Official Opening Day Line Up

Can't wait....I'll be there with my son!!!!!

 

Beltran just launched a 2 run job.....ugggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

i really hope scotts production carries off into the regular season...an outfield of lane, berkman, and scott would be awesome

 

I sure hope so too ... I think its a decent lineup until I see Brad Ausmus in the Number 7 spot. I sure hope his new swing works for him this season.

 

I'm a little surprised that Ensberg is batting 4th. I thought him and Lane would be flipped there.

 

Regardless of power, Ensberg is a good rbi guy. It might be the perfect spot for him.

I'm more suprised that Taveras is in the 8th spot. That's not a good place for a base stealer or a rookie.

 

I think they could plug Lane/Lamb/Ensberg/Scott into the four hole and be fine with any of them... however, Ensberg needs to get his power numbers back to 2003 levels to say the least. I think it's either going to feast or famine this season, but I heard Bagwell make a good comment today... something like don't jump to conclusions if they start out a little sluggish, close to the All-Star break is when they will be getting used to the new players and each other. So if they go a few games un .500 for the first couple of months I don't think all is lost. If they do end up sucking this year, at least we can get a nice trade for Roger after the All-Star break.

 

Wow, we really need Berkman back.

 

I don't know why so many people think we are going to struggle offensively this season. We are so loaded with players who have the potential to hit 20+ HRs that if a few of them have lousy years the others can take up the slack. Berkman, Bagwell, Ensberg, Lamb, Lane and Scott could all easily hit 20+HRs and drive in 75+RBIs each... and that's being conservative. Not to mention our new found speed with the return of Adam Everett and Taveras.

I think the team is going to be a helluva lot of fun to watch. You know Garner is going to have them on the run and we have three aces as the cornerstone of the staff. Also, Berkman getting injured may just be a blessing in disguise. His injury opened the door for a few of our prospects and role players to step up and make names for themselves. Lamb/Lane/Scott/Taveras could all start out on a blistering pace, and when Berkman comes back we may be able to use one or two of them to get another big-bat or strong reliever for down the stretch.

There's a whole slew of possibilites that could see the Stros battling for a playoff spot. Put the kids in there, let them prove themselves... if it backfires use them as bait in the open market. They are all going to be good players now or down the road and I'd rather find out sooner then later.

 

That was me (I wish I was more memorable)... and I'll take all the crow you guys want to dish... I was obviously wrong.

I guess Lamb truly hates to play the outfield... because he'd be an everyday player if he could do that.

Hopefully, the bottom 3 of Ausmus-Taveras-Pitcher can turn out to suprise everybody, because right now (on paper)... its the worst bottom 3 in the NL.

That being said, that's why they play the games... I'm psyched.

 

How about that mutt bullpen? I knew that was going to happen. Same old mutts with a higher payroll.

 

I know that I said I would not go to many games this year but I have the itch again. I will be there as I always am but without the lofty expectation. I like the speed on this team now but would prefer more left-handed sticks. GO STROS!!!!!

 

Imagine if Ausmus could hit .270. What a difference that would make.

I also wish we had a spot in the lineup for Taveras, other than 8th. The problem I see with him there is that if he gets a single with two outs, he can put himself in scoring position fairly easily with a steal....but with the pitcher batting. Inning over.

I think I'd rather have him in the 7th spot and bat Ausmus behind him. That way, at least we'd have some sort of a chance at scoring Taveras when he gets on base.

 

The problem is you are talking about potential. Crappy teams are full of guys with potential. Lamb, Lane, and Scott have never hit 20 homers in a season. Ensberg only hit 10 homers last year. There is a reason these guys have not been full time starters

If we were talking about super prospects here, I would agree with you. But these aren't Lance Berkmans or Jeff Bagwells having their first shot at the majors. These are guys who have done well in the minors but have not shown themselves to be special. Some may not be any good in the majors.

And our best prospect is stuck on the bench behind a 39 year old.

 

Murderers Row. HOF lineup. Let the games begin.

 

Not sold on this lineup.

Ensberg and Lane should be swapped. Ausmus should be 8th, and Taveras seems like a more logical leadoff man (provided he can hit/get on base, but it's not like Everett is an OBP monster.)

And while optimism is good, this is still a lineup with serious questions at every spot. I'm not sure how our relatively new manager will handle the lineups on a day-to-day basis, but I imagine there will be a fair amount of tinkering.

 

I'd like to see Taveras lead off as well. Ausmus a rally killer. Everett a rally killer. Luckily Garner tinkers.

 

i mean how bad do you have to be to bat behind ausmus? there's no point in picking apart an opening day lineup. it could be completely different the very next day. garner still doesn't know what to expect from half these guys so i'd start getting used to some tinkering.

i see alot of hope in our lineup and it's freaking opening day so it's gonna be awesome no matter what.