The Big Lead asks if the Astros could be worse than the 1988 Orioles, who started the season 0-21:
Short answer: no. It’s conceivable to think of Houston losing the next two in St. Louis and getting swept at Wrigley – Cubs’ offense has been putrid, but still, it’s Wrigley and spring is in air for the Bums – but dropping nine at home, including six to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, would almost be too much to bear for an organization that was in the World Series a half-decade ago.
So that's a relief. But then there are three "issues" for the Astros (and take this for what it is - it's in the same article as saying that Bud Norris, whom TBL identifies as SP3, "Has no business being in a rotation right now."):
1. Brad Mills
2. Payroll: This could get worse before it gets better. They got way too much money tied up in certain dudes.
3. And Houston, as a city. In general: Throwing this one out there, but a couple of years ago, Houston was crushing it sports-wise; they hosted all manner of specialty events (Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, etc.), the Rockets seemed legit, the Astros made back-to-back NLCS appearances, and the Texans were “on the brink.” Jump forward a couple of years: Rockets missed the playoffs, Yao Ming is a complete disaster, Texans have been “on the brink” so long that Kubiak is firmly on a hot seat, and now this.
The good part of any blog is the comments, because that's where the intelligence is revealed. Some choice excerpts:
-Plus, our best minor league prospect shares a name with an American Idol reject. The Astros are in bad bad shape.
-So is there going to be a NHL Playoff’s post?
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
