Houston @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Mar 20, 2010 ) NY Yankees 6, Houston 8
It may still be a lost season for the Houston Astros, but at least they’re beginning to make things interesting.
The Astros will be trying to keep a solid month of June going when they face the defending champion New York Yankees in an interleague series starting Friday.
Houston entered baseball’s third month with a record of 17-34 and mired in last place in the National League Central with what appeared to be no hope for the season or the future. But things can change quickly in baseball, and while the Astros certainly aren’t contenders, at least they are beginning to show that they’re not doormats either.
Roy Oswalt struck out nine in seven strong innings and Humberto Quintero homered as Houston pushed its latest winning streak to three games with a 5-4 win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. The victory pushed the Astros’ record for June to 8-2 and moved them a full game in front of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the battle to stay out of the cellar.
Pitching has been the key, as Houston has allowed just over three runs per game during their wins this month. Oswalt, Brett Myers and Felipe Paulino all have managed to get their ERAs down below 4.00, and Matt Lindstrom has 14 saves in 17 opportunities.
That pitching staff is likely to get a good workout this weekend against the Yankees, who lead the majors in runs scored, on-base percentage and OPS.
New York had a three-game winning streak snapped Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles, dropping the series finale 4-3. Robinson Cano managed only one hit in the loss after stringing together three straight three-hit games.
Myers and his team-leading 3.01 ERA will get first crack at Cano and the rest of the Yankees lineup today. The veteran right-hander has allowed a total of five earned runs over his last four starts and is coming off a win against the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed two runs and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings.
Myers was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies team that lost the World Series to the Yankees last season. He appeared in one game in the series, allowing a run in one inning. Myers has made two career regular-season starts against New York, winning both while allowing five runs in 14 2/3 total innings.
The Yankees will counter with a pitcher who is no stranger to the Astros in Andy Pettitte. The veteran left-hander spent three seasons with Houston from 2004-2006, posting a 37-26 record with a 3.38 ERA.
A native of Texas, Pettitte is having one of his best seasons at age 37, leading all New York starters with a 2.47 ERA. He is 2-0 in his last three starts but did not earn a decision last time out against Toronto despite allowing just two runs and striking out a season-high 10 in 7 2/3 innings.