The Houston Astros dropped both games yesterday against the Colorado Rockies. They weren’t blowouts by any means and to steal the words so often used by Skipper Brad Mills, “They battled.” And battle they did.

Regardless of how close or entertaining or exciting any of the Astros road games have been (and they have been), this team is finding the road to be a hard and cruel place to be this season.

Just some comparisons of home and road stats (keep in mind they’ve played 3 fewer games on the road than at home)

STAT        HOME       AWAY

W/L            16-10            6-17
BA                .243              .246
OBP             .320             .306
SLG              .389             .358
OPS              .709             .664
Runs             115                87
HR                  27                12
BB                   90                66
SO                 179              185
SB                   20                14
ERA              2.85           4.34

Yes, the road has been a cruel place, indeed.

They’ll play two more in Colorado before jetting home to face their division leaders, the Reds and the Cardinals, later this week and next. If they can string together some wins perhaps it will give them momentum for the next road trip? I sure hope so.

In the meantime…I hope they find a way to pretend we’re all there cheering for them on the road. I know if they could see Astros fans twitter feeds during games it would show them we’re all still watching….no matter what stadium they’re in.

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

I called it. Okay, all of baseball called it, but the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs last night 5-1. You know what I liked the best about it? In each of the three games in this series the Astros were out hit by the Cubs…and they still won.

In fact, in the series, the Cubs had a total of 27 hits to the Astros 21 and the run count? Cubs scored 6 and the Astros scored 15. Doing more with less? Perhaps, or perhaps it’s just improving plate discipline for the Astros. In total Houston drew 11 walks during this series while Chicago only drew 5. Was that the difference? Maybe.

Regardless, the Astros did, in general, play pretty good baseball through this series. JD Martinez hopefully got his mojo back between he game winning RBI on Tuesday and the triple and three RBIs last night. I hope he’s turned the corner because when he’s on, he’s a lot of fun to watch swing a bat.

The pitching was outstanding, both starting and bullpen. Let’s hope that trend continues as they head out on the road tomorrow to face the NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Root! Root! Root!

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

As Bud Norris pitched seven shutout innings last night and the Houston Astros put on a little home run hit parade to beat the Cubs 8-4,  there was one thing I couldn’t get out of my head. This Houston Astros team isn’t afraid to get dirty.

This idea started festering in my head a couple of weeks ago when my mother commented during a game that Jordan Schafer’s nickname should be “Pigpen” because his uniform is always a mess. You know, that orange-brown streak of dirt you find covering the front of a uniform of any player who regularly steals bases? Yep, that’s what I’m talking about.

It’s not just that this team is stealing some bases, although collectively they’ve stolen 33 bags so far this year putting them a respectable 7th in steals in the majors and 5th in the National League. This team is a never-say-die group of guys who always think about how to get it back when the lead is stolen. And when they’re winning? Well, widening that lead is front of mind.

So as I watched the game last night, I was drawn to how many of those uniforms were dirty and it was a lot. Let’s not crazy, Carlos Lee’s uniform was clean as a whistle, but even with players we love to harass like Lee, there’s something in the air in the Astros clubhouse this season. It’s not something we can add up on a stat sheet or really quantify, but it’s just as real and still there.

If you haven’t been to a game in person this season, I encourage you to do it – not just because ticket sales expand the budget that GM Jeff Luhnow has to work with, but also because you’ll feel it. It’s palpable in the air during a game. (I should mention I get no benefit from you going to a game and I’m a horrible fan for saying this, but I prefer the stadium a little empty as it gives me more room.)

I was chatting with a friend the other day – she’s a Red Sox fan- when she mentioned that the Astros weren’t the worst team in baseball this year. I nodded and said, “That’s a reputation that will go away….with just a little more dirt.”

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

Jed Lowrie's been spending a nice amount of time on base for the Astros.

I love when the Cubs come to Minute Maid Park. There’s a few things that I adore about it. First, the Cubs fans come out in droves. Generally that annoys me at a game, but this year in particular, the opportunity to watch Cubs fans cry at MMP is more than I can resist smiling at. Yep, I know, I’m a bit evil.

But the Cubs are the “Astros of last season” sitting in the bottom of the NL Central standings and that’s just a whole lot of fun for an Astros fan, right? Admit it…you love it too.

The match-ups for this series aren’t too shabby either. The timing in the starting rotations means we’ll see some fun baseball. But when push comes to shove, I expect the Astros to take 2 of these 3 games and really in my heart of hearts I think they should sweep this team of baby bears.

JA Happ’s coming in with momentum after his last start, the same for Cudly Studly Budly Norris and Wandy Rodriguez has to want to come out and prove that the hit parade by the Rangers last Friday was a fluke and he’s still the pitcher we all know he is. After all, at home, Wandy’s ERA is a very impressive 1.52. Come on, Wandy, we know you want to kick some ass this week.

Jordan Schafer will still be sitting out and isn’t expected to play on Monday thanks to that lower leg strain, but Jose Altuve once again proved Sunday he can hit in any spot you stick him and did a fine job as the leadoff hitter. If Schafer was missed anywhere it was in centerfield where Justin Maxwell isn’t quite as quick (or used to Tal’s hill) defensively. That should only affect Monday and possibly Tuesday.

But on the other hand….let me tell ya’ story ’bout a man named Jed…yep, that SS is finding a nice groove at the plate (.273/.354/.461) and I look for him to continue to hit well and make the plays down the middle.

In the meantime, I’ll be waiting on JD Martinez to lose the “lost” look he’s been sporting at the plate and find his swing again. And I’ll be waiting for Brian Bogusevic to fix the little things that seem to be keeping him off-balance from time to time at the plate as well. If the Astros can get those two kicking it old school, I think the Astros will continue to be the scrappy little brother who just won’t give up.

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

When the Miami Marlins came to face the Houston Astros I was on a fan-high. You know what I’m talking about right? Nobody expected the Astros to sweep the Mets or take two of three from the Cardinals. I felt as if the Astros could do anything, beat anyone, conquer the world.

Turns out, they couldn’t and didn’t. When the Astros fell in 12 innings last night I felt a tremendous let down. The thing about a much improved club like the Astro is that they mess with your emotions. We go from unexpected tremendous highs to disappointing losses in a matter of a handful of games.

There are still reasons to be optimistic. The Astros are driving in runs like no tomorrow. In fact, they’ve driven in 138 runs this season, enough to land them in the 9th spot in major league baseball. Not too shabby.Overall batting average? They’re 12th with a .255. The not so good side of their hitting? Only 22 homers so far (22nd in baseball) and only 46 doubles.

When this club hits for extra bases, they win ball games. When they don’t, well, they don’t. That Mets series they won? They seriously out homered the competition. So as long as these guys figure out how to hit for extra bases they’ll find themselves in it to win it every game.

Am I disappointed that last night wasn’t a win? Absolutely. Do I think this is a team that can’t win ball games? Absolutely not.

Yep, one out of three….but what would that have been last season?

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

A note from Terri: if you sit near Greis at a game, you will know at all times who her favorite Astro is and where he is on the field, in the dugout and in the lineup. And if you let her near your daughter, she will convince your daughter to join in. But never fear, she’s no cleat-chasing fangirl….this chick knows good baseball. Consider yourselves warned! 

Recently, while talking to a friend about something sports related, he said, “Wow, you really do know your sports!”. My initial thought was “Do you know nothing about me at all?”, because obviously, and then I died a little because HELL YEAH I DO!! I was raised right, yo!

I’m a sports fanatic. I take pride in my sports love. It’s one of those pieces of me that will never change, but don’t worry, we can still be friends if you don’t like sports. However, I can’t date you if you’re a fan of the Baby Bears, the Red Birds or that NY team…I do have standards.

When it comes to my favorite teams (Astros, Texans, Longhorns)  I’m as loyal a fan as you’ll ever meet. I root for them in the best of times and I’m still there cheering in the worst of times. I live in Houston, let’s be honest, there have been a LOT of bad sports times here.

My first true (sports) love is baseball. I haven’t missed an opening day in over 20 years and most seasons I make it to more than 60% of the home games (there are 81 total). Minute Maid Park is one of my “happy places”. It’s where I feel most content and stress-free, unless the Astros are in play-off contention and then I’m a big ball of nerves. I go watch the game and forget about life for a few hours. It truly is one of the few things that makes me really happy!

As a fan you become connected to the players. You grab hold of one or two that you deem your “favorite” and you hope that he sticks around for a very long time. Sometimes your favorite will stick around forever (Craig Biggio) and other times (Lance Berkman) you’ll find yourself crying in the middle of Target (true story) as the news that he’s been traded makes its way to you.

The Astros are in a re-building stage right now. They are a “young” team, of relatively unknown players, that is still trying to find its groove. They’ve been a whole lot of fun to watch, just one month into the season, already exceeding a lot of people’s really low expectations for them. At the start of the season, last month, I was content to not have a “favorite” player. I was ready to take on all the new faces and cheer for them all equally.

My root for everyone equally mindset lasted all of one week, because that’s when I found my new “favorite” player, or as I like to call him on Twitter, #MyBaseballBoyfriend. His name is Travis Buck and I think I may have a slight obsession with him now. I was immediately drawn to his smile and his good looks, but as I’ve watched him play more intently I’ve fallen in love with Travis Buck the baseball player.

Travis is not just a pretty face. As a pinch hitter off the bench he’s contributed his fair share this season, hitting .714 in those 7 PH at bats. His overall BA is a respectable .297 and he’s a reliable outfielder whenever anyone needs a day off.

And then this happened…

and I fell in LOVE with him even more.

I’ve met a lot of ball players in my 33 years. Only a few have made me nervous. Travis can now be added to that list. You can’t tell from the picture but I felt like a giddy 13 year-old, racing heart and shaky hands included. I can only assume it’s the same way I’ll fee, times 100, if/when I ever meet Justin Timberlake.

Mark my words, Travis Buck will be a household name in Houston by seasons end, and I just hope that he always remembers the fan who loved him FIRST!

Greis Perez (AmazingGreis), pronounced Grace, is a lifelong Astros fan and contributor for Aerys Sports. You can email her at amazing_greis@yahoo.com, or follow her on Twitter, @AmazingGreis, where she professes her undying love for Travis Buck (#MyBaseballBoyfriend), Justin Timberlake and all things sparkly!

Last night I walked into Minute Maid Park to watch the first of three games between the Astros and the Cardinals excited, but nervous. There’s the deep seated rivalry that makes me yearn for a win when the red birds are the opposing team, but there was also the great desire for this Astros team to earn a little respect.

Prior to first pitch, I said to my friends sitting with me, “If we can just get through this game without embarrassing ourselves against Lohse on the mound, I’ll consider it a success.”

Turns out, even I was selling this Astros team a bit short.

In a  game full of ups and downs, home runs and errors, Jose Altuve stood out as the leader and superstar. Many will say that he won the game with his game saving double play. Many a second baseman would have just caught that ball, but not Altuve. He let it drop. Yes, let it. By letting that ball hit the ground he set up and executed the double play that set up Brett Myers to get one strike out to finish off their long time rivals.

The Astros won 5-4 and I screamed like I haven’t screamed at an Astros game in year.

Today Bud Norris takes the mound in an attempt to lead this club to their second series win in a row and a most meaningful series win against this long time rival. The Astros keep proving they have all the pieces they need to get it done, including a very intuitive infielder named Jose Altuve.

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

Most of the city has tuned out on the Astros this season. They are still licking their wounds from 2011 and weren’t ready to put their full heart into the team this year. Well, if you are part of that group, it’s time to tune in. While you weren’t paying attention, the Astros have gotten themselves off to a decent start.

I think what I love about Houston baseball so far this season is that it’s been impossible to predict what these Astros will do. One day I have them pegged as completely unable to hit for power and then the next….well, they’re out homering the Mets 5-0 to sweep a series. At least we can’t say they’re boring!

When 2012 kicked off its season, I said the Astros wouldn’t be dead last in the NL Central. I felt certain that the Cubs or maybe the Pirates would implode and the little team that could from H-town would sail past them.

I was wrong.

I know it’s only May 3rd, but that “little team that could?” They’re now tied for 3rd in the NL Central behind only the Cardinals and the Reds. Who would’ve guessed? I suppose Jeff Luhnow. He said early on that he thought this ball club had enough talent to win a decent amount of ball games. Looks like the hashtag #inluhnowwetrust will become a regular on twitter.

It’s only May, but this group of guys is demanding the city pay attention. The Astros, 25 games in to a 162 game season are 11-14 and seem to be gaining ground.

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

If your Monday is feeling a bit drab, I have just the cure. Take another peek at the Houston Astro’s Jordan Schafer as he hits his 2nd homer of the year and his first career Grand Slam during yesterday’s game against the Dodgers.

Click it....you know you want to see it again.

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

Last season I bitched and moaned on and on all season long about how the Houston Astros pitching just plain stunk. Even when the offense managed to get something going and put runs on the board, the pitchers, starting and bullpen alike, just seemed to give away ballgames. I swore that if the team had good pitching, they could win ballgames.

Fast forward to present day and what do we find? We find that the pitching for the Astros has vastly improved. It’s not the best pitching in baseball, but it’s better than mediocre and it’s leaps and bounds above what lost them 106 games last year. So why are we suffering through watching loss after loss lately? Lack of run support.

The Astros have routinely been unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In addition, as @AstrosCounty keeps pointing out on twitter, the Astros haven’t hit one out of the park in 328 plate appearances. Sigh. Depressing, isn’t it? It’s as if once this team gets one thing going, the others fall apart.

I don’t think fans should lose hope yet. It’s still pretty darn early in the season and there’s a LOT of baseball left to play. And you have to admit, with the vast majority of losses being by only one run – this team is a hell of a lot of fun to watch. They’re “in” every game.

They’ve always got a shot….well, except last night when they hung poor Kyle Weiland out to dry. I  mean, Weiland pitched a great start (until that Matt Kemp homer) and he went longer than he ever has before, and what did his team do to thank him? Oh yeah, they stranded the bases all loaded up and primed to put them back in the game. That is a hard thing to watch.

Are they great? Hell no. Are they better? Absolutely. Will the season see more ups than downs? Yep, I think so.

Perhaps it’s time to sacrifice a live chicken to Jobu….or at least make a quick run to KFC for a full bucket.  Wait….has someone been drinking Jobu’s rum? “Hey bartender! Jobu needs a refill!”

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.