Starting Lineups
Houston - Philadelphia
Willy Taveras CF - Jimmy Rollins SS
Craig Biggio 2B - Kenny Lofton CF
Luke Scott LF - Chase Utley 2B
Lance Berkman 1B - Bobby Abreu RF
Jason Lane RF - Pat Burrell LF
Mike Lamb 3B - Ryan Howard 1B
Adam Everett SS - David Bell 3B
Brad Ausmus C - Mike Lieberthal C
Brandon Backe P - Vicente Padilla P
Game Preview
Astros to start Backe in series finale
Houston (74-64) at Philadelphia (73-66), 7:05 pm EDT
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Brandon Backe makes his first start in more than six weeks Wednesday when the Houston Astros try to complete a three-game road sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Astros entered the series trailing the Phillies by one-half game in the National League wild card standings, but have posted a pair of one-run victories to take a 1 1/2-game lead in the race for the NL's final playoff berth.
After Andy Pettitte shut down the Phillies on Monday, Roy Oswalt compiled an even more impressive performance on Tuesday, holding Philadelphia to just one run in eight innings of a 2-1 triumph.
The Astros, who look to win their 12th straight game against the Phillies, turn to righthander Brandon Backe (8-7, 4.93 ERA), who makes his first start since July 23.
The 27-year-old righthander, who has been out with a left intercostal strain, is just 3-6 with a 5.96 ERA on the road this year. He never has faced the Phillies.
Philadelphia counters with Vicente Padilla (8-12, 4.51), who looks to beat the Astros for the first time in his career. The Nicaraguan righthander is 0-4 with a 5.13 ERA in nine games - four starts - against Houston, including a 3-2 loss on July 27 in which he yielded three runs in six innings.
Padilla allowed just one run and four hits Friday in a 7-1 win over Washington to improve to 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his last five starts.
Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins enters the series finale with a career-high 13-game hitting streak.
Houston - Philadelphia
Willy Taveras CF - Jimmy Rollins SS
Craig Biggio 2B - Kenny Lofton CF
Luke Scott LF - Chase Utley 2B
Lance Berkman 1B - Bobby Abreu RF
Jason Lane RF - Pat Burrell LF
Mike Lamb 3B - Ryan Howard 1B
Adam Everett SS - David Bell 3B
Brad Ausmus C - Mike Lieberthal C
Brandon Backe P - Vicente Padilla P
Game Preview
Astros to start Backe in series finale
Houston (74-64) at Philadelphia (73-66), 7:05 pm EDT
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Brandon Backe makes his first start in more than six weeks Wednesday when the Houston Astros try to complete a three-game road sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Astros entered the series trailing the Phillies by one-half game in the National League wild card standings, but have posted a pair of one-run victories to take a 1 1/2-game lead in the race for the NL's final playoff berth.
After Andy Pettitte shut down the Phillies on Monday, Roy Oswalt compiled an even more impressive performance on Tuesday, holding Philadelphia to just one run in eight innings of a 2-1 triumph.
The Astros, who look to win their 12th straight game against the Phillies, turn to righthander Brandon Backe (8-7, 4.93 ERA), who makes his first start since July 23.
The 27-year-old righthander, who has been out with a left intercostal strain, is just 3-6 with a 5.96 ERA on the road this year. He never has faced the Phillies.
Philadelphia counters with Vicente Padilla (8-12, 4.51), who looks to beat the Astros for the first time in his career. The Nicaraguan righthander is 0-4 with a 5.13 ERA in nine games - four starts - against Houston, including a 3-2 loss on July 27 in which he yielded three runs in six innings.
Padilla allowed just one run and four hits Friday in a 7-1 win over Washington to improve to 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his last five starts.
Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins enters the series finale with a career-high 13-game hitting streak.
But whatever the case, like you say, it's a little soon.
