Astros Weekend Links

It’s Super Sunday. While you wait for “the big game” to get underway, pass some time with these great Astros articles from around the web.

What the Heck, Bobby?

"Luhnow briefly discussed the success of the tandem rotation in keeping young arms healthy by carefully managing their innings early in the season and cited Jake Buchanan’s fine 2013 campaign as one of the true success stories of using the tandem."

Sports Illustrated

"It may be surprising that Berkman doesn’t at least meet the standard on peak score, but the combination of the offense-heavy era in which he played, the Astros’ move to the hitter-friendly Enron-cum-Minute Maid Park in 2000, and some brutal fielding scores undercut those impressive statistics above. That, in combination with his short career, make the Hall seem like a longshot for Berkman, though he may get some extra points from the voters for his postseason performance, being a switch-hitter, and for his personality and honesty with the press."

Astros Turf

"It is reasonable to see Jordan as a long man out of the pin who you bring in to get ground balls, or maybe even a number 5 starter.  I can see Jordan possibly making the jump to AA as a bullpen guy or starting at HiA with a mid-season promotion as a starter.  I imagine with all the rotation talent Houston has in it’s farm, that Jordan will probably be used as a bullpen guy as he progresses."

ESPN

"The designation, mostly honorary, means any effort to revamp the stadium can be eligible for federal and state tax credits as well as other economic incentives, said Paul Lusignan, a historian with the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C. But the designation doesn’t place any rules on what Harris County, which owns the stadium, can do with the facility."

Ultimate Astros

"Ryan turned 67 on Friday. When he retired from the Rangers in October, he said he would not become a team’s CEO again. Taking a job that isn’t as demanding as his previous one seems something he himself may want, even though he’d give the Astros everything he has."

Larry Brown Sports

"But if he can throw 90+ mph and has different pitches, then McGrady might legitimately have the goods to compete. We sure would love to seem him try."

House of Houston

"Oberholtzer is coming off a tremendous 2013 campaign. He ended the year making 13 appearances (10 starts) while posting a 2.76 ERA and punching out 45 batters. He shined in his first two big league starts, as he pitched seven shutout innings against the Orioles in Baltimore and the Red Sox."