The Astros welcome the Marlins to the lineup, likely by sending Lance Berkman out there to give Carlos Lee something to hit.
Who We Got
Florida: 8-5, 2nd place, .5GB
On the Road: 4-2
Vs. Houston: 0-0
Runs scored/Against: 68/62
Houston: 3-9, 6th place, 5.5GB
At Home: 0-6
Runs Scored/Runs Against: 28/57
Starting Pitchers
Chris Volstad: 1-1, 3.46 ERA / 1.15 WHIP
Last two games:
(vCIN- Apr 14) 6.2IP, 5H/3ER, 5K:4BB
(vLAD - Apr 9) 6.1IP, 5H/2ER, 2K:1BB
Brett Myers: 0-1, 3.46 ERA / 1.46 WHIP
Last two games:
(@STL - Apr 14) 7IP, 4H/1ER, 7K:2BB
(vSF - Apr 7) 6IP, 12H/4ER, 3K:1BB
Why the Astros Will Win
Because surely the Astros can't start the season 0-7 at home. Right?
Because Volstad's last start against Houston saw him go 4.2IP, 8H/6ER, 2K:3BB. Though this was a game the Astros lost 9-8 in 11 innings (Aug 11, 09).
Why the Astros Will Lose
Because Brett Myers is 0-4 with an 8.58 ERA in his last five starts against the Marlins.
Or because Volstad has held righties to a .156/.344/.572 line (5x32) in two games this season.
Or because Volstad has only ever walked one Astro - Michael Bourn - in 37 plate appearances.
Or because the Marlins have hit Myers to a .326/.380/.583 line lifetime (47x144 - 37K:13BB). Jorge Cantu is 6x14 with three doubles and a homer. Dan Uggla is 14x37 with five homers and eight extra-base hits. Hanley Ramirez is 10x28 with four XBH.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
