Houston Astros 2010 preview
Article By cbahr.tsn on 12th March, 2010
From 2005-08, the Astros' .557 second-half winning percentage was tied for sixth-best in the majors. But instead of making a late-season run and vaulting into postseason contention last season, the Astros went 30-44 (.405) after the All-Star break -- a slide that cost manager Cecil Cooper his job in late September. Enter Brad Mills, a managerial rookie who served as Red Sox bench coach the past six seasons. Mills inherits a 74-win squad that finished in fifth place in the NL Central.
Three quesions
Can Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman contribute like they have in the past? 1. Is Roy Oswalt still an ace?
For the first time in his career, Oswalt failed to achieve a double-digit win total in 2009. He finished 8-6 with a career-worst 4.12 ERA in 30 starts. It was the sixth consecutive season he made at least 30 starts, but the first time since 2003 that he failed to pitch at least 200 innings. Oswalt also battled back problems, leading to whispers that the 32-year-old is breaking down as a result of the wear and tear from his years of shouldering a heavy workload.
Because Wandy Rodriguez was the only other Astros starter with an ERA under 4.50 last season, the team needs Oswalt to return to pre-2009 form -- or as close to it as possible. Newcomer Brett Myers is a question mark at No. 3, and the final two spots in the rotation are up for grabs, with Brian Moehler, Bud Norris and Felipe Paulino the top candidates.
2. Will this be Lance Berkman's final season in Houston?
The last remaining Killer B is under contract through the 2011 season, but the Astros hold a $15 million option for next season. Berkman recently said he would be inclined to sign elsewhere if the Astros don't exercise that option and allow him to become a free agent. His future could depend on whether he is able to bounce back from what statistically was the worst season of his career.
Limited to 136 games because of biceps and calf inju...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Three quesions
Can Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman contribute like they have in the past? 1. Is Roy Oswalt still an ace?
For the first time in his career, Oswalt failed to achieve a double-digit win total in 2009. He finished 8-6 with a career-worst 4.12 ERA in 30 starts. It was the sixth consecutive season he made at least 30 starts, but the first time since 2003 that he failed to pitch at least 200 innings. Oswalt also battled back problems, leading to whispers that the 32-year-old is breaking down as a result of the wear and tear from his years of shouldering a heavy workload.
Because Wandy Rodriguez was the only other Astros starter with an ERA under 4.50 last season, the team needs Oswalt to return to pre-2009 form -- or as close to it as possible. Newcomer Brett Myers is a question mark at No. 3, and the final two spots in the rotation are up for grabs, with Brian Moehler, Bud Norris and Felipe Paulino the top candidates.
2. Will this be Lance Berkman's final season in Houston?
The last remaining Killer B is under contract through the 2011 season, but the Astros hold a $15 million option for next season. Berkman recently said he would be inclined to sign elsewhere if the Astros don't exercise that option and allow him to become a free agent. His future could depend on whether he is able to bounce back from what statistically was the worst season of his career.
Limited to 136 games because of biceps and calf inju...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Readers Comments
Related News
Featured Sponsors
Interested in getting MLB Tickets for this coming season? The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get your New York Yankees Tickets today!
The Baltimore Orioles Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1992, the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
New York Mets Tickets: The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Get your Minnesota Twins Tickets today!
The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. Get your Texas Rangers Tickets today!
San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
The Baltimore Orioles Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1992, the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
New York Mets Tickets: The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Get your Minnesota Twins Tickets today!
The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. Get your Texas Rangers Tickets today!
San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
