FanNation

#1- In the standings, they don't look to spectacular at 19-17. But, their players have been producing, a lot. They have 2 players in the top 5 in hits, 2 in the top 10 for runs including the #1, 2 in the top 11 for doubles including the #1, the #1 base stealer, the #2 HR hitter, 2 in the top 15 for RBIs, #1, #8, and #19 in total bases, the #1 player in SLG, and 2 players batting above .300.

Lance Berkman has been playing absolutely incredibly. He is 12 for his last 15 and is showing no signs of cooling off. He is #1 in runs, doubles, total bases, and SLG. He is also third in hits, second in homeruns, second in RBIs, second in BA, and third in OBP. Right now, he is killing the league and can very well be the MVP at this point.

Also, Miguel Tejada has been doing his share of hitting. He has been an added protection for Lance Berkman and the Houston Astros since being acquired in a trade from the Baltimore Orioles for Matt Albers, Dennis Sarfate, Troy Patton, Luke Scott, and Mike Costanzo. Not only has he provided protection for Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, he has protected himself. In Baltimore, his protection was Nick Markakis and Kevin Millar. But now, he has Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee which is almost a day to night transition. Like Berkman, Tejada is ranked amongst the top players in the MLB in various categories.

The Houston Astros also have another power bat in Carlos Lee. He hasn't had the season that Berkman or Tejada have had so far, be we know he can. However, he does have 38 hits, 7 homeruns, 24 RBIs, 12 2Bs, 71 total bases, and a .284 average. His career highs show what he can do down the stretch of the entire season. 190 hits, 43 2Bs, 37 HRs, 119 RBIs, .305 BA, .540 SLG, and 337 total bases. He can very well eclipse 40 homeruns this year and bump his RBIs up to around 130 with Lance Berkman batting the way he is in front of him.

#2- Over the past few years, their closer has seen an extreme drop of in production. Well, the dumped off Brad Lidge who is now a Phillie and now have a new face. Jose Valverde saved 47 games for the playoff bound Arizona Diamondbacks last year and they hope he can do the same thing this year. He has 7 so far this year with 23 K's. Yes, he did blow 3 saves already and has a 4.47 ERA; but he blew 6 last year and still finished with 47 and a 2.66 ERA. So, he has potential as a great closer in the NL.

Why they can't:

#1- Quick, name a Houston Astros pitcher...you named Roy Oswalt didn't you? That isn't uncommon. The Astros don't have the pitching right now to succeed. After Oswalt in the rotation, there is Brandon Backe who may not be able to pitch like he could, Shawn Chacon who's highest season starts is 27, and a young Chris Sampson who has been wavering back and forth from the bullpen to the rotation.

#2- The Astros's division isn't one that you would talk about like the NL East or the AL East, but it has some surprising strength. The obvious one is the Chicago Cubs who has a powerful line-up throughout with Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, and Kosuke Fukudome. Then, there is last year's surprise in the Milwaukee Brewers. They have the big boy Prince who can crush 50 homeruns, Rickie Weeks who can get on base at the top, Mike Cameron who can add an extra spark that they didn't get last year, Ryan Braun who was the rookie sensation last year and has moved to improve his defense, Corey Hart who is now starting to hit and can easily hit 20 HRs per year, and there is Bill Hall, Jason Kendall, Craig Counsell, and JJ Hardy who aren't any slouches. And this year's surprise in the St. Louis Cardinals has the always dangerous Albert Pujols and then some pop from Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick.