Looking on the Bright Side

Felipe Paulino pitched four scoreless innings. The Astros didn't pull up the white flag after they fell behinnd 6-0. Both Miguel Tejada and Kazuo Matsui in deep slumps had two hit games. Humberto Quintero had a homer and double in three at bats. And Edwin Maysonet had a pinch single in his first at bat since his recall from Round Rock.



I think that just about covers them. The good things that is. And really the only truly BAD thing about the ultimate 7-5 loss to Arizona was the work of rookie Bud Norris.



That, however, may be the most troubling of all. Bud Norris has to be part of the 2010 Astros that mix more youth in with a few veterans and return to serious contention in the NL Central. His recent work on the mound is not promising. After Norris' three innings of relief in Chicago and first start against the Cardinals folks were talking about him being next seasons #2 or at least #3 starter. Now, however, he may be in danger of falling in with Paulino as a "better start to show me" guy.



In his last three starts Norris has pitched a total of 11.2 innings and allowed 25hits and 15 earned runs! That is scary.



From the crow's nest where I watch games it appears his velocity is the same as in his debut. He has a fast ball that can be in the mid 90s when he uses a four seamer...and in the low 90s with his best two seam sinker. He also has a change and a slider. On Sunday it appeared command and thus confidence in his slider was spotty. His command was off with everything as evidenced by the 55 pitches he threw to get just three outs.



The Astros needed him to show more to reach .500 and have a sense of starting pitching depth before heading on the nine game trip that starts in St. Louis on Tuesday. If the Astros are not out of the picture now, they certainly can easily be after this trip since six of the games feature the Cards or Cubs.



Oh well, just take 'em as they come and hope for good games on a daily basis. Most of them will be good. Let's just hope more of the "good" games include the Astros winning. That always makes them better.

TV UPCOMING
The whole nine games on the trip will be seen on FS Houston. Pre game on Tuesday is 6:30 with first pitch at 7:15.