It's Spring -Training That Is

Well, it is that time of year again when the teams pack up the equipment and players head out to training camp. Pitchers and catchers always start first, then the rest of the teams gather. Which team will ultimately grab the spotlight and end up in the World Series? On ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning, they discussed the teams and the two Mike's agreed that it looked like the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs could be the teams in the Series. They also said the the Brewers, Rockies, Red Sox and Yankees might have a hand in who ends up in post season play.

I'm going out on a limb here and say the Houston Astros could be a contender. Come on, quit laughing, it could happen. What is that noise? Who climbed up my tree and why do you have a saw? Saw the limb off behind me, well that is a good start.

The Astros will look differently this year. We have a new manager in Cecil Cooper. Several players including Everett, Birk and Qualls are gone. Biggio has retired. We still have Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. Now we have Kazuo Matsui and Miguel Tejada in the infield. Outfield still has Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence along with Michael Bourn and others. Pitching is still anchored by Roy Oswalt with Bradon Backem Chris Sampson, Wandy Rodriguez and a host of others who will show off during training camp.

Of course pitching is suspect. And we don't know what, if anything, will happen with Tejada. Lance Berkman, one of the jokers on the team will be giving Hunter Pence a hard time for smashing through a glass door. Brad Ausmus is already talking about the ribbing Pence will get. "Hunter, there is a glass door there." will be said a lot.

On paper we have more power hitters than in seasons past. It will be harder for pitchers to pitch around our batting order. We have a lot of speed and hitters who want to win. The question remains with the pitching rotation. Other than dependable Oswalt, who do we expect to fill out the rotation and the bull pen? Hopefully, preseason will have several pitchers prove themselves worthy.

Call me an optimist, but since this team is different than years past, maybe this year will be the start of winning. Ok, go ahead and laugh now. Go Stros!