By Craig Elliott
There's only one realistic, meaningful goal that's still reachable this year: knocking Cincinnati out of the playoffs too. Not that they need any help, but while they're in town anyway ....
Houston just got swept by the Phillies, and that fucks up any slim hopes for the postseason. Six games under .500 is where the Reds should be, not the Astros, so maybe at least we can align the standings properly with this series.
Cincy is fading as well. The Reds just lost two of three to the Cubs, and before that they lost a series to the Padres. They're a game and a half ahead of the Astros going into this series.
When:
Monday, September 18, 7:05 p.m. CDT ? FSN
Tuesday, September 19, 7:05 p.m. CDT ? FSN
Wednesday, September 20, 1:05 p.m. CDT ? FSN, ESPN
MLB Extra Innings ? All three games will be on Fox Southwest broadcast. No Skyline on the horizon.
Where: MMPUS
Promos include art cards and dollar hot dogs on Monday, and team posters on Tuesday and Wednesday. In the team poster, I wonder if Preston Wilson will be in his Cardinal uniform.
Projected Matchups
Kyle Lohse (4-8, 5.80) v. Roy Oswalt (13-8, 3.06)
Lohse gave up a touchdown and an extra point to the Pads in less than three innings in his last start. He is 1-1 against the Astros this year. Aubrey Huff and Eric Munson have seen Lohse more than anyone on the Astros, but they are 4-for-21 and 2-for-16, respectively. Mike Lamb is 3-for-9 against Lohse with a double and a homer. Willy is 2-for-4 against him.
Roy has won his last four decisions. He's 16-1 against the Commies in 19 appearances. Current Reds are 50-for-217 (.230) against him, with 25 walks and 57 strikeouts. Adam Dunn is 10-for-49 (.204) with two doubles, a triple, and a homer. And 11 walks and 14 strikeouts. Ryan Freel is 6-for-17 with a double and a homer, and Rich Aurilia is 4-for-9.
Aaron Harang (13-11, 3.88) v. Andy Pettitte (13-13, 4.37)
Harang is 0-3 in his last five starts, and has given up four earned runs in each of his last four starts. He's only 5-5 lifetime against Houston, but he's been an Astro-Killer this year with three wins in three starts and a 2.08 ERA.
Just about everyone on the Astros has batted against Harang before. Biggio is 11-for-36 (.306) with four doubles, and Adam Everett is 7-for-22 (.318) with two doubles and a homer. Berkman is 5-for-26, and all five hits were homers. Jason Lane also has two homers off Harang, and Brandon Backe has one.
Pettitte is iffy for this start, because of the elbow or ankle or whatever. He's 1-2 against Cincinnati this year. Current Reds are 69-for-209 (.330) against Andy, with 19 walks and 45 strikeouts. They also have two homers each from Griffey and Aurilia. Griffey is 17-for-48 (.354) against Pettitte, and Aurilia is 8-for-21 (.381). Jason LaRue is 5-for-16 and Ryan Freel is 4-for-11.
Bronson Arroyo (14-9, 3.17) v. Roger Clemens (6-5, 2.52)
Arroyo has won all four of his starts in September. He is 1-1 against the Astros this year and 3-1 overall. Aubrey Huff is an impressive 12-for-21 (.571) against Arroyo, with five doubles and a homer. Berkman is 8-for-19 with three homers, and Biggio is 7-for-18 with a double and a homer.
In his last start, Clemens gave up a first-inning grand slam before the crowd had even gotten in its seats. He's 4-2 against the Reds in his career, and 0-1 this year. Griffey is 29-for-90 (.311) against Roger, with seven doubles and six homers. Adam Dunn is 7-for-15 with a double, and Ryan Freel is 5-for-16. Scott Hatteberg and Javier Valentine also have homers off Clemens.
Key injuries:
Cincinnati ? The Messiah is questionable for this series with a toe injury. Royce Clayton is out. Grant Balfour, Eddie Guardado, Elizardo Ramirez, Brandon Claussen, Kent Mercker, and Stifler's Mom are all out for the season.
Houston ? Andy Pettitte is questionable for his start in this series.
