May
May 1-2 @ Atlanta Braves
The beginning of May will start with a road series to Atlanta. I have the Braves poised to finish second in the National League East. Their pitching is decent but not superb. Both Braves and Astros should match up well and I will actually give the Astros edge on hitting. They split the series between them last year but the Braves were able to outscore Houston by one run, 25-24. In fact Houston was able to win two at Turner Field and Atlanta won two at Minute Maid Park. Projected starting pitchers if the rotation goes unscathed will be Wandy, Myers and Norris. I do expect quite a few runs scored off both pitching staffs but the games will be close.
Braves wins series 2 of 3
Houston 12-13
May 3-7 vs Arizona Diamondbacks
This will be the first four game series of seven that the Astros will have this season. Luckily it will be at home against a team that isn’t very polished. They have a few studs that should make an impact but it is too early in the season right now to be able to win this series. The Astros will be able to have their top pitching too during the meat of this series. B.J. Upton’s brother ,Justin Upton, starts in right field for Arizona and could be one of the big factors throughout this series. He is fast, has power and is carries a good glove. Hopefully by now Berkman will be in stride because he will need to be able to produce off Brandon Webb. Lance has a career .130 batting average off Webb with more strikeouts than hits.
Astros wins series 3 of 4
Houston 15-14
May 7-9 vs San Diego Padres
Astros own the Padres last season taking the series 6-1. This year shouldn’t changed much as the Astros should dominant a very weak ball club. I had Arizona finishing fifth and the Padres finishing fourth in the NL East. With this cupcake of a schedule, Houston will be able to establish consistent hitting and if there are any pitchers that a struggling, this will be an optimum time to regain control. Also this stretch could bring good opportunity for the bullpen to become comfortable in late innings and Matt Lindstrom to rack up saves. Hopefully will we be able to see the Padres wear their camo uniforms during their stint in Houston.
Astros sweep series 3-0
Houston 18-14
May 11-13 @ St. Louis Cardinals
The next three series will be all away and once again the Stros’ will be making a trip to Busch Stadium. If Houston wants to stay in the hunt, this will be a very important series because by now, I expect the Cardinals to have a three or four game lead. I once again see the red birds winning this and possibly knocking Houston to third or fourth place. This is also about the time of year that somehow the Astros bats get cold. From May 16-31 of 09, the Astros won an astonishing 4 games out of 14. That was against ball clubs that are not spectacular. Now about to face three teams that could be post season bound, Houston has a very good chance of sinking to dead last.
Cardinals win series 2 out of 3
Houston: 19-16
May 14-16 @ San Francisco Giants
One of my favorite ball parks in America, AT&T Park will host the Astros mid may. In the three games Houston played at AT&T in 09, two of the games the Astros were shut out 9-0 & 13-0. The dominance makes sense consider the Giants had the third best home record last season, 52-49. Sadly the Astros had one of the worst road records, 30-51. I know the Stros’ bullpen will get tested here and I am okay with that. It will be a good measuring stick to see how prepared they really got during the Diamondbacks & Padres stretch. Wandy Rodriguez is schedule to pitch the third game and Astros fans know how winning on the road has been his downfall. With a 14-12 record last season, Wandy a 5-7 road record. He never pitched at San Francisco but I have a feeling will never want to again.
Giants win series 2 out of 3
Houston: 20-18
May 17-18 @ Los Angeles Dodgers
The Astros will stay in California and head south to Los Angeles to face the might Dodgers. Winners of the NL West the past two season, I expect them to take 2010. Luckily Houston will only be spending two days out west because L.A. will sweep the two games. Dodgers are too good one very side of the ball. Even their backup players could probably beat the Astros 7 out of 10 games. With Myers and Norris pitching, their ERAs will be shot along with their WHIP. One think I think fans should look at is hoping the Astros don’t just give up. Astros are not good enough to bounce back from any type of cold steaks. They could lose 6 in a row but then attempt to win 3 straights just go to go back to losing 4 more in a row.
Dodgers sweep series 2-0
Houston 20-20
May 19-21 vs Colorado Rockies
For a long time I consider the Rockies and Astros mirroring organizations. Both have solid organizations that tend to be kept under the spot light. Both are usually contenders in their respected division and both have been known for late season comebacks. Also the Rockies and Astros have been to the World Series once just to be swept in all four games. As of 2010, the Rockies are a better ball club with a top ten farm system. They are going to be very dangerous for the next four years and expect them to reach the World Series again. The Astros are not extremely overmatched here and being back at home after three away series will keep them just below the five hundred mark
Rockies win series 2 out of 3
Houston 21-22
May 23-24 vs Tampa Bay Rays
This will the sixth straight series facing a team that is could end up first or second in their division. Tampa Bay who two years ago shocked the nation making the playoffs once again will be making a run into late october. The Astros need to win this series to before falling deeper under .500 and going on the road again. The trip from NY to Texas will be tough on the Rays, especially since they will know that after Houston, they have to prepare for Boston. Myers will have the edge on Niemann while Norris won’t be able to handle Price.
Series split 1-1
Houston 22-23
May 25-27 @ Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers are a better team that most people will give them credit for. I have them finishing third in the Central due to a year or two of polishing up some talent. The Brew Crew have power and could send a few dingers out against this Astros staff. Milwaukee won four out of the five series last year and even swept Houston in the last. I don’t expect the games to be close this being said, the Brewers will win majority of the games this year. Houston does have a bullpen to maintain a lead but only in the late innings. If none of the starters are able to go 6 innings, than Chris Sampson could be seeing a lot of playing time.
Brewers win series 2 out of 3
Houston 23-25
May 28-30/31 @ Cincinnati Reds/ Washington Nationals
Like the end of April, Houston will have one more extra game against an opposing opponent before transitioning into the next month. These two teams will be much needed after going through a tough month. Great American Ballpark is a hitters friendly park and this definitely leans in the favor for Houston. Lee, Berkman and Pence have always played well here and with a big outfield, a lot of doubles could occur. Houston gets four straight home games against the Nationals and with the uncertainty of Stephen Strasburg playing in the majors, the Astros could very easily sweep all the games.
Houston wins series 2 out of 3/ take first game 1-1
Houston: 26-26
The Hot Corner 