Nice to get some respect for this recent surge. Vina made some good points. Nothing we don't already know of course. Cliff Lee would be a nice consolation prize if we couldn't get a Halliday.

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By Fernando Vina, ESPN

It seems like every year we forget about how much of a push the Houston Astros make in the second half. They looked like a completely clueless team at the end of May, when the Astros were 20-29 and 9½ games back in the NL Central. They were completely off everyone's radar. We should have known a run was coming, given that Houston's average record after the break in the past five seasons is 42-31. And the run has come -- the Astros have trimmed that 9½-game deficit all the way down to one game. This team doesn't stop battling, yet it hasn't played in October since its 2005 World Series run.

You look at the NL Central this year and certainly no one is running away with it. The Cubs, despite putting an end to the Phillies' 10-game winning streak with a win Wednesday, haven't been nearly the same team they were a year ago. The Cardinals haven't been able to create any real separation from the rest of the pack. The Astros have fought their way to a 49-46 record and are now legitimate contenders. It all starts with their ace, Roy Oswalt.

In his career, Oswalt has been impressive in the second half, posting a 68-20 record after the All-Star break. He's a hard thrower with great durability, a guy built to keep you in games. And that's exactly what he did Wednesday, locking in a duel with St. Louis' Chris Carpenter. He kept the Astros in the game, and Houston came to post a 4-3 win. Sure, Oswalt got a no-decision, but he kept his team within striking distance, and when you have that type of guy to anchor your rotation, the chances of winning every five days are tremendous.

Wandy Rodriguez gives you that shot, as well. He's 10-6 with a 2.72 ERA and has added yet another dimension to this ballclub's rotation.

The Astros have an advantage over the other teams competing in that division; they have a prolific leadoff man. Michael Bourn, who came to Houston in the Brad Lidge trade, quickly is becoming one of the game's most enticing players. He has a .354 OBP and is leading the National League in stolen bases (35) and triples (8). His presence on the bases gives RBI men Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman chances to put up big offensive numbers. We've seen guys such as Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins bring a jolt to teams; it's without question that Bourn can do the same for Houston.

We've seen the Killer B's in Houston, but imagine if they had Killer Roys in the front of their rotation? If Drayton McLane and Ed Wade are looking for a boost, they need to involve themselves in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. Having the righty Roys pitch on back-to-back days will guarantee you at least one win, if not two. Add in Rodriguez and Brian Moehler, and things are looking pretty good. Houston does have a history of trading for an ace at the deadline. Randy Johnson was brought in as a rental in 1998. Even if a team such as the Phillies lands Halladay, there is always a chance to get into talks with the Indians for Cliff Lee. If McLane is willing to take the chance on either guy, it certainly would be worth it.

Unless the Astros can make a trade, their chances for October are slim. They will continue to push along like they always do. Their middle-of-the-order hitters (Berkman, Lee, Tejada) are among the best in baseball. Then you add in veterans such as Ivan Rodriguez and Darin Erstad, and scrappy youngsters Hunter Pence and Bourn, and this team was bound to get hot any minute