Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Astros At The Break: Improved, But A Ways To Go
Posted 07-14-2014 at 06:08 PM by case44
The Houston Astros are trying to prove to the baseball world that they will have some of the makings of a contending team. Sunday's game notwithstanding (an embarrassing 11-0 defeat to the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park), they still have work to do in the second half.
Basically, the offense has shown some signs of life this year, and we have seen how capable they are of making things happen by initiating the first attack and taking advantage of their opponents' mistakes. It's been fun to watch. We've seen rookies Jon Singleton and George Springer burst onto the scene, and so far, Springer has had the bigger showing. And how about the season Jose Altuve is having? He's getting an appearance in this year's All-Star Game in Minneapolis and is getting to play alongside the Yankees' Derek Jeter, who is in his final season in the bigs. The defense the Astros have displayed has been much improved all around. On the mound, Jarred Cosart is 9-6, and Dallas Keuchel is 9-5. So far, so good. Tony Sipp and Chad Qualls have anchored the bullpen, which has improved a little, but they've still blown a few saves this year.
I made a prediction earlier that the Astros would finish last in the American League West with a 72-90 record. That finish still remains a possibility, but it'd be better than seeing them lose 100. The encouraging news is, Houston is now in fourth place in the AL West, ahead of.....................the Texas Rangers! Yes, believe it. The Rangers are struggling this season and don't figure to recapture the glory of their most recent pennant-chasing clubs. It appears the Astros are poised to take the next steps in achieving their goal to become a sustainable winner. Sustainable is attainable, but these guys have a long way to go still, and a lot of work to be done.
Exciting times are ahead, Astros fans. Don't give up yet.
Basically, the offense has shown some signs of life this year, and we have seen how capable they are of making things happen by initiating the first attack and taking advantage of their opponents' mistakes. It's been fun to watch. We've seen rookies Jon Singleton and George Springer burst onto the scene, and so far, Springer has had the bigger showing. And how about the season Jose Altuve is having? He's getting an appearance in this year's All-Star Game in Minneapolis and is getting to play alongside the Yankees' Derek Jeter, who is in his final season in the bigs. The defense the Astros have displayed has been much improved all around. On the mound, Jarred Cosart is 9-6, and Dallas Keuchel is 9-5. So far, so good. Tony Sipp and Chad Qualls have anchored the bullpen, which has improved a little, but they've still blown a few saves this year.
I made a prediction earlier that the Astros would finish last in the American League West with a 72-90 record. That finish still remains a possibility, but it'd be better than seeing them lose 100. The encouraging news is, Houston is now in fourth place in the AL West, ahead of.....................the Texas Rangers! Yes, believe it. The Rangers are struggling this season and don't figure to recapture the glory of their most recent pennant-chasing clubs. It appears the Astros are poised to take the next steps in achieving their goal to become a sustainable winner. Sustainable is attainable, but these guys have a long way to go still, and a lot of work to be done.
Exciting times are ahead, Astros fans. Don't give up yet.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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They look good from time to time and are capable of some big things, but they need to continue to learn to win. I believe Houston is about four or five players away from serious contention, but some of the building blocks are definitely in place.Posted 07-18-2014 at 10:53 AM by malfunction
