This is the first in a non-probable series about the Stros, looking at what’s going right and what’s going wrong. Since it’s only the first four games of the season, the usual small sample size caveats apply.

Rights:

1. The relief pitching. Well, Oscar Villareal and Geoff Geary, at least. But, it’s also kind of on the “Wrongs” side as, in the first four games, they have combined for 6 IP. It’s improbable to expect that Geary throws 81 effective innings, and over-use is what got Villareal hurt the first time around, and he’s on a pace for 162 IP. Again, the usual small sample size blah blah blah applies, but one of my biggest fears is that Coop over-relies on Villareal and somebody else (in this case, Geary), and they wind up getting hurt. But, if I were Coop, I’d be scared to hand the ball to Molotov Borkowski and Scuffy Moehler , as well, so I don’t know what the answer is except for whiplash treatment.

2. Lance Berkman. Mentioned a couple of times already, but the fact he’s hitting for power early has to be a huge confidence boost and a sign he’ll eclipse is PECOTA projected OPS of .900.

3. Micheal Bourn. Hopefully, I didn’t jinx the poor guy, but I like that he’s drawing walks.

4. The fielding. No errors? Seriously? Is there a problem with the stat feed? No?

Wrongs:

1. The pitching outside of Shawn Chacon, Oscar, and Geoff. The Mets got to play the Marlins, so they kinda don’t count. But which team has the second highest OPS heading into the weekend series? The Padres. Their home park didn’t suppress their numbers one bit. That the Stros wound up with a team ERA of 4.09 is more a matter of luck than effective pitching (the Padres lead the league with 37 LOB), and when you consider that our team ERA in 2007 was 4.68, there’s some additional regressing to do.

2. The hitting outside of Lance. Obviously, we can expect some regression toward a decent offensive squad, and the Pads have some tough pitchers, but the first series was a serious disappointment.

Facing Jake Peavy at San Diego was a tough way to start the season, but we struggled against a pretty marginal offense, which is disturbing.

We open against the Cubs today (in about 20 minutes, in fact). Chris Sampson goes against Rich Hill today, Roy faces Jason Marquis (stifles snicker) on Saturday, and the finale sees Brandon Backe dual with Carlos Zambrano, who is still the only pitcher I’ve heard of get injured while wanking.