Astros Series Preview

Published Aug. 6, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

Astros Probable Starters (in order):

Wandy Rodriguez (8-11, 4.80 ERA in 2010; 2010 vs. MIL: 2 GS, 2-0, 0.60 ERA, 15 SO, 2 BB, 0 HR allowed)
Brett Myers (8-6, 3.10 ERA in 2010; 2010 vs. MIL: 2 GS, 0-1, 6.75 ERA, 8 SO, 5 BB, 4 HR allowed)
Wesley Wright (1-1, 4.44 ERA in 2010; 2010 vs. MIL: 2 GS, 1-0, 2.57 ERA, 6 SO, 1 BB, 1 HR allowed)

Brewers Probable Starters (in order):

Dave Bush (2010 vs. HOU: 3 GS, 0-2, 4.50 ERA, 11 SO, 9 BB, 0 HR allowed)
Randy Wolf (2010 vs. HOU: 2 GS, 1-0, 1.69 ERA, 8 SO, 3 BB, 0 HR allowed)
Yovani Gallardo (2010 vs. HOU: 1 GS, 1-0, 6.00 ERA, 5 SO, 2 BB, 1 HR allowed)

BATTING LEADERS

Astros		Brewers
Batting average	Jeff Keppinger, .283	Batting average	Jim Edmonds, .289
On-base percentage	Keppinger, .353	On-base percentage	Prince Fielder, .399
Slugging	Hunter Pence, .444	Slugging	Hart, .559
OPS	Pence, .760	OPS	Hart, .905
Home runs	Pence, 15	Home runs	Fielder, 24
Runs batted in	Carlos Lee, Pence, 52	Runs batted in	Hart, 75
Runs scored	Pence, 57	Runs scored	Rickie Weeks, 76
Stolen bases	Michael Bourn, 31	Stolen bases	Braun, 13

So I wrote a preview for last week’s series against Houston that was all about their unprolific power-hitter offense. Unfortunately the post went missing and Lance Berkman was traded, so my post doesn’t have much relevance today.

It’s a bit of the same story, different day with these two teams as we’ll be seeing much the same pitching matchups as we did a week ago.

Brewers fans should be a little scared to see Dave Bush go up against Wandy Rodriguez as the last meeting did not go in our favor. Bush gave up six runs in five innings of work whereas Rodriguez was basically lights out in eight strong innings. He has not allowed a run in his last two appearances. This is actually the third Bush/Rodriguez pitching matchup this season and Rodriguez has won both.

From CBSSports.com, "(Rodriguez) has been even better lately, winning six of seven starts with a 1.91 ERA. He's pitched 15 straight scoreless innings over his last two games, three shy of his personal record set from July 2-21, 2009."

The Astros were riding a season-high seven-game win streak into Wednesday before the Cardinals were able to shut them down, chasing J.A. Happ from the game in under two innings of work.

Carlos Lee’s offensive production has been a matter of concern for Houston fans, especially since his numbers are so low in a year where he’s making $19 million dollars. In fact, he’s signed for two more years at $18.5 million per year.

Despite being at the bottom of the division standings most of the season, Houston has won six of the nine meetings between the two teams so far this season.

The Astros out-scored the Brewers last weekend 16-2.