The race for the 1st overall pick in 2014

1. Astros 32-57
2. Marlins 32-55

The Marlins have lost three games in a row and are trying to make this interesting again. What sucks is Miami lost the last two games against the Cardinals by one run. The Astros somehow upset Yu Darvish and the Rangers, 9-5 on Saturday, losing two out of three against Texas.

The Astros have Monday off and start a two-game series at St. Louis on Tuesday, have Thursday off, and then they play a three-game series at Tampa Bay starting on Friday which will be the five games they have left before the all-star break. I like our chances to lose all five games but you never know. We may pull out a "fluke win" like we did against Yu Darvish.

The Marlins start a six-game home stand against the Braves and Nationals, three-game series each, before the all-star break.
I think Miami can definitely win two or three of those games. They're still playing competitive baseball for the past few weeks.



The Astros are still tanking, in my opinion. Saturday was just a lucky game. The Friday game was what I expect to see more of.
We still have two more losses than Miami right now so we're still in good shape.

Come on Marlins. Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 7th against the Braves right now.
It would be nice to see the Marlins win while the Astros have an off day.

You can't be serious? Marlins lost 7-1 in 14 innings. Braves exploded with a 6-run top of the 14th.
LOL, Miami trolled us like they could have won in their final at-bat in the bottom of the 9th through the bottom of the 13th.

1. Astros 32-57
2. Marlins 32-56

Now we're only 1 game worse in the loss column. This thing is getting too tight again.
But I'm confident the Astros will go on a losing streak and the Marlins will heat up again.
Marlins have now lost 4 games in a row but their past three games were winnable.

I guess the Miami Marlins also want pitching sensation Carlos Rodon.

If Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton would focus less on off-the-field opportunities and hit more home runs.
Jeez, he has one home run in his last 37 at-bats. Pick it up, big boy.



The Astros play at St. Louis tonight. Bud Norris versus Adam Wainwright. Should be a good one.
The Marlins are hosting the Braves again. Henderson Alvarez versus Julio Teheran

I'm not too excited about the all-star break, but I'll feel better if the Astros lose all five games before then.

george springer is dominating AAA

whens he getting called up

I felt he should have been our opening day center fielder to start this season. He dominated back in spring training as well. Out-performed everybody on the team. Now he's been shining in the minors all year long. I'm guessing he'll be called up pretty soon though. Worst case scenario for him, a September 1 call up when the rosters expand.

The Astros are finally calling up top pitching prospect, Jarred Cosart, to make his Major League debut on Friday Night against David Price and the Rays.



Astros promote top prospect Jarred Cosart, who’ll start Friday vs. Rays

Astros manager Bo Porter called the media back into his office late Wednesday and delivered the news: Jarred Cosart had a direct ticket to the Show.

After Cosart went out of his way during spring training to say he wanted a spot on the Astros’ opening-day roster, one of the rebuilding organization’s most promising pitching prospects is scheduled to start Friday against Tampa Bay ace lefthander David Price, who won the 2012 American League Cy Young award.

Cosart, 23, went 7-4 with a 3.29 in 18 games (17 starts) for Class AAA Oklahoma City this season. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander struck out 93, allowed 74 hits and walked 50 in 93 innings. Cosart is ranked as the Astros’ No. 7 overall prospect by Baseball America. The former Philadelphia Phillies prospect and League City native has some of the best stuff and one of the most lively arms in the Astros’ organization.

Also this year's first overall pick, Mark Appel, has made a few minor league starts and could be called up pretty soon, along with center fielder George Springer and power-hitting first baseman Jonathan Singleton. We have several guys, including last year's first overall pick, Carlos Correa, who will be in the show soon enough. Delino DeShields Jr. is another highly rated prospect who the Astros may reward very soon.

I would caution the Astros not to bring up everybody right now though. We still need to tank for the first overall pick in 2014 next June. I'm sold on NC State left-hander Carlos Rodon going number one overall. I'm salivating over a top three starting rotation of Mark Appel, Carlos Rodon and Jarred Cosart. That would be a strong righty, lefty, righty trio that will be absolutely sensational and fun to watch for the next several years.

1. Astros 32-59
2. Marlins 33-57

The Astros have lost three games in a row, while the Marlins finally won last night to end their five-game losing streak.
We're still in good shape to lock up the first pick next year, but with Jarred Cosart called up, I'm not going to be cheering for him to lose. LOL

Patience is a virtue. The Astros are going to be a talented and exciting team to watch as early as next year.
But in the mean time, we need to pick up the first overall pick one more time. And then we'll go from there.

And so it begins tonight for Jarred Cosart. ESPN finally added his profile and photo. Big game for the kid.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/31096/jarred-cosart

Major League debut against a solid Rays lineup. And the opposing pitcher was the 2012 AL cy young award winner. LOL, but I'm sure there is no pressure. I hope he has a good game and picks up a win. But a loss for the team isn't exactly a bad thing either.

The kid is looking good so far in his MLB debut. 6 up and 6 down for Jarred Cosart.
2-0 Astros lead at Tampa Bay in the top of the 3rd.
Cosart has a lot of poise and confidence on the mound.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 12 2013 05:41pm

Damn. Jarred Cosart's no-hitter bid in his MLB debut is broken with one out in the bottom of the 7th.

A sharp single into right field by Ben Zobrist.

Double play soon after.
2-0 Astros after 7 innings

Jarred Cosart with 7 shutout innings in the books. He's fun to watch.
The Astros were planning to send him back to Triple-A after tonight's start but I doubt it now.