By Craig Elliott
Look out boys, Scrap Iron finally got the freight train rolling and coaxed it up to .500! The Astros are picking up steam while they grind out one win after another, and the Cardinals are in a tailspin that could be truly epic.
Two series left to go, though, so it's going to be a tense week. And don't forget the fucking Reds, who are still only a game behind the Astros. If the Jakes crash and burn, the Reds could be in the middle of the chase too.
The Pirates are no longer in the cellar, having handed that honor to the Cubs recently. But the Pirates are also on a four-game losing streak, including a sweep by the Padres.
When:
Tuesday, September 26, 6:05 p.m. CDT ? FSN
Wednesday, September 27, 6:05 p.m. CDT ? FSN
Thursday, September 28, 11:35 a.m. CDT ? FSN
MLB Extra Innings ? The first two games will be on the Pittsburgh broadcast, and Thursday's will be on Fox Southwest.
Where: PNC Park
The Pirates are 41-34 at home this year, so they're no pushover. They're also having some sweet giveaways during this series ? a Chevy SUV, a bass boat, and a snowmobile. They probably repo'd the boat from Derek Bell.
Projected Matchups
Andy Pettitte (13-13, 4.31) v. Ian Snell (14-10, 4.67)
Andy is 6-1 against the Pirates in his career, and 1-0 this year. He only has one appearance against the Pirates this season, which seems impossible. He beat Pittsburgh in late August, going six innings and allowing four earned runs.
The Pirates are 41-for-144 (.285) against Andy, with a chunk of those AB's coming from Joe Randa. He's 14-for-39 (.359) against Pettitte. Jason Bay is 6-for-13 (.462), and Jose Bautista is 3-for-6. Ann Wilson is only 3-for-16 (.188), but has the lone Pirate homer off Andy.
Snell is 2-2 against the Astros and 1-1 this season, though both those games were before the All-Star Break. Current Astros are 26-for-90 (.289) against Snell, with homers from Lamb and Ensberg. Willy is 7-for-10 against Snell, and Lamb is 4-for-9 with a homer. Ensberg is 5-for-12 with a triple and a homer, and Palmeiro is 2-for-2.
Jason Hirsh (3-4, 5.83) v. Shawn Chacon (7-6, 6.25)
Hirsh has actually seen the Pirates before. He got a win against them in late August when he went seven innings and gave up one run on five hits. Xavier Nady is 2-for-3 against him, and Dirty Freddy Sanchez and Jose Bautista are both 1-for-3. Joe Randa is 1-for-2 with a double.
Chacon is 1-4 against the Astros in his career with a near-hellish 6.67 ERA. This season he's 0-2 against the Astros, with an 18.00 ERA. He's given up 12 earned runs in six innings against Houston this year.
Berkman is 6-for-14 (.429) with two doubles and a homer off Chacon, while Aubrey Huff is 3-for-7 with a homer. Everett and Ensberg are both 2-for-5 against him, but Biggio is 2-for-10 and Ausmus is 1-for-10. Biggio does have a homer off Chacon, as does Roy Oswalt.
Roy Oswalt (14-8, 3.07) v. Tom Gorzelanny (2-4, 3.79)
Roy got a no-decision in his last start, but he hasn't lost since mid-August. He has a 9-5 lifetime record against the Pirates, including a 2-0 record this year. Current Pirates are 49-for-176 (.278) against Oswalt, with 10 walks and 43 strikeouts. Ann Wilson is 18-for-51 (.353) against Roy, with four doubles and a triple. Jason Bay is 7-for-21, and Dirty Sanchez is 6-for-15. Jeromy Burnitz is 6-for-27 (.222) with one walk and 11 strikeouts.
Gorzelanny is a lefty who hasn't won since August 4. In his last start he had two throwing errors and got hit by one of Piazza's balls up the middle. At least it was shaved. He has an 0-2 record against Houston, including one loss this year. Brad Ausmus is 4-for-5 with two doubles against him, and Adam Everett is 3-for-5. Biggio and Huff are a combined 0-for-9. Berkman is 2-for-4, and Ensberg is 1-for-5, but Mo also has the team's only homer off Gorzelanny.
Key injuries:
Houston ? Nothing new.
Pittsburgh ? Jody Gerut, Bryan Bullington, Mike Gonzalez, Paul Maholm, Nate McLouth, and John van Benschoten are all out.
Other shit
* Here's something I learned from the Phillies' radio announcers: Dan Wheeler has only given up three earned runs since the All-Star Break.
