The Numbers
	2002 record: 84-78, .519 (12th overall) Runs scored: 749, 5th in NL Runs allowed: 695, 6th in NL Run differential: +54 (13th overall) Starters' ERA: 4.12, 8th in NL Bullpen ERA: 3.81, 8th in NL Payroll (Opening Day): $63.4 million (14th overall) Attendance: 2.51 million (14th overall) 3-year record: 249-237, .512 (14th overall)

2002 in review
What went right?
Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller proved to be as good as any 1-2 combination in the game this side of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. Oswalt (19-9, 3.01 ERA) and Miller (15-4, 3.28) combined to go 34-13, while putting together nine and 12-game winning streaks, respectively. Lance Berkman continued to develop into one of the premier hitters in baseball, finishing third in the MVP voting behind Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols. Berkman ranked among the NL's best in almost every offensive category, including third in home runs (42), first in RBI (128), sixth in runs scored (106), fourth in walks (107), ninth in OBP (.405) and sixth in slugging (.578). Octavio Dotel staked his claim as arguably the best setup man in the game. The right-hander appeared in a career-high 83 games, throwing 97.1 innings and allowing only 58 hits with a walk to strikeout ratio of 27/118.

What went wrong?
Injuries to the starting pitching took its toll early. Veteran Shane Reynolds underwent season-ending back surgery in June. Dave Mlicki missed two months with a pulled muscle in his left side. Promising lefty Carlos Hernandez struggled to stay in the rotation with shoulder problems, and Miller was also sidelined almost two months with a pinched nerve in his neck. The pitching injuries contributed to the team's slow start (41-45 at the All-Star break), which it never recovered from. Third-base prospect Morgan Ensberg and shortstop Adam Everett struggled offensively and eventually lost their starting jobs. Outfielders Richard Hidalgo (.235, 15 HR, 48 RBI) and Daryle Ward (276, 12 HR, 72 RBI) failed to live up to expectations at the plate.

In retrospect, the critical decisions were:
1. Deciding Ward is a full-time player. The Astros knew he'd be a liability in the field, but they expected far more power at the plate than Ward provided. He hit 20 home runs in 264 at-bats in 2000 and followed that up with nine home runs in 213 at-bats in 2001. The organization felt those numbers would increase with more playing time, but in his first year as a full-time player, that did not happen.

2. Signing Hidalgo to a fat contract. He's due $22 million over the next two years, including $8 million in 2003, $12 million in 2004 and a $2 million buyout if a $15 million option isn't picked up in 2005. Hidalgo has struggled to produce numbers worthy of that contract the last two years, which has put a strain on owner Drayton McLane's financial budget.

3. Hiring Jimy Williams. In addition to juggling the lineup constantly, Williams relied heavily on his bullpen and yanked starters with low pitch counts in favor of the bullpen. According to the players, his managerial style took half the season to get used to and that might have also contributed to the team's struggles in the first half.

Looking ahead to 2003
Three key questions

	Craig Biggio Left fielder Houston Astros Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM AB R SB RBI AVG 145 577 96 16 58 .253

1. Can Craig Biggio adjust to the outfield? He's always been a team player and will not be a cancer in the clubhouse with the addition of Jeff Kent. When he made the move from catcher to second base, Biggio's best offensive seasons were still ahead of him. That's not the case any longer. He was bothered by various injuries throughout last season and at 37-years-old isn't getting any younger.

2. Miller, Oswalt and pray for rain? The Astros desperately need to develop depth in the starting rotation and a lot of it will depend on the health of certain pitchers. With Reynolds coming off back surgery and lingering questions about Carlos Hernandez's shoulder, prospects Kirk Saarloos and Tim Redding will likely be asked to contribute once again, but both have had success and failures at the major-league level. Peter Munro (5-5, 3.57 ERA) did an admirable job in 2002, but can he maintain it for a full season?

3. Prospects-R-Us. The Astros' minor-league system has provided plenty of pitching help lately, but besides Berkman, the position players have yet to match the arms in success in the majors. Ensberg and Everett will again be given a chance in spring training to grab and keep starting spots on the left side of the infield. In addition, outfielder Jason Lane, a top hitter in the team's minor-league system, could warrant playing time if the Astros trade Ward or if Biggio falters in the outfield.

Can expect to play better
Hernandez. During the course of the last two seasons, the lefty has displayed signs of brilliance on the mound. That, of course, has only been the case when he's pitched with a healthy left arm. Hernandez didn't tell anyone his shoulder was hurt and tried to pitch through the pain last season, but it didn't last long. According to reports, he's in an aggressive offseason rehab program trying to strengthen his left shoulder, which has been diagnosed as having impingements. If healthy, he has the ability to dominate near the same level as Oswalt and Miller.

Stats Corner
Wade Miller (above) was 11-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star break. Lance Berkman led the Astros and tied for third in the NL in 2002 with 42 home runs. Octavio Dotel limited hitters to a .173 batting average against in 97.1 innings of work. Jeff Bagwell (98 RBI) failed to drive in 100 or more runs for the first time since the strike-shortened 1995 season.

Can expect to play worse
Dotel has been so good the last two years that he can't possibly continue at that pace. Or can he? He's pitched over 200 innings in relief the last two seasons, but there are some signs to watch for next season. Dotel struggled with his fastball early last season, hitting 94 to 95 mph on the radar gun instead of his standard 98 and 99 because of a tired arm. The Astros use him on a regular basis and that might catch up to the diminutive righty if it's not watched carefully.

Projected lineup
LF/CF Craig Biggio
SS Julio Lugo/Adam Everett
1B Jeff Bagwell
CF/LF Lance Berkman
2B Jeff Kent
RF Richard Hidalgo
3B Geoff Blum/Morgan Ensberg
C Brad Ausmus

Rotation
Roy Oswalt
Wade Miller
Shane Reynolds
Brian Moehler
Kirk Saarloos/Tim Redding/Peter Munro

Closer
Billy Wagner

A closer look
Any lineup that adds Jeff Kent to the mix will be significantly better, but will Kent be the difference in the Astros' hopes of returning to the postseason?

Probably not.

That's not to say Kent won't provide a boost to the lineup, given his outstanding overall credentials and success at Minute Maid Park (11 runs scored, 21 hits, 14 RBI, seven doubles, two home runs and a .382 batting average in 55 at-bats).

Kent had a banner year in 2002, finishing eighth in the NL in batting average (.313), 10th in RBI (108), eighth in slugging (.565), seventh in home runs (37) and 10th in runs scored (102).

The Astros' offense, however, held its own last year, finishing fifth in the NL in runs scored (749), sixth in batting average (.262), fifth in home runs (167) and sixth in OPS (.755).

In the end, the difference between contending in 2003 and not will come down to the health and production of the starting pitching, which ranked eighth in the league in ERA (4.00) last season. Oswalt was the only starter who didn't miss time because of injuries. If injuries again occur on the staff, even Kent won't be able to save the day or the team's playoff hopes.

Anna Sivadasan is an editor for ESPN.com.