Been kind of thinking about this here and there lately. And since the team's offseason has officially begun, then why not discuss...unless it has been already and I haven't been paying attention. But who do you think should be the Opening Day starter next year? Assuming both Oswalt and Wandy are still on the roster and the team doesn't make a play for an elite arm, which one should get the nod? Should Oswalt, a veteran player, clubhouse leader, recipient of 7-8 straight Opening Day starts, be given the honor again. Or has it become clear that while still effective, Oswalt is not the dominating pitcher he once was and that Wandy's numbers last year (and his progression over the past few seasons) have elevated him to the number one spot? Do you even consider slotting Wandy ahead of Oswalt, or would that be considered an insult to him, since he's been our ace for so long? At the same, age is gonna catch up to you eventually. When do you admit he's not the pitcher he used to be. The last few seasons have been pretty telling. Are either considered to be a number one? Personally, I think if you look at it objectively, then Wandy should be rewarded for the pitcher he has become and should be our Opening Day starter. But I don't think that happens.
Roy Oswalt. He has been an ace for years, and really started pitching like one again until injuries got the better of him.
Voted Wandy, but it'll probably be Roy. Wouldn't affect me either way as they're both deserving in different manners. Castor needs to start the [official] Astros Offseason thread.
For that one month stretch after he came off the DL the first time, Roy was almost unhittable. I think with Roy its more motivation etc, he doenst pitch as carefully as he should when he plays for a bad team. He's still the staff ace and a clear choice for opening day starter.
If you look at his numbers though, they have been declining for the past 3 or so seasons. He seems to always to get off to a slow start now. And yes injuries kinda stopped him when he started pitching dominantly, but should that not be a concern too? Wandy's ERA and WHIP have steadily declined the past 4 season while Oswalt's ERA has climbed (WHIP has stayed about the same though). There is a definite case to be made for Wandy, though I certainly don't expect him to be the Opening Day starter. Assuming Oswalt's here for the duration of his career, which may not even be the case, at what point do you admit that he's not the ace of the staff anymore? Honestly if him and Wandy have another season like this past one, then I think you seriously have to question whether Oswalt should be slotted first.
This is a no brainer. Roy Oswalt. When Roger Clemens was here and putting up better numbers than Roy O, Roy O was the opening day starter.
