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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 22, 2007
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I sure they produce this year considering i have Lee, Berkman, and Pence all on my fantasy team! haha
Speaking of Pence, he looks like he wants revenge for getting inured and losing a shot at the ROY, hopefully he makes up for it this year.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
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Lee might have a drop-off from last year, but Berkman should be even better and Pence will probably continue to tear it up. I'm expecting much bigger power numbers than last year for both of them. And if Pence is batting in the two-hole, you might even get a fair number of steals out of him.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 18, 2006
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Ya I see Lee dropping a little bit only because Berkman wont be as bad this year as he was last year. But if thats the biggest problem the Astros offense has ill take it. Bourn has shown he has good speed(8 steals in spring) and he can get on base. Now the only thing we need to worry about is Matsui's health.
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Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 1, 2008
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Pence needs to bat 2nd every night for this offense to work. Also I think the dark horse this year is Wiggy. If he can hot in the clutch and drive in runs that will be the key to us winning this division.
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Reputation:81
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 6, 2008
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The Astro's offense looks pretty solid most of the way down.
With a guy like Michael Bourn at the top of the order, you guys are going to have plenty of chances to knock him in. As long as he can get his average near .300, there will be lots of runs scored in that line-up that has Berkman, Lee, and Pence. I predict that Bourn bats .250 but still makes the fans happy.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
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It's all about OBP for Bourn anyways. He might not swing the bat all that well, but as long as he's taking walks and keeps his OBP above .350, he'll be doing his job. Between his ridiculous speed and great center-field play, he's a very good player.
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Reputation:81
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 6, 2008
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Agreed on that one. How many steals do you think Bourn can actually manage this year? Up to 50-60? He and Carlos Gomez are, in my opinion, the fastest players in the league this year.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
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I don't think 60 would be a stretch. I think I predicted 59 at the start... He's on pace for more though.
And I know it's a bit premature to be saying this, but I think it's fair to say Pence will be striking out a lot this year. That's not to say he won't find his stroke eventually and start ripping homers and doubles, but does anyone else think Towles might be better suited for the #2 hole? He seems to have a respectable mix of speed and power (I reckon he could be a 15 homer/15 steal guy), and he seems to walk a lot too. The #2 hole is all about making contact to move the runner into scoring position and getting on base for our big bats.
If his OBP is north of .350 in a couple weeks, I think we aughta try it out. Not to mention, having Pence behind Tejada to drive him in wouldn't be all that bad. I hope Pence makes me eat my words with his first homer right here though.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
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Well, didn't happen. Another strike-out.. Man, I'd love to see him get going some time soon. He's really killing our rallies right now.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 22, 2006
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I see Bourn as kinda a hybrid of the Beltran and Taveras molds. Is he still 11/11 in steals? He's absolutely incredible on the base paths. He is going to win 5-10 games for this team between his baserunning and his awesome catches in CF.
And heck, he already won 1 with a solo homer last week, to break a 1-1 tie.
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