Solid outings by Oswalt and Pettitte the last two games (both wins). I'd still like to see Pettitte wait and start the 4th or 5th game of the season, but I doubt it'll happen. Luke Scott is still the big offensive star; here are his numbers this spring, before today's game (when he went 2-for-2):

26 AB
6 H
3 2B
3 HR
8 RBI
.423 AVG
.885 SLG

I'm beating a dead horse here, but Scott MUST MAKE THE TEAM, at the least while Berkman is hurt.

Richard Justice was on KTRH the other day, and he still believes the Astros will acquire a 'big' bat, possibly (again) Mike Cameron. Chris Burke isn't getting any playing time at 2B; I think it's likely Biggio will start there all year, demoting Burke to backup IF, where the presence of Proven Veteran might even push Burke back to AAA. Much as I like Burke, he needs to play now, so I'd rather trade him than have him spend another year at AAA; I think Brooks Conrad will probably be ready next year anyway. I wonder if we could find a different A's team to try and make a 3-way trade with; the Mets reportedly need a corner OF to replace Cameron. Wily Mo Pena of the Reds? Termel Sledge of the Nats? Raul Ibanez of the Mariners? With Cameron signed for two more years, an OF of Lane / Cameron / Berkman wouldn't be too bad; this would push Scott and Taveras to their rightful places as backup OF's, and an IF (this year) of Ensberg / Everett / Biggio / Bagwell, with Conrad coming up soon. Here's the thing about Burke - he's 25, and he had never displayed power like last year. I think last year may have been a touch fluky. I still want him on my team, but if he doesn't start this year, he might just be blocking Conrad next year, and we probably coudn't get the same value for him in a trade than if we traded him NOW. Just a thought.