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
Are The Astros Ready For A Championship?
Posted 08-12-2015 at 08:38 PM by case44
The new armor still has a lot of cracks in it despite flashes of excitement. This year's Houston Astros are doing everything they can to put the aches and pains of rebuilding behind them by adding pieces to a young team and executing a plan to win now.
Now, keep in mind, I did mention that there are cracks in the armor.
The offense still sputters when they should be clutch. That was evident in this last road trip, which was capped off with a 2-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at A T & T Park and a Colby Rasmus home run splashing into McCovey Cove. I get the privilege of going on another brief road trip to Houston on Friday night to watch these Astros. It should be noted that the last three times I got to go to Minute Maid Park, the Astros had won. So, you can pencil this prediction for Friday: The Astros will beat the Detroit Tigers.
In the meantime, is this bunch ready for a championship? Yes, Houston is still in first place even now, but there is still much more baseball to be played. The Los Angeles Angels are on their tail and are capable of winning this division, especially with Mike Scioscia managing. One week, the 'Stros are on top of the world, but then came their recent road trip, on which they won just twice. They somehow cannot beat the Texas Rangers, and they didn't do squat against Oakland's Athletics, either. And Tuesday against Madison Bumgarner of the Giants? Forget about it.
And that great road record from mid-May in which they had the best record in the American League? Wiped out with a lot of recent losses.
To be the best, you've got to beat the best. The Astros have laid an egg so far. That has to change if these guys are going to be taken seriously come playoff time.
Now, keep in mind, I did mention that there are cracks in the armor.
The offense still sputters when they should be clutch. That was evident in this last road trip, which was capped off with a 2-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at A T & T Park and a Colby Rasmus home run splashing into McCovey Cove. I get the privilege of going on another brief road trip to Houston on Friday night to watch these Astros. It should be noted that the last three times I got to go to Minute Maid Park, the Astros had won. So, you can pencil this prediction for Friday: The Astros will beat the Detroit Tigers.
In the meantime, is this bunch ready for a championship? Yes, Houston is still in first place even now, but there is still much more baseball to be played. The Los Angeles Angels are on their tail and are capable of winning this division, especially with Mike Scioscia managing. One week, the 'Stros are on top of the world, but then came their recent road trip, on which they won just twice. They somehow cannot beat the Texas Rangers, and they didn't do squat against Oakland's Athletics, either. And Tuesday against Madison Bumgarner of the Giants? Forget about it.
And that great road record from mid-May in which they had the best record in the American League? Wiped out with a lot of recent losses.
To be the best, you've got to beat the best. The Astros have laid an egg so far. That has to change if these guys are going to be taken seriously come playoff time.
Total Comments 10
Comments
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They've been losing on the road in recent weeks, but they're continuing to win at home. Houston's record at home is just barely the American League's best (40-19) after today's walk-off win over Detroit, 6-5.Posted 08-16-2015 at 03:46 PM by case44
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Oh, by the way, that prediction I made for this past Friday's game with Casester in the house? Astros won and I won.
Posted 08-16-2015 at 03:48 PM by case44
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How about a Mike Fiers no-hitter to spark this team away from losing every other day? I'll take it!Posted 08-22-2015 at 06:53 AM by case44
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Not Keuchel or Kazmir or McCullers, huh? Fiers. That game last night had a lot of firsts.
Yeah, you guys haven't had much offense in the last week. They need to get it going, and you've got divisional games coming up in September.Posted 08-22-2015 at 12:01 PM by malfunction
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Offense is finally picking up during the Yankees series. We got a season-high 15 runs on Tuesday. Hopefully, this stops the road woes we've had. We need to win every game we can against Minnesota and in September against the division. Those are going to be extremely important games.Posted 08-27-2015 at 08:35 PM by case44
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When Kazmir pitches, those Astros just don't hit. He's had hard luck since arriving in Houston.
My goodness, the Rangers are catching up to you. I'm not so sure you guys will survive this road trip.Posted 09-09-2015 at 03:52 PM by malfunction
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Hey, big win over Oakland last night, Case, 11-5.
I can't count you guys down yet.
Posted 09-10-2015 at 06:37 PM by malfunction
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That, indeed, was a great win. We've got the Angels coming up. A few years ago, we actually had their number. I'd like to experience that again, starting in this upcoming series. Every game now is a must-win, and it's important that we keep the Rangers back.Posted 09-11-2015 at 08:12 AM by case44
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Astros keep rolling. They just might win that divisional series against the Royals. Yep, they just might.
I'm hoping that the Rangers will fold against Toronto because I'd rather the Astros play the Jays than the Rangers. While that's probably unlikely (but you never know), I wouldn't mind seeing a Texas two-step in the ALCS in future years. First, however, I would like to see the Astros get back to the World Series and actually win one.Posted 10-12-2015 at 08:19 AM by case44
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And to think you counted them out last month.
LOL.
Now, they're about to get to the league championship. Still, no matter the outcome, this has been a great year for Houston and still one of baseball's big surprises.Posted 10-12-2015 at 11:59 AM by malfunction
