Opening Day

Well it is that time of year again…Smell the green grass, breath the fresh air, and listen for the sound of a wooden bat striking a little white ball…
It’s opening day, folks!

Ed Wade made a lot of moves over the off season and Cecil Cooper has many new toys to play with. Are we a better team? Yes, we are! Can we return to the playoffs? Who knows in the wacky world of the National League Central. Amanda from the Red Hot Mama broadcast made the point that she felt there are a lot of third place clubs in the NL Central. She is absolutely rgiht. Could there be a six way tie for third?

There are only five players that remain from the 2005 World Series team. Seems like a small number doesn’t it?

The offense should be improved: Addition of Miguel Tejada, Hunter Pence playing a full season, veterans of Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman anchoring the lineup.The defense should also be improved with Pence moving to left field and new addition Michael Borne playing center field. Kaz Matsui is an improvement defensively over the retired Craig Biggio.This overall speed of the team is also improved. Borne, Matsui and Pence are all rabbits and should steal some bases this year. The bullpen is also improved with the additions of Oscar Villarreal and last years save leader, Jose Valverde.

I can hear your thoughts now… “Hey, Lambo, what about the starting rotation?”

*Lambo scratches head….

Well, not sure if we can say the rotation is improved over last year, and it is the weakness of this club. Roy Oswalt being the noted exception. If Roy O stays healthy, he has to be considered a Cy Young candidate. The next two spots, I feel are the key to the whole Astros season. Those spots are currently fielded by Brandon Backe and Wandy Rodriguez. Can Backe return from his injury and pitch 200 innings? Last year, Wandy had one of the best home records while having one of the worse road records. Can Wandy be more consistant? For the Astros, these two need to pitch well if we are going to return to the playoffs. If they don’t pitch well, this could be a long season for us folks.

The interesting thing is…. In the wacky NL Central, it will probably only take around 85 games to win the central this year. There are no clear winners and each team has question marks. Again, I point out.. if Wandy and Backe can pitch well, I think 85 is very doable. If not, who knows?

A case can be made for the Reds, Cubs, Brewers, and Astros as possible contenders for the NL Central title. (Sorry, Cardinals and Pirate fans, it is not happening for you this year.) However, these contenders can be pretenders very easily. The question is… which of the four with have the favorable role of the dice and win the title?

Can it be the Astros? Why not!