Go woth 'Stros at Pittsburgh
Game Time: 9/26/2006 7:05:00 PM
By: Al McMordie
Making a late charge in the NL Central, the Astros are on a roll and they're the play tonight in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.
Despite having the best record in their division since the All Star Break, the Pirates will still wind up with one of the worst records in the National League and a ton of questions going into the offseason. Which of the young pitchers in their rotation will return next season besides Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, and tonight's starter Ian Snell? Will manager Jim Tracy return (it would appear that his job is safe for now)?
And with no All Star Game in town next year to bolster attendance (at least in July), will management keep the payroll where it is now, under $50 million and as such in the same general range as Kansas City ($47M), Colorado ($41M), and Tampa ($35M), or will they go on a spending spree (not likely)?
There is no such payroll dilemma surrounding the Astros who have a hefty $92 million worth of annual player salaries, but may very well be able to free up the almost $20M that they are paying Jeff Bagwell this season. And whether or not Andy Pettitte is worth the $16 million he is earning can be debated, but there is no doubt that he has been a valuable part of this rotation for the last two years now.
With the Astros needing every win they can get to stay alive in the NL Central race, there is no better place for them to be playing than PNC Park. Over the last two seasons, the Astros have a record of 7-4 in Pittsburgh. Take Houston.
Play: Astros
Game Time: 9/26/2006 7:05:00 PM
By: Al McMordie
Making a late charge in the NL Central, the Astros are on a roll and they're the play tonight in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.
Despite having the best record in their division since the All Star Break, the Pirates will still wind up with one of the worst records in the National League and a ton of questions going into the offseason. Which of the young pitchers in their rotation will return next season besides Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, and tonight's starter Ian Snell? Will manager Jim Tracy return (it would appear that his job is safe for now)?
And with no All Star Game in town next year to bolster attendance (at least in July), will management keep the payroll where it is now, under $50 million and as such in the same general range as Kansas City ($47M), Colorado ($41M), and Tampa ($35M), or will they go on a spending spree (not likely)?
There is no such payroll dilemma surrounding the Astros who have a hefty $92 million worth of annual player salaries, but may very well be able to free up the almost $20M that they are paying Jeff Bagwell this season. And whether or not Andy Pettitte is worth the $16 million he is earning can be debated, but there is no doubt that he has been a valuable part of this rotation for the last two years now.
With the Astros needing every win they can get to stay alive in the NL Central race, there is no better place for them to be playing than PNC Park. Over the last two seasons, the Astros have a record of 7-4 in Pittsburgh. Take Houston.
Play: Astros