing most fans is not based on something the Yankees have actually done to the Astros. Yankees spending, sure. Their fans, sure.
Rivalries can be based on a lot of things. The reasons I gave was not meant as an all inclusive list. I consider the Yankees rivals. Perhaps some do not.