Opening Series: April 2-5th Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros

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vs

Official Houston Astros Website
Official Pittsburgh Pirates Website

Projected Starters:
Game 1

PIT- Zach Duke

10-15, 4.47 ERA in 2006
0-2, 5.68 in 2006 vs. HOU
0-3, 5.56 lifetime vs.

HOU- Roy Oswalt

15-8, 2.98 ERA in 2006
3-0, 0.90 in 2006 vs. PIT
18-10, 2.76 lifetime vs. PIT

Game 2

PIT- Ian Snell

14-11, 4.74 era in 2006
1-2, 5.94 in 2006 vs HOU
2-3, 4.55 lifetime vs HOU

HOU- Jason Jennings

9-13, 3.78 era in 2006
0-1, 9.00 in 2006 vs PIT
1-5, 6.11 lifetime vs PIT

Game 3

PIT- Tom Gorzellany

2-5, 3.79 era in 2006
0-2, 3.46 era vs HOU
0-3, 5.19 era vs HOU

HOU- Woody Williams

12-5, 3.65 era in 2006
Didn't face PIT last year
7-2, 3.52 lifetime vs PIT

Probable Lineups

PIT

1. Chris Duffy, CF
2. Jack Wilson, SS
3. Jason Bay, LF
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Ronny Paulino, C
6. Xaiver Nady, RF
7. Jose Bautista, 3B
8. Jose Castillo, 2B

HOU

1. Craig Biggio, 2B
2. Adam Everett, SS
3. Lance Berkman, 1B
4. Carlos Lee, LF
5. Morgan Ensberg, 3B
6. Luke Scott, RF
7. Chris Burke, CF
8. Brad Ausmus, C

Players to Watch
PIT- Jason Bay: .391 avg vs Roy Oswalt
HOU- Carlos Lee: .385 avg vs Zach Duke

Series Outcome:

The Astros are clearly the better team, but I expect the Pirates to sneak out a victory if not two in this series. Roy Oswalt should win the first game of the series. However, the Pirates could win the second game with Snell going against Jennings. Woody Williams vs Gorzellany is a real toss-up, but I give the edge to Woody in this game. The Pirates, as well as my fantasy team, are missing Freddy Sanchez from their lineup which will lessen their chances even more if they want to compete in the NL Central. I look to Chris Duffy to have a huge series vs the Astros.

Houston Astros 2
Pittburgh Pirates 1

I got all my information from these site. The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Homepage Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Baseball Statistics and History

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Right when I was about to post that the Astros weren't getting enough offense, Ensberg gets a sharp single up the middle, Scott hits a 2-run shot, and Chris Burke gets a double of the crawford boxes. With Ensberg, Scott, and Burke hitting; we have an offense.

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And it starts again. Will Lidge ever be a closer in the league again?