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Preview/Matchup/Diary Game # 121 vs. Brewers

 

Tomo Ohka   Rogér Clemens
7 - 7, 3.82    11 - 4, 1.32

Now they've gone and done it. with Philadelphia's victory over the Nationals in the first half of their twi-night doubleheader, the Astros have fallen out of first place.

Now, Houston can actually regain the top spot with both a win over the Brewers and a little Nationals' revenge over the Phillies in their nightcap. But you really hate to see it have come to that.

And besides, I know that the Brewers have been involved in some Astros heartbreak over the years. We DO have Clemens going tonight, and they ARE sending Tomo Ohka to the mound, who is certainly beatable.

But while nothing much has come of Clemens' aching back so far, that particular domestic injury continues to lie in wait, ready to ambush the Astros at the worst possible time. And that time could be tonight. Now more than ever, as they say, the 'Stros are relying on Roger Clemens.

And besides, Clemens didn't give up a run over eight innings last time out, and we still lost.

So call me cautiously pessimistic.

Milwaukee comes in 13th of 14 in OPS for the month, while the Astros are 11th. Let's break that down a bit:

OPS in August
OPS
since 8/1
Brewer Pos Astro OPS
since 8/1
.485 Damian Miller C1 Brad Ausmus .667 x
.308 Chad Moeller C2 Humberto Quintero .808 x
.550 Lyle Overbay 1B Lance Berkman .630 x
x .852 Rickie Weeks 2B Craig Biggio .644
.400 J.J. Hardy SS Adam Everett .547 x
1.060 Russell Branyan 3B Morgan Ensberg 1.255 x
x 1.087 Geoff Jenkins OF1 Jason Lane .864
.742 Carlos Lee OF2 Orlando Palmeiro .768 x
.625 Corey Hart OF3 Willy Taveras .750 x
.321 Chris Magruder OF4 Chris Burke .667 x
x .689 Billy Hall Util/PH Eric Bruntlett .523
.000 Tomo Ohka P1 Roger Clemens .762 x
x .800 Doug Davis P2 Ezequiel Astacio .000
.250 Ben Sheets P3 Wandy Rodriguez .661 x
x .667 Victor Santos P4 Andy Pettitte .333
I don't know about you, but with the loss to the Cubs last night, I've already done pushed the button.

How 'bout you?