It sure would be nice if the Padres swept us in this four-game series. A 33-60 record would give us a nice boost towards locking it up. But I'm worried Houston will find a way to beat Ross Ohlendorf in the second game. The guy is absolute trash and is due for a loss (deceiving 2-0 record). He hasn't pitched many innings this season but opponents are hitting .351 against him and his ERA is 7.41 for a reason. But I feel pretty good that the Astros will definitely lose games 1, 3 and 4.

Still, a 1-3 record this coming series is a solid tanking effort.

I should bet on the Padres over the Astros tonight. (Padres -120 and Astros +110). It's practically a pick even game with 1:1 odds. I'd probably give 1.25:1 odds or 1.3:1 odds betting on the Padres though. San Diego should win tonight. J.A. Happ is going to get lit up like a Christmas tree by that Pads offense and Kip Wells will hold us to one or two runs. 8-3 San Diego tonight -- bank on it. But so far all I got is 100 vs. 100 on the Cardinals-Brewers game. Seems like betting against the Astros is an easy lock, especially on the road (9-35 record).

2-0 middle of the 8th, good news is, even if we win, we will still be outright last.

Yep. Total surprise though. Happ is so inconsistent but maybe we can get a double A prospect for him before the deadline. Maybe they'll lose Game 2 to make up for winning Game 1. Which was the opposite of what I expected heading into the four-game series. Some San Diego fan had a sign in the crowd saying "Sorry Lastros - the 1st pick in 2013 will be ours!" LMAO. Well if we're the Lastros what the hell are the sad and pathetic Padres? Can't even beat us for Christ sakes!!!

I saw that LOL, I dont mind being called the Lastros, but cmon, Padres havent scored a run!

I am still 1000% confident the first pick will be ours, and expect Padres to beat us in the next 3 games.

Astros just ended their 13-game road losing streak. 2-0 win over the Padres. How pathetic is San Diego? Really they want the 1st overall pick that badly?

I hope they dont intentionally lose to us, they are a better overall team atm so they realistically should have scored 7+ runs tonight, but credit to Happ's pitching.

Monday: July 16, 2012 - Houston at San Diego - 10:05 PM Eastern
J.A. Happ (6-9, 5.14 ERA) versus Kip Wells (1-2, 2.50 ERA)
Astros win 2-0

Tuesday: July 17, 2012 - Houston at San Diego - 10:05 PM Eastern
Jordan Lyles (2-5, 5.08 ERA) versus Ross Ohlendorf (2-0, 7.41 ERA)

Wednesday: July 18, 2012 - Houston at San Diego - 3:35 PM Eastern
Wandy Rodriguez (7-7, 3.51 ERA) versus Clayton Richard (6-10, 3.83 ERA)

Thursday: July 19, 2012 - Houston at San Diego - 10:05 PM Eastern
Lucas Harrell (7-6, 4.43 ERA) versus Edinson Volquez (5-7, 3.69 ERA)

With Ohlendorf pitching it could go either way. Lyles is just as bad. I expect a high-scoring game to erupt in Game 2. Hopefully we trade Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and J.A. Happ soon. I want the Astros to call up Jarred Cosart, Paul Clemens, Brett Oberholtzer - three of their better pitching prospects. Time to see what those young arms can do before they get a hard look at them during the spring. Maybe even call up Jonathan Singleton and let the young man play first base the final few months of this season.

Can't wait for the new uniforms and logo, first sig will be a Singleton or Correa one with it on.