Painful Opener Reminds Astros of 2006

You wont read game analysis here at Houstonist, but being Opening Day and all, we thought you needed to know what happened yesterday. If you missed the game, you can be thankful — it was probably the worst way to begin the year. It wasn't all bad, though, which is probably why the game felt like a punch in the stomach. Oswalt was brilliant, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing a run. Luke Scott had two hits, including the Astros' first HR of the year. Chris Burke had two doubles and Craig Biggio inched his way closer to 3,000 hits with a single in the 8th. So why the storm clouds in Houston today?

With a one-run lead in the 9th, Astros closer Brad Lidge came on, got two quick outs, then gave up a solo shot to Xavier Nady (exactly) that tied the game. Qualls would come on in the 10th and give up the game winning two-run bomb to Jason Bay.

The doubts are what we are struggling with. It's one thing to come out, get beat up bad and chalk it up to opening day blues. But it's harder to wonder if we are going to see a replay of 2006 Brad Lidge again. The season is fragile, and each loss like this is a confidence killer for players and for fans. We hope Lidge gets another shot tonight against the same Pirates. The truth is simple: If Lidge is good, the Astros are good; if not, they're not. Let's just hope that tonight, we see a three-run lead into the 9th.