Not-So-Killer B: Lance Berkman's Slow Start Mirrors Houston Astros' First Month

We all understand that the Astros weren't supposed to add up to much this year. That's a dead horse that I don't need to beat anymore. But what has been a surprise through the first month of this season has been Lance Berkman's extremely poor start.

Berkman is hitting just .184, and his lack of consistency at the plate is surely something to point a finger at when talking about the Astros' losses.

Although his batting average is down, the power numbers are still there. Seven of his nineteen total hits have been home runs, and his 16 RBI is above the league average for first basemen.

But this is not the Lance Berkman we all know and love. Last year, Berkman hit .303 in April with eight home runs and 25 RBI. Lance is a career .272 hitter in the month of April, with 48 home runs and 138 RBI.

Maybe his slow start is nothing to worry about. Many great players have had a rough first month (David Ortiz .220/0 HR/14 RBI, Derrek Lee .209/3/15). Given the Astros' history, a screaming-hot July and August may be in the future for Berkman and the team.

The rest of the Astros' lineup hasn't exactly picked up the slack, either. As a team, the Astros are hitting .254, with Hunter Pence leading the pack at .315. Pence is obviously doing his part, ranking in the top three on the team in batting average, home runs, and RBI.

However, a bright spot in the Astros' lineup is in newcomer Jeff Keppinger. In only 42 at-bats, Keppinger is hitting .333 with an OPS of .976. Manager Cecil Cooper gives Keppinger the majority of his at bats against left-handed pitching, leaving him with only 16 games played.

On the other side of the ball, the Astros will need Roy Oswalt to come around if they intend to stay in the race for the NL Central. Oswalt, a 17-game winner last season, is without a win going into his eighth start of the year. He also has a streak of five no-decisions, dating back to April 17 against Cincinnati.

Wandy Rodriguez has been the anchor of this somewhat pieced-together pitching staff, leading the team with three wins and a greedy 1.80 ERA. He has developed nicely into the Astros' No. 2 starter and should continue to dominate at home as usual.

If the Astros stay true to form, they will gather a sub -500 record before the All-Star break and make a run at the Wild Card in the last month of the season.

Until then, dig in for the long haul, Astros fans, and pray that April won't be an indicator for the rest of the season.