San Diego Padres at Houston Astros
Posted on | August 9, 2006 | No Comments
The San Diego Padres will make the trip to Houston, Texas on Friday to begin a three game series with the Houston Astros. The Padres currently lead the NL West by half a game, but are only 4.5 games ahead of last place San Francisco, making this series that much more important. The Astros are still battling for the NL Wildcard, though they are currently in fourth place, battling nine other teams who are in serious playoff contention. The Padres are coming off a series in New York against the Mets, and the Astros will continue their homestead after completing their series with the Pirates.
In game one, Chan Ho Park will take the hill against the left Andy Pettitte. Park is recovering from a medical ailment which has kept him out for two starts, though he has pitched well for the Padres in 2006. He is 7-6 on the year, with a 4.63 ERA. Pettitte has struggled this year, with a subpar 10-12 record, and an ERA of just under 5. The veteran has been spotty, but he still arguably has the best pick off move in the major leagues. Jake Peavy will battle against Jason Hirsh in game two, with both pitchers looking to prove themselves. Peavy has been better of late, but has not been able to control his pitches, contributing to a high ERA of 4.69, and a 5-11 record. Hirsh, a former first round pick, will be making his first career major league start on Saturday. Hirsh has been outstanding in AAA ball, and is a physical monster on the mound, weighing in at 250 pounds, and 6’8”. The Astros are sure hoping that he will pitch well, and perhaps even pitch well enough to earn a slot as the fifth starter in their rotation. The series finale will be pitched by Brandon Backe for the Astros, though the Padres have yet to announce their starter. Backe is 2-1 on the year, with a 3.69 ERA, after being out for most of the year with a sprained right elbow.
Analysis: Both teams will be struggling on the pitching rubber in this series as they experiment with their rotations, and hope to stabilize that order before the postseason. The Astros need this series more than the Padres need it, however the Padres have the momentum going into the series, especially considering how much the Astros have been struggling as of late. Look for the Padres to win two of three, and increase their lead in the NL West.
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