Nestled in the middle of the pack sit your Houston Astros in Fox Sports' first power rankings poll of the 2009 season. 16th overall, 8th in the NL, 3rd in the NL Central.
Here's their capsule:
Houston needed to improve its rotation. If you call taking shots on Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton an improvement, then you have to love the Astros' offseason. The offense remains stout, though.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith