Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
With Few Exceptions, A Lot Of Things Haven't Gone Right For The 2024 Astros
Posted 04-23-2024 at 07:17 PM by case44
Many sports fans and sports pundits are just sitting there wondering one thing: Is the Houston Astros' dynasty about to end?
You could say that it's a dynasty, and expectations going into the season had been high. Until the Astros actually get dethroned from the top of the American League West division, they'll be picked to win it. Many picked them, including your writer. The baseball season, mind you, is still early, but already, this year's Astros have some serious problems. And they need to get addressed rather quickly.
The offense has gone silent (despite some very good batting averages by a few of their key players), the starting pitching has gone south, and the bullpen has been inconsistent. Also problematic has been the erratic defense displayed by Jose Abreu, by far, a bust where Houston's recent acquisitions are concerned.
One of the exceptions came in the form of a no-hitter, and that was Ronel Blanco in his first start of the year. So far, the best story the Astros have had was when Blanco was pulled from a spring start and manager Joe Espada telling him that he made the club. And his wife was having a baby around that same time, too! That no-hitter was also the first win for Espada as a major league manager; the bad thing, though, was that it came after starting the season with four straight losses.
Offensively, Houston has had its moments, but they don't have the swagger or the mojo that previous Astro teams have had in recent years, and much of this squad consists of returning players. This is a lineup that is still capable of producing runs one way or another, but they can't capitalize when it's time to get an advantage. The team started play today at 7-16, not the kind of start that many folks expected. There's still time, but some decisions must be made to improve this team. One player who could provide a lot of spark for this team is Joey Loperfido, a first baseman/outfielder currently at Triple-A Sugar Land. He's swinging a very hot bat right now, and, oh, don't the Astros just need him.
I'm holding out hope that things will get better. With the Texas Rangers only going 10-9 right now at the top of the AL West, you'd have to think that Houston can make up five games or more in the standings to try and contend.
You could say that it's a dynasty, and expectations going into the season had been high. Until the Astros actually get dethroned from the top of the American League West division, they'll be picked to win it. Many picked them, including your writer. The baseball season, mind you, is still early, but already, this year's Astros have some serious problems. And they need to get addressed rather quickly.
The offense has gone silent (despite some very good batting averages by a few of their key players), the starting pitching has gone south, and the bullpen has been inconsistent. Also problematic has been the erratic defense displayed by Jose Abreu, by far, a bust where Houston's recent acquisitions are concerned.
One of the exceptions came in the form of a no-hitter, and that was Ronel Blanco in his first start of the year. So far, the best story the Astros have had was when Blanco was pulled from a spring start and manager Joe Espada telling him that he made the club. And his wife was having a baby around that same time, too! That no-hitter was also the first win for Espada as a major league manager; the bad thing, though, was that it came after starting the season with four straight losses.
Offensively, Houston has had its moments, but they don't have the swagger or the mojo that previous Astro teams have had in recent years, and much of this squad consists of returning players. This is a lineup that is still capable of producing runs one way or another, but they can't capitalize when it's time to get an advantage. The team started play today at 7-16, not the kind of start that many folks expected. There's still time, but some decisions must be made to improve this team. One player who could provide a lot of spark for this team is Joey Loperfido, a first baseman/outfielder currently at Triple-A Sugar Land. He's swinging a very hot bat right now, and, oh, don't the Astros just need him.
I'm holding out hope that things will get better. With the Texas Rangers only going 10-9 right now at the top of the AL West, you'd have to think that Houston can make up five games or more in the standings to try and contend.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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For now, the dynasty still goes on, but there are cracks. The problems are fixable, but they will also need luck on their side. Even if they made the playoffs and didn't get through, they can retool for next season, but they may end up doing so with Framber Valdez, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker.Posted 04-23-2024 at 09:03 PM by case44
