Post by joshsbix on Sept 28, 2023 7:29:06 GMT -5
After an off day on 5/12 the Cardinals arrive at Colt Stadium for an important early season series. Both teams have 2 games remaining before they meet up so the standings could look completely different by the time the two teams meet. Houston has a tough matchup currently, in Arizona. They can't be caught looking ahead to the Cardinal series or they could arrive home 3 games back. The Cardinals are playing a good Mets team though so the potential is there for the Red Birds and the 'Stros to be tied with each other when the weekend series arrives. Whatever the standings look like, both teams are sure to leave everything on the field as the war of attrition that is the NL Central really gets going.
The Cards have enjoyed more success against winning teams so far this year; splitting with SF, winning 2/3 in Colorado, 3/4 in STL against the Dodgers, 2/3 from Arizona, splitting with Philadelphia, but getting swept by Atlanta. There is no question they will show up to Houston battle tested and determined to take control of the Central.
5/13
Probable pitching matchup: LHP Cliff Lee vs RHP Josh Beckett
This might be the best matchup of the series for Houston. The Cardinals are 14-9 against RHP while only posting a slightly better than .500 against LHP at 6-5. Cliff Lee is the best lefty starter that the Astros have. The hope here is that the Astros can continue their success against RHP as they are currently 14-9. Even if they can get to Beckett early, the Cardinal bullpen has been stellar. This is going to have to be the series that the Astro bats finally wake up. If we have one advantage over the Cardinals, on paper, it isn't pitching.
5/14
Probable pitching matchup: RHP Derek Lowe vs. RHP Edgar Ramos
Ramos brings a 3.60 ERA into the matchup with 4 wins and 2 losses. He has been strong over his first 7 appearances, if you take away the shelling he took against Chicago. He is sure to be a tough nut to crack but their success against right handed pitching will give the Astros positive vibes going into this one.
5/15
Probable pitching matchup: LHP Ted Lilly vs. LHP Matt Childers
The Astros will call on their second lefty starter in game 3 of the series. Hopefully, he will be pitching for the sweep on Sunday but if not, hopefully it will be a rubber match. If either is the case, it will not be an easy goal to achieve. Childers leads the Card starters in wins (5-1) and ERA (2.56). His ERA is .85 lower than it was last year. Now would be a great time for the law of averages to kick in. Lilly has been mediocre, at best, since coming out of the bullpen to start after Cordova's injury. He has given up 10 runs over 3 outings even after his first start was a solid 7 inning outing. Since then he has given up 8 runs over 9.1 innings. This may be his last chance to prove he should remain in the rotation after Dontrelle Willis pitched well in his spot start.
I don't think I have looked forward to a non-opening day regular season sim this much since the '78 season. Biased Prediction: The lefties come through and Astros win the series 2-1.
The Cards have enjoyed more success against winning teams so far this year; splitting with SF, winning 2/3 in Colorado, 3/4 in STL against the Dodgers, 2/3 from Arizona, splitting with Philadelphia, but getting swept by Atlanta. There is no question they will show up to Houston battle tested and determined to take control of the Central.
5/13
Probable pitching matchup: LHP Cliff Lee vs RHP Josh Beckett
This might be the best matchup of the series for Houston. The Cardinals are 14-9 against RHP while only posting a slightly better than .500 against LHP at 6-5. Cliff Lee is the best lefty starter that the Astros have. The hope here is that the Astros can continue their success against RHP as they are currently 14-9. Even if they can get to Beckett early, the Cardinal bullpen has been stellar. This is going to have to be the series that the Astro bats finally wake up. If we have one advantage over the Cardinals, on paper, it isn't pitching.
5/14
Probable pitching matchup: RHP Derek Lowe vs. RHP Edgar Ramos
Ramos brings a 3.60 ERA into the matchup with 4 wins and 2 losses. He has been strong over his first 7 appearances, if you take away the shelling he took against Chicago. He is sure to be a tough nut to crack but their success against right handed pitching will give the Astros positive vibes going into this one.
5/15
Probable pitching matchup: LHP Ted Lilly vs. LHP Matt Childers
The Astros will call on their second lefty starter in game 3 of the series. Hopefully, he will be pitching for the sweep on Sunday but if not, hopefully it will be a rubber match. If either is the case, it will not be an easy goal to achieve. Childers leads the Card starters in wins (5-1) and ERA (2.56). His ERA is .85 lower than it was last year. Now would be a great time for the law of averages to kick in. Lilly has been mediocre, at best, since coming out of the bullpen to start after Cordova's injury. He has given up 10 runs over 3 outings even after his first start was a solid 7 inning outing. Since then he has given up 8 runs over 9.1 innings. This may be his last chance to prove he should remain in the rotation after Dontrelle Willis pitched well in his spot start.
I don't think I have looked forward to a non-opening day regular season sim this much since the '78 season. Biased Prediction: The lefties come through and Astros win the series 2-1.
