St. Louis Cardinals
 After winning just 62 games in 1995, the Cardinals captured their first National
league Central Division title in 1996. While many teams made changes to their
rosters throughout the off-season, the Cardinals lineup remained almost
identical. So, it is not surprising that the leadership of manager Tony Larussa,
is expected to lead the Cardinals to a repeat of their division title.
The Cardinals have the most solid-four man rotation in the National League. Andy
Benes, Alan Benes, Todd Stottlemyre and Donovan Osborne each won at least 13
games last season and come back even stronger and more experienced following
playoff victories against the Padres and Braves. And, looking to fill the fifth
spot will be Danny Jackson, who without injury and illness would not have lost
his number one spot in the rotation. The Cardinals Bullpen, with the addition of
left-handed middle reliever Lance Painter becomes even stronger now that it can
rely on Rick Honeycutt and Tony Fossas for short relief. And, veteran closer
Dennis Eckersley, in his last big league season, will look to lead this team
towards a title.
In addition to strong pitching, the Cardinals have the fastest team in the
National League. Delino DeShields and Royce Clayton, each good for at least 30
stolen bases will be joined in the infield by veteran Gary Gaetti, who shows
little sign of slowing down and was the team's most consistent hitter in 1996.
And, outfielders Ron Gant, Ray Lankford, and Brian Jordan are all potential
members of the 30/30 club.
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Houston Astros
The Astros suffered one of the most visible late-season collapses in recent
memory. After leading their division by two and a half games in late august, the
Astros lost twelve road games in a row and finished behind the Cardinals... out
of the playoffs. So, during the off-season General Manager Gerry Hunsicker made
some major changes, including a 10 player deal with Detroit that brought some
fresh faces to the struggling pitching staff.
The big move from the mound was the off-loading of high salaried disappointment
Doug Drabek. Instead, Daryl Kile and Mike Hampton, who combined for 38 victories
last season will team with Shane Reynolds and Sid Fernandez to lead the Astros
from the mound. In the bullpen, there is a fight between John Hudek, an all-star
in 1994, and sophomore star Billy Wagner, for closer. Either way, the Astros
have a strong closer -- and possibly even a talented fifth starter.
Unfortunately, the Astros lack strong middle relief and will have keep their
fingers crossed every time Jose Lima, Ramon Garcia, Donne Wall or Chris Holt
takes the mound.
Offensively, the Astros are still led by all-star infielders Jeff Bagwell and
Craig Biggio. And, the addition of 1992 Rookie of the Year Pat Listach should
give some welcome relief to Bagwell and Biggio who tired near the end of last
season after playing in every single game during the season (as they had in 1992
as well). Luis Gonzalez and Bob Abreu, have been added to the Astros outfield in
hopes of providing some pop to the lineup. And, despite hitting a disappointing
.263 last season, Derek Bell is ready to lead this team to the playoffs.
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Bayou City
