Great Weekend for Houston Fans

For many people the running together of the sports seasons causes conflict and consternation. Some-led by our local radio talk show and newspaper folks- are ready to move on to football before baseball and soccer are finished. In baseball's case (Astros) that can understood in many ways since the club is not winning...won't win anything this year...and isn't even show casing the young players called up from the minors.

Personally I am not concerned about not seeing Chris Johnson, Tommy Manzella, Edwin Maysonet or J.R. Towles everyday. There is nothing in their past records yet that indicates they will be better than the current players on the team either now or in the future. That may sound a bit scary to some of you who look at this team's record and feel hopeless. Still, it is a fact and an indication of why Ed Wade's job this off season in building and then convincing Astro fans that things will be on an upswing in 2010 will be a tall task.

Whether Miguel Tejada is here next season or not he does have a chance at a 200 hit season and an even better chance at leading the National League in doubles. So, let him play. At second base if Kazuo Matsui is keeping Edwin Maysonet off the field so be it. If you haven't noticed--and many of you haven't-- he is playing the best of the season at the plate and his defense is definitely Gold Glove quality. Frankly, he is the best defensive second baseman in the National League, but won't likely get the recognition because he is not also one of the top two or three hitters at the position.

Now, behind the plate they HAVE made a commitment to give J.R. Towles more work. So far he has not helped his chances of being a key cog in the 2010 Astros. His instincts for the game are questionable and his hitting is more than questionable. It has been "pitcher quality."

Playing Chris Johnson at third base has happened quite a bit actually. He has not distinguished or necessarily harmed himself. He does, however, look like a player who needs another full year at Round Rock.

So, whether the Astros game mean a thing in the standings is somewhat irrelevant at this point. Watch the games and take what you can from them.

MEANINGFUL GAMES
There ARE some very meaningful games on the Houston weekend calendar and they involve football. Sorry, Texans, but your game is #3 on my list. The Houston Cougar-Texas Tech college game Saturday night has to be number one. The Cougars are ranked as high as 17 in the nation and with Texas Tech at Robertson Stadium have really their last chance to make a big splash before they begin Conference USA action. Sad to say, once league play begins the Cougars can only hurt themselves by losing or playing close games. They have no other BCS or other major foes. That is why on Saturday night the Cougars need not only to win, but to win rather decisivlyto keep those poll votes rolling in.

Meanwhile the Rice Owls have the sort of match up they need every year. They are playing an SEC team that could conceivably be close to their level when they host Vanderbilt. A Rice schedule heavy with the Stanfords, Northwesterns and Vanderbilts every year would be a good test. The Owls are not as strong as last year's bowl team, but they have recruited well and could put on a good show.

Unfortunately for football fans both the Houston and Rice games are going on almost simultaneously--or closely enough that catching all or most of both would be a real test when one factors in driving and traffic time. Still, I bet some fans of football will give it a shot.

The #3 attraction--at least to me-- is the Texans game with Jacksonville on Sunday. It is still too soon to get a read on the Texans, but Sunday may give a better indication. A home crowd and coming off a nice win (albeit with questions) at Nashville should spark the team. If it doesn't and the performance disappoints those who think, "Same old Texans" may sadly not be wrong.

I'll be with the Astros to the bitter end. But I'll be peeking at what else is going on...in this real big Houston Sports weekend.