Here come the Astros

[RockTheIvy]

Anyone else notice that the Astros are now only a game and half behind the Cubs? I had sort of written them off earlier in th season, but here they are. Their pitching staff is good. The bullpen, outside of Lidge, needs work. I fear that they could make a second half surge just like last year. At the very least, it appears there is another competitor for trades. I hope to god they don't steal Dunn from us :wink:

[ZMovieman]

This team is receiving good pitching, but they have been helped by an easier month of June if I'm not mistaken. Not to take anything away from them, but to say they are competitive is borderline delusional. They have a lot more to prove first, especially since their team has remained relatively healthy (minus Bagwell). I know Berkman was on the DL for a while, but he's been back for a while. Cubs are still the only threat to the Cards in the NL Central and the only legit wild card team in the Central.

[XZero771679666304]

This team is receiving good pitching, but they have been helped by an easier month of June if I'm not mistaken. Not to take anything away from them, but to say they are competitive is borderline delusional. They have a lot more to prove first, especially since their team has remained relatively healthy (minus Bagwell). I know Berkman was on the DL for a while, but he's been back for a while. Cubs are still the only threat to the Cards in the NL Central and the only legit wild card team in the Central.

 

Their surge has come against Colorado, Cincy and KC. We'll see what they do when they hit a tough stretch.

[B]

The Astros are coming the Astros are coming. I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.

[XZero771679666304]

The Astros are coming the Astros are coming. I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.

 

I'm a lot less concerned with the Astros coming than the Cubs going, which is what is happening at this point.

[GhostRunner]

It doesn't really matter what the Astros or Cards are doing at this point; the Cubs are their own worst enemy.

[Jimy is a misspell]

Berkman has been back for a while but is just recently rounding into form.

 

Yes, most of the streak has come against weaker foes. This padres series will tell a lot, but the 'stros have been strong at home against everyone. It's the road that was killing us.

 

There are a couple of good arms in the pen behind Lidge in Qualls and Wheeler. Would likely add an arm there if this good play continues.

 

Legit contenders? You can't really say so at this point, but if this strong play continues much longer you would have to say yes. The rotation is solid and the team is just now really hitting. Ensberg is tearing the cover off the ball, Berkman is just now warming up, Taveras has been a very nice surprise, and Biggio is still solid.

 

The club has said they will be buyers, and with another big bat they could be interesting. I don't think any of the WC teams are going to run away and hide so who knows.

 

Oh yeah, Dunn is a native Houstonian and still has a home here. 8)

[Jimy is a misspell]

To be honest I am just happy to see some good baseball, it was really, really bad there for a while.

[gus_dog]

This team is receiving good pitching, but they have been helped by an easier month of June if I'm not mistaken. Not to take anything away from them, but to say they are competitive is borderline delusional. They have a lot more to prove first, especially since their team has remained relatively healthy (minus Bagwell). I know Berkman was on the DL for a while, but he's been back for a while. Cubs are still the only threat to the Cards in the NL Central and the only legit wild card team in the Central.

 

Realistically speaking, the Cubs have never been a threat to the Cardinals this season. They were not expected to threaten, and IMO, they will not. Their only real chance for the playoffs is the wild card.

 

They had better start hitting more consistently, otherwise they will have these losing streaks where a four or five run game for them is considered a glut of scoring.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

It doesn't really matter what the Astros or Cards are doing at this point; the Cubs are their own worst enemy.

 

Truer words have never been spoken.