They beat the Athletics on my birthday last year and then they beat the Red Sox on my birthday this year. I see some progress but it's not good enough. They're going to finish with a better record than the Rangers and Rockies but that's probably it.
Tony Sipp has been reliable out of the bullpen this year. 2.68 ERA

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Aug 15 2014 09:55pm

They're moving in the right direction, that's what counts. Baby steps.

Chris Carter has hit 28 home runs. He should finish with around 35 this year. His batting average was floating around .190 for most of the season but now it's up to .233. He's had a multi-hit game in three of his last four games. He's the ultimate free swinger. I'll be thrilled if he ever hits above .250 or .260. He's starting to go in that dfirection. LOL

That lucky fan in the last series. LOL

8/12/14: Chris Carter hits two home runs to left for the Astros, and one lucky fan comes up with both of them in the stands

This was his other multi-homer game this month a week ago.

8/7/14: Chris Carter knocks two home runs against the Phillies, finishing with three hits and four RBIs in the game



Chris Carter is hitting .346 with 7 home runs and 19 RBIs in August. Sample size though (14 games total)
If only this latest approach to the plate pays off ending the season well and coming out strong in 2015.

Ideally, it would be nice if he turns into a decent, if not good hitter, and can DH full time in future years.

And I thought Miss Texas at the Rangers game threw out a bad first pitch. Leave it to an Astros fan to top that. LOL

8/26/14: A fan dunks the ceremonial first pitch and gets a hug from Orbit



At least she tried to throw it overhand so I think it was better than Miss Texas at the Rangers game.

Here was the other one I was comparing it to. Astros and Rangers: Two bad teams but you have to love them.

8/15/14: Miss Texas throws out the first pitch prior to the Angels-Rangers game and it goes just a bit outside



The battle for the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft: Astros and Diamondbacks both have 77 losses. Rockies have 78 losses and the Rangers have 80 losses. The Astros are locked in with the #2 pick guaranteed. Just a matter of whether they also get the #1, #3, #4 or #5 pick as well.

The Astros start a four-game series with the Texas Rangers tomorrow night.
I would say "just get swept" but they just beat a good Athletics team last night.
I know the Rangers are the worst team in baseball but oh well. You never know.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Aug 27 2014 03:04pm

One swing of the bat won the ballgame 4-2. It looked like the Rangers were going to win 2-0.

8/28/14: Jason Castro launches a grand slam to right field, giving the Astros a 4-2 lead in the 5th

The Astros won the silver boot for the first time since 2006. it's hard to believe the Rangers are that bad.

Astros fire Manager Bo Porter, Bench coach Dave Trembley.

Tom Lawless named interim manager.