By Craig Elliott
The Astros just lost two out of three to San Diego, but remain in the thick of things. The wildcard race is a real sludgepile, and as Alkie has astutely pointed out, the shitbird Jakes may be joining it soon. Luke Scott has also taken Preston Wilson’s job, so good luck to both of them.
The Cubs have dropped their last two series, plus Mark Prior is done for the year, again. Carlos Zambrano is the only non-rookie in the rotation. The only question now is whether or not Dusty’s contract gets renewed. And if it’s not renewed, then this is Dusty’s last trip to Houston.
When:
Monday, August 14, 7:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
Tuesday, August 15, 7:05 p.m. CDT – KNWS
Wednesday, August 16, 1:05 p.m. CDT – FSN
MLB Extra Innings – All three games will be on the Fox Southwest feed. No need for WGN.
Where: MMPUS
The Astros are wrapping up the long homestand before going on the road for a week and a half. Houston leads the season series with the Cubs 8-4. This will wrap up the season series with the Cubs, so get your jeers in while you can.
The giveaways for this series are pretty good … a shuttle cap on Monday, K cards on Tuesday, and Clemens T-shirts on Wednesday.
Projected Matchups
Carlos Zambrano (12-5, 3.54) v. Roy Oswalt (9-7, 3.27)
Zambrano is 2-0 in three appearances against Houston this year, including an eight-inning one-hitter and an eight-inning two-hitter. Current Astros are 52-for-163 (.198) against Zambrano, with seven homers.
Biggio is 11-for-34 (.324) against him, with four doubles and two homers. Berkman is only 6-for-44 (.136) with 13 strikeouts, though he also has three homers. Lamb and Palmeiro also have homers off him.
Roy is 10-8 against the sCrubs, and 1-2 this year. He’s won his last three decisions and hasn’t lost in a month. Current Cubs are 72-for-249 (.289) against Oswalt, with six walks, 55 strikeouts, and nine homers. ErrorMiss is 11-for-48 (.229) against Roy with three homers and 15 strikeouts. Barrett is 12-for-26 (.462) with two doubles and a homer, and Neifi Perez is 10-for-24 (.417). Phil Nevin is 5-for-14 (.357) with a double and two homers. Zambrano also has a homer off Oswalt.
Juan Mateo (1-0, 2.57) v. Roger Clemens (4-4, 2.24)
Mateo was called up August 1 and has made one start and one relief appearance. He got a win in his start against Arizona. He’s pitched a total of seven innings, giving up two earned runs on eight hits.
Roger’s already beaten the Cubs twice this year, allowing two earned runs in 11 innings, while striking out 10. Current Cubs go 44-for-187 (.235) against him, with two homers, 16 walks, and 42 strikeouts. Juan Pierre is 7-for-19 (.368) against Clemens, and ErrorMiss is 7-for-21 with a homer. Jacque Jones also has a homer off Roger. Michael Barrett is only 4-for-23 against him.
Rich Hill (2-5, 7.23) v. Andy Pettitte (11-12, 4.86)
Hill, a 26-year-old rookie, is the oldest starter in the Cubs’ current rotation. He lost his first four starts early in the season, got sent to Iowa, then came back up in late July. He got two wins, but then lost his last start at Colorado. He’s a lefty and he’s never faced the Astros.
Pettitte is 2-1 against the Cubs this year and 2-3 overall. He was solid in his last start and even cranked his first homer. Several Cubs have hit him well, including ErrorMiss (6-for-17, two homers), Michael Barrett (5-for-15, one homer), Juan Pierre (4-for-11), and Phil Nevin (6-for-21, two doubles and a homer).
Key injuries:
Chicago – Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are done for the year. No one can believe it. Wade Miller and Sean Marshall are on rehab assignments. Freddy Bynum, Glendon Rusch, and Derrek Lee are out also.
Houston – Only Bagwell.
Other shit
* OK, I have to tip my hat to Milo. The other night I heard him say “backdoor breaking ball to Barfield” twice, without fucking it up. Though it got kind of shaky the second time around because he was indignant about the umpiring.