This year’s Houston Astros team could finish anywhere from second to fifth in their Division in the National League Central. A lot will depend on their pitching or lack thereof.
While most sports publications are picking the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, or St. Louis Cardinals to win the division, the Astros have proven over the years you can never count them out.
For that trend to continue this year, their offense must score more runs than last year and the pitching, besides just ace Roy Oswalt most come through. I’m personally picking the Astros to finish fourth in the division, I hope I’m wrong and they finish higher, but the Milwaukee Brewers are my pick to win the division.
Brandon Backe and Lance Berkman have already suffered minor injuries in spring training. Backe was hit on his right foot during batting practice last Saturday, while Berkman was sidelined with a strained oblique muscle on his left side. Berkman was at spring training batting practice when the strain muscle incident occurred.
The Astros will need Backe and Berkman in their lineup, if they hope to contend in the division or even have a winning season.
Both players should not be out long, as the injuries are not season-ending injuries according to the Astros Web site.
Jose Valverde will be the Astros new closer this year in the bullpen and that’s another position that the Astros will be hoping produces results.
Brad Lidge. the former Astro closer who’s now a Philadelphia Phillie made quite a habit of saving games in the clutch for the Astros as did the guy before him, Billy Wagner.
New Astro manger Cecil Cooper is hoping that Valverde will carry on the tradition of great Astro relief closing pitching. If Valverde comes through and the pitching does better than most people are expecting it to, then the Astros could finish second in this division beating the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
I don’t think they can beat Milwaukee to win the division, but let’s say they somehow do. If they win the division, the Astros could then go a round or two in the playoffs.
If Roy Oswalt is the only pitcher that wins 15 or more games for Houston, then it’s probably going to be a long season in Houston.
This Astro team will definitely have one bright spot. Hunter Pence who plays center field but can also play right field for the Astros, had a banner rookie season last year for the Astros, hitting .322 with 17 homeruns and 69 RBIs. Pence who bats and throws right-handed figures to only get better.
Another new arrival this year is veteran shortstop Miguel Tejada, who has played in Oakland, Baltimore and New York, is sure to give the Astros stability at the shortstop position for many years to come if he stays healthy.
Other players that must come through for the Astros to have a big year include catcher Brad Ausmus who might have already seen his best days as a player, Mark Loretta, an up-and-coming second basemen who needs to have a productive year at the plate and at second base.
Geoff Blum the Astros third basemen, needs to have a big year at his position and at the plate.
Carlos Lee, the left fielder needs to return to his playing form that he had when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers. Darin Erstad, will be a nice pickup for the Astros. Erstad can play left field, right field, center field, or even first base.
Other pitchers that must come through for the Astros to have a chance are Wandy Rodriguez, Woody Williams, Doug Brocail and Chris Sampson, among others.
The Astros will definitely be an interesting team to watch during the 2008 baseball season. Overall there are too many “if” scenarios, so for now I’ll stick to my original opinion and say the Astros are a fourth place team in the NL Central. I’ll hope for more.