My bold prediciton - The Astros will win it all this year
CovDog,
I love your prediction. At least your realistic enough to know that on days when Roy O isn't pitching, our guys will have to put up football scores to win.
To the credit of Drayton, if one looks at the batting order of the 'Stros, it's pretty formidable on paper, and there isn't any sizable hole as has been the case recently. It's a big turnaround from the last few years.
However, the pitching side is pretty scary after Roy. I can only hope that Backe will come back stronger than he ever was and at least one more starter will be a pleasant surprise.
Still, we're going to have to rely on those bats for wins. At least it looks like it will be exciting this year with lots of offense instead of long, dull 0-0 or 1-1 games threatening to go multiple extra innings without more hits...
Go 'Stros, baby!!!!! Looking forward to opening day...