By Craig the Bastard
The Astros are coming off a disappointing 6-7 homestand, and are now a half-game behind the Phillies in the wildcard race. We just split a four-game series with the Brewers, who are now six games back from the wildcard lead.
San Diego nearly swept the Braves in their last series, but gave up the final game late. Even though they?re a game under .500 at 61-62 overall, the Padres are still four games up on the Snakes in the NL West.
When:
Monday, August 22, 9:05 p.m. CDT ? FSSW
Tuesday, August 23, 9:05 p.m. CDT ? FSSW
Wednesday, August 24, 9:05 p.m. CDT ? FSSW, ESPN
MLB Extra Innings ? All three games will be on the Southwest feed, plus Wednesday?s will be on ESPN.
Where: PETCO Park
I wonder if they have a PETCO retail outlet at the ballpark. Not that your dog could afford to eat there.
Projected Matchups
Roy Oswalt (14-10, 2.67) v. Woody Williams (6-9, 5.17)
Roy is 5-1 against the Padres, which includes a complete-game win earlier this season. But he?s lost his last two decisions and doesn?t have a win since late July. Mark ?Cool Rockin? Loretta is 5-for-13 (.385) with a homer against Roy, and Donut Truck is 5-for-17. Brian Giles is 8-for-38 with a homer.
Williams is 10-4 against the Astros, with one of those wins coming earlier this year. He?s lost four of his last five decisions. Too bad we don?t have Bagwell today, as he?s 16-for-46 with five homers against Woody. However, Biggio is 16-for-50 (.320) and Adam Everett is 6-for-15 (.400). Biggio, Berkman, Ausmus, and Ensberg all have homers off Williams.
Roger Clemens (11-5, 1.53) v. Jake Peavy (10-6, 3.14)
Roger lost his last start and hasn?t won since Aug. 7. Current Padres are 34-for-133 (.256) against Clemens, but they haven?t faced him this year. Joe Randa is 12-for-41 (.293) against him, and Loretta is 4-for-13 (.308).
Peavy is 3-3 against Houston, and 0-1 against the Astros this year. He?s lost his last two starts. Biggio is 7-for-18 (.389) against Peavy, and Viz is 6-for-12 with three doubles and a homer. Ensberg is 3-for-7 with a homer, and Willy is 3-for-4. However, Berkman is only 2-for-16 (and Bagwell is 1-for-14).
Ezequiel Astacio (2-6, 6.21) v. Chan Ho Park (2-1, 8.38)
Zeke hasn?t won since Aug. 3, though he did keep the Brewers to one earned run in 5+ innings in his last start. He?s never faced the Padres.
Park came over from the Rangers just before the trade deadline. He beat the Astros once already this season (with Texas) and had another no-decision. He?s 5-3 against us overall. Orlando Palmeiro will probably get some playing time today, as he?s 5-for-11 (.455) against Park. Biggio is 10-for-36 with two doubles and three homers (.278) against him. Berkman is only 3-for-15.
Key injuries:
Houston ? Just Backe and Bagwell.
San Diego ? Khalil Green, Adam Eaton, Ramon Hernandez, Freddy Guzman, and Miguel Asencio are all on the DL. Eaton might be back soon.
Other shit
? The other day on Ensberg?s pop-up into the rafters, Dierker was explaining how the umps have to decide whether the ball hits the ceiling in fair or foul territory. So why not just paint foul lines on the ceiling?
? San Diego supposedly has the highest average gasoline price in the nation. At $2.67, gas has a higher average than the Padres (.260). When a gallon of gas is higher than your team?s batting average, it?s probably time to trade up to a hybrid. Or trade for a reliable bat in the offseason.
