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The Astros have a chance to sweep the Reds tonight and increase their winning streak to four making it the longest winning streak of their season.
Okay, so it’s only 21 games into the season, but it is STILL a step in the right direction and I have to admit, the starting pitching, which I felt was their biggest problem going into 2009, has greatly overachieved expectations. Wandy Rodriguez has done especially well going 7 innings last night as he lowered his season ERA to 1.69 and his WHIP to 1.03. If he keeps this up, he should be a shoe-in for the All-Star Game which I think he truly deserves.
“He’s come a long way since ‘05 when I first got over here,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “Last year in the second half he was excellent, and he’s started out this year the same way. Five quality starts.”
Another player who has been performing above expectations is Michael Bourn. I have been very critical of Michael in the past, but I want to give credit where credit is due. He has done a very good job of getting on base and has actually become a threat hitting at the #8 spot. Cooper is supposedly considering moving him up to #2, but I feel that they should just leave him where he is. Michael seems to have problems when he doesn’t have stability and I am worried that moving him will put too much pressure on him. Plus, he is producing. At #8! When was the last time we had someone like that? He still needs to work on his bunting though. Ugh.
The last few games have been enjoyable to watch. I have noticed that as the Astros play bad, I get more and more depressed. Obviously, we can’t hope for a World Series contender every year, but I do like them to at least play well and not embarrass themselves like they did in their first national game this year when Pujols used Houston as his own personal jockstrap. Lately, they have looked like a solid team and I am starting to enjoy watching them again.
I would still like to know what is so magical about playing in Cincinnati and why we are so good there.
“Every time we play here, we play great,” Wandy Rodriguez said.
We win more there than we win at home and last night we had our 11th straight win in Ohio. It’s like some kind of magical city or something and must be extremely frustrating for the Reds fans.
“Maybe it’s the way the ball flies out of the park. Perhaps it’s the humid climate that reminds them of home. Or, it might just be the confidence of knowing that every time they show up, something good seems to happen. Whatever the reason, the Houston Astros sure love it in Cincinnati.”
So says Joe Kay, sportswriter for the Cincinnati Post. I think that wraps it up quite nicely, don’t you?
