nike jordan 10 A Preview Of The 2006 Houston Astro

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the second straight year in a row, the Houston Astros overcame a horrible start and spotty offense to capture the National League wildcard. Houston coiled past the Cardinals en path to agreeable National League Champions only to lose in a 4 game sweep to the World Champion Chicago White Sox.
Despite lacking the first month of the season, slugger Lance Berkman (.293 24 82 RBI) was skillful apt create himself as 1 of the best power hitters in the game meantime 3rd baseman Morgan Ensberg (.283 36 101) likewise appeared as a prime rush hourensive coerce leading the group in HR (36), RBI (101),[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and slugging percentage (.557). The ageless marvel Craig Biggio (.264 26 69) joined Jason Lane (.267 26 7 Cool

and Mike Lamb (.236 12 53) to aid complete the repose of the starting lineup.
On the pitching side, starter Roy Oswalt (20-12, 2.94 ERA) was able to join lusty power numbers with wonderful control in 2005 while Andy Pettitte (17-9, 2.39 ERA) bounced back from an injury-ridden 2004 season to pitch over 220 innings. Roger Clemens (13-8 1.87) at the old of 44 still was able to post respectable numbers joining superstar reliever Brad Lidge (4-4 2.29 42 saves) to provide the Astros with a season ending 89-73 log.
Off Season Moves:
The Astros didn't make also numerous moves in the off season only because they really didn't absence to. Their biggest gain was signing free proxy Preston Wilson (.260, 25 90) who was picked up to help provide more repellent stability and potentially replace Bagwell (who may alternatively may not return in 2006). Reliever Trever Miller (2-2 4.06) was also joined to help an yet strong bullpen.
2006 Analysis:
Much of the same faces will return in 2006 with Craig Biggio (94 Runs) and Willy Taveras, who led the team in stolen bases with 34 setting the table for the rest of the lineup. The Astros are hoping Tavares will learn to convert more patient in his sophomore year and generate more walks. If Bagwell doesn't come back full-time, Berkman will likely move over to 1B with the newly obtained Preston Wilson expected to melodrama leftfield.
Roy Oswalt namely anticipated to once afresh return as the ace of the staff behind putting together back-to behind 20 win due times. 33-year-old Andy Pettitte has lost meaningful time to injuries in 2 of the final 4 seasons so the Astros are hoping he can be healthy as one plenary 2006 war. Clemens namely no anticipated to return and his normal season rendition will be missed. He was not attempted arbitration in the off season.
Houston is seeing to their number 3 starter Brandon Backe (10-8,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], 4.76 ERA) to ascertain more consistency in 2005. While Wandy Rodriguez (10-10, 5.53 ERA) and Ezequiel Astacio (3-6, 5.67 ERA) will remain the possible candidates as the fourth and fifth starters. With Brad Lidge,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Chad Qualls, former Met Dan Wheeler, lefty Mike Gallo and newly signed Trever Miller, the Houston bullpen is deep and maybe one of the best in all of baseball. Expect the Astros to receive some competition from the Cubs and St. Louis in 2006. If the pitching can hold itself together and the offense by least match the same mathematics as last year they ought find themselves in the thick of entities within the NL Central.