Astros (24-18) at Rangers (20-22)
- Friday May 16, 7:05 p.m. FSNHD
- Saturday May 17, 6:05 p.m. FSNHD
- Sunday May 18, 2:05 p.m. My20 beers before breakfast make it too blurry to see
Now there are lots of things I could use. A new stove, a $10,000 prepaid gas card, a massage by Johnny Depp in easily removable pirate attire just to name a few. However, when every November comes around I always think, “I could use some baseball.” Last year, that thought came earlier. Like May 30. I was reminded of this when I perused the Rangers’ website and there it was staring me in the face–You Could Use Some Baseball.
I take alot of grief over my love of baseball. Every Spring Training Opening Day, my husband feels obligated to say, “Well, I guess I’m losing my wife for the next 8 months.” Invariably, the first question I get every day when I walk into class is “How did the Lastros do last night?” from whatever Co-ard or Scrub fan is in my class that semester. If my mom calls me in the evening and I am a little distracted she groans, “Are you watching baseball again?”
I’ll admit that I watch alot of baseball. Heck, with 3 boys in Little/Junior League, I spend hours every week at the ballpark. Yeah, I’m the one keeping the scorebook with a earphone in one ear listening to the Astros game. If I’m home and there’s a Good Guys game, you can bet whatever room I am in has a TV tuned to it. If the Rice Owls are playing, I will listen to their games streaming over the internet and watch the Astros at the same time that I am posting on the GZ with you guys.
So? Am I addicted? A user? Of course.
Who couldn’t use some baseball?
Projected Pitching Matchups
Friday May 16 Shawn Chacon, RHP (0-0, 3.53) vs. Sidney Ponson, RHP (2-0, 3.16)
Mr. No Decision leads all other active Astros starters with a 3.53 ERA and 6 quality starts. As much as we fans love the come from behind victories this team has posted lately, I am sure Chacon would rather be stoked by an early multiple run lead.
Ponson is 0-2 with a 2.08 ERA in his career against the Astros. He has an interleague record of 8-14 with a 4.47 ERA. Erstad has the best average of any Astro against him, so you may see Coop doing a little juggling with the lineup and sitting Lee who has a paltry .182 average against him.
Saturday May 17 Roy Oswalt, RHP (4-3, 5.05) vs. Vicente Padilla, RHP (5-2, 3.23)
Attaboy Roy has returned to his vintage style in the last several starts, mainly because he stopped his experimentation with pitching to contact and started acting more like his famous bulldozer.
Padilla was basically put on earth to be Lance’s bitch. Berkman is 8-16 against Padilla with 5 doubles and 1 homer.
Sunday May 18 Brandon Backe, RHP (2-5, 4.62) vs. Kason Gabbard, LHP (1-0, 3.12)
So far, Brandon is the only Astros pitcher to lose a game in the month of May (0-2). Slacker.
On the other hand, Gabbard has never, yep NEVER, lost a home game in his MLB career. In 10 starts between the Red Sox and the Rangers, he is 6-0 with a 2.70 ERA. This will be his first start against a NL team.
Injuries
Astros: Wigginton (sore ribs) could be back for this series. Geary is questionable, with a tweaked groin. Paulino and Wandy are definite no-shows.
Rangers: This list reads like a body part checklist for an anatomy lab. Besides having no head injuries, just about every other body part can be found.
- Arms: Jason Jennings, John Rheinecker
- Elbows: Brandon McCarthy, Thomas Diamond
- Shoulders: Milton Bradley, Luis Mendoza
- Groin: Kevin Millwood
- Hamstring: Hank Blalock
- Foot: Dustin Nippert
The Rangers are hopeful that Blaylock and Bradley will return for this series. Marlon Byrd has been added to the active roster, but has not played since his return from the DL (knee inflammation).
Promotions and Giveaways
Friday May 16 Limited Edition Wilson Phillips collectible–Carnie Wilson Bobblehead!
Saturday May 17 The first 20,000 fans will receive a Rangers Yearbook, whatever that is. If you stick around for the entire game, you will be treated to a post-game concert by Robert Earl Keen (presented by 99.5 The Wolf).
Sunday, May 18 The first 10,000 kids 14 and under get a free (that’s right FREE) ticket to Six Flags Over Texas. Yeah, you get in for FREE! Of course, your parents have to pay their way in, and concessions cost more than your freshman year of college, but its a FREE ticket! To top it off–it’s $1 Ice Cream Sunday for everyone 13 and under.
Interesting Tidbits
Before Friday’s game, Washington and Houston’s Cecil Cooper will be honored because it’s the first time both Lone Star Series teams have African-American managers. … Saturday’s game will feature soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division singing the national anthem — live via satellite from Baghdad, Iraq. … On Sunday, the Rangers’ and Astros’ wives will play a pregame softball game.
It Just Slipped Out
Ok, I said it. The Lone Star Series. Right there in the Interesting Tidbits. The annual “let’s play pretend rivalry series” for the size 15 Silver Boot trophy. Does anyone really care about the boot? Let’s ask the players: Oh yeah, that thing. Anyone know what it looks like? Or where it is? No?
“It’s not like the Stanley Cup, where you get to hang out with it,” C.J. Wilson.
Exactly.