Monday, April 30th – Mets 3, Astros 4 MLB recap
Tuesday, May 1st – Mets 3, Astros 6 MLB recap
Wednesday, May 2nd – Mets 1, Astros 8 MLB recap

As most of you should already realize, the Astros not only won a series, they swept a series. It seems like forever since they have done so. I’m sure it was a game of beauty yesterday but I wasn’t able to see it. The only game out of this series I was able to enjoy was Tuesday’s. I thought Happ did a pretty good job, at least good enough to win.

I know there was some debate about whether this team is fun to watch or not. I fall on the side of they are fun to watch. When your expectations are low, it is easy to enjoy them. Plus, I think they are improving.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that since Ebby Calvin’s infamous series preview the Astros are playing .500 baseball. That is improvement. Way to help the team out Ebby!!

Hope you all enjoy the off day and may the Astros continue their win streak throughout the weekend. After all, who doesn’t like BBQ’ed cardinal?

Astros 3, Nationals 6
W: Strasburg; L: Weiland

Well, I must confess I did not watch this game. I would have liked to watch it but sometimes things are beyond my control. It seems by looking at the recap at astros.com things were going okay until the 6th inning. It really doesn’t matter because the Astros are supposed to lose anyway.

I am getting a tad bit concerned that each game I watch, with the exception of this one, the Astros seem to lose. Could it be my fault? Could I have any influence on the outcome of a Major League Baseball game? I’d like to believe I have influence on something, but I do not believe any influence I have has anything to do with the outcome of a baseball game. Because, if I did have that kind of influence the Astros would have done much better the last decade than they have.

I know this recap sucks and I wish it were better, but what can I say, I didn’t see the game.

Here’s to better results the rest of the series. And check out Ron’s preview, it is chock full of information that will make your life better.

Braves 3, Astros 8
L: Beachy, W: Happ

This team is fun to watch right now. Granted it is only the 4th game of the season but if they continue to improve the attendance might improve.

I won’t say too much about the game, I’ll save that for the professionals. What I will comment on is my limited observations.

1 – If the boys play solid baseball – little to no errors – they improve their chances to win. That Opening Day game was ugly and hopefully an abberation.
2 – The pitching may be good if they believe the boys can continue to come back and win games.
3 – I still love JD and Brownie. I really believe they are the best tv guys in baseball.
4 – Luhnow may be an interesting GM, seems he has a plan and is willing to put it into place.
5 – There are going to be an unlimited number of references to Major League.
6 – I think this season is going to be fun to watch. Not sure how the boys will do, but think this is going to be fun.

Cardinals 13, Astros 6
W:Sanchez (3-1)L:Del Rosario (0-3)

Boxscore and Recap

This game was like many this season, the Astros scored some runs and the bullpen lost it. I do not think many that paid attention this season are surpised. Some of us still except the boys in mud and blood to win every game regardless of the reality of the roster.

I have nothing good to say about the Cardinals. I expect them to win the wild card, please note I do not want that expectation to come true. Atlanta is falling apart and I want Bourn to have a chance at the playoffs. I do not always seem to get what I want.

Bench Tidbits

Well, like most things in life change comes whether we want it or not.

There should be a change in the ownership of the Astros, which most seem to want. I have friends asking me what I think of the “new” owner. I do not think anything of him right now. What’s to think, he technically has not bought the team and therefore has not made any changes. If what some have reported that he wants to rebuild the base of the team (farm system), then I can get on board with that. I supported the Astros through this season, I can keep doing it for a couple more years.

There is no change in the General Manager (Ed Wade) or Manager (Brad Mills) to date, but that could change if there is a new owner. I used to defend both of these guys, and I will still defend Wade a bit but I’m pretty much done with Mills. I just expected better baseball under his leadership. That is not to say more wins (but aren’t we all expecting wins?) but better fundamental baseball. This team seems to need a change in philosophy. Too many errors and just sloppy play this year. I blame that on the manager. I realize they may not get to every baseball hit, but this isn’t Little League and the players should know what to do in game situations.

I really don’t know how much the roster will change. I expect little. The pitching, if anything, will probably not get better. Barring any accident, I think Norris will be the Opening Day starter. I think this because I suspect Wandy and Myers are going to be traded this offseason. Not sure the Astros will get anything for Myers, but if a deal can be done then I think one will get done.

I do remember a couple years back during Spring Training when Brian Bogusevic started playing right field. He was playing solid defense out there and I liked it. I think he becomes the starting right fielder next year. Bogusevic is the only “youngin'” I’ll make a prediction about. Too many variables to know what could happen next Spring Training. For all we know Mier might be on the Astros next year.

But not all changes coming this offseason have to do with baseball. It seems as though wedding bells are ringing. I have 3 sets of friends/family getting married on Nov. 12th. I also have weddings to attend in December and May, but it is only one per day then. And then there are all the babies.

UT and A&M apparently are no longer friends. And neither of them will return calls from UH (I don’t know that, I just suspect it is true).

Friends are moving. I have one friend planning to transfer to Canada. I do not think she is going to be prepared for that level of cold. Most people know that I would adjust well to that.

And in closing, may your upcoming 2011-2012 Void be filled with only good things. If you change jobs, may it be by your choice. May those of you with birthdays and anniversaries have happy ones. Enjoy any and all holidays. May you enjoy your offseason and do well at fantasy football. Don’t forget, Opening Day is April 6th. Hope to see you next season.

Go D-backs!

Rockies 6, Astros 9
W: Sosa (3-5) L: White (3-3) SV: Melancon (20)

Box Score and Recap

The Astros notched their 54th win of the season. Earlier this year I hoped they would make it to 55 wins. Looking kind of good for that. I don’t want to put all my hopes in one at-bat.

Lively gamezone tonight. Some stories about little league game experiences. Could be worth checking out.

Bench Tidbits:

Astros get #1 pick in the 2012 draft. Yay! Go team.

Coaching staff asked to return. I’m not sure I like this. I didn’t think they did all that great of a job. Yeah, I know the talent level was/is not there, but I expect professionals to draw something extra out of players. It’s probably seen as an unreasonable expectation but I do not care.

Bill Brown to be honored. Most of love our TV guys and want to shoot the radio guys. But here is a chance to show Brownie some love.

RFTL decision. I’m going to try and figure something out. I may not give out a lid this year, there really hasn’t been a real winner the past two years. I may decide to give the lid to the person that can answer the most Brad Ausmus questions I create. I may give the lid to the person that can prove they traveled the farthest to come to an Astros game on purpose this year. I kind of like that one.

Happy Friday. Great BagwellsBeard is working on an outstanding series preview. Stay tuned.

Phillies 2, Astros 5
W: Happ, L: Hamels

Boxscore and Recap

Well, I was pretty sure the Astros were going to win this game. I didn’t get the feeling I sometimes get. It was the fact that sitting in the row behind me were 3 nuns. For a good, Catholic girl like me, I knew we had Jesus on our side tonight. They were awesome. They really cheered for the Astros. I enjoyed sitting in front of them much, much more than the group from the last game I was at.

This was a rather quick game. It took about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Happ did a pretty good job getting his outs but he gave up a big one to Pence. Most of the fans, both Phillies and Astros, were happy about it, please note I was not happy about it. For some more details about the game, check out the GameZone.

Tonight was another social gathering for me. I ran into Bench – again, and two other friends. One of them had his 3 month old baby with him. What an adorable little guy he is. As I said a couple weeks ago, going to games and running into friends is one thing I miss alot when the season comes to an end. I’ll still run into friends at other social outings, but there is something awesome to hang out with friends at a baseball game. Just good times.

I heard this on the radio the other day and just felt the need to share it with the two people who might read the recaps I write. It made me think of the Astros. Not sure why.

I did go to a baseball game last Saturday. My godson is playing fall ball. He is not a good catcher and he could work on his hitting, but he made an outstanding play at second base. I wish he had a better night, but I was thrilled to see him play. I do not get the opportunity often. I also had to censure myself. I think the coach calling pitches was favoring his pitchers too much. Of course, I am biased, but in this case I’m right.

As most know, I’m a Cowboys fan. This will probably make sporadic a little upset with me, but I thought it was hilarious.