Cleveland Indians Series Preview: Houston Astros, September 19-September 22

We haven't seen the Astros since mid-April when Brett Myers was still in the rotation. This critical four game set is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at 7:05 PM, Saturday at 6:05 PM start times and a matinee on Sunday at 1:05 PM. After the game, they get their final day off of the season before the White Sox arrive for a two game quickie.

Scoreboard Watch: Orioles at Rays, Rangers at Royal, Giants at Yankees, [White Sox at Tigers, Blue Jays at Red Sox, Twins at A's]

Team in a Box

*all stats except records are through Tuesday/s results.

As noted in my first preview for the Astros, the goal this year was to win 63 games, or avoid 100 losses. That obviously will not occur. Now the goal must be to avoid 110 losses which will require just 2 more wins this season. With ten games to go that should be attainable, as long as it isn't against us. But looking at the numbers above, you can see why they have lost two-thirds of their games. They don't get on base and pitch pretty horrifically. They also are second to last in fielding and have the second most errors. They have also used 51 different players this season.

Projected Lineup

If Trevor Crowe is your #3 hitter, something has gone wrong. Villar has been decent so far. Altuve might be the one guy who sticks around for the next five seasons. Wallace, Dominguez and Carter all have former top prospect pedigrees, but have yet to click. Dominguez is the youngest and therefore should have the best chance to stick. The rest of the bench is slim pickings as well: J.D. Martinez (83 OPS+), L.J. Hoes (92), Brandon Laird (86), Jimmy Paredes (40), Jake Elmore (82), Marwin Gonzalez (59), Cody Clark (31 PA) and Matt Pagnozzi (7 PA).

Projected Starters

Another series where we get three lefties. The Astros are currently using a six man rotation. We miss righties Brad Peacock (77 ERA+) and Lucas Harrell (69). Keuchel is the Astros' seventh round pick from 2009 who relieved in the first inning of the 19-6 laugher on April 20. He gave up seven runs (three earned) in just 2.2 innings. He has been in the rotation since May. Over his last five starts, he has a 6.00 ERA, 1.778 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. Oberholtzer was an eighth rounder by the Braves in 2008 and came over in the July 2011 trade for our very own Michael Bourn. He made his debut against the Indians on April 21 in relief. He pitched two innings, giving up three hits, two of them solo shots by Santana and Stubbs. Since he joined their rotation on July 31, he has a 2.38 ERA, 1.038 WHIP and 5.9 K/9. Clemens was a seventh round pick by the Braves in 2008 that also arrived in the Bourn deal. He debuted on April 9 this year. He pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in the 19-6 blowout. He joined the rotation on August 27 and in three starts and has a 3.24 ERA, 1.380 WHIP and 2.2 K/9. Bedard only pitched four innings in that April 21 game as he was on a pitch count. He allowed two runs, two hits, two walks and had eight strikeouts. In his last five starts he has a 5.65 ERA, 1.744 WHIP and 5.7 K/9.

Key Relievers

I pulled these three from the Astros MLB depth chart. Hopefully that is accurate, because each has struggled, albeit in fairly small sample sizes. Fields is a former first round pick by the Mariners in 2008. He made his debut this April but did not pitch in our earlier series. Since his first save on August 5, he has a 5.02 ERA, 0.977 WHIP and 10.0 K/9. Lo was signed as an amateur free agent prior to the 2009 season. He opened the season with the Tri-City ValleyCats (Troy, NY-New York-Penn League A-) and skipped AAA with only 17 minor league appearances this year. He made his debut on July 31. Most of the damage to his numbers was the September 2 outing against the Twins where they tagged him for four runs. Zeid is a former tenth round pick by the Phillies in 2009 who came over in the Hunter Pence trade. He made his debut on July 30. Other bullpen options include former starter Jordan Lyles (76 ERA+), Rhiner Cruz (121), Philip Humber (52), Kevin Chapman (15.2 IP), David Martinez (8.1 IP) and Jorge De Leon (5.2 IP),

On the Shelf

• C Jason Castro (right knee cyst) - 15-day DL, out for season
• CF Robbie Grossman (strained right oblique) - 15-day DL, no timetable for return
• C Max Stassi (concussion) - 15-day DL, could be activated Sept 20
• P Alex White (right elbow-Tommy John) - 60-day DL, out for season

Castro was probably their best hitter before going down. Former Tribesman White has missed all of this season.

Almanac

*Does not include 2013 stats