Coming off a moderately successful road trip (4-3), the Astros come marching home again to a very favorable homestand facing the Pirates and the Nationals before taking a few off for the All-Star break. Surprisingly, two of the hometown nine were elected to the squad–Tejada and Pence–who both greeted the news by taking The Big Eunuch over the fence in celebration on Sunday.
Monday, July 6, 7:00 p.m.
Virgil Vasquez, RHP (1-1, 3.75) vs. Mike Hampton, LHP (4-5, 4.44)
Vasquez was called up earlier this year to take Ian the Snail’s place in the rotation after he volunteered to go down to Pittsburgh’s AAA affiliate in Indianapolis. Now how bad do you have to think you are to volunteer to be sent down from the perinniel celler dwelling Pirates? Vasquez has started 2 games since the callup, posting a 1-1 record while scattering only 5 runs in 12 innings pitched. He does however have the advantage of never having faced the Mud-N-Blood, almost guaranteeing him a Cy Young type performance.
Hampton has held current Pirates to a .111 batting average. although only Jack Wilson (2 for 14) is the only Bucco to have more than 10 AB against Mike. He has had quite a bit of success againt the Pirates in his career (.813 winning percentage) and has been quite dominant over them this year (3-0, 0.90 ERA)
Tuesday, July 7, 7:05 p.m.
Paul Maholm, LHP (5-4, 4.69) vs. Brian Moehler, RHP (5-4, 5.64)
Maholm has been struggling as of late, rarely making it past the 5th inning. He has held the Astros to a collective .209 batting average in his career with only Pence, Hampton and Quintero hitting above .300 against him. Berkman (.130) and Matsui (.083) in particular have just sucked rotten eggs against Maholm.
Moehler has just puttered along recently, doing his regular yeoman’s job (3-0, 3.13 ERA) in his last four starts. Un fortunately, of the six Buc batters that have faced him in at least 6 PA’s, none have a batting average below .300. The Dirty Sanchez in particular boasts a .579 average in 19 AB’s.
Wednesday, July 8, 1:05 p.m.
Charlie Morton, RHP (1-1, 2.65) vs. Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (7-6, 3.21)
Morton has only faced the Astros once in his career with current Astros compiling a .231 batting average against him. He has had trouble this year with a recurring hamstring injury.
Wandy had one of his worst start of the year aganst the Pirates earlier this season. Since then, Rodriguez has gone 5 -3 with 2 no decisions. Sanchez (.435), Adam LaRoach (.417) and Jack Wilson (.364) are the only Pirates with more than 12 AB’s against Wandy and are just licking their chops to face him again. Hopefully, the confines of the MMPUS will work to his advantage against them.
Who needs a band-aid?
Yates leaned on his elbow and Doumit strained his wrist while looking over Dumatrait’s shoulder to watch Doumit put a wrist to Veal’s groin while Sanchez sat back and laughed.
Brocail and Boone are still playing checkers in the dugout.
What will you give me for going to the game?
Well, you are SOL if you want a cool souvenier buddy. Monday, you will be treated to a patriotic fireworks show (a little late guys, the Fourth was a couple of days ago), and Tuesday and Wednesday will get you ticket price specials, but not one dang thing to take home to the wife to prove you were at the game. Guess your ticket stub and empty beer cup will have to do.
Blah, blah, blah
Apologies for the brevity and lack of wit or hint of intelligence in this preview. Totally forgot it was my turn, and was rushing to get two guys fed, dressed (in clean uniforms) and off to their all star baseball games when I remembered it was July 6th and wasn’t I supposed to write a preview today? Just glad I got this posted before the first pitch.
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