The big question in my mind is how the Stros will respond to breaking through the first round. As the thread title suggests, I think there are two possibilities: (1) they will just relax and play to the best of their abilities, what with the monkey off their backs, or (2) will they relax, be unable to fight off the natural urge to feel "satisfied", and succumb to the cardinals. Will the team feel the urgency? Will the sting of defeat hurt as much? Under other circumstances, I would think scenario 2 would be more likely. But this year, with this team, I think they will go out and do great. (whether it's enough to knock off a fantastic Cardinal team is anohter question.) Oswalt, Backe, Lidge, Beltran, Berkman - never really been part of the teams that failed to get past the hump. they're more like the eager young guns that are too young and stupid to be scared, especially Backe. Very much like the young Marlins. Garner - He's managed this whole thing, begginning to finish like each game is game 7 of the world series. We don't need to get him to put the pedal to the metal. Clemens - res ipsa loquitur. Kent - won't let down. wants to win the big one so that he can ride off to his ranch a champ. That leaves Biggio and Bagwell: The team will be so jacked up to battle that I don't think they'll let down. But I think it is true that losses in this round (if any!!!) won't hurt as much. I hope the thought that prevails in their minds is that they don't know if they'll ever make it to this position again. I hope this will lead to a sense of positive urgency to get it done. Caminiti's untimely death only reinforces the thought that tomorrow is not guaranteed. The Astros must sieze the day. The line that separates playing with desperation from playing with reckless abandon is thin. I think this team will play like there's nothing to lose. After all, we were never supposed to go on that run. We were never supposed to beat the Braves. The fear of failure will be overshadowed by the drive to succeed.
I think they will show up and rise to the occasion. This team isn't the same Astros we are used to. I forsee Beltran having a HUGE series again. And Baggy/Biggio keep adding to their record post season stats.
