The Astros open American League play tonight against 6'4" 250lb LHP Matt Harrison. What do you need to know about him?
*Drafted by the Braves in the 3rd Round of the 2003 draft.
*Acquired by the Rangers on July 31, 2007 with Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia for Ron Mahay and Mark Teixeira.
*Harrison has made 62 starts in the last two seasons, with a 3.34 ERA/1.27 WHIP and a 134 ERA+.
*According to FanGraphs, Harrison threw a fastball 63.7% of the time in 2012, averaging 92.1mph. His curve (78.7mph) and changeup (82.7mph) are his next-most used pitches, but he does have a slider that he mixes in, as well.
*Harrison hasn't pitched against the Astros since 2011 (6IP, 7H/5ER, 2K:2BB on June 30).
*Through Age 26, Harrison's 5th Most-Similar Pitcher is...Wade Miller.
*Strangely enough, this will be Bud Norris' first start against the Rangers.
*Norris' last two starts of the 2012 season: 13.1IP, 6H/0ER, 11K:2BB.
*The Rangers are 9-3 against the Astros in the last two years, and leads the all-time series 42-30.
*The Astros haven't won an Opening Day game since April 3, 2006 (a 1-0 win over the Florida Marlins).
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
