Colt 45s Blog

Now that we have the final spring training game under our collective belts, we can officially get ready to play some meaningful ball. Houston ends spring with a less then impressive record at 13-17 but as we all know, the games mean nothing. The 13-17 record leaves the Astros behind the likes of the surprising Tampa Bay Rays and the Florida Marlins who were #1 and 2 record wise in the grape fruit league going 18-8 and 19-10 respectively.

The Astros played their final game of spring training with a 9-4 win vs. the Detroit Tigers. Houston recorded 10 hits for the game and put together a 5 run 6th inning which was sparked by a 3 run homer from Ty Wigginton. Shawn Chacon started the final game for Houston and went 5 innings deep allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and two homers. He was given the win bringing his final spring record to 2-1. This is a good win to finish the exhibition season and helps Houston prepare for the long haul ahead.

Most importantly the 25 man roster is officially set and the team has decided to hold 12 pitchers and 13 position players according to MLB.com. The four guys that were on the bubble that eventually made the final roster were OF Jose Cruz Jr., IF Tomas Perez, RHP Brian Moelher, and LHP Wesley Wright. The final two players that missed the cut were IF David Newhan, who will be sent to the minors, and C Humberto Quintero, who is currently waiting for his new assignment.

The final 12 pitchers include the following: (S)Brandon Backe, Dave Borkowski, Doug Brocail, (S)Shawn Chacon, Geoff Geary, (S)Roy Oswalt, (S)Wandy Rodriguez, (S)Chris Sampson, (CL)Jose Valverde, Oscar Villarreal, Brian Moehler and Wesley Wright. *You may have noticed that Woody Williams is not listed on the final roster, this is because team officials decided to cut him this weekend after Chris Sampson beat him out for the 5th spot in the rotation. The move has upset some of the players, Here is a article released today with the reaction from the team.

The final 13 positional players include the following: Catchers Brad Ausmus and J.R. Towles, infielders Lance Berkman, Geoff Blum, Mark Loretta, Miguel Tejada, Ty Wigginton and Tomas Perez, and outfielders Michael Bourn, Darin Erstad, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence and Jose Cruz Jr.

The first regular season game will take place on Monday at PETCO Park as the Astros take on Jake Peavy and the Padres. Look for the game on ESPN2 at 10:05 pm eastern, Roy Oswalt will get his team record 6th straight opening day start for the Astros.