Gearing up for Astros 2008!
Posted by tinfoilhats on February 19, 2008
You know what? I’m actually looking forward to this upcoming baseball season now. The big reason for that is that I am expecting little-to-nothing from my beloved Astros, so any success they have will be a pleasant surprise! I’m looking forward to seeing how our new pieces mesh with the few remaining vets, and how the kids will step up this season. We’ll have a very interesting lineup at the very least.
Our projected Batting Order:
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Michael Bourn – CF
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Kazuo Matsui – 2B
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Miguel Tejada – SS
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Lance Berkman – 1B
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Carlos Lee – LF
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Hunter Pence – RF
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Ty Wigginton – 3B
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J.R. Towles – C
It will be fun to see what Bourn, Pence and Towles will do in their first full seasons. We already know that Pence has what it takes in the bigs, and Bourn and Towles have shown promise (especially that huge, 8 RBI game Towles had). It is just too exciting that we may actually have an offensive presence in the 7 & 8 spots for the first time in years.
Now…our pitching. Oy vey….this will be interesting, but in an entirely different way:
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Roy Oswalt
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Wandy Rodriguez
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Brandon Backe
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Woody Williams
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Chris Sampson
That’s what I’m thinking that it will be. Backe may move down a spot, and Felipe Paulino may creep in at #5; but for all intents and purposes, the above five are what I’m going with. Beyond Oswalt, that staff inspires questions more than it does fear. I like Wandy, but more as a #3 than a #2 at this point. I think that he’ll have a fine season with some run support, tho. Backe – I am a fan of this guy, but the big question is how will he do after being out for so long? No doubt that he’s rested, but is he rusty; and how long will it take him to shake it off? Woody – I am cheering for him, and I actually think that he is going to have a good season – not a great season, but one that will make people consider bringing him on the roster as a smart move. As for Sampson – he’ll be a solid #5 – if he fails, that’s tolerable, but if he succeeds then it’s gravy. Personally, after Oswalt I have the most faith in Sampson going into this season when considering the role being asked of him.
I don’t see a pennant in our 2008 future, but this team could definately play the role of the spoiler. Whatever happens, I’m just going to enjoy this season for baseball totally free of expectations.
