Weather:
75 degrees, sunny, light wind (5mph) blowing in and towards the first base line.
75 degrees, sunny, light wind (5mph) blowing in and towards the first base line.
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There's still time boys.....lots of game left!Comment -
Under looking good so far.Comment -
Pitchers
Myers:
Much better at home in 2007 than he was on the road. His velocity has been down this year but he's still not giving up more than a hit per inning after 3 games (Cubs, Cinci, Nationals). Brett gave up 0 walks and had 5 Ks in his last outing with a WHIP under 0.70. The % of line drives allowed by brett has been better so far this season than the numbers he's finished with in any other season, but he's been giving up the long ball. So far this year right handers have been hitting him better, but they've also struck out more and walked much less. Last year his era and average against was also much better against lefties so this seasons start isn't likely the result of just an 18 inning sample size. over most of his career Myers BABIP has been around the league average, but this year is a good bit below it which would seem to indicate a certain amount of luck, but hes been hurt by more hrs than usual and hes been allowing a low number of sharply hit balls.
Backe:
Backe has a tremendous era on the season despite an embarrassing whip of 1.69. In his 3 starts Backe has faced the Cubs, Marlins, and Padres. Brandon was able to get out of his final start without allowing a run even though he allowed 10 runners to reach base in just 5 innings; the marlins simply didnt capitalize. Backe had a nice season on 07 and managed to get through the season by keeping batters off balance while keeping the ball in play. Brandon didn't get many strike outs and didn't log many innings, but he was effective none the less. In fact, he had a better era in the majors than he did in minor league ball in 07. This year the right hander has been right around 21% as far as LD allowed. Backe is not really considered much of a ground ball or fly ball pitcher, he tries to limit his mistakes and relies on the defense behind him more than a guy like Myers does. Backe had a rough spring, but the stros are limited with their options after tradding patton and albers to the Os, and the lack of depth allowed backe to earn a rotation spot.Comment -
3-run shot would help out
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The bats:
Philly:
Over the last 7 days the only hot bats for the Phills have been Wesrth (.389, 1HR) and Burrell (.294, 2HR). Ryan Howard is slumping a bit over the last week at .190 and facing a guy thats held lefties around .150 on the season isn't likely to help. The good news for this lineup is that the hot bats are both right handers with some power and those are the guys who have been Backe the most trouble. Expect them each to make a bid for extra bases once or twice this afternoon. This season the phils are in the bottom 12 in runs scored and in the bottom 10 in average. Being without Victorino and Rollins doesn't help, but Werth is a more than capable replacement for Shane.
Houston:
The hottest bat for the stros as been Lance Berkman who is batting .400 in his last 20 ABs with 2 HRs. Tejada, Loretta, and Lee have each also been at .300 or better while Bourn is at .278 over that time frame. A big concern for the visitors here has been the bat of hunter pence who just hasn't gotten it going this year; you have to hope it doesn't become a mental issue with him if he isn't able to snap out of it shortly. Houston is 9th in the league in homers which have kept their offense alive while posting the 3rd worst team batting average in the majors at .233. Houston has had great success against Myers in the past, im not sure that i dont expect some more success this afternoon.Comment -
Astros +152!!!
GLComment -
Batter vs Pitcher:
The phils only have 20 ABs vs Backe overall and 2 of those belong to Rollins who was 2 for 2 off of him. Howard and Jenkins have hit him hard. Backe has 5Ks in the 18 ABs by players who will be available for Philly today.
Myers has faces Ausmus, Matsui (inactive), Loretta, Berkman, and Wiggington (inactive) each more than 10 times; 4 of them are hitting .300 or better vs the right hander. Berkman is the one guy who is not. Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada have not faced Myers much, but they've each enjoyed success against him. Lee has 2 HRs in 5 Abs.Comment -
With a full lineup on each side i would lean towards the over, but the losses of wiggington and rollins for replacements with mus less talent, in the case of rollins, or much less success vs the starter, in the case of Ty, have me off the total. I will take the side only. Houston +155.
Houston +155Comment -
Go Astros!!!....I agree pokernut the under looking great 0-0 so far....Comment -
Sounds like a great gamble especially with Rollins out and Myer's history vs the Astros bats.Comment -
again, a ff wager.Comment -
Backe off to a good start. Gives up a single on 1-2 and then a single on 0-2
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He's a real kok boy here in the first, isn't he?Comment -
1 away. Get a double play now, dumbphuk! Throw a low slider or sinkah!Comment -
Basehit! What a kok!Comment -
1-0 Phils 1st and 3rd 1 out
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Another basehit. 2-0 philly. What a kok!Comment -
2-0 1st Inning.......
This day is starting off lovely
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Need a little bit of overs 9.5Comment -
oopppsss actually 3-0...Phukin Phils scored another run while I was posting.Comment -
back is serving up softballs with 2 strikes. 3 2 strike hits allowed already.
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Double. 3-0 now. Kok!Comment -
only 5 hits allowed and an error in the first. solid start.
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They're hittin this dick boy hard. This one's a loser. Later boyz.Comment -
fukk this...any chance of rain ....tornado...hurricane??Comment -
now we get 3 hits and we're thrown out at home.
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Killing me!Comment -
How The Hell Do You Walk The Pitcher On 4 Pitches?!!!Comment -
backe you suck...walk the pitcher??fukk you!!Comment
