Quick Hits

Didn't I tell you? Didn't I tell you that if we got some runs pretty early against Sheets that we would win? And Moehler pitched a wonderful game, again, making my prediction come true! Anyway, here are some more quick hits with the Astros...

• Astros claim infielder Jose Castillo off the waivers from San Francisco Giants. Castillo hit .244 (96-for-394) with six home runs, 35 RBIs and a career-high 28 doubles for the Giants this season.
• Gold Glove winner Brad Ausmus has stated that 2008 will be his final season in an Astros uniform.
• Ty Wigginton won the Co-Player of the Week alongside Johan Santana. Wigginton had 16 hits in 28 at-bats last week, recording a 1.143 slugging percentage, 11 RBIs, 16 hits, 32 total bases. He also tied for the NL lead with four home runs and nine runs scored for the week.
• Craig Biggio's number 7 has been retired. It was retired before Sunday's game. He is Houston's career leader in seasons played (20), at-bats (10,876), hits (3,060), extra-base hits (1,014), doubles (668) and runs (1,844).

Thats about it from over here. Have a good rest of the week, and Go Astros!

Astros vs. Brewers; Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Houston Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Brian Moehler vs. Ben Sheets
Miller Park
7:05 PM CT

In Moehler's last 5 starts, he is 3-0 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. If Houston can get some runs on the board early, and Moehler continues to pitch well, we could have an upset.

Astros vs. Brewers; Monday, August 18, 2008

Houston Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Randy Wolf vs. CC Sabathia
Miller Park
7:05 CT

Astros vs. Diamondbacks; Sunday, August 17th, 2008

Houston Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Roy Oswalt vs. Randy Johnson
Minute Maid Park
1:05 PM CT

Both pitchers are 10-8, but hopefully Oswalt will get his 11th win first...

Astros vs. Diamondbacks; Saturday, August 16th, 2008

Houston Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Brandon Backe vs. Yusmeiro Petit
7:05 ET

Astros Face Reds at Home

Tomorrow, the Houston Astros start a 3 game series against the Reds at home. The Reds are 50-55 on the season, and are currently 4^th in the NL Central. Houston is 47-56, and 2.5 games back behind the Reds. On the road, the Reds are 20-31. Lets take a look at the matchups…

Game 1: Monday, July 28, 7:05 CT, Minute Maid Park

The probable starter for the Reds will be Johnny Cueto. Cueto is 0-1 in his last 3 starts, and only 2-4 in his last 8. In his last game, he threw a season high pitch count of 120, through 6 innings, but struck out 10 – tying his career high. The last time Cueto faced the Astros was on April 24. He pitched 7 innings, gave up 5 runs on 8 hits and with 2 walks and 2 strike outs

The probable starter for the Astros will be Roy Oswalt, who is coming off an injury of a strained left hip abductor. His last start was on July 11 against the Washington Nationals, but he only pitched 17 pitches before being taken out with his strain. Oswalt has not faced the Reds this season.

Career numbers vs. Astros for Cueto: 0-1, 6.43 ERA

Career numbers vs. Reds for Oswalt: 19-1, 2.46 ERA

Prediction: Astros win 5-2

Game 2: Tuesday, July 29, 7:05 CT, Minute Maid Park

The probable starter for the Reds is Bronson Arroyo. In Arroyo’s last 5 starts, he is 5-0 with a 3.19 ERA. Arroyo’s last start vs. the Astros was April 24, when Arroyo got rocked. He gave up 8 runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

The probable starter for the Astros is Brian Moehler. Moehler has been the most consistent starter for the Astros this year, but is coming off an unusual bad outing where he only lasted 2 1/3 innings, giving up 5 ER on 9 hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Career numbers vs. Astros for Arroyo: 4-4, 6.14 ERA

Career numbers vs. Reds for Moehler: 0-4, 6.82 ERA

Prediction: Reds win 6-4

Game 3: Wednesday, July 30, 7:05 CT, Minute Maid Park

The probable starter for the Reds will be Edinson Volquez. After an amazing start to the year, and amazing numbers before the all-star break, Volquez has struggled after the all-star break. He has allowed 9 runs over his past 2 starts. His strikeout totals have dropped severely after the all-star break, also. He has only struck out more than 3 batters once in his past 6 starts.

The probable starter for the Astros will be Wandy Rodriguez, who is coming off a magnificent start against the Brewers. He allowed only 1 run on 3 hits in 6 innings. Unfortunately, Wandy has struggled against the Reds in the last 3 years, going 2-2 with a 5.59 ERA in 7 starts. Hopefully, starting at home will help Rodriguez.

Career numbers vs. Astros for Volquez: Has not faced Astros

Career numbers vs. Reds for Rodriguez: 2-2, 5.59 ERA

Prediction: Astros win 3-1

Numbers don’t lie:

• The Reds are 2-7 in Cueto’s last 9 road starts
• The Reds are 16-37 in the last 53 meetings in Houston.
• Astros are 48-18 in Oswalts last 66 home starts
• The Astros are 6-0 in Oswalts last 6 home starts vs. Reds
• Astros are 18-4 in Oswalts last 22 starts vs. Reds

Oswalt to Return Monday

Oswalt threw a successful bullpen session Friday; even faced live batters. He is currently on track to return from the DL Monday, and pitch against the Reds at home. Oswalt finished the session pain-free.

"Roy threw about 25, 30 pitches to a couple of hitters," Cooper said. "He did it continuously, didn't take a break in between and he felt fine. No problems anywhere, so he's a go for Monday."

Hopefully, his short time on the DL will help him regroup, and let him have a much better 2nd half than he did in the 1st half. It is estimated that Oswalt will have about 13 starts left, hopefully all quality starts!

Astros agree to terms with Brad Dydalewicz, 8th round pick of the two-day MLB First-Year Player Draft

Left-handed pitcher Brad Dydalewicz, and the Astros have agreed to terms on a contract. Dydalewicz, 18, was the Astros' 8th round pick in the two-day MLB First-Year Player Draft in June. Dydalewicz is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound lefty. Dydalewicz can reach the low-90s with his fastball, with a sharp breaking ball and a developing changeup. He will be reporting to Houston's rookie ball affiliate, the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, as soon as possible.

Dydalewicz, a member of Lake Travis High School in Austin, led the high school team to the regional finals going 13-1 on the season. He was also selected to be a member of the 2008 AABAC All-Star Team and Texas' Area Code Team.

Houston acquires Wolf

Houston acquired veteran left-hander Randy Wolf from the Padres for minor league pitcher Chad Reineke. Randy Wolf went 6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts for San Diego. After this season, Wolf will be a free agent, though. But there is a chance that the Astros will sign him for a longer term. The 31 year old Randy Wolf is expected to make his first start for the Astros Sunday against the Brewers. Wolf has a career record of 84-76, with a 4.30 career ERA.

Chad Reineke, of Miami University, was selected in the 13th round by the Houston Astros in the 2004 draft. The 26 year old Chad Reineke was 5-9 with a 4.94 ERA this year with the Round Rock Express, Houston's AAA team.

With this trade, Ed Wade feels that the 'Stros still have a shot at the playoffs. In my opinion, Wolf will do better with the Astros, rather than the Padres. The Astros give him a solid offense to back him up, while the Padres could not provide that consistently. There have been many games where he gave up only 2 earned runs, but still got the lost because the Padres could not produce runs. Wolf can get the job done with a solid offense to back him up.

Welcome aboard, Randy.

Oswalt placed on DL

Turns out that Oswalt was not even able to throw his bullpen session, which would have decided if Oswalt would start Tuesday against Pittsburgh. Oswalt underwent an MRI Saturday morning, and once the results were released, he was placed on the DL. The MRI also revealed a small disc protrusion in Oswalt's back.

Houston looks to recall Runelvys Hernandez, who should make the start tonight, against Pittsburgh.

Matsui sits atop Astros Lineup

Kazuo Matsui returned from the 15 day disabled list because of a strained right right hamstring July 9. Cecil Cooper put Matsui at the top of the lineup against the Chicago Cubs, and he also said that he plans to keep Matsui there for a while. Matsui claims that he is comfortable at the top of the lineup.

Matsui has had 35 at bats in his career in the leadoff position, and he is only batting .171 there. He struck out 7 times, and had 4 RBI from atop the lineup. In the series vs. the Cubs, he was 1-9 leading off...I'm starting to wonder if Cooper will keep Matsui there for a while, as he claims.

Oswalt's Start on Tuesday Still Questionable

Roy Oswalt, the Astros ace, is still unsure if he will start for the Astros on Tuesday as they face the Pirates for a 3 game series at home. Oswalt suffered a strained left hip abductor on June 30 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The final decision will not be known until after a bullpen session. Manager Cecil Cooper hopes that Oswalt will be close to 100 percent ready, but Oswalt thinks differently; he is not so sure. Oswalt claims that he is still sore, and there is about a 51% chance that it is not so good, rather than a 50-50 chance.

Chacon loses his cool...throws Ed Wade on the ground

As we all know, Chacon has been frustrated by the way he has been pitching. And he was moved to the bullpen, rather than being a solid #3 starter like he and us fans have expected. Today, Chacon told reporters this: "I lost my cool. I grabbed his neck and threw him on the ground. I jumped on top of him, and wanted to beat his (butt). Words were exchanged."

He did all of this to the Astros GM, Ed Wade. Has reported today, Chacon has pitched his final pitches as an Astro. He was released today. Waivers on Chacon expire at Noon central time, and if he is not claimed by another team within that time period, his contract will be terminated without pay.

Shawn Chacon was 2-3, with a 5.04 ERA in 15 starts for the Houston Astros in 2008.

History of the Houston Astros

On October 17, 1960, Houston was awarded a franchise in the ten-team National League and was to play in the west division. As the franchise was starting out, they were named the Houston Colt .45s, in honor of the gun that won the West. The “Colts” first game was on April 10, 1962, and they defeated the Cubs 11-2. For the next 3 years, the franchise played in Colt Stadium.

The first number that was retired by the Astros was #32, worn by Jim Umbricht. He was stricken with cancer, and died on April 8, 1964. Almost 2 years since the Astros franchise had been formed.

On April 9, 1965, the Houston Colt .45s became the Houston Astros to show support for the space program based in Houston. In 1965, The Sporting News Official Baseball Guide had this to say about why the team was renamed: "Late in the year 1964 the Harris County Domed Stadium was officially named the Astrodome after the Houston club changed its nickname, December 1, from the Colt .45s to Astros. The move resulted from objections by the Colt Firearms Company to the club's sales of novelties bearing the old nickname." Even with the name change, the scoreboard still showed some recognition to the Colt .45s as it featured electronically animated cowboys firing pistols, with the "bullets" ricocheting around the scoreboard, when an Astros player would hit a home run. Early on, the groundskeepers also wore astronaut spacesuits to promote that modern image.

During the summer in Houston, the city had oppressive heat and humidity. As a defense against this kind of weather, the Astros committed to building a new domed stadium. The result was the Astrodome. The Astrodome was based on the Roman Coliseum. It was a multi-purpose stadium, and was designed for baseball and football purposes. However, because it was enclosed, it could also be used for events traditionally held in indoor arenas, such as basketball, concerts and political conventions, allowing outdoor-sized crowds in an indoor venue. The Astrodome was the first stadium to have individual “theatre-like” seats for every single seat. Also, it was one of the first stadiums to have luxury seats and club seating. The scoreboard could show various animations after a home run or a win. Not only that, but the Astrodome was also one of the first stadiums in the country to use an artificial playing surface.

In 1975, the Astros had adopted new jerseys. They were orange, yellow and navy "Rainbow Guts" uniforms that became a team trademark and would stay with them in some form through 1993. The uniforms were nicknamed, “the popsicles.” The jerseys were made by Sand-Knit. The Astros also switched from red-orange caps to a pure orange. The team began wearing navy caps on the road in 1980 and went with navy caps in all games beginning in 1983.

In 1980, the Astros had a lot of speed, and had good pitching. They didn’t have much power, but they didn’t need much anyway. They won their first NL West championship in 1980. The team also clinched its first divisional title the same year with a 7-1 victory over the Dodgers. In the next round, the National League Championship Series, the Astros faced the Phillies to five games. This series was considered one of the best postseason series in baseball history, and after many games going into extra innings, the Astros end up losing to the Phillies.

A tragedy also occurred on July 30, 1980. J.R. Richard, one of the best Astros pitchers, had a stroke before a game. At the time, he was 10-4 with a dominating 1.73 ERA. The stroke nearly killed him and although Richard survived, he never would pitch in the Major Leagues again.

Then, following the 1988 season, the Astros went on a “fire sale.” A term meaning a team trades many of its veteran players to other teams for less expensive players, usually for financial reasons. It was also the start for a “rebuilding mode.” But, more problems had occurred in 1991. A declining number of attendants at the game caused inability to obtain the Astrodome. That year, the Astros management announced its intention to sell the team and move the franchise to the Washington, D.C. area. However, the move was not approved by other National League owners, thus compelling the Astros to remain in Houston.

In 2000, the Astros moved into their new stadium, originally called Enron Field. Enron Field was one of the first stadiums to have a retractable roof. Then, in 2005, the Astros won the pennant!

After a poor start to the season in 2005, Houston rebounded and finished the season strong. In July alone, the Astros went 22-7, setting the best single month record in Astros’ history. The Astros finished the 2005 regular season by winning a wild card berth on the final day of the regular season.

The Astros won the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves in four games. The fourth game set a record for a post-season game with the most innings (18), the most players used by a single team (tied for 23), the most grand slams (2), and the longest game time (5 hours and 50 minutes). The National League Championship Series would then be the St. Louis Cardinals against the Houston Astros. The Astros would go on to beat the Cards in 7 games, leading them to the World Series! The Astros' opponent in their first ever World Series was the Chicago White Sox. Unfortunately, the Astros did not bring there A-game as they were swept by the White Sox.

Some more facts on the Astros:

1. Team Motto: The Return of the Good Guys

2. Logo design: Red five-pointed star with the word "Astros" below it in script

3. Playoff appearances (9): 1980, 1981, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005

4. World Series appearances(1): 2005

5. Spring Training Facility: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL

6. Rivals: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves

7. Retired Numbers: 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49