The Astros are so hot in so many aspects of the game (and organization), it seems a bizarre anomaly that they got swept by the Cards recently. Whether they are pounding out 14 runs in Washington or sweeping a four game road series in Pittsburgh, including a double header, they are suddenly reminiscent of last year.
Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens are proving to be the best starting pitching duo in Astros history, and Brad Lidge is already one of the best closers in baseball. The young guys are getting timely hits and suddenly the averages are rising. Willy Taveras is a freaking blaze of light, a true speed demon, and even Brad Ausmus seems capable of cranking out the occasional timely hit.
Lance Berkman's ACL? He injured it playing in a charity flag football game last year? Hard to tell now, isn't it? True, you don't swing a bat with your leg, but his dominant performance of late at the plate signifies the heat this team has attained.
Even on a PR front, Astros management and players scored huge in recent visits to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland. Suddenly the baseball nation knows Morgan Ensberg's story and admire is steely resilience and positive outlook on life and the game. Suddenly radio talking heads like Jim Rome are glorifying the Astros' team chemistry and just all around feel-goodness.
Yes, the Astros are hot and they appear to be back. We Astros fans are riding the high tide right now, but it is still early. Anything can happen, for better or worse.
Can the bats stay at least warm until October? Will Pet e's elbow hold up? Will the middle relief corp be able to avoid crucial breakdowns down the September stretch? Will the younger guys like Taveras, Lane and Burke be able to deliver some offensive production under pressure as the season winds down and the stakes continue to rise?
Or does this team need a veteran bat to all but ensure the thieving of the NL Wild Card berth?
Tough calls all around, but you gotta be enjoying baseball right about now if you are an Astros fan.
I still think the Astros need another slugger, but I'd hate for them to give up promising prospects for one, because it still probably isn't enough.
Talk is that the Astros and Reds have been trying to work out a deal for Adam Dunn, but the Reds want Jason Lane, Brandon Backe and 2 minor leaguers. I'm hesitant about giving up Lane in the deal.
Astros will require another bat. There are rumors that they are going for Adam Dunn, which who is from Houston, TX.
That is a load a players for just Dunn. Lane is one of our good hitters.
Dunn to Houston is a DONE deal I think
Dunn is from 45 miles outside Houston. About the same as San Marcos and SA.
astros do need another bat if they wanna make a good post season run
Astros:
Artillery Saturation Rocket System
San Marcos & SA are 45 miles from Houston??? I knew Houston was growing like a MF'er, but damn! It's all the way to Flatonia!
If Houston gets Adam Dunn, itll be St Louis and Houston game 7 NLCS all over again.
Only thing, Dunn is not as versatile a player as Beltran was, BUT, he adds that much needed bat.
I would not give up Lane and Backe though.
A good pitcher and a good outfielder are tough to come by.
Ask the Cardinals.
Their outfield is decimated with injuries, and it took them luck to get the starting rotation they have.
I'm so glad the Astros didn't break the bank for Beltran. I would never begrudge him, because he carried them in the 2004 Playoffs, but he was overachieving, and was not worth near what the Mets paid for him.
Dunn, despite his BA, is actually a very good hitter when you factor in walks and slugging.
Go get 'em big Red. Cincinnati Reds '05 MLB CHAMPS!!!
Dunn has a ton of power. He can easily hit the ball out at Minute Maid.
Better not want him to get you a sacrafice fly, he had one in June VS the Cards, and it was his first sacrafice fly since like July of 2003.Dunn, despite his BA, is actually a very good hitter when you factor in walks and slugging
So, not exactly a guy you can depend on to do whatever it takes to bring that run home.
They will continue to cruise, however... it's all about the playoffs.
I'm willing to "sacrifice" the 4-5 sac flies per half season a slugger would usually get...
Whatever......they just keep on winning! I guess they don't know they're not supposed to.GO ASTROS!!!!!!!!!!
Astros win again 3-2 wednesday. Don't mess with the chemistry. Now that steroids are exposed, the Astros ain't so bad.
Obviously not referring to HGH for the pitchers, though.Now that steroids are exposed, the Astros ain't so bad.
It would be outstanding if the 'strohs would get another reliable hitter in the lineup, though. Berkman isn't 100% yet, I don't think.
Good luck to the Astros.
They are now only 1 game out of a playoff berth.
That is awesome, I gave up on them in early June.
Holy ! Astacio actually pitched good! Sweet! Astros win again!
Your not a true fan if you gave up on them. Also not very smart. They're pitching was amazing but the offense wasn't there. I knew we would be find once our offense came around.
Astros are now tied for first in the wild card hunt and are pursuing the Cardinals.
PPFFFTTTTpursuing the Cardinals.
BWAA HAHAHAHAHAA
Go ahead and pursue.
How did that series after the all star break go?
I cannot believe Beltran got booed.
Houston is a great city, and I'm proud to have grown up there... But it's an awful baseball town.
Beltran had 8 memorable hits and several memorable plays in the greatest postseason in Astros history, and Houston fans think he owes them something.
A better baseball town would have understood the situation in the offseason and not allowed itself to be strung along by Scott Boras and by Carlos Beltran's TEXTBOOK non-commital responses to questions about staying in Houston.
Carlos Beltran should have gotten a standing ovation last night, and he should tonight and the next two nights. I'm embarrassed for my hometown today.
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