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With Kaz Matsui starting the season on the disabled list, Mark Loretta has become more valuable for the Astros.
Loretta a good bet to start for Astros with utility, ability
If 13 seasons in the major leagues have taught Astros utility infielder Mark Loretta anything, it's to expect the unexpected. No wonder the guy carries three different gloves in his travel bag. READ STORY
Yankees' Pettitte set for minor-league start Sunday
Astros send Abercrombie, Paronto to Class AAA
AROUND THE AL CAMPS: Beckett excels in minor-league test
AROUND THE NL CAMPS: Smoltz throws with no problems
ASTROS NOTES: Cruz Jr. aims to make roster
NL West Preview: Diamondbacks banking on pitching
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Chronicle Columnist
ASTROS
 Richard Justice
STAFF BLOGS
SPORTSJUSTICE
 Richard Justice
What if Purpura was right about Jason Jennings?
Don't blame me, I'm just the piano player. Jason Jennings has had a tremendous spring for the Rangers and seems ready to put his career back on track. He might end up being the 200-inning pitcher that former GM...
TAG'S BASEBALL PLAYS
 Brian McTaggart
Opening day in Japan? Give me a break
There are few things more American than baseball. It's weaved into our culture. It's about grandfathers telling stories of listening to games on tiny radios, about fathers taking sons to their first games and it's about the President throwing out...
ASTROS/MLB
 Joseph Duarte
Spring cleaning: Remaining roster decisions
The Astros have a few remaining roster decisions that need to be decided in advance of Monday's season opener: Chris Sampson 1. Final rotation spot: Woody Williams or Chris Sampson? My pick: Sampson. It has come down to one...
ASTROS/MLB
 Jose de Jesus Ortiz
I'm on assignment with a special task force
I've been promoted to a special task force. We'll meet Wednesday to figure out what the agenda is, so I cannot tell you when or if I'll be back in camp. Heck, I don't even know what the duties are...
THE UNOFFICIAL SCORER
 Zachary Levine
MLB outlook: Baseball Prospectus vs. Vegas
As someone not too familiar with the world of online gambling and someone who will never get back the time spent this offseason unsuccessfully searching, I was delighted to find the MLB over/unders show up on the wire today. These...
FAN BLOGGERS
ASTROS/MLB
 Fan blogger Chip Bailey
Astros win the NL Central and other predictions
AMERICAN LEAGUENATIONAL LEAGUE Eastern Division New York New York Boston Atlanta Toronto Philadelphia Tampa Bay Florida Baltimore Washington Central Division DetroitHouston ClevelandChicago Kansas CityMilwaukee ChicagoCincinnati MinnesotaSt. Louis Pittsburgh Western Division Los AngelesColorado SeattleLos Angeles TexasArizona OaklandSan Diego San Francisco...

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TIMELINE
Follow the Astros in '08
CHRONICLE GALLERIES
LISTEN

Exhibition
• Live blog coverage

rant & rave
What are the Astros' keys to the season in 2008?
BY THE NUMBERS
1:05 p.m. Starting time on Saturday for FanFest at Minute Maid Park.
$20 Cost for most of Saturday's autograph sessions with players.
$50 Cost of Craig Biggio's autograph session.
July 11 Date of the Astros' first trip to new Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
5 Consecutive opening-day starts for Roy Oswalt. No. 6 comes on Monday.
• Final MLB standings
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ASTROS LEADERS IN 2007
baseball.JPG
Avg. (Min. 3.1 PA per team game)
1. C. Lee
 .303
2. M. Loretta .287
3. L. Berkman .278
HRs
1. L. Berkman
 34
2. C. Lee 32
3. L. Scott 18
RBIs
1. C. Lee
 119
2. L. Berkman 102
3. H. Pence 69
baseball.JPG
ERA (Min. 1 IP per team game)
1. R. Oswalt
 3.18
2. W. Rodriguez 4.58
3. W. Williams 5.27
WINS
1. R. Oswalt
14
2. W. Rodriguez 9
2. W. Williams 8
STRIKEOUTS
1. W. Rodriguez
 158
2. R. Oswalt 154
3. W. Williams 101
MLB TEAMS:
MLB scores | Standings | Injuries | Transactions
ASTROS IN MINOR LEAGUES
NEWS FROM MILB.COM
D-backs, Rangers swap right-handers
Nixon accepts Triple-A assignment
Oakland banking future on youth movement
IronPigs built for the long haul
Pignatiello, Marshall up for final Cubs spot
Angels stress consistency, versatility
Padres acquire Huber from Royals
Rangers option Loe to Minors
Texas sends Saltalamacchia to Triple-A
Velez on Giants' fast track to Majors
El Latigo left legacy in a career cut short
Marlins option McPherson to Triple-A
Cubs boast great depth at third, catcher
Mariners send Balentien to Triple-A
Badenhop, Andino demoted to Minors
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