Houston Astros

For years and years, and it seems like decades that we've been playing a 6 inning game in a 9 inning battle (take out SS, C, & Pitcher --all batting below .230). First all, for those following the Astros, in between Miguel Tejada and Ricky Guiterrez, we've had a disaster at SS. Do you want a 300 +20hr guy at SS? No need to answer that.

Although the Houston Astros have spent a majority of the 2010 season in the cellar of the National League Central, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the team’s future.

Today, we’re going to look at 15 solid reasons to get pumped up about next year’s Astros squad.

Let’s begin by taking a look at five honorable mention candidates before quickly narrowing down to the top 10 players on Houston’s young and talented depth chart with the highest probability of becoming future MLB stars.

The rivalry between the National League’s Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves goes back far historically, but Wednesday afternoon’s matchup was one to forget—at least for those cheering for the home team—in the midweek matinee at Minute Maid Park.

A baseball game is a great place to spend an evening with family, friends, or a significant other.  Up at the major league level it's a little pricey, but if you poke around on the Internet, you can find a good enough deal to make a trip to the ballpark more than worth your while.

Depending on when you get there and where your seats are, there's a chance you may even walk out of the stadium with a souvenir baseball courtesy of a foul ball or a friendly ball boy.

The Houston Astros have been beyond busy lately.

Less than a week after trading two of the biggest franchise players to ever don an Astros uniform, Houston had won seven games in a row—culminating with an 18-4 beat-down of St. Louis—before the Cardinals finally ended that streak with an 8-4 win over the Astros last night at Busch Stadium.

But wait, there’s more!

This is the day a lot of people have been waiting for since the decision came down that the Texas Rangers would go up for auction. At this moment it's a two team race, so to speak, as to who will be the new owners of the Texas Rangers. The two teams are groups headed by Attorney Chuck Greenberg and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan up against Houston businessman Jim Crane and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban .

Houston Astros fans should not feign felicity.

They should not dance in the streets surrounding Minute Maid Park, host vivacious celebrations, or cheer as if the August rain will soon turn to gold. They should feel disillusioned, upset, and hungry for change. If the 2005 World Series qualifies as the franchise's peak, last week was its ultimate valley.

The Astros fell into a state of such disrepair that management needed to trade two icons to give the team a chance to compete.

Every year, there's always one move around the trade deadline that affects the rest of the MLB season or even the playoffs.

Much like last year when the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee in July, they made a move for this year's best available pitcher: Roy Oswalt.

Well, the news is all over the airwaves in Houston and it is official.

Pitcher Roy Oswalt has officially accepted the trade to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Houston Astros fans should now slide into a deeper depression, as if the one that had already consumed them was not deep enough.

Ed Wade had until Saturday's trade deadline to send the franchise's best player and near leader in career pitching wins elsewhere. Well, according to The Houston Chronicle and Associated Press , he did it Thursday afternoon. Oswalt will head to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for J.A. Happ and two prospects.