Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros
Posted on | July 27, 2006 | No Comments
The Arizona Diamondbacks have outperformed what most people expected of them at the beginning of the season, now finding themselves only three games back in the NL West, and two in the NL Wildcard race. The Houston Astros on the other hand are well below where they expect to be within the NL Central, in third place and 10.5 games back, but yet they still find themselves only five games back in the NL Wildcard. Given the fact that they have historically been a second half team, it is definitely a possibility that when the season ends they could find themselves as the Wildcard team. The two teams will begin their weekend series on Friday night in Houston. The weather should not play a factor in this series, as a rain storm is supposed to come in on Friday, lowering the scorching summer temperatures in Houston.
In game one, the Diamondbacks will send Enrique Gonzalez to the hill, with a 3-2 record, and a 4.85 ERA. The rookie right-hander has shown some improvement as of late, but still has some rookie woes. Brandon Backe will be returning from the disabled list in his second start since April for the Astros, after a three month recovery from a sprained right elbow. In his first game back, Backe let up four runs in four innings against the Mets, lowering his record to 1-1 on the year, with a 4.50 ERA. Juan Cruz (3-5, 4.95 ERA) versus Roy Oswalt (7-7, 3.35 ERA) will be the matchup in game two. Cruz has had a sub par year for the Diamondbacks so far, only averaging 4.25 innings pitched per game in the month of July. Oswalt has also underperformed, starting out strong, but only winning one of his last eight games pitched. The Diamondbacks have yet to announce their starter for the series finale, yet whoever it is will have to face the Astros’ Roger Clemens. Clemens is 2-4 since coming out of retirement, posting a 2.45 ERA. Clemens has pitched well this season, as his record does not do him justice. In his seven starts in 2006, the Astros have only scored 20 runs (2.9 runs/game), and twice have been shutout. The aging right hander does put some pressure on his bullpen, as his stamina only allows him to pitch five or six innings typically.
Verdict: The two teams are very evenly matched, and should make each of the three games competitive. The pitching for both teams is not the greatest, though the matchups will be crucial if the two teams wish to remain in their respective races. Look for the Astros to win two of the three games, with the home field advantage as the deciding factor.
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