Last month I felt that by August 10th, we'd have a very clear idea as to the fate of the Houston Astros during the 2009 baseball season. I stand corrected. Today, we're still unsure as to which way things will go in Houston, largely to some consistently neutral play.
The Astros have had some tough opponents during the last two weeks and really needed to win more games than they did, but they're hanging on by a thread. To make matters more difficult, some of the team's key contributors are now dealing with injury issues that makes their status unclear from here.
There's little room for leeway, and the Astros genuinely need to dominate their competition during these last eight weeks if they want any hope at making the playoffs. They've yet to do this thus far.
Five years ago, the 2004 Houston Astros were in a very similar situation. They had more help on their side, however. Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt carried the team to its success. While the Astros may have some top pitchers in Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, and possibly even Bud Norris, their health will be an issue.
The 2004 run was aided largely by the explosive bats of Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent and Jeff Bagwell. A lineup of Berkman, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence can go on a similar tear if they can just all hit at the same time and rediscover how to get a clutch RBI.
The Astros did nothing as far as the trade deadline was concerned. No concessions and no bolstering moves. It's doubtful that they'll make any significant waiver moves. However, the team does have the talent to make a run.
I'd normally say their season is done, but this is the Astros we're talking about here. They seem to do this every August. Why should this year be any different? What may make this season different is the fact that the team hasn't even had a big winning streak this year (even the Nationals own a larger streak).
The Astros must act now if we're to have this same conversation in another two weeks. Their window is closing, but there's still time.
The Astros have had some tough opponents during the last two weeks and really needed to win more games than they did, but they're hanging on by a thread. To make matters more difficult, some of the team's key contributors are now dealing with injury issues that makes their status unclear from here.
There's little room for leeway, and the Astros genuinely need to dominate their competition during these last eight weeks if they want any hope at making the playoffs. They've yet to do this thus far.
Five years ago, the 2004 Houston Astros were in a very similar situation. They had more help on their side, however. Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt carried the team to its success. While the Astros may have some top pitchers in Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, and possibly even Bud Norris, their health will be an issue.
The 2004 run was aided largely by the explosive bats of Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent and Jeff Bagwell. A lineup of Berkman, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Hunter Pence can go on a similar tear if they can just all hit at the same time and rediscover how to get a clutch RBI.
The Astros did nothing as far as the trade deadline was concerned. No concessions and no bolstering moves. It's doubtful that they'll make any significant waiver moves. However, the team does have the talent to make a run.
I'd normally say their season is done, but this is the Astros we're talking about here. They seem to do this every August. Why should this year be any different? What may make this season different is the fact that the team hasn't even had a big winning streak this year (even the Nationals own a larger streak).
The Astros must act now if we're to have this same conversation in another two weeks. Their window is closing, but there's still time.
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