Current Series
Brewers lead the series 2-0
| Fri 08/14 | WP: Yovani Gallardo (11 - 9) LP: Wandy Rodriguez (11 - 7) | 11 - 2 win |
| Sat 08/15 | WP: Mike Burns (3 - 4) LP: Brian Moehler (7 - 9) | 6 - 2 win |
Houston Astros Sunday, Aug 16, 2009, 1:05 PM CDT Roy Oswalt vs Braden Looper Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. Complete Coverage > | ||
Braden Looper, who leads the NL in home runs allowed, takes on one of baseball's best pitchers today, and if that didn't put the Brewers at a significant enough disadvantage, Jason Kendall is also back behind the plate [undermining my two out of three games started is standard for a catcher argument from yesterday - TheJay].
I'm going to the Timber Rattlers game, but follow the jump if you'd like more info on today's pitching matchup, lineups and conversation on today's game.
Roy Oswalt (6-4, 3.87) is making just his second start in August, having missed most of the month with a strained muscle in his back. He went five innings last time out and was not himself, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and two walks in five innings. He's 13-8 and a 3.62 ERA in his career against the Brewers and has owned Prince Fielder, holding him to a .129/.156/.161 line in 32 PAs. Jason Kendall has faced Oswalt 48 times, most of any Brewer, and fared well, posting a .386/.435/.455 line. With that said, 14 of Kendall's 17 hits against Oswalt came in 2004 or earlier.
Meanwhile, the Brewers might settle for five solid innings from Braden Looper (10-6, 4.99), who allowed seven runs (five earned), including two more home runs in just five innings of work last time out. Looper's 29 home runs allowed lead the National League, and he needs just seven more in the nine or so starts he has left to break the franchise record set by Wayne Franklin in 2003. If Looper allows a home run today, he'll be the first Brewer to reach 30 in a season since Jeff Suppan did it last year.
Jason Kendall went 0-for-2 and drew an intentional walk last night, and that incredible performance earned him another start today:
Felipe Lopez 2B
Craig Counsell 3B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Mike Cameron CF
Frank Catalanotto RF
Jason Kendall C
Braden Looper P
Alcides Escobar SS
And in the bullpen:
Claudio Vargas pitched one inning (21 pitches) Friday.
Todd Coffey pitched one inning (9 pitches) last night, and also pitched on Friday.
Jesus Colome pitched one inning (12 pitches) Friday.
David Weathers pitched one inning (9 pitches) last night.
Mark DiFelice has not pitched since Thursday.
Trevor Hoffman has not pitched since Thursday.
Mitch Stetter has not pitched since Thursday.
Enjoy the game!