22 Games in, Astros struggling

I went to the Astros-Brewers game last night. Got some great seats thanks to some connections. Sadly, the game itself wasn't as good as my seats. The Astros managed to drop their 7th in a row, and managment began to make changes immediately after the game had ended; Top hitting prospect Hunter Pence was coming up for Saturday's game and immediately inserted into the starting lineup, in lieu of Chris Burke's demotion.

I don't think that Pence will single handedly change the Astros season; that's not a fair assumption to levy on a 24 year old who will be seeing his first major league action. I do think, however, this is a step in the right direction. Too long it seems these past few years the Astros have stood pat and awaited for some miracle second-half surge to propel them to the postseason. It'd be a novel idea to actually win some games in the first half of the season, might make the push for the postseason somewhat easier.

I may not agree with all of Phil Garners' decisions (Leaving in Oswalt after he was clearly gassed in the top of the 7th; removing Lidge after 4 pitches) nor Tim Purpura's GM moves, but they are probably in those positions because they've had some success. Still, thanks to the World Wide Web, I can add my $.02 into the discussion as to turn around this team.

- I'd start by getting Mark Loretta and Mike Lamb into the starting lineup somehow, someway. They, along with Carlos Lee, have been the Astros bright spots as far as offense has gone this season.
- If you wanted a big stir in the status quo (something I think this team needs), I'd bench Berkman a game and place Lamb in his steed.
- A less extreme option would be to bench Ensberg and place either Lamb or Loretta in as the 3rd baseman.

This team seriously needs a shakeup; not necessarily a massive, season long shakeup, but something for a few games to insure these guys they just can't hit below .250 and expect a starting job everyday. Benching guys for a few games often lights a fire under them, something the Astros need, which is what the front office is trying to do with this move with Pence.

-Not sure what they Astros should do with their lineup, honestly. Burke, who was just reduced to a utilty role, had the best OBP out of the guys I would put at the top of the lineup. Can't even speculate at this point.