By Craig Elliott
The Astros took the series with the Cubs, despite a monstrous hosing from Carlos Zambrano. Chris Burke threw his shoulder out again on a swing and a miss, and then again at the press conference, and then again after that. Barzilla got called up while Roy rests his back.
The Braves just lost three of four to the Nationals, and before that they got swept by the Snakes. They’re trying to keep sight of the Mets, which is even worse than it sounds.
When:
Thursday, June 8, 7:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
Friday, June 9, 7:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
Saturday, June 10, 3:05 p.m. CDT – Fox
Sunday, June 11, 1:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
MLB Extra Innings – Thursday, Friday, and Sunday’s games will be on Fox Southwest. Saturday’s game will be on the Fox mothership. And I suppose you could watch these games on the Watch The Braves Suck bandwagon, if you really wanted.
Where: MMPUS
Some standard promos this weekend like Friday fireworks and K-card giveaways, but Sunday will be Photo Day and kids can run the bases. Lance Berkman will be on hand to receive instructional tips from the youngsters.
Projected Matchups
John Thomson (2-5, 4.65) v. Andy Pettitte (4-7, 6.03)
Thomson is 4-5 against Houston, with an ERA north of 6. He’s 1-3 over his last 5 starts, and has allowed 18 runs in just over 18 innings. Current Astros are 44-for-165 (.267) against Thomson, with homers from Ausmus, Everett, Wilson, and Ensberg. Biggio is 10-for-31 (.323) against him, and Preston Wilson is 9-for-22 (.409). Berkman is 4-for-10.
Pettitte is 4-1 against the Braves, but that was in previous years. He’s lost three of his last four starts, and gave up at least five runs in each of those losses. Current Braves are 15-for-68 (.221) against Andy, with no homers. Chipper is 6-for-16 (.375) against him, and AndrUw is 5-for-18. Brian Jordan is 1-for-11.
Jorge Sosa (1-7, 5.07) v. Fernando Nieve (1-3, 5.19)
Sosa has a 1-0 record against Houston, but he’s never started against the Astros. His only win this season came against Florida. The Astros are only 9-for-36 (.250) against him, highlighted by WillyT at 2-for-2 with a homer. Preston Wilson has the most AB’s against Sosa, but he’s only 2-for-13.
Nieve had a good emergency start for Oswalt in his last outing, though he’s 0-3 over his last six starts. He hasn’t won since May 2, and he’s never faced the Braves.
Tim Hudson (5-4, 3.93) v. Taylor Buchholz (3-5, 6.25)
Hudson has two starts and 16 innings pitched against the Astros. He has no record against Houston, but his ERA is 0.56 because he’s only given up one run in those 16 innings. The Astros’ old American Leaguers have had some success against Hudson, particularly Palmeiro, who is 12-for-29 (.414) with two doubles and 5 RBI off Hudson. Brad Ausmus is 6-for-16, and Eric Munson is 4-for-14 with a homer. Berkman is also 2-for-3 with a double.
Buchholz got rocked in his last outing, giving up another eight runs. He seems to either pitch a shutout or give up 8+ runs lately. He’s never faced the bandwagon.
Horacio Ramirez (2-1, 3.24) v. Wandy Rodriguez (7-3, 4.36)
Ramirez came off the DL in late May and has gone 2-1 since then. He’s given up 4 ER in 22 innings since coming off the DL. He’s 1-1 against Houston with an ERA of 3.86. Craig Biggio is 4-for-8 with a double and two homers off Ramirez, while Ensberg is 3-for-6 and Ausmus is 2-for-5. Lane, Lamb, Berkman, Palmeiro, and Taveras are a combined 0-for-14 against him.
Stone-Face Wandy came back solid in his last start, shutting out the Cubs for seven innings. He’s 2-1 over his last 4 starts. Wandy has never faced the Braves.
Key injuries:
Atlanta – Mike Hampton and Kelly Johnson are out for the season. Kyle Davies and John Foster are out until July. Chuck H. James is on a rehab assignment, and Brian McCann is eligible to return for this series.
Houston – Backe and Bagwell went to the 60-day DL. Roy Oswalt is on the 15-day DL with that back thing. Chris Burke popped his shoulder out again and is day-to-day. Team doctors warned him to use both hands when pissing from now on or he could throw it out again.
Other shit
Here’s an awesome story about a live seagull being in play during a Minor League game.