I have been traveling this past week, so have been unable to check out the Stros, but it seems that since Berkman came back the team has been a LOT better. And, today I look and they are only 6 games back of the wildcard.......if they could string together 5 or 6 more wins, they would be right in the thick of it. Could we have 2 miracle seasons in a row???? DD
I guess we have to wait and see where they end up at the half way point of the season and see if any moves are made to add some offense to this team so that we could put on a decent little run or if anything keep up with the competition and not slip out of the chances of having the wild card.
I can see another miracle season for Houston if they can add one more bat. We have WS caliber pitching, but lack that one other bat to bring the base runners home.
I'm right there with you, Dada. We stunk in the early going but this team has been steadily improving. The Astros are starting to play their game more and more. The big thing is we have our confidence back. I know the players will probably say they always had the confidence even when the team struggled with their identity early. Who was going to step up and play these positions like they should be played? I think we know now, whereas, in the early going we just weren't sure who could do what. This new line-up just needed some time to adapt. This team more and more is starting to remind me of the great baseball we played last season down the stretch. We just need to continue to improve. I hope we do get to the front of the pack and into playoff position but I'm still proud of our guys for finding a way to gel, pick each other up, and get their swagger back. They have proven to me that they can play the game like we expect them to. People are stepping up during this nice run and not pressing from stretches of bad play and luck. A stretch of good play can work miracles for confidence and the team. These guys are winners in my book. I'm excited about the Astros.
Thank God for parody in the National League this season. As bad as the Astros have played, they are far from eliminated, but so are about a dozen other National League teams. I think its obvious that with the stellar pitching this team has, they are indeed one key batter away from being taken seriously as contenders for the Wild Card. But what would the trading partner want in return and what can the Astros offer? Burke's stock has fallen, and I'm not up on the Astros top prospects. Backe seems to attract a lot of interest so the question is is it worth it to gove up Backe and prospects to go for the Wild Card this year, and what really could that package land for this team?
