Bucs & 'Stros Under 8
Game Time: 4/2/2007 7:00:00 PM -
By: Matt Fargo
Behind starters Roy Oswalt and Zach Duke, look for a low-scoring affair in Houston tonight when the Astros host the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Zach Duke came onto the scene in 2005 and performed not like a rookie should, posting a 1.81 ERA while going 8-2 in 14 starts. He slipped last season but is determined to turn things around as he has worked hard in his approach. Duke was pleased with his spring results, although he finished 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA as those numbers can be thrown out the door.
"I'm encouraged that my fastball command is back to where it needs to be," he said. "I can pitch to both sides of the plate, and I'm elevating when I need to."
Roy Oswalt counters for the Astros and he has been nothing but effective in his six years in the bigs. He's been especially sharp against Pittsburgh in his career, limiting the Pirates to a .251 batting average in 19 games while going 18-10 with a 2.76 ERA. Last season, Oswalt won all three of his starts against Pittsburgh, posting a 0.90 ERA while limiting the Pirates to a .197 average.
Pitching at home has been the most productive as Oswalt holds a career 2.65 ERA at Minute Maid Park over 91 games. Houston scored two or fewer runs in five of Oswalt’s eight losses and scored four runs or less 14 times and that is a huge issue. Houston now has Carlos Lee to go with Lance Berkman but the offense is still nothing to brag about. Last season, the Astros were last in the National League in batting average at .255 while their slugging percentage of .409 was second to last in baseball finishing ahead of only the Pirates.
Duke is 5-11 but has a 3.89 career ERA during road games and pitching near his hometown on Opening Day will only benefit. For the Pirates offense, Freddy Sanchez, last season’s National League batting champion and one of the most productive hitters, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The Pirates acquired Adam LaRoche to boost the offense but that was the only improvement on a team that ranked dead last in the league in runs scored and slugging. Pittsburgh does not win very often in Houston, dropping 42 of the last 53 meetings and it scored a total of eight runs at Minute Maid Park all of last season. This one stays low. Play the Under for a unit.
Play: Pirates-Astros Under 8
Game Time: 4/2/2007 7:00:00 PM -
By: Matt Fargo
Behind starters Roy Oswalt and Zach Duke, look for a low-scoring affair in Houston tonight when the Astros host the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Zach Duke came onto the scene in 2005 and performed not like a rookie should, posting a 1.81 ERA while going 8-2 in 14 starts. He slipped last season but is determined to turn things around as he has worked hard in his approach. Duke was pleased with his spring results, although he finished 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA as those numbers can be thrown out the door.
"I'm encouraged that my fastball command is back to where it needs to be," he said. "I can pitch to both sides of the plate, and I'm elevating when I need to."
Roy Oswalt counters for the Astros and he has been nothing but effective in his six years in the bigs. He's been especially sharp against Pittsburgh in his career, limiting the Pirates to a .251 batting average in 19 games while going 18-10 with a 2.76 ERA. Last season, Oswalt won all three of his starts against Pittsburgh, posting a 0.90 ERA while limiting the Pirates to a .197 average.
Pitching at home has been the most productive as Oswalt holds a career 2.65 ERA at Minute Maid Park over 91 games. Houston scored two or fewer runs in five of Oswalt’s eight losses and scored four runs or less 14 times and that is a huge issue. Houston now has Carlos Lee to go with Lance Berkman but the offense is still nothing to brag about. Last season, the Astros were last in the National League in batting average at .255 while their slugging percentage of .409 was second to last in baseball finishing ahead of only the Pirates.
Duke is 5-11 but has a 3.89 career ERA during road games and pitching near his hometown on Opening Day will only benefit. For the Pirates offense, Freddy Sanchez, last season’s National League batting champion and one of the most productive hitters, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The Pirates acquired Adam LaRoche to boost the offense but that was the only improvement on a team that ranked dead last in the league in runs scored and slugging. Pittsburgh does not win very often in Houston, dropping 42 of the last 53 meetings and it scored a total of eight runs at Minute Maid Park all of last season. This one stays low. Play the Under for a unit.
Play: Pirates-Astros Under 8