Houston Astros Season Preview
The Astros look great. This is a team that has been near or at the top of their
division since realignment in 1994. Yet they have not even won a playoff game.
But rest assured ye Astros faithful - this is the year they go to the World
Series. I usually leave my predictions to the division winners without making
playoff predictions, but I really feel this will be the year for the Astros to
be one of the last two teams standing. Pitching injuries and and early season
offensive slump kept Houston from achieving their potential last year, but this
year they'll be hitting on all cylinders. The offense didn't need any help, but
they got it anyway, landing the second most prominent free agent of the year,
Jeff Kent (Jim Thome was #1). Kent, the 2000 NL MVP, has six straight 100 RBI
seasons and has preformed well whether he batted before or after Bonds. On top
of those offensive feats, he's moving from Pac-Bell Park, a pitcher's haven, to
Minute Maid Park, a hitter's paradise. I look for Kent to have a career year
batting somewhere either before, between, or after the other two Asrtos studs,
Jeff Bagwell (who's completely healthy) and Lance Berkman, who seems to be a
consistently healthy version of Larry Walker. I also expect Craig Biggio and
Richard Hidalgo to bounce back from a two-year decline. Add that to gold glove
catcher Brad Ausmus and promising youngsters Julio Lugo and Morgan Ensberg and
one could argue the Astros have the best offense in the National League. They
also have the best young pair of pitchers in the league with Roy Oswalt and Wade
Miller. The pair has gone a combined 64 and 24 the past two years. They may
combine for 40 wins this year. Oswalt is the next big thing. If you've been
wondering who will carry the torch as the greatest NL pitcher when Randy Johnson
is gone, look no further. Shane Reynolds will be a strong number three after
returning from back surgery last year. Houston also has a strong bulpen with
fire-balling lefty Billy Wagner and perhaps the best middle reliever in the game
Octavio Dotel. The Astros should walk all over the NL all season long.
Line Up: SS Julio Lugo, CF Craig Biggio, 1B Jeff Bagwell, LF Lance Berkman, 2B
Jeff Kent, RF Richard Hidalgo, 3B Morgan Ensberg, C Brad Ausmus Rotation: RH Roy
Oswalt, RH Wade Miller, RH Shane Reynolds, RH Tim Redding, RH Kirk Saarloos
Closer: LH Billy Wagner
Up Next: AL West Preview