By Craig the Bastard
Well, the road trip could have been better, but nevermind that because it?s time to thump the Nationals down a few notches in the wildcard race. Washington just got swept by the Padres, but this series is also their best chance to climb right back on top.
The Mess and Phillies aren?t far behind, but sooner or later some of these East teams have to starting knocking each other off. The Cubs are circling the drain and have dropped past the Brewers. Heh.
When:
Tuesday, August 9, 7:05 p.m. CDT ? FSSW
Wednesday, August 10, 7:05 p.m. CDT ? FSSW
Thursday, August 11, 7:05 p.m. CDT ? FSSW
MLB Extra Innings ? All three games will be on the Fox Southwest broadcast. It?s about time. I got to watch one game out of that road trip.
Where: MMPUS
The Astros are home for the next four series, so right now is the time to get some distance from all those annoying teams in the East. The pitching match-ups don?t favor us as much as the last time we faced the Nats, so we?ll need strong games again from Wandy and Astacio.
Projected Matchups
John Patterson (5-3, 2.42) v. Ezequiel Astacio (2-4, 6.33)
Patterson went 8 innings and only gave up one earned run against the Astros last month. Houston had six hits against him, two of which came from Orlando Palmeiro.
In his last three starts, Zeke is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. Junior Spivey has one AB against Astacio, and that?s it for the gNats, so this will be their first good look at him.
Livan Hernandez (13-4, 3.77) v. Wandy Rodriguez (6-5, 6.11)
We missed Livan in Washington, but no such luck this time around. Hernandez is fourth in the league in wins (right behind Roy Oswalt). He?s 7-3 against the Astros, with a 3.36 ERA. Our batters are either hot or cold against him ? Viz, Lane, Ensberg, and Palmeiro are a combined 0-for-18 against Livan. But Mike Lamb is 4-for-10, Berkman is 6-for-17 with a homer, Ausmus is 7-for-22, and Biggio is 10-for-29.
Wandy went 7 innings against the Nationals last month, giving up only three hits and one earned run, but getting no decision. He took a loss last week against the Snakes, but hopefully he?ll bounce back at home.
Ryan Drese (3-5, 4.29) v. Andy Pettitte (9-8, 2.64)
Drese is 0-2 against the Astros in three appearances, including a loss in July. Craig Biggio is 5-for-11 against him, and Berkman is 4-for-9. Jason Lane is also 3-for-3 against Drese. Viz, Everett, and Ensberg are a combined 3-for-26.
Andy lost his last start, against the Snakes, after an impressive July. He missed the Nationals during the last series. Current Nationals are 20-for-92 (.217) against Pettitte, and none of them have hit him well. Christian Guzman has seen Andy the most, and he?s 4-for-27.
Key injuries:
Washington ? Tony Armas might start again soon. Catcher Brian Schneider is questionable for this series, and Jose Guillen is doubtful. Junior Spivey, T.J. Tucker, Jon Rauch, Terrmel Sledge, Antonio Osuna, Alex Escobar, and Francis Beltran are all out.
Houston ? Just Backe and Bagwell. Get well soon.
Other shit
? Since I couldn?t watch the Astros last week, I ended up watching a fucking rerun of the hot dog eating championships. I wouldn?t even want to cook 40 hot dogs, much less eat them while standing beside an Asian chick called the Black Widow.
