Bringing back the heat ~~|Houston Astros|~~

[AC]

This is good, I'm following.

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Astros go 5-1 against NL West

The Astros found a quick way to rebound in their quest to escape the Central Cellar, with a sweep of the Rockies and winning two of three against the Diamondbacks, their challenge nearly disappeared. This Astro's team is hot and after coming off a 3-7 start to April, getting back up to .500 is a massive step forward for a team that hit triple digits in the loss column a year ago.

Cole Hamels allowed two runs in the first two innings against the Rockies, but in the second the Astros exploded for five runs and never looked back, adding one in the fifth and four more in the seventh. Hamels went eight innings allowing 6 hits and two earned runs, only striking out four but did a good job of keeping points off the board. Jed Lowrie and Ronnie Paulino hit home runs with Altuve (3), Castro (3) and Martinez (2) all having multiple RBI games on a high scoring Tuesday evening.

Jordan Lyles would pick up his second win the following night on a 6-5 night. Singleton would go long and six different players would each notch a RBI. Lyles would surrender a home run to Young Jr and would let a pitch get away from him and hit Troy Tulowitzki, he would allow 4 earned runs in six innings but his ERA would remain at two. He would strike out four, with Chapman and Volstad each getting a hold and Igarashi getting his second save of the season.

Closing out the series, Josh Tomlin would allow three runs in a 5-3 victory,the Astros once again came out in the first putting up three runs. Tomlin would allow two home runs, to Tulowitzki and Byrd. Byrd would have the benefit of an extra man on base and once again Tulowitzki would get hit by a pitch, tensions nearly erupted but an empire defused the situation. Dominic Brown would bat in three runs and Altuve would steal two bases leading the Astros. Tomlin went seven innings his ERA jumping up to a 4.33 and only two strike outs, with Carpenter not allowing any hits in two innings of relief and earning his first save.

Ending their winning streak, Bud Norris would drop this game to Matt Garza (3-1). No home runs were hit in this game, Norris would however allow three of four earned runs on the evening, with Chris Volstad surrendering the insurance run when he came in, in the seventh, he wouldn't last the inning as Chapman came in allowing only one hit in 2.1 innings. Matt Garza pitched a gem, allowing only 1 earned on 8.2 innings and striking out eleven. Putz would manage the save.

Chris Volstad would manage to turn his fortunes around against a pitcher that previously hadn't lost a game, in a high scoring 8-7 game, Chris Volstad would notch the win. Cecil started the game in which six different pitchers would come in for the Astros with Volstad closing out the final 2.1 innings as the Astros win in 12. Lonnie Chisenhall would hit four RBI's and John Buck would knock in three RBI's when he hit a home run in the ninth to send the game to extras.

Tanner Dobbs who is posting a 0.00 ERA this far into the season would earn his first win in an 8-5 victory over the Diamondbacks, with Wade LeBlanc being saddled with the loss. Taylor Green and D.J. Le Mahieuwould each hit homeruns, two rare occurences on the same night, a three run rally in the eight would make the difference. Cole Hamels had a terrible start, going 5 innings allowing 8 hits and 5 earned, with 5 strike outs pulling his ERA up to a 2.37 (was a 1). Igarashi would get the save after Dobbs pitched three innings allowing only one hit.

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4-2 in conference stint shoots Astros up to third

Heading into the end of April, the Astros had gone 6-2 prior to their series against the Reds and a rematch against the Pirates. The Astros would extend their win streak to three, with Jordan Lyles picking up another win in a 6-3 victory. Joey Votto was huge with a home run and a triple earning 8 bases (he also had a single) on this night. Ian Kinsler would manage to steal a base as well. Singleton and Buck each added a home run with Buck earning three on his long home run shot.

Josh Tomlin would pick up another win in a 4-1 dominant performance from the pitcher. Dominic Brown getting the day off in the field would knock in a two run homer in the fourth out of the designated hitter slot. Leake would earn the loss with 4 earned runs on four hits. Tomlin would allow seven hits but only one earned run, walking two while striking out four. Volstad and Herndon add a hold and Igarashi would get his fourth save allowing one hit and striking one out in the final inning.

Bud Norris would pitch a quality game against the Reds but wouldn't be enough when Rod Riguez would manage one out, allowing three hits and allowing the game winning run to score in the eighth. The Astros scored when Benson knocking a run in the second but wouldn't come close to scoring again. Sean Marshall earned his ninth save.

Things started to look bad, when the Astros dropped a second consecutive game, Will Middlebrook (3B) knocked in a home run that would be the difference in this one, with McCutchen adding a pair of RBI's with a double. Anthony Ranaudo would pick up his first start and loss going 6.0 innings with 2 earned runs for a 3 ERA and one strike out. Tanner Dobbs would surrender two hits in two innings but no scores. Cole would strike out seven and silence the Astros bats keeping his ERA at a low total, 1.30.

Everything came to fire in this game, an Astro's collapse and an Astro's comeback. After falling down 2-5 in the fifth after a big fifth inning, the Astros responded with a three run sixth to tie the game at five a piece, after the Astros would blow up in the ninth for three runs, the Pirates would see Andrew McCutchen get his only hit of the day on a three run home run with two outs to tie the game and send it to extras. Five home runs were hit in this game, four by the Astros and one by the Pirates, a game winning home run in the eleventh by Lonnie Chisenhall would be the difference maker with Igarashi racking up his first win of the season.

Of the eight runs allowed by the Astros only three were earned, Cole Hamels earning all three and only managing five strike outs, gradually getting worse as the season progresses. Igarashi came in late and after allowing the home run to McCutchen (oddly not earned) he would pull a blown save and a win, Chris Volstad earning the save in the eleventh inning, the Astros had to overcome five errors to win.

Aging veteran A.J. Burnett may be seeing his final season play out before him, Jordan Lyles would win again (3-0) as A.J. Burnett (1-4) falls once again. Burnett has a high amount of strike outs but has been getting very little help from the offense. The Astros win moves them to three games behind the Cardinals, and only one game away from the wild card (the Reds at 13-9 are in the lead).

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Astros drop series to AL West Leading Dodgers

The Heat might be finally gone, Josh Tomlin losing his second game of the year against Josh Lindblom. In a matchup with neither pitcher under 4 in ERA's, the Dodgers managed to escape by one, rebounding from an Astro three run first inning, thanks in large to Castro's three run home run in the opening inning. Tomlin struck out four and allowed four, Ted Lilly would strike out 7 allowing 4 runs earned, but Lindblom would take control allowing one hit and earning the win. Guerra notched his ninth save.

Bud Norris finally picked up his first win, despite a 2.25 ERA and 20 strike outs so far, he outpitched Rubby De La Rosa in a 5-4 victory. Singleton hit two doubles batting in two runs as did Lonnie Chisenhall. Matt Kemp would hit a home run in the ninth but it wouldn't be enough to make Rodriguez blow the save. Cecil would get the final out earning his first save.

For the first of may, Chris Volstad would lose his third game, his ERA up to a 5.68 this season. Jed Lowrie hit a home run and Jorge Soler hit a double, with Soler's double scoring two runs. Three easy outs from Astros being caught stealing was damaging on this day. Ranaudo allowed 4 earned runs and seven hits, but Volstad would surrender 2 earned runs in the eighth and not manage to record a single out forcing Tanner Dobbs to come in and end the inning after allowing two hits.

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Centrals lead the way

After one month, MLB's hottest teams in both leagues sit in the central division. The Cleveland Indians with top power hitting and defensive abilities have started out 18-8 despite being projected as a mid level team. They are absolutely running away with the division, with the next closest White Sox already five game back at 12-12. The Indians have outscored their opponents 142-104 and proved that they have the bats that are needed to dominate in the MLB.

The Cardinals on the flip side are 19-8 one game btter with a two game win streak and 139-105 difference. Both teams are fairly similar, but Saint Louis sees its strength in contact hitting on their way to a historical season start. Two consecutive years of losing their best non-pitcher of the previous year (Pujols and Berkman) has done nothing to slow this team down, not even losing their manager has slowed them down.

Division leaders

National League

EAST

Philadelphia Phillies (15-11) W-4
New York Mets (15-12) W-1
Miami Marlins (15-12) L-1

Central
Saint Louis Cardinals (19-8) W-2
Cincinnati Reds (16-10) W-1
Houston Astros (13-12) L-1
Milwaukee Brewers (11-14) W-1
Pittsburgh Pirates (11-15) L-2
Chicago Cubs (8-17)

West
Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) W-1
Arizona Diamondbacks (14-10) W-2

American

East
New York Yankees (17-9) W-4
Boston Redsox (14-12) 3 GB W-1

Central
Cleveland Indians (18-8) L-1
White Sox (12-12) 5 GB W-1

West
Los Angeles Angels (16-9) W-2
Texas Rangers (12-14) L-2

After a full month, Chicago Cubs short stop, Starlin Castro leads the NL with .358 batting average, just one point better than second place first baseman, Jonathan Singleton of the Houston Astros. Indians Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore are among the top of the class of the AL, with .385 and .369 respectively, the only other team to hold that level of dominance is the Yankees with three players in the top ten, Mark Teixeira, Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano.

Chris Heisey of Cincinnati and John Buck of Miami are tied for the most home runs in the NL with eight a piece, once again the AL holds a lead over the NL, with Matt Joyce (LF-TB), Mark Teixeira (1B-NYY) and Prince Fielder (1B-DET) all tied with the lead in the MLB with ten. Joyce is the only odd face on the list, not known for his power he somehow has managed to jump out of the gates fast.

Prince Fielder and Mark Teixeira find themselves at the top of another category with Fielder holding the MLB high 28 RBI's and Mark Teixeira adding 27 of his own, overshadowing the outfield duo of Chris Heisey and Jay Bruce of Cincinnati that has 23 and 22 respectively.

Four pitchers lead the MLB in wins, with Chris Carpenter (STL), Mat Latos (CIN), Homer Bailey (CIN) and Danny Duffy (KC) leading the MLB with four wins. Of those, Carpenter is the only pitcher to not have a loss as well as holding the lowest ERA with a 1.85. The 37 year old starter is posting great numbers and should be in the race for the Cy Young to close out a great career.

Five closers tie the lead in the MLB with ten saves a piece. Kyle Farnsworth (LAA), Chris Perez (CLE), Frank Francisco (NYM), Javy Guerra (LAD) and Huston Street (SD). Clearly California is being home of the dominate closers with thirty saves between three at the top of the league.

Finally the leader in the MLB for ERA is Colby Lewis of the White Sox. Lewis is 2-0 this far into the season with 26 strike outs and an outstanding 1.3 ERA. Lewis is a career 4.45 pitcher and a total in the ones is drastically moving his career totals down. Vance Worley leads the NL with his pitching for Philadelphia with a 1.75 ERA and a perfect 3-0 record. Vance also leads the NL in shutouts with two.

Tim Lincecum and Daniel Bard (BOS) lead the MLB, both at the top of their respective leagues with 44 strikeouts a piece. Bard is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA while Lincecum is (3-2) with a 3.51 ERA needing to get his numbers back on pace, after a 13-14, 2011 campaign he would manage a winning season at 12-11 but those are hardly Cy Young numbers.

MLB Award Favorites

MVP
NL
Chris Heisey (LF-CIN)

AL
Mark Teixeira (1B-NYY)

Cy Young

NL
Chris Carpenter (SP-STL)

AL
Jake McGee (RP-TB)

Some big names are on the trade block already but don't expect too much movement just yet, not until the deadline nears. Second baseman Robinson Cano, Starting pitcher Phil Hughes of the Yankees find themselves being named in several rumors. Brandon Beachy a great young pitching prospect has been named to be expendable by the Braves following a 0-5 start and 7.39 ERA.

Edwin Jackson (SP) of the Nationals is another player that could be moved to try and get the Nationals into the playoffs this year, with some youth he could contribute as a three pitcher, his 9 ERA and 1-4 record is alarming however.

Zack Greinke, in the first year of his new deal has been listed as a potential option to be moved, Greinke is 3-1 with a 3.41 and 41 strike outs thus far, with the Brewers near the bottom of their division, they might just start their rebuilding process this season.

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Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
Jan 1,	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago (8-21)	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	3	8	0
Houston (16-13)	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	4	10	3
W: Igarashi (2-1) L: McDonald (1-1)

Soler wins on pinch hit RBI double

One hell of a day to schedule a promotion. The Astros who seemed to be resurgent after their horrible season a year ago, is facing the squad that could replace them as the 'Mr. Irrelevant' of the MLB season. The Cubs roster is full of holes and youth that needs more time to develop. Despite this, the Cubs put up a fight, scoring two on Bud Norris, than one more on Igarashi but the Astros would continually rally back and would eventually rally back for a big victory in front of the home crowd.

Soler who had a cold April would manage to go 1-1 with a big hit when it would matter. A RBI double that would bounce off the back wall sending the Astros out with a victory. Buck had a great game as well with a double, triple and single just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Three errors continued to hurt the Astros and ultimately scored two runs for the Cubs.

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Projects are done so this should be back on track.

Just to be clear, I plan to keep this updated until NCAA football comes out so theres a good two months, which I hope to finish one or two seasons.

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Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
Jan 1,	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago (8-22)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	8	0
Houston (18-13)	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	3	8	0
W: Anthony Ranaudo (1-1) L: Tyler Skaggs (1-3) S: Jared Cosart (1)

Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
Jan 1,	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago (8-23)	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	3	6	0
Houston (18-13)	0	0	5	0	1	0	0	0	X	6	10	0
W: Cole Hamels (3-1) L: Paul Maholm (0-3)

Astros complete sweep

The Chicago Cubs have been helpless, finding through thirty-one games that they lost twenty-three, a sub .333 winning percentage that is most likely causing Wrigleyville to collectively cringe as the team takes to the field. Theo Epstein hasn't been a miracle cure just yet, there is a lot of young pieces on the field however which means this team could be dangerous down the road.

The Astros however are trending in the opposite direction. Last year, they were in the Cubs position, helpless and seemingly incapable of doing anything. This year though, they are only two games out from a playoff appearance, and 2.5 out of leading the division, estimates prior to the season were less than optimistic.

Brad Mills helped his case out though, by bringing up young pitching pieces to pitch out of the bull pen, Brett Cecil, Jarred Cosart, and Archie Bradley are all young pieces that find themselves in the bull pen, with the potential of any of those three to break into the starting rotation later in the year or through next season.

Cole Hamels was the pitcher that generated all of the buzz in the offseason and rightfully so, his numbers are fantastic and his record of 3-1 is exactly what the Astros like, yet its Jordan Lyles who has been flying under the radar. The twenty-two year old has started the season (4-0) and has a 1.73 ERA in 41 innings pitched and added twenty-eight strike outs.

The youth contributions don't end there, first baseman Jonathan Singleton stepped into the first base position in his first year and has exceeded expectations. Batting for .333 with five home runs and twelve RBI's, his batting average is towards the top of the MLB and with a .996% fielding percentage with only one error, his defensive end isn't a liability either.

The Astros take on the division leading Cardinals in their upcoming series.