Wandy, Astros, Tweeter All Crash

It was such a fast 24 hours. The Astros ended their 7 game losing streak with a convincing 6-1 complete game victory by Brian Moehler over the Pirates. It was sweet. Surely, now with Wandy Rodriguez set to pitch Saturday night the Houston's could make it two in a row.

Well, not exactly. Wandy had the same problems as in his last start in Cincinnati. He had no command of fastball, curve, slider or change. He could throw them all with the normal velocity, but he could not put them close enough to where he needed. The end result was three runs in the first inning...two more in the fifth and an Astro 7-4 lo

Now those of you who could not watch the FS Houston telecast or listen on Astros radio might not know that. I am speaking to those of you who try to follow the action on Twitter.

In the fifth inning Twitter crashed. The official wording that appeared on screens everywhere was that "Twitter was over capacity." Translated that meant more people were Tweeting than the servers could handle. While this was the first time a capacity problem had shut down the reports on Astros baseball I have learned it is not a new phenomena. It has happened several times in Twitter's quite young history.

I moved over to the FS Houston Facebook site to leave word that Twitter was down...and give the score. I came back to let at least our Facebook world know that there would be no more Tweeting that night.

So, for those of you who wonder what DID happen.... the Astros lost 7-4. They put up a mini rally with two out and no one one in the 9th, but it was really a rally caused by wild Pirate relievers. It ended with the bases loaded when Carlos Lee--looking for his first RBI in two weeks--grounded out to second.

The only other item of note was the first appearance of Brandon Backe. It was not pretty. He gave up three doubles and two runs in his one inning. He never threw a pitch higher than 83 miles an hour. His breaking ball was running at about 75. If all his fast balls were two seam sinkers that 83 is not TOO bad...only three or four miles an hour slower than last year. But if he was trying to sneak some four seamers in there and only reached 83 then he has a problem. Brandon always was able to touch 90 or 91 in the past.

The road trip ends tomorrow and the best it can be for the Astros is 2-4. Needless to say that is very disappointing. Everyone is ready to get home...especially me. I've been on the road two days longer than the team since I started with the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City while the Astros were finishing the Texas series at MMP.

But before we go home how about winning one more game?

The photos at the top of this column were taken Saturday morning in "The Strip" area of Pittsburgh. Just a short walk from the team hotel it is the "T-Shirt Capital of the World"..also fresh fruit and veggies...restaurants, bars, and specialty shops and stores. Normally quite easy to get around during the week...not so on weekends.

See you back at Minute Maid Park Monday....and hopefully on Twitter Sunday!

Baseball is Fun Again, but I Knew it Would Be

We had fun at PNC Park Friday night. It was easy. The Astros won behind a complete game from Brian Moehler which featured seven shut out innings (actually it was eight, but seven is part of the story later.) Also Edwin Maysonet had a big game including his first major league homer.

I was not surprised.

You see during dinner Bill Brown turned to me and said, "What do you think Luke? What's going to happen tonite?" I responded without really giving it much thought and said, "The losing strink will end tonite. Edwin Maysonet will have a big homer and a big game and Brian Moehler will go seven shutout innings."

Brownie, Jim Deshaies, Chronicle writer Jesus Ortiz, radio engineer Lowell Matheny and TV director Paul Byckowski who were also at the table probably wondered what I was drinking. Actually, I think it was combination of ginger ale and orange soda out of the machine in the lunch room.

After all, Moehler had not been very effective this season after going on the disabled list with a strained knee. His earned run average was over eight! And Maysonet was 2-10 this season and 3-17 in his short major league career without even a double let alone a homer.

Imagine my surprise when Edwin parked one in the left field stands for his second hit of the game in the fourth inning. That gave the Astros a 3-0 lead. It was shortly after that homer--which Brownie and JD had noted on the telecast that I had predicted that I took note of Moehler not allowing any runs yet either.

Once he passed the fifth inning I thought he might make it. First of all his pitch count was only 65 at that point so it looked like he would be able to go seven. Now, could he not allow any runs?

When Jason Jaramillo cracked one on the ground to Lance Berkman with two out and one on in that seventh inning, Brian had made my second prediction come true. And the Astros were winning 6-0.

As history records Brian Moehler was not finished. He threw one more scoreless frame and still had a shutout till Jaramillo grounded out with a runner on third and one out in the ninth. Still Moehler finished the game on 123 pitches and the Astros won 6-1. That ended the seven game losing string. It was only one game, of course, but a fun one for the Astros and for me too.

Back to the Game

The Astros still have a chance at salvaging a split in their current six game road trip. Of course, they would have to sweep the Pirates in Pittsburgh to do it. Maybe no one here will notice if they do either. This place is in a Pittsburgh Penguin frenzy. For the second straight season the Pens are in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. It won't be quite so crazy around here as it might be while the Astros are in town because the series opens in Detroit. But the newspapers and talk shows are pretty much solid Penguins right now.

Funny about how some sports are bigger in different parts of the country. As we all know football gets a large proportion of sports coverage in Texas. Here in Western Pennsylvania football--particularly the Steelers-- is #1. But the Penguins in a league (NHL) that hardly anyone follows at all in Houston are a strong number two.

Naturally winning has a lot to do with the public's level of interest. The Steelers and Penguins win. The Pirates do not.

Moving further East Baseball is still the king sport. No question in New York, Boston and Philadelphia...some question or downright doubt in Baltimore and Washington. New York, Boston (New England) and Philadelphia all are big on NFL football, too. But they tend to keep things more in the seasons they are played than talk about them all year round. During the summer it is baseball. Same really goes for Chicago.

Houston made great gains with baseball during the period of no NFL in Houston. They have generally been able to keep their hold on the public even with the spectre of the Texans finally being about ready to have a contending playoff team and the Rockets of the NBA already there.

Funny thing is...Houston is big enough for everyone to succeed. Not all fans are fans of all sports. You've seen the days when the Texans had a game at home and the Astros were playing at the same time. More than 100,000 fans were watching the two.

I don't know if a smaller market like Pittsburgh can do that. Each club says they want to see their bretheren in pro sports succeed, but they also know that to be able to keep up they have to succeed on the field as well. The Pirates have severely fallen off the pace here. Only a good club over a number of years can hope to close the gap.

Day Off in Pittsburgh

On the off day in Pittsburgh some played golf...others relaxed...some visited historical sites. I was one of those. Renting a car and driving east from downtown to the Oakland area one finds not only the impressive campus of the University of Pittsburgh, but also the remains of Forbes Field which includes part of the centerfield wall including the flagpole, which, like Minute Maid Park, was inside the field of play.

The actual location of home plate is within a nearby campus building. The current home for outdoor sports in Pittsburgh is across the Allegheny River and the location of old Fort Duquense in the downtown area. The Steelers home, Heinz Field is near the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers as they form the Ohio. PNC Park, home of the Pirates is
further upstream on the Allegheny.

Ironically the spots where the two teams now call home is actually where pro sports started in Pittsburgh way before Three Rivers Stadium which proceeded the twin parks in the same location and even Forbes Field. The first professional football game was played not far from the present location of PNC Park. And when the Pirates played in the first World Series in 1903 their field was also in the same general area.

Things have come full circle in Pittsburgh, but the long time home of the Pirates in the Universit area has not been forgotten...if only by the remaining outfield wall and flagpole.

We have lost memories from our former ballparks in Houston, though the memory of Buff Stadium was preserved for awhile and the outline of Colt Stadium was findable in the Astrodome parking lot for awhile. If the Astrodome ever has to come down in the interests of "progress" let there at least be a serviceable plan to mark the spot and memories from the old girl.

It Was Wesley

The Astros decided to send Wesley Wright to Round Rock to make room for Brandon Backe's re-activation on Friday. Backe will at last start out in an unfamiliar bullpen role, but at least he is back in the major leagues. Wright will make his first sojourn to the Astros minor league system after serving the mandatory full season on the big league roster as a Rule V draftee last year.

Things have not gone as well for Wright this season so the move to Round Rock is a much to get him straightened out as to give him more work which was the official explanation. I saw Wesley in the clubhouse following the game Wednesday and wished him well, pointing out that he does need more work. Wesley nodded and agreed. Astro fans will see him again this year for sure.

The club has two starting pitchers now having to work out of the bullpen in Russ Ortiz and Backe. Ortiz told me on the pre game interview Wednesday that he still isn't comfortable in the role and is still learning but the major object is to win games so he will do what he can.

He also pointed out that in his four starts the team was 3-1. That is just another way to point out that while he may not have been dominating he didn't kill the club's chances either and he wants to return to a starting role at some point.

With both Brian Moehler and Mike Hampton having been somewhat shaky in recent starts and with Moehler in particular experienced working out of the pen there might be a role reversal for either Ortiz or Backe with Moehler if he can't get back on track.

He will have that honor on Friday when he opens the series here against the Pirates and tries to lead the way in ending the current seven game losing streak.

He will need help. The offensive side of the team has hardly been impressive during this stretch. Few big hits and crooked number innings have put the pressure on the pitching.

That is certainly not to say the Astros have has some games in which they have scored early and enough that solid starting and bullpen pitching should be able to hold on. It just has not happenend enough.

Maybe a day off in Pittsburgh--or anywhere for that matter is what the team needs. Let's hope it pays off starting Friday.

Big Start for Paulino Tonight

Felipe Paulino will be having the most important start of the season in Cincinnati this evening. Not only for his immediate future, but possible for the Astros as well.

If he pitches well he will very likely remain with the club and in the rotation. If he does not he may find himself on a plane to Round Rock to continue refining his skills with Brandon Backe or even Russ Ortiz moving into his starting slot.

What to do with Backe who is ready to resume his career has created a quandry among Astro brass. Can he work effectively in relief if needed? Must he return to the starting rotation to be most effective? And if he does return as a stater who gets bumped? On top of all this is Backe's mental frame of mind if he is told he is not a starter but one of those dreaded long relievers.

The definition of "long reliever" often is that is is a long time between appearances and when they do appear it is often in lost cause games.

No one wants to be one unless that is the only option to continue one's career. Backe does not think that is the case. What do the Astros do?

They don't want Paulino to have trouble tonight. Yet if he does it solves a problem. Of course, pitchers like Brian Moehler who Cecil Cooper quietly said last night would be the starter on Friday and Mike Hampton are not on long term solid ground. Either one or both could be removed from the rotation to make room for Backe to see what he has. Neither is likely to be cut from the roster. That gets us back to the usual suspects... Paulino or the Yo Yo Man Jeff Fulchino who both have options and can be sent down.

Fulchino does not deserve to go down based on his recent work. And Paulino may not either if he comes through tonite.

Odds N Ends... I am trying to attach a photo that shows I am the world's greatest "extended arm self photographer in the world." This is me across the Ohio River in Kentucky with Great America Ballpark and downtown Cincinnati in the background. If this works I will likley add more--and better shots--from around the National League in future columns.

Good luck to all teams from the FSHouston region in the NCAA baseball regionals. All can't have it of course because they will be meeting each other. Lets just get the best teams to advance and make it to Omaha.... How about the NBA action? Stars are nice to have, but having only one who seems to have to do everygthing doesnt always work. Even Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman...

Raining Again!

The Astros have played better on the road than they have at home (Monday night notwithstanding). Yet they have had their routines interrupted by rain more this spring than any season in recent memory. One game totally rained out in Chicago...another suspended in Washington plus two long rain delays in Atlanta and another last night here in Cincinnati.

A delay at the start of a game is no major problem, just an inconvience. It actually may make more money for the home team since those concession stands are very much open. The players aren't affected much. The starting pitcher has not begun warming up.

When the delay comes inside the game that is another thing. That fouls up pitching staffs...may waste an good effort by a starter and changes the whole plan.

In Houston the game has always been "on"-- with one memorable exception at the Astrodome when the rain came down so hard few could get to the game so it was cancelled.

The major league umpires instruction book says the home team management is the sole judge at to when a game shall be started when rain or other weather condidations are a factor. However, once the game begins the umpire in chief is the sole judge. When he stops play there must be a minimum 30 minute wait. However, the game may be held up for far longer that that if it is felt the weather will clear enough to play the game. The only exception to the home club having the intial start up call is on the last visit to a city by a club. Then the umpire in chief is totally in command.

Just wondering how many rain delays Bill Klem had to deal with during his 5379 game career as a National League umpire.

It WILL End...someday

The Astros losing streak reached a season high tying five with their 8-5 loss at the hands of the Astros Monday afternoon. But at least it took over five hours for it to happen. That, however, is not a good thing. It took that long because a 2:03 rain delay was stuffed inside the 3:04 game.

The Astros jumped into a 2-0 lead in the first when Lance (I love Cincinnati) Berkman crushed a two run homer which was his 21st at Great American Ballpark and 10th for this season for the Astros.

The lead did not last. Wandy Rodriguez had no luck...then no command in the bottom of the inning. Miguel Tejada dropped a back hand attempt on a ball hit by Willy Taveras for an error. Then Jerry Hairston beat out a bunt and suddenly Wandy faced Chris Dickerson with two on and no outs. At the point Wandy's lack of command became evident. He couldn't even get a fast ball over the plate. Dickerson walked and before the inning was over the Reds had scored five and led 5-2.

After the game Cecil Cooper said the defense which committed three errors and caused all eight Cincinnati runs to be un earned was the key to the loss. Yes, but as Larry Dierker liked to point out, pitchers have to overcome errors and bad luck. Wandy with his continuing lack of control could not.

Cooper didn't think Wandy used his curve ball enough. But I was eating dinner in an establisment that featured a "Reds Replay" and I watched carefully. He didn't throw many curves early, but the first one he did he hung to Jonny Gomes who singled up the middle to drive in the Reds first run. Later curves did not have the bite or were able to target the strike zone as in earlier starts. In other words, Wandy just didnt'have it. Simple as that.

While the Astros are making no comments another concern is the shabby defense at shortstop by Miguel Tejada. His error count for the season is at least half of what it should or could be. Lance Berkman has saved at minumum a half dozen bad throws. Other borderline plays have been ruled hits when more adept shortstops would have made the play.

The conumdrum in all this is that Miggy can still hit. He was one for four Monday which dropped him a bit, but a very good .345. So how about working him out at third base where mobility is not a requirement and replacing him at shortstop with either Jeff Keppinger or even Edwin Maysonet.

Something has to be done. There is little than can be done to improve the range and defense in left field. Carlos Lee's bat has to be in the game. But there ARE options for shortstop. The Astros have to seriously consider them.

A Major Turn for the Worse

There is no denying the Astros are in failing health. After their three losses to the Rangers with only one of the games truly competitive...and that was after they fell behind 5-0, but rallied to tie Friday night... the writing instruments are being prepared to put the handwriting on the wall.

This club does not have enough to contend in 2009. All the greatest fears have been realized up to this point. The veteran pitchers acquired during the off season to shore up a starting staff are on the downside of their careers. That actually was already known, but it was hoped the slide could be slowed enough to salvage one more decent season out of the likes of Hampton, Ortiz and Moehler. Right now it does not look as though that is possible. All three have to be exceptional in their command. All three have shown that only for short bursts or not at all in some games.

Felipe Paulino is the future. The future is now even though he has not shown the consistent command he will have to show to be a success. In truth only Wandy Rodriguez has been a successful starter. Some in baseball are claiming Roy Oswalt is on a career slide. I am not ready to agree with that. I see him pitch a lot. However, he does not always seem to have a handle on what he wants to get done in a particular game. Even he has admitted to that in recent weeks.

A lot has been said about the injured bullpen. Its a good and major point. Still, the bullpen has been over-used out of neccesity too often this season. Those starters just can't give the team enough quality innings often enough.

The Astros did far too little scoring in the Ranger series. One of the Ranger starters was making his first start...two others brought hefty ERAs into the games but left with much lighter ones. That was in large part due to some very weak Astro offense. Lance Berkman is still lost...Michael Bourn was coming around very well, but totally regressed in the last two games especially. Kazuo Matsui has not hit yet. Only Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada have been consistent, but not with many extra base or clutch hits.

The Astros are in Cincinnati and Pittsurgh this week. A number of pre season pronosticators and scouts felt both would surpass the Astros in 2009. Nothing has happened so far this season to make those "experts" look wrong.

Sports Odds n Ends... Without Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game the crowd was cut at least in half. Only a few more than 5000 were on hand to see Texas parlay an 11 run 4th inning to a 12-7 victory over Missouri. Congrats to the Longhorns who won both regular and post season titles in the Big 12 and will host a regional. If they win it they likely would get a super regional as well. Oklahoma will be the other Big 12 team hosting. Rice, LSU, and TCU are other teams in the area hosting regionals.... One thing great about the NBA playoffs is that once games get to the
Conference finals it is rare to have a blowout as occured twice in the Rocket-Laker series....On Astros Live Pregame Monday my interview guest is Jeff Keppinger who will talk about his days with the Reds. Is a 12:10 start for the game in Houston with pregame starting at 11:30am.

Sunday could look like Saturday for Astros

Sunday will be Mike Hampton's turn to start for the Astros. Will the game look a lot like Saturday? The question totally surrounds Mike's command of his pitches. Like Brian Moehler he does not have the capacity to over power hitters. His control and command must be razor sharp. For three innings on Saturday that is exactly what Moehler had. While it is true Ranger hitters may have adjusted to him better the second time through the order the fact also is that he was no longer hitting his spots. On all three of the home runs he allowed the final location of his pitches (before they reached the stands) was way off the mark of the target. Every one of them drifted right over the heart of the plate. No pitcher can get away with that for long, but especially those who don't have great fastballs.

Mike Hampton is the same sort of pitcher. He can get his fast ball up to about 92 or 93 on occasion, but that is not an overpowering pitch. His sinkers and curves and other breaking balls must be just where the target calls for them...or a similar result and a third straight loss to the Rangers could be in the future.

At the Big 12 Baseball Tourney where I presently am located the final game of the four game Saturday schedule has been halted by rain. That may be a problem all night. Texas A&M is meeting Texas Tech with only Tech having a chance to be in the Finale tomorrow afternoon. The Aggies chances--with a win tonight--died when Missouri beat #2 seed Oklahoma in the third game of the day. It will either be Missouri or Texas Tech that faces Texas in the final tomorrow. If for some reason the game tonite can not be played due to the weather Missouri, by virtue of their higher seed will advance.

I was able to see most of the Astros game today because fortunately Oklahoma City was part of the 10% of the nation that got the game instead of the Yankees-Phillies. By the way, Brad Lidge coughed up a save and the Yankees won another in walk off fashion. If they weren't so darn rich and the ownership wasn't able to buy whatever it wanted they would be a fun team to root for.

Tomorrow a post Big 12 Tourney report and more on the Astros.

Third time the Charm?

That is how many times I have tried to write today's blog. Thankfully, I don't think many if any are seeing them yet. I know I am not sure how to get to the under construction FS Houston Facebook page.

But for what it is worth...my Saturday thoughts as I write from the press lounge area at AT&T Ballpark in Oklahoma City where the Big 12 Baseball Tourney is going on. Right now Texas is meeting Kansas State with the winner moving on to the Final game. We will have it on many regional networks either live or delay on Sunday at 1pm Central. FS-SW will have it live to many areas...In Houston it will be on by delay on FS Houston but live on Ch 39's digital channel 39.1. Whoever Kansas State or Texas meets will be determined very late tonite. All four teams in Pool 2 are in contention to the final day. If OU wins they make it IF Texas A&M beats Texas Tech. Missouri makes it if they win and TAMU beats Tech. Either Tech or TAMU make it if reverse results occur.

Real Tough Loss

When the Astros failed to protect a 3-1 lead for Roy Oswalt from the 7th inning on Thursday night the loss may have been more than just a game in the standings. It may have portended to show what the future of this season may hold. The Astro bullpen, already nearly decimated by injuries to closer Jose Valverde, setup man Doug Brocail and middle reliever Geoff Geary, has some others who are pitching, but hardly in the best shape. Chris Sampson is battling a persistent hip problem that has been compounded by a recent ankle area and back soreness. LaTroy Hawkins has had back and ankle miseries. Wesley Wright has not been nearly as effective so far as he was in his rookie season. Jeff Fulchino is a pitcher more in the Dave Borkowski mould. He can be good, but doesn't have the consistent stuff. And on it goes....

Roy Oswalt himself has lost a lot of the dominance he has shown in the past. He is having to pitch out of trouble way more frequently. He gives up more hits...more homers..and thus more runs. After his early season knee problems Brian Moehler seems to have turned the corner and has been pitching well, but not deep into games with regularity. Ditto for Mike Hampton. Only Wandy Rodriguez has been consistently effective. A winning team needs much better production for the whole staff that the Astros have been able to show thus far.

It might be argued they are actually over achievers thus far. Only three games under .500 as the Texas series begins with such a questionable pitching staff. On the other hand the offense should be able to produce runs. Sure, some of the players are getting long in the tooth and Lance Berkman has never really gotten hot. Yet, all of the players still have a lot left. Sometimes it shows. With the state of the pitching it is going to have to show a whole lot more than it has so far if the Astros are going to be able to get in the real race.

On to other topics... As I type this Friday morning the Houston Cougars and Rice Owls are already playing a C-USA baseball tournament game. Weather concerns moved up their scheduled contest. Houston is battling to stay alive in the tourney while Rice has been showing they are ready to take another crown after being ousted from the title spot in the regular season. That was good...and bad. Good for C-USA to have someone other than Rice win the regular season. Rice, an annual nationally ranked team and frequent part of the College World Series, needed some better competition in the league. Plus, by beating the Owls it give C-USA more credibility as a baseball league. Of course, it was bad for Rice since it means they can't slip up in the tournament if they want a home field for regional play.

In the Big 12 Tourney Texas evened its record in Pool 1 to 1-1 with a 9-3 win over Kansas which drops to 0-2. Kansas State moved to 2-0, however, with a 9-4 win over Baylor (1-1). Texas and Kansas State will go head to head on Saturday with the winner advancing to the B12 title game on Sunday IF Kansas beats Baylor. If Baylor wins only Kansas State would have a chance to make the final game since a Texas win would give them the same record as Baylor, but the Bears won the head to head meeting in the first round.

The Pool 2 bracket is too early to call since the second round of games have not been played yet. Missouri meets Texas Tech and Oklahoma goes against Texas A&M today.

Remember, we will have the telecast of the B12 Baseball Final on FS-SW live and by delay on FS-Houston plus on several other national affiliates.

Will the Lakers meet the Cavs for the NBA title? It is certainly too early to call after both clubs have played two games in their conference finals. Opening at home neither could defend the home court and the series move to Denver and Orlando respectively tied at 1-1.

Bad rap for Coop... earlier this week after the game in which the Astros had a mixed up batting order reports said Coop was out watching the Texans take batting practice instead of posting the lineup in the clubhouse for the players. That is wrong. The lineup was posted late, but Coop was not out watching the Texans. He was on the bench having his daily meeting with the media. The home run contest was going on, but Coop was not out there watching it.

Ran into Solly Hemus after the game last night and reminded him of the time he was on a team that batted out of turn. And it was worse than the Astros snafu. Eddie Stankey was a player-manager for the Cardinals in 1953. Solly played SS on that team. One day Stankey made out the lineup then forgot what he had made up. The lineup said Hemus was to lead off and Stankey to hit second. But Stankey went to the plate himself to start the game. He was out of order.

And by the way, only four times in baseball history has a lineup mixup involved the first two hitters. The Stankey-Hemus foul up was one... the other was Wednesday in Houston.

And finally for figure filberts.... Lance Berkman's ejection Thursday night was the fifth of his career. He had two in 2003, two in 2007 and last night. The irony may be that in both 2003 and 2007 he did not have great seasons--hitting under .300 both times. He is well under .300 now. Could last night simply have been in part the result of the frustrations Lance is feeling?

Wandy is Real

During the baseball off-season whenever talk turned to the Astros prospects for 2009 and the pitching staff was mentioned the bullpen was given high marks. Roy Oswalt was looked at as a solid starter. It was hoped that Brian Moehler's work the first three quarters of 2008 was not a mirage. After that everyone talked of questions. What about the rest of the starting staff? Who would catch or play third base? How could this 2009 team possibly equal the 86 wins achieved in 2008?

And everytime I heard this talk I started with the pitching staff and mentioned two words: Wandy Rodriguez. Anyone who was watching the last two seasons saw a lefty that had improved with each season. No, he didn't suddenly become a dominant pitcher. But he was better every season. His earned run average in 2008 even equaled that of Roy Oswalt who many in baseball, by the way, are not sure his career is slowly headed the other way.

As for the other questions they certainly found an answer for the catching job. Pudge Rodriguez was not only a financial bargain, but he is still more solid that the Astros have had behind the plate in several years. The fact that he can hit as well is a real plus. His rep--earned during his early years with Texas-not doing a good job working with pitchers has been proven totally false. The mature Ivan Rodriguez totally fluent in English is far different from the 19 year old English challenged rookie I saw during my Ranger announcing days in 1991.

As for third base? Geoff Blum is a serviceable vet who can hold down the post with aid from Jeff Keppinger adquately. No all-star candidates of course and room from improvement. But no .220 hitters either.

It is the bullpen that primarily due to injuries causes the most concern. Young Felipe Paulino must learn to go deep and effectively in games he starts very quickly. Oswalt and Wandy have to think at least seven innings every night. If the bullpen can't get relief the area that seemed to be a strong point heading into the season may well be the achilles heel.

Onto some other topics... Are you aware the Big 12 Baseball Tournament is underway in Oklahoma City? On day one some upsets...most notably Baylor which staggered at the end of the regular season and barely made the tourney field... knocked off #1 seed Texas 14-9. The game featured an 8 runs Baylor inning in which most of the notable names in the vaunted Texas pitching staff were rocked. The Aggies were dumped by Missouri 5-2. Texas A&M was the 5th seed and Missouri #3. Kansas State edged Kansas 5-4 and #2 Seed Oklahoma downd Texas Tech 5-2. The tourney is constructed in two four-team pools. After round robin play in the pools the top two teams meet for the title on Sunday.

The Sunday finale will be aired on many of the FSN affiliates around the country. It starts at 1pm Central time. I will handle the play by play while former Mississippi State and big league pitcher Jack Lazorko does the analysis. The trip to Oklahoma City is always enjoyable. Anyone who follows teams in the Big 12 should consider a trip there for the tourney someday.

NBA notes:... Shocker in Cleveland with Cavs losing to Magic? Shouldn't make much difference should it? Cavs still heavy favorites. Nuggets win--- battle with wrestlers for use of the Pepsi Center. The wrestlers who were booked for the arena the same night game three with the Lakers will move to the Laker's home in LA for their grapple and groan.

And worst fears for the Astros and other Central Division teams are releived. Jake Peavy is NOT being traded to the Cubs. He IS going to Chicago but it will be the White Sox. The deal was announced Thursday morning. Roy Oswalt who is close to Peavy would have liked the Astros to be able to work out a deal, but frankly there is not enough overall in the Astro system yet that they can afford to deal away. The prospects they do have need to be future ticketed to Minute Maid Park not U.S. Cellular Field on Chicago's south side.

This is Official Test Run!

Starting within a day or two this spot will feature a daily (or at worst semi-daily) blog from yours truly. It will heavily cover the Astros since I work virtually every game (minus a few college baseball conflicts and national telecasts that push FSHouston out of the booth). However, it will also cover other sports...heavy in Houston and regional interest, but not excluding some thoughts on national or historical notes.

In other words, I hope it will be fun, informational and entertaining. Looking forward to getting started. In the meantime...and during all Astro games don't forget Twitter. As of this writing we have over 1400 followers. The intent is to provide basic game info, additional insights and when possible respond to fan questions that will fit in the 140 character limit. That can be found at http://www.twitter.com/fshouston

So, WATCH THIS SPACE, too. Something is coming very very soon.

Greg Lucas