Despite a recent winning streak, the Houston Astros still have significant ground to make up if they hope to make the playoffs. 

All Cecil Cooper wanted out of Roy Oswalt was his typical big performance. 

You want to get into a real political debate? Try figuring out which of the candidates for NL MVP deserves to win, Ken Rosenthal says. 

--3B Ian Stewart, who played in only 17 games when he was up for a month early in the season, has emerged among the top rookie hitters in the National League since his July 19 return to the Rockies. 

MEDICAL WATCH: C Yorvit Torrealba (torn meniscus in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez made another step forward in his development as a front-line pitcher on Friday. 

--3B Ian Stewart, who played in only 17 games when he was up for a month early in the season, has emerged among the top rookie hitters in the National League since his July 19 return to the Rockies. 

MEDICAL WATCH: C Yorvit Torrealba (torn meniscus in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez made another step forward in his development as a front-line pitcher on Friday. 

The Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros both believe they are still contenders for a playoff spot. 

Ubaldo Jimenez's poor start last week evoked an angry reaction from Chris Iannetta. 

You want to get into a real political debate? Try figuring out which of the candidates for NL MVP deserves to win, Ken Rosenthal says. 

MEDICAL WATCH: C Yorvit Torrealba (torn meniscus in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 

--SS Troy Tulowitzki on July 21 recovered from a hand injury and ended his second stint of the season on the disabled list. 

Ubaldo Jimenez will be trying to rebound from a bad start, his first clunker since late June, and recapture his mid-summer groove when he takes the mound Friday against the torrid Houston Astros.