30 Teams In 30 Days

Houston Astros:  Their Ballpark is Stupid, But They Might Be Decent

(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

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
3. Hunter Pence will make the all-star team in the National League.

Up next...Thursday, Cardinals.

Roy Oswalt Weighs In

On the surface, why would you care what Roy Oswalt has to say about steroids?  Would you care what Ja Rule had to say around the time of 9/11? Probably not.  

But, in an interview today with MLB.com, Oswalt came out with some decidedly pointed opinions (i.e., not your traditional MLB perspective):

"The few times we played them, when he got hits, it could have cost me a game," Oswalt said. "It could have cost me money in my contract. He cheated me out of the game and I take it personally, because I've never done [PEDs], haven't done it, and they're cheating me out of the game."

"The ones that have come out and admitted it, and are proven guilty, [their numbers] should not count. I've been cheated out of the game," Oswalt continued. "This is my ninth year, and I've done nothing to enhance my performance, other than work my butt off to get guys out. These guys [who took PEDs] have all the talent in the world. All-Star talent. And they put times two on it."

Those are fightin' words, Mr. Oswalt.  Then again, it is refreshing to have an athlete come out and say something that so many of us "non-world-class athletes" think.

Everyone in the "club" has come out defending A-Rod, saying that it was great that he apologized.  They're all looking to make amends, to apologize, to move on.  Not Oswalt.  His words are a bit harsh, possibly a bit extreme, but kudos to him for speaking his mind.  And, he's right.  If he didn't do steroids, why is it fair that other guys were doing it?  Not that its a new perspective, but it's certainly nice to hear from someone that plays, as opposed to a geeks like us.

What do you think?  Is Oswalt out of line?  Should the numbers be stricken from the record?  Get at us.