Berkman Finally Takes Turn in Spotlight

Will Astros first baseman Lance Berkman finally get the respect he deserves? With one of the greatest months of hitting in the history of baseball, Berkman seems to finally have our attention after years of being overshadowed by other sluggers such as Albert Pujols and Derrek Lee. He hasn’t even been able to command the Astros’ spotlight, taking a backseat to the likes of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, and more recently, Carlos Lee and Roy Oswalt during his career.

But Berkman’s torrid start through 47 games is impossible to ignore. Not only is Berkman 1st in the majors with 16 home runs and second with 44 RBIs, he’s also 2nd with a batting average of .382, 1st in runs scored (50), 2nd in hits (66), 1st with total bases (132), 3rd in OBP (.463) and 1st in slugging percentage (.763). He also has nine steals, has yet to commit an error and has a range factor over ten, leaving one to wonder if there is anything Berkman can’t do on a baseball field.

Berkman’s hot start has the Astros winning too. Last night’s 5-3 win over the Cubs gave Houston the series win and left them with a record of 27-21, 1.5 games back of the celebrated Chicago northsiders. The Astros have won big in their funny-shaped juicebox, posting a home record of 13-7. They’ve managed to do this thanks to one of the best offenses in baseball. Berkman has had plenty of help from shortstop Miguel Tejada and outfielder Carlos Lee. Tejada has 65 hits on the year (a .340 BA), 35 RBIs and 20 extra-base hits. Lee is second on the team with 10 home runs and also has 35 RBIs. Overall, the Astros are 5th in runs scored and 8th in home runs. They also lead the majors with 54 stolen bases, thanks largely to new addition Michael Bourn. Bourn, a Houston native, was acquired in the off season from Philadelphia and has 20 steals in 23 attempts. Second baseman Kaz Matsui has chipped in with 11 steals.

Bourn is part of a modest youth movement in Houston. Hunter Pence, another Texas native, has moved into the outfield as a full-time starter. Pence has responded with a .288 average and 27 RBIs. Catcher J.R. Towles is also in his first year starting lineup. For now Towles is struggling mightily, with a batting average of .150. But the beauty of the Astros’ lineup is its balance. There are two, perhaps three superstars in Berkman, Tejada and Lee. There is speed and power, and there is youth and experience.

Unfortunately, the Astros pitching staff has been something of a shambles. Ace Roy Oswalt is off to one of his worst starts ever, with an ERA of 5.43 and a record of 4-4. Oswalt’s biggest problem is the 14 home runs he’s allowed so far. Overall, the Astros have allowed 66 home runs, the most in the majors, and their 4.35 ERA ranks 19th in baseball. Houston’s top four starters (Oswalt, Shawn Chacon, Brandon Backe, and Chris Sampson) are a combined 11-12. The only starter with an ERA under four, Wandy Rodriguez, has only made 4 starts thanks to injury. Houston’s bullpen has not been much better. The two bright spots have been closer Jose Valverde (14/17 in saves) and middle man Doug Brocail (3.08 ERA in 26.1 innings). Four other relievers have ERAs over 4.50.

For the Astros to continue to compete, they’ll have to continue to score runs. Fortunately for Houston, they are constructed to do a lot of that. They are also an excellent team defensively. But if they are going to make a run for the postseason, Roy Oswalt is going to have to step up and lead the pitching staff. If the Astros’ pitchers can keep the ball in the park, they just might be able to compete in a crowded NL Central.