We Got It All Right Now

Opening Day less than a week away, NBA playoffs about to begin, NCAA champ to be crowned, plus a month of draft hype. That's what we have going for us right now and it's great.

- Big game for the Rockets against Utah on Sunday, but just as big a game comes in their second night at Staples center this week. They're all big if home court advantage is still a goal. The Rockets also have 2 of 3 to Kobe and the Bryantaires. Oh yeah - did I mention that T-Mac missed the first 2 games and Yao missed the 3rd so let's see how the Lakers stack up against a full-strength Rockets group. Rockets made the plays when it counted last night with Battier's huge 3, but they definitely benefitted from Steve Javie and crew missing Cuttino Mobley's feet clearly behind the three point line when Rafer Alston stupidly fouled him. After Mobley missed the first free throw the Rockets were golden.

- The Astros are quite possibly set to make 2 colossal mistakes. Starting Wandy Rodriguez and not starting Luke Scott. Wandy has not pitched well for two consecutive season as a major league and did not pitch well at all this spring (or any other spring for that matter). It's simple, use the best players. That's it. Wandy is not one of the Astros best five starters, and no one within the organization has ever said otherwise. They give roundabout answers about why they are planning to give the ball to Rodriguez every 5th day and it's a joke. Let's if he proves me and many of the fans wrong.
Regarding Luke Scott vs. Jason Lane for the right field spot. The organization just can't bear to see Jason Lane fail here or flourish elsewhere. The problem is there is no indication that he's going to be a legitimate major leaguer. He's a lifer in the organization and had a decent '05 season as a regular with a very good second half. Here are his post all-star break numbers from '05.
Jason Lane, post all-star break 2005...

NAME	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	TB	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Jason Lane	67	239	33	73	15	2	12	128	38	15	45	0	0	.305	.354	.536	.889

Scott was acquired from the Indians the very one-sided deal that also brought Willy Tavares to Houston and sent Jeriome Robertson to the Indians a couple of years ago. I think you see what their thoughts and loyalty were for Tavares who's going to hit leadoff for the Rockies. Scott had a torrid '05 spring and won the starting RF job. He got ten starts. Didn't hit and that was that. Hardly the opportunity that Lane has been afforded over the last 3 years. Scott got a shot after the all-star break because Lane faltered again. Scott was legitimately one of the top ten hitters in baseball for 3 months. Here are his post all-star break numbers from '06.
Luke Scott, post all-star break 2006...

NAME	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	TB	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Luke Scott	65	214	31	72	19	6	10	133	37	30	43	2	1	.336	.426	.621	1.047

Look I'm not saying they have to cut the cord with Lane, but there is just no way he should be given the starting nod over Scott or even a platoon situation. It should be Scott's job - against righties and lefties - until he falters.
---- WEX