Astros (30-28) at Pirates (27-30)
The space travelers visit the seafarers for the first time this season. Much has been discussed about the fact that the Astros ain’t never been to Pittsburgh, while the Cubs have had an inordinate number of games against them, winning 9 of 12. After going 3-7 in their last ten games, the Good Guys need to win more than one night in Pittsburgh, and avoid a repeat last year’s 0-6 start against the Bucs.
- Tuesday June 3 6:05 p.m. CDT FSN-HD
- Wednesday June 4 6:05 p.m. CDT FSN-HD
- Thursday June 5 6:05 p.m. CDT FSN-HD
The Bucs will send out a lefty, lefty, lefty rotation against the Good Guys for the series. The Astros have a team batting average of .293 against southpaws this season. None of these Pirates could be classified as “great” lefties, so I pose the question to you–How would you rank the likes of Lefty Grove, Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton, Eddie Plank, Tom Glavine, Tommy John, Warren Spahn–Who are the five greatest lefty pitchers in baseball history? Discuss in the TalkZone.
Wandy Rodriguez LHP (1-1, 2.89) vs. Phil Dumatrait LHP (2-2, 3.52)
Will we see Road Wandy or Home Wandy? In 3 home starts, Wandy has pitched 18.1 innings with 13 hits and only 2 earned runs for an ERA of 0.98. Send him traveling and in 2 starts he has pitched 9.2 innings with 14 hits and 7 earned runs giving him an ERA of 6.52. The time has come for Cooper to wave his magic wand and banish the road version to baseball hell, never to be heard from again. Dumatrait has has been their most consistent pitcher lately and, gulp, has never faced any of the Astros batters. That fact always sends up a red flag of warning, or is it a white flag of surrender? I’m sure he would love to wrap the Good Guys up in a Jolly Roger and send them to Davy Jones’ locker. Dumatrait was dominant in his last start. He pitched 7 innings of 2 hit shutout ball against the Reds striking out 7. If he has good control, the Mud-n-Blood nine may have a tough time with his off-speed stuff.
Roy Oswalt RHP (4-5, 5.45) vs. Zach Duke LHP (2-4, 4.41)
Kilroy is here. It seems that the Roy we all know and love is hiding behind some impenetrable wall and has yet to break through this season. After years of almost robotic performance, our beloved bulldozer driver from Weir has become human. We’re wondering who you am? Machine or mannequin? Some speculate that he is hiding an injury behind the mask. What is his true identity? Duke lost his last start in St. Louis allowing only 2 earned runs on 5 hits in 6 innings. It was his 5th quality start of the year. Lee and Berkman have had decent success against Duke, but neither of them can hold a candle to Kilroy who is .500 against the Pirate lefty. Overall, the current roster of astronauts are batting .294 in 68 ABs.
Brandon Backe RHP (4-6, 4.54) vs. Paul Malholm LHP (3-5, 4.74)
Backe has given up 14 home runs this year. Compare that to his last full season in 2005, where he pitched 149 innings where he gave up a total of 19 home runs, and you could make a case that Backe needs to take a dose of Imodium Advanced. Brandon has given up only 14 hits in 80 at bats against current Pirates, however 6 of the 14 were of the long ball variety. Let’s hope he takes and industrial sized dose of that Imodium. As a team the Astros are 16 for 73 (.219) against Maholm. Lee and Berkman have the most AB against him, and neither approach the Mendoza line (.176 and .100 respectively). In his last start, he allowed only 1 ER and 4 hits in 6.2 innings against the Jakes.
Who’s got a bo-bo?
Astros–Geary has been activated for this series leaving Paulino lonesome on the DL.
Buccaneers–Ryan Doumit has a left thumb fracture, but is hoping to return for the series versus Houston, while Chris Duffy has spent an extended period of time with inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder.
Notable Giveaways and Promotions
- Tuesday–Pirate T-Shirt Tuesday
- Wednesday–Lady Bucs Club Party (see below)
- Thursday–Alumni Autographs Former Pirates Kent Tekulve, Richie Hebner, and Bob Walk will give you their John Hancocks on the Riverwalk from 6-7 p.m.
If the Pirates Score, You Score
The Pirates had a special promotion for ticket prices for the Wednesday game with the Astros. For every run the Bucs scored in the series vs the Jakes, left and right field box seat tickets will be discounted $1.00. So what do they do? Friday they score 4, Saturday 14, Sunday 4, Monday 5, so you can log in Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. Eastern time and get up to eight tickets to the game for FREE!! Jason Michaels’ grand slam off of Wainwright in the top of the 7th in Monday’s game, pushed the discount over the price of the ticket and supplied free baseball for Bucs fans.
Why doesn’t Pam Garder push this?
I mean after all, isn’t she a lady? Ummm….don’t answer that.
Drayton is clearly missing out on pleasing the ladies here.
The Pirates have a Lady Bucs Club. 
That’s right, a club complete with Spa Treatments, free food and private player appearances. Even off-season activities.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Theme | Gift |
| Apr. 23 | 7:05 p.m. | St. Louis | Party in the “Burgh” | Pirates Car Magnet |
| May 7 | 7:05 p.m. | San Francisco | Boardwalk Bash | Playing Cards |
| June 4 | 7:05 p.m. | Houston | Lasso’n Ladies Night | Luggage Tag |
| July 9 | 7:05 p.m. | Houston | All-American Summer Bash | Make-up Bag |
| July 30 | 7:05 p.m. | Colorado | Taste of Wine Country | Wine Glass |
| Aug. 13 | 7:05 p.m. | Cincinnati | Mardi Gras | Photo Frame |
| Aug. 27 | 12:35 p.m. | Chicago | Lady Bucs Club Luau | Sunglass Case |
| Sept. 17 | 7:05 p.m. | Los Angeles | Hollywood or Bust | Travel Coffee Mug |
What gives, Drayton? Why are we Houston women left out? The Pirates aren’t the only team that knows how to treat their ladies. The Blue Jays have a special Ladies Night Out club, and the Colorado Rockies Coors Light Ladies Fan Club is so popular it is SOLD OUT. As you walk through the stands, as you are known to do, count the number of women that attend the Astros’ games and see if it would behoove you to show the ladies a little love.
Don’t be a stranger, visit the Gamezone.