Biggest series of the Year Matchups: 9-21 -- Carlos Hernandez (1-2, 5.30) vs. Brett Tomko (10-6, 4.26) 9:15 on KNWS 9-22 -- Roy Oswalt (18-9, 3.48) vs. Noah Lowry (5-0, 4.09) 9:05 on FSSW/ESPN2 9-23 -- Brandon Backe (3-3, 4.45) vs. Jason Schmidt (16-7, 3.24) 9:15 on KNWS
They're all the biggest series of the season - now. I hope the arms are up to the task. The 'stros must take (at least) 2 of these.
No need for predictions. The Astros HAVE to take the series. A sweep especially would dramatically help our chances, by taking out the Giants from the 3-team race. Of course, losing this series pretty much takes us out of the race unless we can somehow sweep the Cards.
LWW. Stros absolutely have to have the series, and Schmidt lately has pitched his way out of Cy Young contention.
Will we pitch to Bonds? That's an intersting question. I'm pretty sure Carlos might give him a shot early on, and I'm confident Roy will - but Backe probably won't. I'll decline from making a prediction, too much at stake.
If no one is on base, don't pitch to him without a good sized lead. We shall see if this resurgance is for real tonight. I don't see how we can stay in it unless we win at least 2 of 3. DD
I as well will abstain from a prediction. As for the Bonds thing, I think they will all pitch to him except in the situations when you normally wouldn't pitch to a stellar hitter. ie Men on with bases open. Bonds will probably get at least one home run in this series. But overall, I think the rotation does fine. The key will be whether our offense can get back into that groove they were in during that long stretch of dominance.
If BB gets one HR in the series then the 'stros win the series (and head towards the world series? BTW - if it's the WS why don't we invite the world to participate?)
How quickly we all forget the 1st game of the season. If Roy doesn't pitch to Bonds with 2 on in the 8th inning, and a 4-1 lead, maybe the season turns out differently: 1.) We win game 1, and Roy starts off a string of very good starts for the entire year (he had an 8th inning "complex" because of that one game, for awhile). 2.) Andy doesn't feel the pressure to be dominant (both pitching, and hitting) in game 2, and he doesn't blow out his flexor tendon on a check-swing. 3.)Everybody just starts to relax a little... I think the pre-season expectations really created a tense atmosphere that the team finally cracked under, after the 1st month. (Of course, since we got off to a good start regardless... I doubt any of the above really matters... plus we got rid of '1-M', and got Garner...which nobody has complained about in losses yet, so that's good). I think this series will be decided on how well we hit THEIR pitching... both starters and bullpen... because they probably have the weakest staff out of all the teams in the hunt. That being said... we can hit Tomko, we don't know the second guy (which could be either really good, or really bad), and Schmidt is tough (but has been roughed up recently). 2 out of 3 isn't bad at all...
We do. If we make the World Series, we'll gladly invite Jose Vizcaino and Raul Chavez. Carlos Hernandez may also get a start or two.
