It's Right There for the Astros

One week of baseball since the trading deadline and boy does the outlook for the Astros seem vastly different. They've gained 2 1/2 games in the wildcard race and they are only looking up at 3 teams, the fading Reds, the average D'Backs and the surging Dodgers. Wouldn't even worry about the Dodgers now - they're playing so well they'll win the NL West. Since they trail the Padres by just a half game, we'll go ahead and assume that happens - but that could be good news for the Astros - and it says right here it will be.
The 'Stros just beat the Padres in the series at Petco last week and nearly swept them, well the Padres will be at MMP this weekend so when the Astros do it again that's one more team they don't need to worry about.
That leaves the Reds and the D'Backs. We saw how average the D'Backs are over the six games the Astros just split with them. If Brandon Webb doesn't come back soon and dominate they are finished. The Reds and Astros still have six more games left against each other (8/21-23@Cin, 9-18-20@Hou). If they Astros take 4 of 6 that'd be good enough in my mind. If they take 5 of 6 then you can lock it up for sure.
Did I mention that Houston's rotation boasts Oswalt and Clemens who haven't pitched badly in about two months? The Reds are led by Aaron Harang - who is good at 12-7, 3.53 ERA, but he's 3-0, 2.08 ERA vs. Houston and just 9-7, 3.80 ERA against the rest of the league. They're next best guy is Bronson Arroyo, 9-7, 3.47 ERA but he hasn't won in nearly two months.
Jason Hirsh makes his major league debut on Saturday after a 13-2, 2.10 ERA season at Round Rock(AAA). He should get 3 starts over the next three weeks with no days off and if he can give at least what the departed Wandy Rodriguez and Taylor Buchholz did - okay maybe a little better then the Astros will be in playing in October for the 7th time in 10 seasons.
Did I forget to mention the offense? Nope - that will not be the reason the 'Stros don't win. They will produce enough - just like they did last year -you'll see.
---- WEX