Playing Manager

The 2006 MLB season opens exactly one week from today. Everyone excited?

We thought, we’d play manager and go through what we think will be the pitching rotation, fielding lineup and batting order. This is more relevant now since Jeff Bagwell is on the 15-day DL and Roger Clemens is still making up his mind on playing.

Pitching

1. Roy Oswalt
2. Andy Pettitte
3. Roger Clemens* / Brandon Backe
4. Brandon Backe / Wandy Rodriguez
5. Taylor Buchholz / Ezequiel Astacio

Catcher(s)

1. Brad Ausmus (Starter)
2. Raul Chavez
3. Humberto Quintero

First Base

1. Lance Berkman (Starter)
2. Mike Lamb

Second Base

1. Craig Biggio (Starter)
2. Chris Burke

Shortstop

1. Adam Everett (Starter)
2. Eric Bruntlett

Third Base

1. Morgan Ensberg (Starter)
2. Mike Lamb

Left Field

1. Preston Wilson (Starter)
2. Jason Lane
3. Chris Burke

Center

1. Willy Taveras (Starter)
2. Preston Wilson

Right Field

1. Jason Lane (Starter)
2. Preston Wilson

Sketkar’s Batting Order

1. Willy Taveras (CF)
2. Craig Biggio (2B)
3. Lance Berkman (1B)
4. Morgan Ensberg (3B)
5. Jason Lane (RF)
6. Preston Wilson (LF)
7. Adam Everett (SS)
8. Brad Ausmus (C)
9. Pitcher*

Lambo’s Batting Order

1. Willy Taveras (CF)
2. Craig Biggio (2B)
3. Lance Berkman (1B)
4. Morgan Ensberg (3B)
5. Preston Wilson (LF)
6. Jason Lane (RF)
7. Adam Everett (SS)
8. Brad Ausmus (C)
9. Pitcher*

We agree on everything else. The above of course is what we think, not say that this is what Phil Garner will do or that he agrees with us. We welcome what all the ’stros fans think.