Oh those Astros just won't go away. Going 5-2 against the Pirates and Nationals over the homestand was a good sign that they have left the bottom tier of teams for good this season.
All considered, it's good to be an Astros fan right now - just ask the Houston Chronicle's Jerome Solomon.
Also from the Chronicle, Richard Justice writes about the Astros at the break and prospect C Jason Castro's fine outing at the MLB Futures game on Sunday. Not that Castro's everyday play at two minor league stops this season would have predicted otherwise. Don't be surprised to see Castro behind the Minute Maid Park dish before September.
It's safe to assume that the buy-or-sell discusion that comes for each team every July is mute for the Astros with the boys tied for third and just 3.5 games out of first. Drayton McClain has likely handed Ed Wade a blank check to add a bat(or two). Right now Houston is tied for 23rd in the MLB. A few more runs behind our servicable pitching staff would put this team at the top of the middling NL Central.
Justice Twittered on Saturday that Cecil Cooper's second-half rotation will be Wandy Rodriguez, Roy Oswalt, Mike Hampton, Russ Ortiz and Brian Moehler.
Cooper had been working a six-man rotation for a bout a month prior to the break, but decided to send Felipe Paulino down to Round Rock (AAA) for more seasoning. He really is an extra arm right now with our stogy vets delivering good outings.
Let's hope (and pray) for more good outings starting Thursday when the 'Stros begin a four-game-set in Mannywood against the best-in-baseball Dodgers. Just splitting that series would be a great way to kick-off the second half.
Astros Fun-tent
You don't wanna rumble with the Astros. Just ask H-town native and rapper Chamillionaire. His 2005 song "Turn It Up" was written while the Astros were en route to their first NL pennant and World Series appearance.
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