Well, technically that's true. And of those four, the Pence scenario is the most likely and that would definitely help. But the most likely "miracle" scenarios would be one or two of the young, unknown quantities such as Towles/Johnson/Bugusevic catching lightning in a bottle, so that's why I focused on those. If Michael Bourn posts a .360 OBP -- hell, even a .340 OBP -- I'll never say a bad word about Ed Wade again.
Don't promise something you know you can't stick to. I'm predicting 81-81. Last year was a bit of an anomaly when you look at where they should have finished. However, I certainly don't think they're as bad as many are making them out to be. The pen should be solid. It will help that Brocail doesn't have to pitch every day which clearly ended the productive part of his season in June last year. I'm not that concerned about the offense. I think that Tejada will provide roughly what he did last season, Pence will shake off the sophomore slump, and Bourne will realize some of the potential that Wade traded for. I also think Chris Johnson will be the starting 3B by June 1 and that Boone will be traded or released. The biggest question is still, in my mind, the rotation. Hampton has to be healthy. I don't see a successful rotation that includes Brandon Backe. I just hope one of Russ Ortiz, Nieve (unlikely), or Paulino beats him out. I know it's just the 5th starter, but I have absolutely no confidence in Backe.
I think the Astros will be in the race for the wild card. They always are. They will win 88 games solely through their defense and the bullpen.
I'm hoping for around 90 wins, but I'm just disappointed that we weren't able to get Wiggy and Wolf back
80-82 they will make a run at some point...they always seem to. but the other 85% of the season should be consistently bad.
i dont want to call it luck but you can expect moehler to have a similar season do you really think latroy hawkins wil be that good
i don't think hawkins was the difference in that many wins for us, frankly. moehler did have a better season...i'm not sure he'll even be in this rotation.
my comment about hawkins is more about the bullpen the bull pen is the strength of our pitching when hawkins came onboard last year he dominated they are expecting him to have a significant role i dont think the pen will eb as advertised i am really just tryin to have low expectations so i dont get pissed off too quickly
i don't think hawkins has to be dominant for this pen to be good. it's good with or without him. very good, actually. i gotcha
Do you think Oswalt will have as bad of a first half this year as he did last year? If he has a "complete" season that should offset some of the "luck" they had last year.
