The Astros try for the 6th time to win two games in a row this evening at CitiField against the Mets, this time against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Here's what you should know.
*That knuckleball. Dickey throws it 78.3% of the time in 2011, mixing in (21.7%) a four-seam fastball that sits about 83.4mph - down .5mph from 2010.
*In two starts against Houston - both in August 2010 - he's 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA, allowing 15H/3ER, 8K:3BB in 15.1IP. He only needed 108 pitches to get through 7IP on August 29, 2010.
*He's 1-2 with a 3.93 ERA in 2011 (overall), but has allowed 14H/8ER, 7K:9BB in his two starts (11.1IP) at home this season against Colorado and Washington.
*Current Astros are hitting .283/.317/.417 against Dickey. Carlos Lee is 7x14 with three doubles, a homer, and five RBIs. Joe Inglett is 4x6 with two doubles. Chris Johnson, Michael Bourn, and Hunter Pence are a combined 2x21 against Dickey.
*In nine total 1st-3rd innings, opponents are hitting .200/.359/.233. In eight 4th-6th innings, opponents are hitting .333/.405/.424. Wait him out, and don't get frustrated.
*The 1st time he goes through the order, the opponent's OPS is .625. 2nd time? .431. 3rd time, though? 1.100.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
