Brett Myers Faces Former Mates in Philadelphia
Brett Myers will get his first career start against the Phillies, the team he grew up with in the majors, when the Astros open a four-game series in Philadelphia on Monday.
When the Houston Astros were in their franchise heyday, a big part of the club's success in reaching the playoffs was a perfect 12-0 slate versus the Phillies in 2004-05. Houston's 6-0 record against Philadelphia in 2005 was the deciding factor in which of the two clubs won the NL wild card with the Astros finishing the season one game ahead of the Phils for the honor.
Houston maintained their edge over the Phillies from 2007-09 by winning 12 of the 21 contests, including six of eight in '09 when Philadelphia won its second consecutive NL pennant.
All signs point to that trend being in complete reversal, however, after the Phillies when into Houston on the first weekend of the 2010 schedule and swept three from the Astros. Plus Roy Oswalt, a big part of the Astros' success in those 2004-05 seasons, is now in the Phillies dugout.
Oswalt won't be pitching against his old mates this week in the four-game series that begins Monday. Monday's series opener will, however, see Brett Myers (14-11, 3.11) go against his former club when he gets the call for Houston opposite Philadelphia's Joe Blanton (10-10, 5.54). Early money lines had the Phils 150-155 favorites with the total set at nine and favoring the 'under.'
Myers will be making his first career start against the Phillies after missing them at Minute Maid Park in April. He's no stranger to Citizens Bank Park though after spending the 2002-09 seasons in a Philadelphia jersey. Myers' numbers at the stadium his last three seasons (2007-09) include 21 starts, 28 relief appearances, a 10-11 record and 10-for-11 in save ops with a 3.68 ERA in 171 innings.
He's picked up with good home stats with the Astros this season (10-2, 2.23). It's been a different story away from Houston in 2010. The Astros have won just four of Myers' 13 road starts with his ERA just below four.
Blanton has had decent success at Citizens Bank himself with a 4.03 ERA in over 200 innings and a personal 13-6 record. Philadelphia has come out on top in his last seven home assignments, the last defeat back coming June 6 versus the Padres. Blanton is just off an 8-2 win last Wednesday here versus the Giants. Facing Matt Cain with even odds on the outcome, the beefy right-hander tossed 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing two runs.
He's been strapped with minus 150 MLB odds three times this season with the Phillies 1-2 in those MLB wagers and all three contests at home. One thing in Blanton's favor is there's a good shot he will have the full complement of regulars behind him in the Phillies lineup afte both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard returned from the DL recently.
A 30 percent chance of rain is in the Philly forecast for Monday evening, with a game-time temperature in the low-70s. North winds around 10 mph are expected (in from center field).
This series will feature more than just Oswalt having a chance to say hello to old friends. J.A. Happ, Houston's take from Philly in the Oswalt deal, is in line to pitch Game 3 against his former club on Wednesday when he goes up against Roy Halladay. Jason Michaels, who started his big league career in Philadelphia could be a key late-inning pinch hitter in one of the games against former Astros closer Brad Lidge.
NOTE: W-L records displayed for starting pitchers are team records in games the pitchers start.
Brett Myers will get his first career start against the Phillies, the team he grew up with in the majors, when the Astros open a four-game series in Philadelphia on Monday.
When the Houston Astros were in their franchise heyday, a big part of the club's success in reaching the playoffs was a perfect 12-0 slate versus the Phillies in 2004-05. Houston's 6-0 record against Philadelphia in 2005 was the deciding factor in which of the two clubs won the NL wild card with the Astros finishing the season one game ahead of the Phils for the honor.
Houston maintained their edge over the Phillies from 2007-09 by winning 12 of the 21 contests, including six of eight in '09 when Philadelphia won its second consecutive NL pennant.
All signs point to that trend being in complete reversal, however, after the Phillies when into Houston on the first weekend of the 2010 schedule and swept three from the Astros. Plus Roy Oswalt, a big part of the Astros' success in those 2004-05 seasons, is now in the Phillies dugout.
Oswalt won't be pitching against his old mates this week in the four-game series that begins Monday. Monday's series opener will, however, see Brett Myers (14-11, 3.11) go against his former club when he gets the call for Houston opposite Philadelphia's Joe Blanton (10-10, 5.54). Early money lines had the Phils 150-155 favorites with the total set at nine and favoring the 'under.'
Myers will be making his first career start against the Phillies after missing them at Minute Maid Park in April. He's no stranger to Citizens Bank Park though after spending the 2002-09 seasons in a Philadelphia jersey. Myers' numbers at the stadium his last three seasons (2007-09) include 21 starts, 28 relief appearances, a 10-11 record and 10-for-11 in save ops with a 3.68 ERA in 171 innings.
He's picked up with good home stats with the Astros this season (10-2, 2.23). It's been a different story away from Houston in 2010. The Astros have won just four of Myers' 13 road starts with his ERA just below four.
Blanton has had decent success at Citizens Bank himself with a 4.03 ERA in over 200 innings and a personal 13-6 record. Philadelphia has come out on top in his last seven home assignments, the last defeat back coming June 6 versus the Padres. Blanton is just off an 8-2 win last Wednesday here versus the Giants. Facing Matt Cain with even odds on the outcome, the beefy right-hander tossed 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing two runs.
He's been strapped with minus 150 MLB odds three times this season with the Phillies 1-2 in those MLB wagers and all three contests at home. One thing in Blanton's favor is there's a good shot he will have the full complement of regulars behind him in the Phillies lineup afte both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard returned from the DL recently.
A 30 percent chance of rain is in the Philly forecast for Monday evening, with a game-time temperature in the low-70s. North winds around 10 mph are expected (in from center field).
This series will feature more than just Oswalt having a chance to say hello to old friends. J.A. Happ, Houston's take from Philly in the Oswalt deal, is in line to pitch Game 3 against his former club on Wednesday when he goes up against Roy Halladay. Jason Michaels, who started his big league career in Philadelphia could be a key late-inning pinch hitter in one of the games against former Astros closer Brad Lidge.
NOTE: W-L records displayed for starting pitchers are team records in games the pitchers start.