Is It Time To Panic About the Astros?

The boys from Kissimmee-by-way-of-Houston have won a grand spanking total of one game in Spring Training so far, to go along with fourteen losses and two ties. (Yes, there are ties in baseball, apparently) The pitchers are getting lit up, and the bats are odiously silent. Is this what the regular season will be like? Should fans ready the torches and pitchforks?

In a word: no. Spring Training is a pretty unique in that the lineups and pitching rotations bear very little similarity to the ones we'll see during the regular season. Minor leaguers and washed-up scrubs are getting significant playing time, while the stars of the team haven't been on the field much. Lance Berkman has had a grand total of 21 at-bats, and Roy Oswalt has spend more time with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic than he has with the Astros. The heart of the Astros order (Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Hunter Pence) should all be in fighting shape by the time the Cubs come to town to open the season on April 6th, and the rotation should be more determined by then, too.

As far as the arms go, Oswalt is a given, as is Wandy Rodriguez (who quietly had the lowest ERA on the team last year). Beyond that, there are some question marks. Prodigal son Mike Hampton has had an up-and-down spring, but at least he's healthy, which is the most important issue for a player with his injury history. Russ Ortiz had a hot start, but has cooled significantly since then, and may be playing himself out of a roster spot. Galveston native Brandon Backe's days are definitely numbered, as a poor spring and a ribcage injury conspire to drop his stock quicker than AIG's.

Fortunately, the bullpen will be solid, with plenty of returning faces from one of the NL's best 'pens of 2008. Also solid is newcomer Jose Capellan, who entered camp as a bullpen candidate, but may leave as the #5 starter after wracking up 12+ scoreless innings in a row.

The only thing that gives us pause is Cecil Cooper. Much as we want to like Coop, he's making a big deal about the team's record, fussing around like a too-intense t-ball dad. His contract with the team runs out at the end of the season, and the lack of an extension is hardly a vote of confidence. Combine this spring's attitude with his constant lineup "tweaks" last season, and Cooper could be looking for work before you know it. He's a nice guy by all accounts, but he may not be the best man for the job anymore.

The Astros' season begins in earnest on April 6th at Minute Maid Park. Buy tickets here.
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photo: flickr user skimonster2020