Kuzul

Nothing is better for a struggling Houston Astros team than a trip to St. Louis? That doesn’t make any sense. St. Louis is in first place in the NL Central. Houston? They aren’t in first place, or second, or third or fourth. Nope, they proudly reside in fifth place, one game back of the powerful Pittsburgh Pirates.

And this is after a three game sweep of the Cardinals.  

Astros baseball! After two eight game losing streaks, a third place finish isn’t impossible, just improbable! I think that would be a great slogan for the rest of the season.   

Now, don’t get too excited Astros fans, I don’t believe we are about to launch ourselves back in the division race.

But maybe, just maybe, we can compete for third or fourth place in the division. And truthfully, if we somehow finish ahead of the Cubs, then I consider this season a resounding success.

To move ahead of some other teams, we’ll need more games like Thursdays. Timely hitting against a good pitcher. Good defensive plays at the right time and starting pitching that dominates.

Lance Berkman and Hunter Pence provided the clutch hitting.  

Berkman made a great defensive play in the eighth inning to prevent a run.  

Bud Norris did what he always does to the Cards. Dominate them. He is now 4-0 against St. Louis, including 3-0 at Busch Stadium. He needs to pitch like this against everyone.

Heading into yesterdays game, his E.R.A. was closer to 10 than three. Both of his victories this season have come on the road against St. Louis.  

It must have something to do with his nickname. Bud. The relationship between the Cardinals and Budweiser must give him some type of special power.

Maybe he can also have some success against the Brewers.

Someone give Felipe Paulino a cool nickname. He could really use some wins.  And control. 

All kidding aside, it’s a good feeling to see the team starting to hit.  

I know Berkman and Pence care and want to win. When they produce like they did this weekend, the Astros will take a game or two, even the odd series from a better team.

If Norris can continue to improve the starting pitching wouldn’t seem that bad. Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriquez and a consistent Norris would be a decent 1-2-3 start to a rotation.  

Norris has the stuff of at least a no. two starter. His success like most pitchers depends on his command. Staying away from the one big inning has also been a problem.

Of course, if Bud continues to pitch well, it makes it even easier on the Astros to trade Oswalt near the deadline. If they can get one or two top prospects for Roy, they need to pull the trigger.  

The bats this season are never going to be great.  

Outside of Michael Bourn, Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee, the hitters are below average at every position. So more often than not, pitching is going to have to carry the team or at least nudge it towards victory.

Enjoy the sweep over the Cardinals in St. Louis.  It doesn’t happen often.  And after the start to this season, no one would have predicted it happening this year.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With Josh Beckett sidelined for yet another start due to back issues, it’s time to take a look at 10 current pitchers in the majors whose backs SHOULD be hurting them.

Carrying the load for a MLB team can be a burden, and aces such as right-handers Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals) and Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) know that all too well.

Today, we’re going to quickly glance at 10 guys who are doing everything in their power to carry the team, but in most cases it’s to no avail.

And with the Astros leading the charge from the cellar, we’ll begin today’s slideshow with Oswalt and his remarkable ERA once again this season in Houston…

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With every pitch, Roy Oswalt’s time with the Astros comes one step closer to its end.

One of the game’s premier pitchers since 2001, Oswalt is the biggest bargaining chip for an Astros franchise in desperate need of an overhaul. At age 32 and the author of 139 career wins, Oswalt’s name will be linked to trade talks as the season reaches its make-or-break point in July, where contenders (and pretenders) will dial up Astros general manager Ed Wade with possible scenarios to entice Houston to play “Let’s Make a Deal.”

As the season continues to take form, there are at least five teams that would have the right combination (playoff aspirations, quality young prospects and the ability to absorb the remaining $30-plus million of Oswalt’s contract) that would force the Astros to part ways with the second-winningest pitcher in franchise annals.

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With the Astros continuing their recent slump and offensive slumber, it’s time to quickly take a look at a few trade options especially if Houston has to begin looking at 2011 rather than making plans for late October.

Big names that are obviously wanted by other clubs include the likes of starting right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt (who has a no-trade clause), first baseman Lance Berkman (also has a no-trade clause in his contract), and All-Star youngster outfielder Hunter Pence (whom is likely untouchable as a major part of the future of the franchise).

Some other Houston players who may draw some trade interest include outfielder Carlos Lee (who has a big contract that most teams will aim to avoid), second baseman Kaz Matsui (whom has been overpaid and underachieving since joining the Astros), left-handed starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (a lefty in the rotation is always something big league managers are looking for), and reliever Chris Sampson (who has a sparkling 1.64 ERA this season).

Of the seven aforementioned names, I truly believe Berkman and Pence are in Houston to stay. All five others, however, (including starters Oswalt and Rodriguez) could very well be used as part of a major trade as the Astros begin building towards the future around the young guys like outfielders Pence and Michael Bourn, pitcher Bud Norris, and infielders Jeff Keppinger and Tommy Manzella (just to name a handful of the up-and-comers in the majors).

Could Roy Oswalt be pitching elsewhere come late summer?

Will Carlos Lee still be an Astro in August?

Is Wandy Rodriguez going to be with the ball club next year?

All these answers and more as we quickly delve into possible trade scenarios surrounding the Houston Astros and the future of the franchise…

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Right about now, some may be questioning whether or not Houston’s turnaround is legit; especially after the Astros got swept by the Cincinnati Reds after winning eight of their prior 11 games.

But, let me tell you something: this team has begun the turnaround, and the Houston Astros are well on their way to contending in the National League Central this season.

Although they may not be the hottest thing to hit the diamond in April, May will likely be a different story and it will be a time for the Astros to prove to the doubters that they can and will contend in 2010.

Here are five reasons why, in my opinion, the Houston Astros’ turnaround is indeed authentic…

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