Staff predictions: http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/sports/baseball/astros/predictions/index.html Clements, Pettie give Astros World Series hopes: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/2483339 Dotel, Lidge to close the deal: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/2484745 NL Central Preview: Cubs counter splashy Astros' moves by adding Maddux : http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/2481652 Despite injuries, Bagwell sees gain in playing with pain: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/2480644 Biggio knows his 17th season with Houston could mark end of an era: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/2478230 Man pulling Astros' strings prefers anonmyity: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bb/2485219
Im so excited about the game tonight (something to take my mind of the Rocket's losing streak ): NL East: Phillies NL Central: Astros NL West: Giants NL Wildcard: Cubs NLCS: Astros over Phillies AL East: New York AL Central: Royals AL West: Anaheim AL Wildcard: Boston ALCS: New York over Boston WS: Astros win!!! Astros win!!! NL Cy Young: Oswalt (my original pick was Prior, but his injuries have scared me away) NL MVP: Pujols NL ROY: Matsui AL Cy Young: Schilling AL MVP: Guerrero AL ROY: Crosby
ESPN's predictions: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2004/news/story?page=expertpicks Out of 17 writers, 7 have us winning the division and 8 have us winning the wild card. Apparently two don't even think we'll make the playoffs. 4 writers picked us to go to the WS, but all predicted we would not win it all. 1 writer picked Lance Berkman for MVP. 3 writers picked Oswalt for the Cy Young (1 picked Billy Wagner).
Diamond Mind projections (they have St. Louis winning the division and the Astros and Cubs tying for the WC): http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2004/news/story?id=1774245
NLE: Phillies NLC: Astros NLW: Diamondbacks NLWC: Cubs DS: Astros over Dbacks DS: Phillies over Cubs CS: Astros over Phillies ALE: Yankees (Orioles finish ahead of the Sox) ALC: White Sox ALW: Anaheim ALWC: Seattle DS: Anaheim over White Sox DS: Seattle over New York CS: Anaheim over Seattle WS: Astros over Anaheim
The one writer who picked Billy Wagner was John Kruk... who apparently wants EVERYBODY to know that he once played for the Phillies, and that they are his favorite team. Really John? Nooo... can't be! This is far worse than Gammons' infatuation with the Red Sox... prepare yourself four countless Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra comparisons on baseball tonight from here on out. Just give me Ravey (Karl Ravech) and Harold Reynolds saying "Liiima timme!" and that's all I need...
If Wags wins the Cy Young, then hed have to have Gagne like #s. 50+ saves and an ERA around 1 or less. Although, it wouldnt be outrageous, if Oswalt/Johnson/Prior have less than stellar seasons.
Here are the diamond mind projections for 2004 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2004/news/story?id=1774245 St. Louis finishes 92-70 Chicago finishes 90-72 Houston finishes 90-72 Houston Astros (90-72, division title 30%, wild card 17%) The Astros and the Cubs, who finished in a virtual dead heat for second place in our simulations, are similar in other ways, too: both have very good pitching staffs and mediocre lineups, though Houston's hitter-friendly park makes them look a little less similar than they really are each team hired a future Hall of Famer pitcher this winter -- Roger Clemens in Houston, Greg Maddux in Chicago both feature a trio of young starting pitchers -- Houston's are Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller, and Tim Redding, while the Cubs have Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, and Carlos Zambrano a trio of aging hitters is key for both lineups -- Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent, and Craig Biggio for the Astros; Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou, and Mark Grudzielanek for Chicago Difference makers: The new closer, Octavio Dotel, who is projected to thrive in that role on the basis of three terrific seasons as a setup man but is unproven in that role.
Here's a new article off the main headline on Sportsline.com picking the Stros to win it all ... http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7229502 This is the most excited i've been at the beginning of a season in a long time
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=gallo/april Funny stuff from Page 2: April 13 -- Disney Studios officials blame Richard Hidalgo's dismal start at the plate (5-for-27, one RBI) for the poor box-office showings of the movie bearing his name. May 30 -- Astros rookie Jason Lane is injured when Jeff Kent makes him wash his truck June 30 -- Thanks to online write-in support from overseas, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is selected as the National League's starting shortstop for the All-Star Game.
The Chronicle has been awesome the last couple of days. I love the special sections for the Astros, all color HUGE photos. Man I am excited.
