The Houston Astros are back in a familiar spot, the National League Division Series facing the Atlanta Braves. The Astros, who have not won a single playoff series in team history, are on the verge of eliminating the team that has eliminated them in three of their last four playoff appearances. Coming into the series, many had to wonder if the ‘Stros would be able to shake their past and win or falter and revert back to their losing ways.

When the Astros clinched the NL Wild Card and found out they would be playing the team that has long been tormenting them in the playoffs, they had to have scoffed and realized that this new breed of Astros were going to get the job done. Winners of 36 of their last 46 games, to go with 18 consecutive wins at home have the Astros primed for a deep playoff run.

Jeff Bagwell

If the first game of this series was any indication, then these new Astros are certainly up to the challenge of erasing any postseason demons they may have. Houston set a franchise record by hitting four home runs in the opening game. Even Jeff Bagwell, synonymous with Houston’s postseason struggles, contributed with an RBI double, his first career extra base hit in the postseason.

The Astros reversed a few fortunes with their win over Atlanta in Game One. They not only set or tied franchise records with hits and runs, but ace Roger Clemens collected his first ever victory in pitching in a Game One. Clemens was a tad shaky in walking a postseason career high six batters, but he fanned seven and made great pitches when he needed them the most. Clemens forced Atlanta to leave nine runners stranded in the first four innings, something that undoubtedly drove manager Bobby Cox crazy.

Carlos Beltran

The Astros, arguably baseballs hottest team after the All-Star break, is showing why they were picked in the preseason to win the NL Central Division and possibly contend for the World Series. A multitude of things contributed the to Astros’ bad start and eventually led to the firing of manager Jimy Williams. Before the trade deadline, Houston pulled an ace out of their sleeve and acquired five-tool centerfielder Carlos Beltran in a three-team deal involving the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics. As part of the deal, the Astros gave up struggling closer Octavio Dotel and a few prospects. The deal gave suggestions all over the league that the Astros are in a “Win Now!” mode, especially with aging veterans Bagwell and Craig Biggio.

Houston Astros New Era Authentic Collection

Coming into the season, many prognosticators selected the Astros to finish in first place in the NL Central Division based on a few offseason acquisitions. In the offseason, owner Drayton McLane opened his wallet and signed two superstar pitchers, both of whom are resident Texans. Pitcher Andy Pettitte, a local product out of Deer Park High School, was elated to get the chance to play in front of his family for his hometown team. Fellow Yankee, Roger Clemens, another local product out of Spring, TX followed his close friend and ended his six week retirement to join the Houston Astros. On paper, this duo, to go along with young studs Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller had the makings to bring the city of Houston its first baseball championship. Unfortunately games aren’t played on paper. Season-ending injuries to Wade Miller and Andy Pettitte shortened the pitching staff immensely, and Oswalt and Clemens were forced to carry the load. Both pitched admirably, even the 42-year old Clemens, who finished with an 18-4 record, and is the favorite to win his seventh Cy Young Award.

At the All-Star Break, when things were looking grim and the Astros heading for a disappointing finish, Houston fired manager Jimy Williams and brought in a fiery personality in Phil ‘Scrap Iron’ Garner. Garner, a former manager with the Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee is regarded as a manger that takes all the necessary risks to win a ballgame. Garner made key lineup decisions and played them to the tune of a playoff berth.

Bagwell, Berkman & Biggio

With the lineup the Astros have, there was really no reason that they shouldn’t have made the playoffs, although they did so in stunning fashion. At one point, the Astros trailed the Chicago Cubs by seven games in the Wild Card, but the ever-positive players from Houston never lost faith. A seven game win streak to end the season, including sweeps over the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies sealed the deal. The San Francisco Giants, who were tied with the Astros going into each team’s final series, lost a crucial game to the Los Angeles Dodgers that allowed the Astros to move ahead in the standings and eventually clinch with a win over the Rockies.

So, while this Astros team looks to demolish the hated Braves and win their first ever playoff series, look for the vaunted Killer B’s (Berkman, Beltran, Bagwell and Biggio) to put their sting to the Atlanta staff and buzz their way on through the playoffs.