There's No Place Like Homestretch...

With just a couple of days to go before the September callups, the Astros seem to have abdicated their quest for a last-minute turnaround. A month or so ago, they were just a game under the division leading Cards, and life was beautiful. Now, with 33 games to go, they are 13 games behind, and playing such uninspired games that Oswalt's started complaining. There's not much point in talking about the standings though, when the team seems unable to break .500.

This weekend's series is off to a depressing start. It's one thing to lose a couple of close ones, like the games in St. Louis. It's another to be hit by two blowouts in a row - Friday night's 14-7 thrashing (Bazardo gave up 8 runs in his 2-ish innings) and last night's 9-0 squashing (Norris gave up 6 in 5). Did I mention that they got 7 hits last night, but didn't manage to score a run?

Granted, Bazardo and Norris are recent callups from the minors, and while hopes are high for future prospects (at least for Norris), they're still newbies. With Wandy and Roy O pitching today and tomorrow, we may see some better results. But as the chances of a winning season (let alone playoff opportunities) diminish, it's just as well for the kids to get some experience now. It just doesn't make for much fun for fans.

But there's generally something to like about every game - well, maybe not yesterday's. You never know when there will be something amazing. The season stats may be insurmountable baggage, but each game starts out 0-0 with a chance of being memorable. Who knows, maybe Wandy will pitch a no-hitter today?

In other team news... We won't being seeing any more of the Bulldog this season. His current set of injuries (everything is broken) have resulted in a decision to hang up his glove and schedule surgeries on his shoulder and both knees. Sorry to say this (I know you're a fan of his, Austin), but I'm glad he's done. Hampton might be a great guy, but he hasn't been exactly hot for the Astros this year. Where does that leave our rotating door rotation? Oswalt, Wandy, Moehler, Norris, and (Bazardo or Paulino?) seem to be it for now. We may see some others over the next month or so, after the expansion.

The bullpen still has regulars Byrdak, Fulchino, Hawkins, and Valverde, plus newcomers Samuel Gervacio (from Round Rock) and Wilton Lopez (from Corpus) filling in for Arias, Brocail, and Wright who are on the DL. In addition to the regular gang of position players, Maysonet has rejoined the team.

But wait a couple of days and there will be a whole new gang of players - all of whom will probably bring a lot more energy to the field than the current guys who have written off this season.