(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing ever team in the majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked.)
Still Making Moves
Just a day ago, the Astros added catcher Ivan Rodriguez to their plethora of catchers within the organization (pending a physical since he's been playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic). Sad fact is though, Pudge is better than any of the other backstops in the system. No, he's not the same steroid pumped catcher that helped lead the Marlins to the world series crown in 2003 (allegedly), but he is still a good defensive catcher who can hold his own at the plate. He should fit nicely into a lineup that doesn't get a lot of credit but has a lot of quality in it (more on this in a bit). The Astros pitching staff has a lot of question marks, but Pudge's leadership behind the plate can only help a staff that needs to be effective if they want to contend with the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL Central this year.
Killer B's Are Gone, but the 'Stros Still Pack A Punch
If I asked you to come up with the best offenses in baseball, I bet the Astros lineup wouldn't enter into the discussion. But maybe they should. With the exception of Michael Bourn (can't hit) and Aaron Boone (generally bad, except for one swing in his career), the Astros lineup features some dangerous hitters. Lance Berkman looks like a fat version of Elvis, but he's probably the best hitter in baseball no one talks about. Carlos Lee (a.k.a. El Caballo) is a feared hitter from the right side of the plate, especially with that joke of a left field porch at Minute Maid Park. Miguel Tejada had a bad year last year and may be on the downside, especially with the off-field issues he's dealing with (namely lying, about taking steroids and about his age). But sandwiched between the right hitters and Tejada can still be a solid guy. And even though Hunter Pence has an allergic reaction to walks, he's still produces and has a lot of speed. Add in Pudge and Kaz Matsui and it's not a bad lineup, and potentially could be very potent if each of them plays to their capability.
No Matter How You Spin It, This Pitching Staff Is Not Good
Other than Roy Oswalt, there is not one starter projected to be in this rotation that I would want on my team. Oswalt though, is great. 17 wins again last year, and he continues to be a top flight pitcher in baseball despite not having a great team around him. But the rest of this staff is brutal. Wandy Rodriguez is pretty good at Minute Maid Park, but take the man out of there and he's a lost soul. His ERA was almost a run and a half higher away from home. Brandon Backe made it a habit to get tattooed once every couple of games last year, Mike Hampton hasn't been good in almost a decade, and he's usually hurt, and Brian Moehler, well, I shouldn't have to convince you why he's undesirable. The simple fact is this staff is just not good enough to win the division or contend for the wild card. And except for Jose Valverde, they don't have any effective arms in the pen. Unless the 'Stros make a move to help their pitching staff, they will not be able to sustain winning, unless their offense is outrageous.
As I Was Saying...
Their ballpark is stupid. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to make the left field fence 310 feet away and the center field fence 430 feet away? Why is there a hill in center field with a flag in play? I know, I know, it's honoring tradition. But it may be the dumbest thing in baseball. There's a reason why flag poles and hills aren't in any modern parks. They're dangerous and hazardous! Why not just put an obstacle course out in center field so that when Michael Bourn has to go after a fly ball he can jump hurdles and hula hoop to the ball? It's absolutely ridiculous. And, in left center field, the yellow line is indiscernible so half the time you don't know whether a ball that ricochets off the big wall there is a home run or not. They should build the Astros a new park and torch that monstrosity in Houston. I've never been to Minute Maid Park, and I don't care how clean the concourse might be or how good the food might be. The playing field is a joke. Get rid of this place.
Bold Predictions
- The Astros will hang around the playoff race all year, but unless they trade for a starter they won't make the playoffs. However, they'll rank in the top five in the National League in home runs.
- Michael Bourn will hit .260 this year, and the thirty-one point increase in his batting average will allow him to reach 50 steals this season.
- Hunter Pence will make the all-star team in the National League.
Up next...Thursday, Cardinals.
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