has surprised you thus far? Taveras has for me, yes it's early, but he seems to give us the speed, coverage and batting consistency that is needed... Will Lidge ever mess up? To me the fun part is seeing the positive surprises (even though it's early) ...Maybe we all expected Lidge to continue to be light out, what else?
I like the young Astros, but like watching children grow up there will be times that will make you cringe. I am not concerned if the Astros have the best record in baseball, I just want them to be close enough later in the year to win the NL Central.
I'm pretty sure if they have the best record in baseball, they'll be close enough to win the central.
May? May hit 25? Lane is on pace to hit over 35 homers. I see him hitting at least 30. He is on pac to steal over 20 bases as well. If Taveras goes to the #1 spot he will steal 40 bases. The #1 suprise for me is Roger. I know.....I know he is the Rocket but common 0.43 ERA after 3 starts? How ould again is this guy? 42? Roger is a man and that is all I will say about him. Other notable pleasant surprises included Willie, Andy, Jason and Luke (for lack of hitting despite his great hitting form and potential....baseball is indeed a game of momentum and inches).
I could care less about "great hitting form" if a guy can't produce, and conversely could care less about poor form if a guy can. Bagwell has a horrible stance, but he's a hall of famer. I am pleasantly surprised by Taveras, encouraged by Lane producing as his numbers told us he would, and thrilled to have a closer like Lidge. Roger? Nothing Roger does surprises me anymore.
Lane has been a pleasant surprise for me, as well. I hope that he produces well throughout the summer, as often in the past hitters get hot in April and sink to low production rates for the rest of the campaign.
Backe....he has pitched well enough to be 3-0...i was expecting him to better than last yr (not better than the playoffs) but i didnt expect him to be pitching this well
Backe has been most suprising to me. After coming from nowhere at the end of last season and how he was rocked in spring training, I figured he wasn't going to be able to live up to expectations.
There are a lot of bright spots so far... Roger FREAKING Clemens is still dominant. Brandon Backe is still gutsy. Jason Lane is surpasing what most of you ever gave him credit for. Chad Qualls is a legit big-league setup man... and Willy Taveras is on his way to being a hitting, stealing and scoring machine.
Heh. Do you remember how apathetic GY could be in center? I don't mean lazy, I mean "ho-hum". For instance, one fly I'll never forget--he looked up, sighed took three steps forward, stood still for a second with his right hand on his hip, then nonchalantly put his glove out in front of his waist--the whole time with his right hand still on his hip!!!--as the ball dropped in. Then he tossed the ball to Bidge and turned and strolled back a few steps. I was rolling!
