Matchup/Preview/Diary NLCS Game One at Cardinals

Andy Pettitte	Chris Carpenter
1 - 0, 3.86    0.86 WHIP	1 - 0, 3.52 1.00 WHIP

Once again, Bradley Ausmus gives the Astros the coveted nod in the game preview table at the catcher's slot. He's got a better RC27 than Yadier Molina since the break, he's hitting game-tying homers in the ninth inning, he's caught more playoff games than anyone in Astros history, he's conferring with Garner on strategy in the 16th, the list goes on.

Let's hope Brad has a great NLCS, and that maybe we can finally retire the Homer Simpson comparisons.

Kind of wanted to single Ausmus out, 'cause we don't have an edge through the lineups much of anywhere else. Ensbeg over Nuñez by nearly three runs is good, and Biggio over Grudzielanek by 8/10ths would feel nice if home/road were taken into account.

Beyond that, we've got a guy who can't play the field, and three pitchers, getting the nod.

I was over at our Cardinals counterpart, Viva El Birdos, saying the Cardinals' outifeld had me not knowing whether to s***or go blind. Sanders--who's got like a 1.700 OPS against us, and who hit a nearly 500-foot home run at Minute Maid last year-- served notice during the Padres series that he's quite healthy, thank you, and Larry Walker hasn't been breaking down much lately, either.

Jim Edmonds must be slipping: it's been fifteen games since he dropped four RBI's on the 'Stros. And all Albert Pujols does against Houston is play his normal game, which is frightening enough.

I guess the game plan is as it was against Atlanta: get it to the bullpen, make the starter work sooner, rather than later.

And pitch your ass off.