‘Stros sneaking up

Add comment May 5th, 2008

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick wrote today that the National League Central Division is only a three-team race between the Cardinals, Cubs and Brewers. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the .500 Astros, who completed a three-game sweep over the Brewers (even without Derrick Turnbow) this weekend. The sweep placed Houston a half game behind third place Milwaukee and four behind division leading St. Louis. 

In the long run, it just might be the Brewers’ pitching problems (MLB leading 7 blown saves in 19 save opportunities) that will give the Astros a slight wild-card race advantage. Through Sunday, the Brewers rank last in the division in team relief ERA (4.61) and the Astros rank second (3.86). At the plate, the Astros have been quietly productive: fifth in the NL in runs (152) and third in MLB in home runs (39). Also, Miguel “age is just a number” Tejada has transitioned well to the NL batting .349, while Lance Berkman is on pace for a career year with 10 homers and 31 RBI.