Bogusevic Makes Debut

The Astro’s 2005 first round pick has finally made his major league debut. However, not in the way Houston’s brass would have imagined. Brian Bogusevice was drafted 24th overall in 2005 out of Tulane as a pitcher but halfway through 2008, converted to playing the outfield. Just two years later, he’s in Houston. Today, thanks to the September 1st expanded rosters, Bogusevic made his debut and helped Houston finish off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Bogusevic pinch hit, stole a base and scored a run. Just yesterday I named Bogusevic as the Astro’s potential call-up I most wanted to see in the majors. You can read that post here.

In the series against St. Louis, Houston outscored their division rivals 11-2. The Astros have now won 8 of their last 10 games. Most of that is due to catching the Phillies and Cardinals at the right time. However, Houston’s pitching has to be given some credit. In those ten games, they’ve given up just 1.7 runs per game. 1.7! And if you didn’t know, Roy Oswalt is no longer an Astro. Catching the Phillies and Cardinals at the right time is one thing but those are still two of the more talented offenses in the National League and the Astros have made them look completely helpless.

Of the Astros remaining 29 games, only 9 are against teams above .500. 6 of those are against the division leading Reds and the other 3 are against the 68-66 Manny-less Dodgers. If Houston can keep up their brilliant pitching and finish the year playing as well as they have, they could flirt with 80 wins. If they finish out 18-11 they’ll end the year 80-82. 19 wins and they’re a .500 club. And nobody. Nobody saw that coming.