Philadelphia @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2011 ) Houston 3, Philadelphia 7
THE STORY: Familiar faces will renew acquaintances with their former teams on Monday when the Philadelphia Phillies invade Minute Maid Park to open a three-game set with the Houston Astros. After all, both starting pitchers - Roy Oswalt and Brett Myers - logged several seasons with their former clubs. In addition, Hunter Pence will face the Astros for the first time since he went from the outhouse to the penthouse - well, in relation to the standings. Philadelphia can clinch a postseason berth with a win and a loss by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Phillies' magic number for clinching their fifth consecutive National League East title sits at six.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), FSH (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Roy Oswalt (7-8, 3.72 ERA) vs. Astros RH Brett Myers (4-13, 4.66 ERA)
Oswalt spent the first nine-plus seasons of his career in the Lone Star State before heading to the City of Brotherly Love in July 2010. The 34-year-old Mississippi native won his lone start against his former team, tossing six solid innings in a 7-3 triumph on April 3. Fast forward to the present, Oswalt has won three of his last four decisions while striking out seven in each of his last two games. He permitted two runs on four hits in seven innings, but settled for a no-decision against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
Myers collected his first win since June 17 when he allowed one run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings in a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday. The 12th overall pick of the 1999 draft by the Phillies, Myers won his lone decision against his former club. He pitched well against them on April 1 as well, but settled for a no-decision after seven solid innings.
ABOUT THE PHILLIES (94-49): Philadelphia saw its six-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday with a 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Pence fared well throughout the series, going 7-for-17 as a tuneup for his Houston homecoming. The two-time All-Star is hitless in four career at-bats against Myers. Second baseman Chase Utley (concussion) is expected to have a second ImPACT test on Monday. Utley is expected to miss the entire series against Houston and may rejoin the Phillies on Thursday. After making two "relief" appearances off the bench, shortstop Jimmy Rollins (groin) will return to the starting lineup on Monday.
ABOUT THE ASTROS (49-97): Houston is on the verge of history - and as one might expect, it's a record it doesn't want. The Astros tied the franchise mark for most losses in a season when they dropped an 8-2 decision to the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Houston has lost 97 games four times, most recently in 1991. As their record suggests, the Astros have struggled against everyone - but particularly the NL East (8-20). Lefthander Xavier Cedeno was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take the roster spot of southpaw Sergio Escalona, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
FINAL PITCH: Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel showed a greedy side on Sunday. Although the Phillies swept a three-game set against the Braves earlier in the week, Manuel wanted a clean sweep of the four-game set against the postseason contending Brewers. "I wanted to go 7-0,” Manuel said with a hint of a smile. “Why wouldn’t I? I guess that’s who I am.”