Pittsburgh @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2010 ) Pittsburgh 2, Houston 6
The Houston Astros haven't taken advantage of too many teams this season.
Fortunately for them, they have the Pittsburgh Pirates to kick around.
Houston is 4-0 against Pittsburgh this season following Tuesday night's 6-2 win. All four wins have come at Minute Maid Park, where the Astros haven’t been able to beat anyone except the Pirates. Houston is 17-24 at home.
The three-game series continues tonight. The Astros have outscored the Pirates 25-10 in the four meetings this season.
As poorly as the Astros have played, they have had success within the National League Central, thanks mostly to beating the Pirates. Houston is 16-12 against division foes.
Brian Moehler makes his eighth start for the Astros since being moved into the rotation on May 29. He's 1-3 in those starts and has pitched six innings only twice. Moehler defeated Texas on June 25 for his one win.
The veteran right-hander held San Diego to one run in 5 2/3 innings and left with the lead in his last start, but the bullpen let his chances for a win get away.
Moehler made 12 relief appearances before being moved out of the bullpen.
Daniel McCutchen, coming off his first win of the season, starts for the Pirates. Called up from Triple-A Indianapolis last Saturday, McCutchen held Philadelphia to two runs in 5 1/3 innings and won for the first time since Oct. 2, 2009.
The rookie right-hander hasn't fooled many hitters in his first six appearances (five starts). He has allowed 32 hits in 23 1/3 innings and opponents are hitting .317 against him.
McCutchen's inability to keep the ball in the park has been his most alarming, having already allowed seven homers. The trend is even worse than last season, when he gave up six home runs in 36 1/3 innings in his first taste in the majors.
McCutchen’s hold on his spot in the rotation appears to be shaky at best. The Pirates could make a move to replace him with the All-Star break beginning Monday. Zach Duke is due to come off the disabled list so McCutchen could find himself back in Indianapolis soon.
Wandy Rodriguez struck out 10 in seven innings while Lance Berkman, who had three RBIs, and Carlos Lee homered Tuesday night.
The loss dropped the Pirates to 11-33 away from PNC Park, the worst road record in the NL. Pittsburgh's road woes don’t look like they will improve anytime soon. The Pirates have lost 19 of their last 21 on the road and are 3-14 in Houston since 2008.