-Four games into Spring Training and the Astros sit at 2-2. They got shelled the first two games allowing 26 runs, but regrouped and allowed only three in the last two wins. It's too early to makes any judgments based on four games, but there are a few things worth noting.

No pitcher has pitched over 2 innings so there's nothing to worry about. Or is there? Brad Lidge gave up four earned runs in his spring debut. Plenty of people will have bad outings, but Lidge's will be magnified. He rebounded yesterday with a perfect inning so maybe that is a better indication of what's to come.

Anyone reading the box scores has probably noticed that Richard Hidalgo is hitless in nine at bats and Jason Lane is 4-for-11 with a couple of home runs. Again, too soon to make note of anything, but when you can't watch it on TV you have to become the typical baseball fan and start throwing numbers around.

Carlos Lee is already making some noise so that's good to hear. Craig Biggio is getting treated to the DH spot and top prospect Hunter Pence is on fire. He already has two doubles, a home run and four RBIs in eight at bats. I guess he did not take too kindly to the assumption that he would start the year off in Round Rock.

I can't offer much more than analysis of the numbers and ESPN highlights, but for what it's worth I'd rather be down in Florida providing more in-depth coverage than sitting here in Huntsville, Texas.

-Jake Plummer traded then retired? Or Jake Plummer retired then traded? Whatever the case is, it looks like he will not be the answer to the Texans' quarterback issues. Jeff Garcia signed with Tampa Bay and odds are that neither of the top two quarterbacks in the draft will fall to Houston with the eighth pick.

There is not much left out there unless a trade is made and other than the eighth pick the Texans don't have much of value to other teams. None of the top offensive linemen were signed by the Texans, but that really was not possible with their cap situation and the inflated contracts guys like Leonard Davis received.

Unless the draft brings the Texans about five Rookie of the Year candidates then bring on another top 10 draft selection in 2008.

Don't blame Coach Kubiak or General Manager Rick Smith though. It isn't their fault that we are still paying Robaire Smith, Tood Wade and Gary Walker, all of whom no longer play for us. It's also not their fault that we currently pay people like Jason Babin and Travis Johnson more than the league minimum.

These guys have a long road ahead of them and I like what they have done other than the whole Mario Williams selection, but that's a done deal and nothing can change it. Besides, if Williams develops QUICKLY into what he should then the Williams/DeMeco Ryans tandem could be a lethal one for years to come.

-Yao Ming is set to return to the Rockets lineup tonight. So yeah I'm sorry I have not even mentioned the Rockets since I started this blog and the most exciting Houston sports news since then has been the outstanding play of the Rockets without the "Great Wall of China."

The Rockets went an incredible 21-11 in the games Yao missed with a fractured right tibia. Tracy McGrady shouldered the load and played at as high of a level as anyone in the league during that time. Other players stepped up and made key contributions like Shane Battier, Rafer Alston and the ageless Dikembe Mutumbo.

The Rockets 36-23, third place in the Southwest Division and fifth in the Western Conference, square up against LeBron James and Cleveland tonight.

Learn more about this author, Joey Buchta.
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