*Heavy Sigh*

I was approached today in class by Texas Ranger fans who gave me a print out of the National League Central over all rankings. After leaving the class in handcuffs for assault on a innocent by-standard, I sat (in the back of the cop car)* and sighed looking at Houston's overall record.

Houston is currently 11-15 and in last place in the N.L. Central division. Their losses have resulted from two primary causes: great pitching, but terrible hitting and terrible pitching.

Its the painful truth, but on the bright side it's only May and tonight we get another chance to improve our at home record...against the Cubs.

On a different topic Astros owner Drayton McLane has gone off the deep end.

McLane thinks the solution to the team's finances is to get rid of expensive talent and bring in cheaper players. Wrong. That will only result in a lousier team and, in turn, smaller revenues since nobody's going to the games. Let's face it: McLane is no Billy Bean, a man whose acute ability to assess baseball talent allows him to sign players at cheap prices. "Drayton McMullen", please sell the team if you're not going to invest in it.

(To those who don't know Billy Bean was a homosexual outfielder for the San Diego Padres from 93-95.)

When Roy Oswalt left the game yesterday with a bruised finger, Houston's pitching went haywire leaving the game at a nail-biting 11 innings, until mother nature had other plans delaying the game at first then suspending the game untill July 9th. Basiclly the game was the battle of last placers. Two last-place teams with struggling bullpens and many other problems played till they were blue in the face, giving away leads as though neither wanted to win.

Im frusterated with the Astros, but by no means am I giving up! Just read the words of Yogi Berra "Slump? I ain’t in no slump… I just ain’t hitting."

Disabled list is looking like the pitching rotation.

First Jose Valverdie, then Doug Brocial, now Roy Oswalt. Is this the beginning of a curse? If you miss the games in the last couple weeks, Jose limped to first ending in a 15 day DL, Doug triped over the bag to get the out and strained his hamstring, and Roy burised his finger in todays game that is delayed due to rain. Who can we blame for this? Comment to colaborate.

It could be early but yahoo posted playoff standings that remind me of the exact same standings as April/May

The Brewers may have dropped two of three to Arizona, but they still had a strong 5-2 week which included a sweep of division rival, Pittsburgh. Like Toronto in the American League, when you sweep a division rival it has more of an impact on improving playoff chances than a sweep over a non-division rival.

Yea, the Brewers couldn't find there swing in the playoffs last season, but they did when they came to Houston.
My prediction for the NL Central Division (brace yourself, Its Bias) :
Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardnials, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Piartes, and the sad Reds.

Bourn Again

18-69 at the plate is barley something to brag about, but compared to last season, Michael Bourn has been baptized with a sophomore slump. When Jim Deshales asked Cecil Cooper who is player of the month was without any pause he stated Wandy Rodriguez as his pitcher. But when asked again about his 'player' of the month, he stated the Bourn Ultimatum! (How many puns am I going to use?).

on Saturday Houston played Tully Field like Minute Maid. First baseman Lance Berkman was awarded a hit on a play initially ruled an error on aging third baseman Chipper Jones . With two outs, Berkman hit a grounder that took a bad hop before Jones could field the ball. Then El Caballo popped out to third base to end the inning. the revised ruling left Berkman, who hit a first-inning homer, 2-for 5 in the game.

The Astros made history on Sunday by winning the series of the Braves for the First time in five years 7-5. Called me Michael Bourn had three hits with a go-ahead-run in the seventh. The bullpen gave up one run in eight innings and six relievers allowed two runs in four innings.

“The bullpen kind of bailed us out,” said manager Cecil Cooper. “What was it, 12 innings? That’s pretty good.”

Houston is still dead last in the NL Central with a record of 5-8 at home and 6-6 on the road. Starting Wednesday at Minute Maid Houston takes on arch rival Chicago Cubs. (I'll be watching on Thursday)


Tonight's concern is the Washington Nationals as Brian Moehler (0-2) takes on John Lannan (0-3) at Nationals Park at 6:05

Babe Ruth once said "Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." Don't doubt the Stros!