It looks as though Houston is putting the final touches on their 25 man roster and getting ready for the regular season, which is only 9 days away. They already know what their regular season batting order is going to be, and are beginning to realize who will be in the pitching rotation and bullpen.
They’ve won 5 out of their last 8 games, bringing their spring training record to 11-13, and are finally looking like the team we hope they’ll be. In the Astro’s last 5 wins they have won by an average of 2.8 runs and have nearly brought their record to .500. Also in Houston’s last 5 wins they have hit 10 homers total, something they were really struggling with at the beginning of spring training.
Pitching has had some peaks and valleys this spring training especially near the beginning but it seems they are starting get serious behind the lead of Houston ace Roy Oswalt and closer Jose Valverde. Oswalt has appeared 5 times, going 20 innings, striking out a team high 16 batters, a 3.60 ERA and he’s given up only 1 homer. Valverde has appeared 6 times, going 6 innings, striking out 7, giving up only 4 hits, 3 runs, and has given up no homers. Veteran leadership is going to be very important this season if Houston looks to make a run at the NL Central.
As spring training comes closer to an end, and roster spots start becoming obvious, hope that Manager Cecil Cooper and his staff make the right moves to have this team at its best this season.
