So who pitches Saturday?

[OldBlevins]

Clemens tomorrow, Petitte Sunday.  Sampson and a crew from the bullpen again?

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
Clemens tomorrow, Petitte Sunday.  Sampson and a crew from the bullpen again?

Looks like this is right.  Hang on, it's going to be a very interesting weekend.

[pravata]

Quote:
Clemens tomorrow, Petitte Sunday.  Sampson and a crew from the bullpen again?

There has been no announcement.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:

Quote:
Clemens tomorrow, Petitte Sunday.  Sampson and a crew from the bullpen again?

There has been no announcement.

Yup.  Garner ain't giving any clues what he's going to do.  He's in *today is the game I'll worry about* mode, been that way for two weeks.  So I doubt anyone will know until game time.

[wingnut]

With the Astros fighting for their postseason lives and every win CRITICAL, why not start Petitte on short rest Saturday and then Oswalt on Sunday.  I know it's desperate, but they started Clemens on short rest against the Co-ards last Sunday, couldn't they do the same w/ Andy & ROY this week?

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
With the Astros fighting for their postseason lives and every win CRITICAL, why not start Petitte on short rest Saturday and then Oswalt on Sunday.  I know it's desperate, but they started Clemens on short rest against the Co-ards last Sunday, couldn't they do the same w/ Andy & ROY this week?

Let's say they do that.  And then the Co-ards come to Houston to play on Tuesday for a one game, winner take all game.  Who pitches?  Clemens on three days rest?  Again?

I'm sure Garner is pondering it all.  And I'm convinced he won't make a decision on it until after tomorrow's game is over.  What happens in St. Louis tomorrow night will help him make his decision on Saturday as well.

[DVauthrin]

Quote:

Quote:
With the Astros fighting for their postseason lives and every win CRITICAL, why not start Petitte on short rest Saturday and then Oswalt on Sunday.  I know it's desperate, but they started Clemens on short rest against the Co-ards last Sunday, couldn't they do the same w/ Andy & ROY this week?

Let's say they do that.  And then the Co-ards come to Houston to play on Tuesday for a one game, winner take all game.  Who pitches?  Clemens on three days rest?  Again?

I'm sure Garner is pondering it all.  And I'm convinced he won't make a decision on it until after tomorrow's game is over.  What happens in St. Louis tomorrow night will help him make his decision on Saturday as well.

You can't do that now anyway.  Roy will only have 2 days of rest sunday.  If we think 3 days rest is tough to pitch effectively with, I can only imagine pitching with two days of rest.

[JimR]

stupid idea. Clems went 5 whole innings last time.

[Lefty]

Roy is now 17-2 in September over the past 4 years.  Sick.

[littlevisigoth]

like the man says, let's take it one game at a time.  the Cards are throwing Weaver at Capuano (and haven't had much success against lefties of late... see last night).  we might be a half game up tomorrow and in the drivers seat.  With Cormier taking the mound, Sampson and Co. might be plenty to get through the day.  We need our big guns at their best, especially with Pettitte on Sunday against Smoltz.  And if it comes down to the playoff on Tuesday, pitting Roy against Marquis (or some combo of long relievers) looks pretty good to me.

[Lefty]

Quote:
like the man says, let's take it one game at a time.  the Cards are throwing Weaver at Capuano (and haven't had much success against lefties of late... see last night).

Of late?  Cards are 22-34 against LHP this season.

[Garfield3d]

Quote:
we might be a half game up tomorrow and in the drivers seat.

Cormier's pitching on Saturday, and he seems like a mediocre pitcher with hints of decency. If we only had one game left, it would be easier to throw the biggest guns into the fray, but when we need to win three games with a possible fourth game, we need to, above all else, ensure equitable match ups for each game. Clemens today just fits into the rotation and Pettitte should match up well with Smoltz. That leaves Roy Oswalt left out of the big 3, and the rotation leaves him utterly out of the next 3 games. Save Oswalt for the potential fourth game and put the hodge-podge on Saturday, which is still a winnable match up.

I guess that doesn't answer the question of who pitches on Saturday. I would say, and I know it's dangerous, to start with Taylor Buchholz. He's well rested, and we'll see if he can at least go three innings. If he seems smooth (defined as no more than 1 earned run), then I would push him to the fourth or fifth at most if he's on a streak and sitting down batters left and right. Substitute in Sampson for two innings, then Albers for an inning, then Hirsch if he's available (I think he threw too many pitches though), then Borkowski.

[JimR]

not in the driver's seat. that would get us even in the loss column. we need tonight and tomorrow so that it does not come down to Smolz. at least we have good LH hitters for him.

[ValpoCory]

Quote:
not in the driver's seat. that would get us even in the loss column. we need tonight and tomorrow so that it does not come down to Smolz. at least we have good LH hitters for him.

I had the same reaction.  If the Astros get 1/2 game up after tonight, the Cardinals are still in the driver's seat because they get to play home games and the Astros have to play 2 in Atlanta including a Smoltz game.

The Cardinals are still very much in the driver's seat right now.

[AstroNut]

If the Astros go up 1/2 game tonight...their is a new driver of the NL Central bus.

[Limey]

Quote:
If the Astros go up 1/2 game tonight...their is a new driver of the NL Central bus.

Correct.  They could win out to force at least a one-game play-off at home, while the Jakes would have to play Monday (and win) and then come to Houston.

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:
If the Astros go up 1/2 game tonight...their is a new driver of the NL Central bus.

The Astros just need to keep winning games and not worry about who is driving the bus.

[Alkie]

I'll say something wonderfully obnoxious.

If we sweep the Braves, we will win the division.