Been a while since I've been around here, just thought I'd drop in and say hey!  

I can't say I've studied up nearly as ferociously on the 'Stros this spring season, as I did when I was blogging... but I have paid a little bit of attention.  

I like the Pudge signing(mainly because it was CHEAP) and it definitely brings the best offensive performing catcher to the 'Stros in years.  Even if Pudge has a down season(which he's more than likely going to do), he can't help but be a better offensive performer than Ausmus/Quintero/Towles have been over the past few.  The Astros offense with Pudge in it makes losing Wigginton a little easier to take for me... although, I'd rather have Wigginton at 3rd and Q catching than Blum/Kippinger at 3rd and Pudge catching.  Now if Pudge makes the All-Star team this year, I'll eat those words.  

Anyways... I think the Vegas over/under for the Astros this season is about 74.5 wins... I would be more surprised if they were under that, than over that so I'd take the over... I'm guessing they'll be right around the .500 mark...  I don't think the pitching will be strong enough to put this team into the playoffs unless the Cubs just fall to pieces... none of the teams in the NL Central really do much for me this year and I'd be very surprised if the Wild Card team came from this division.

The Astros pitching just has WAY too many question marks...  We have Roy Oswalt and then 4 glaring question marks... maybe Wandy stays healthy...  hell, maybe Wandy, Moehler, Hampton, Ortiz stay healthy...  but there's no reason to be real hopeful that the Astros are going to get 30+ starts with any of those pitchers not named Roy Oswalt... I mean, you can hope... but I wouldn't put my money on it.  

Well... I really just wanted to drop in and say hi...  Go 'Stros

PS, I highly doubt I'll do any Astros blogging this year... I have a baby daughter on the way(May 29th due date) and really like my free time...  I might stop by here from time to time though.

PS2, DQ,HLP, the ads that were there when I was around expired in Dec, I think I put a note on them... anyways, might want to think about deleting those... later