1:09 PM Wed, Feb 14, 2007 | Permalink
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There are six more weeks of winter, but for baseball fans spring has already sprung. Baseball training camps are opening this week as pitchers and catchers stretch out their arms in advance of the position players who report next week.
But the question remains, which teams are better and which teams are not. On paper it appears the Cubs who went on a spending spree, appear to be a better ballclub. But Cub fans know, markee players don't necessarily mean a World Series. Meanwhile in Saint Louis, so long as Albert Pujols is on the roster, the Cardinals are the favorites to win the National League. No batter is more feared in the league as "one swing of the bat" can change the game.
So what about the Astros? The so called experts are saying without Roger or Andy they are not much of a ballclub. One ranking has them 21st on the list. Fortunately for Astro fans, they play games on the field, not on paper. While Pujols maybe the most feared hitter in the league, Lance Berkman is not too far behind. Carlos Lee will provide another big bat in a lineup which had trouble scoring runs last season.
Here's a new flash, it will come down to pitching. The Astros have perhaps the premiere right hander in the league, and I'm not talking about Roger Clemens. Roy Oswalt's stuff is outstanding. He is not the hardest thrower in the league, but he can spot the ball with the best of them. He also chews up innings, which is something which is lacking in this day of the specialists. The real issue with the Astros is not whether Morgan Ensberg or Jason Lane can come back to their 2005 form. No, it's whether the club can find someone other than Oswalt who can get people out. A lot was made about closer Brad Lidge going to Nolan Ryan's elite camp. Lidge won't be in a position to close if the games are already out of hand.
Astro fans should look forward to a better year at the plate, and keep their fingers crossed the pitching staff holds together for the entire season. Who know maybe Roger Clemens will rejoin them at mid season to give them another boost.
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