Game 79: Rangers at Astros

How do I love the "Astros" logo... I mean, Astro is the dog from "The Jetsons"... so it only seems right to have him apart of the Houston Astros. Right?
Can Scott Feldman really go up against Oswalt? Now that doesn't seem right. Feldman is a 1-3 pitcher with a 4.61 ERA and Oswalt is 6-7 with a 4.84 ERA. But the real difference is Oswalt is a stud who knows how to grab a win the Majors and Feldman... well, the Rangers don't win when he takes the hill.

He pitched well enough in his last outing, though, and should have got the win... and the Rangers did win partially because of his 7 innings two run performance. Could this be a new trend for Feldman?

Hamilton is not going to play tonight. Blalock is going to be out at least another week with yet another injury. Max Ramirez is going to catch tonight. Bradley? Yeah, I don't know what's dragging him out so much.

Oswalt is a career 4-4 against the Rangers in ten starts. He has an even 4.00 ERA and the Rangers hit him a .291 batting average. He last a start earlier this season to the Rangers, giving up 6 runs in 6 innings.

Rangers to Watch:

• Michael Young: 10-34 (303 BA); 4 doubles and 6 RBIs
• Frank Catalanotto: 5-17 (294 BA); 1 RBI
• Marlon Byrd: 4-13 (308 BA); 1 HR and 2 RBIs
• Roman Vazquez: 4-12 (333 BA); 2 doubles

Feldman has no record in 5.1 innings against the Astros. Those innings are compiled up four appearances in which he has a 6.75 ERA and the 'Stros have a .300 batting average on Feldman.

Feldman only has two wins in his last 10 starts (this is, the Rangers win 2 out of 10 times), but his last start, the Rangers did win. Feldman is 0-3 with a 7.33 ERA on the road in four starts. OUCH.

The current Astro roster is 7-16 off Feldman, which is a .438 batting average. But only two of them have RBIs on Feldman.

Forecast: I don't really know what to think except that the Rangers are going to drop this game and fall behind on the Silver Boot. I really hope I am wrong on this one, but here it goes: Astros win this one hands down by a 8-2 edge.

Home Plate