The Astros are hopefully starting their push earlier than usual. We are all used to the September charge up the standings but aren’t use to stretches during the summer months. The Astros have won 8 of their last 11 games and the last 4 series, including the last series against the Cubs. Geoff Blum had 2 walk-off singles in the last 2 games to give the Stros a 2-1 win in each games.

Lance Berkman has been moved to the 5 spot in order to try to help him raise his batting average. Since being moved, he has hit 13 of 39 for a .333 average. Another catalyst for the hot streak is Edwin Maysonet, who is taking over for the injured Kaz Matsui. He is hitting .341 but is also contributing with great defense and speed. He had a few mental errors when he first got called up but all those have been forgotten with his recent play.

The Astros now start a 3 game set against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. We will have to start scoring runs because we have Dan Haren to start off the series. He has pitched well in his starts but has received 0 run support or his bullpen blows his games. The D-Backs are 4-6 this month, so they are struggling. We need to keep cruising. We are only 5 games back with all our struggles.

Hampton (4-4, 4.65) vs. Haren (4-4, 2.33) Friday
Oswalt (2-3, 4.66) vs. Garland (4-6, 5.61) Saturday
Moehler (2-4, 6.95) vs. Buckner (2-2, 6.75) Sunday