2007 Astros Projected Lineup

2007 Houston Astros

Batting Order

1. 2B Craig Biggio
2. CF Chris Burke
3. 1B Lance Berkman
4. LF Carlos Lee
5. 3B Morgan Ensberg
6. RF Luke Scott/Jason Lane
7. SS Adam Everett
8. C Brad Ausmus


Berkman is coming off a 45-homer, 136-RBI season, and there's no reason to believe he won't get the same numbers now that Lee is there to protect him. Ensberg must bounce back after a shoulder injury started his steep decline a year after making his first All-Star appearance. Burke may leadoff, moving Biggio to the No.2. Biggio may lose some at-bats to Mark Loretta. Top prospect Hunter Pence isn't getting penciled in yet, but he's a threat to both Burke and Scott. Scott will also have to hold off Jason Lane in Spring Training. Burke, who entered the spring as nearly a sure thing to start, is just 2-for-27 after 10 games.

Rotation

1. Roy Oswalt
2. Jason Jennings
3. Woody Williams

4th & 5th spot battles:

There are huge questions toward the bottom of the rotation that have to be sorted out this spring. The candidates for the final two spots in the rotation are Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson, Fernando Nieve, Brian Moehler, Dave Borkowski, Matt Albers and Ezequiel Astacio. Rodriguez and Sampson are the favorites.

Closer: Brad Lidge