Game 80: Rangers at Astros

The Rangers have almost won another Silver Boot. They currently own the better record, three games to two, and have an outscoring edge of 11 runs (32-21) coming into the conclusion of this series.
This one almost doesn't seem worthy of looking at, since Millwood is going to be the winner. He has a hunger this year that really wasn't there last year. He would probably say different, but you can easily see it in his demeanor. He pitched with frustration last year. He pitches with hunger this year.

So, who is the better pitcher? Millwood or Wa-Rod? I tell you what, I will save the best for last.

I guess that means Wandy Rodriguez is first. The guy looks good. Hes got a 2.81 ERA but only a 2-3 record to show for it. He has 9 starts and averages 5.2 innings (actually, it is 5.7037, but I am rounding to the nearest out) per start. He has only hit six innings of work four times and seven innings twice. He seems to get poor defense when he takes the mound and averages one unearned run per game (16 earned runs - 25 total runs given up). In two career starts against the Rangers, he is 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA in 11.1 innings. He has not given up HR to the Rangers and K'd 10 and walked four. The Astros are 4-5 when Wa-Rod takes the hill. Despite being 1-2 at home, he has a better ERA at 2.10. The Rangers have a .250 batting average against Rodriguez.

Ranger to Watch:

• Ian Kinsler: 5-6 (833 BA); 3 doubles and 1 RBI

As a team, the current Ranger roster is 11-41 (268 BA) with 6 doubles and 2 RBIs.

Millwood is 6-3 against Houston in his lifetime with two complete games in ten starts. Houston hits .242 off of him and he holds a 3.48 ERA. Only three HRs given in 64.2 innings. Nice. He has not faced Houston this season, but since his return from the DL, Millwood has been everything you could ask in a pitcher. He is 3-0 and has lowered his ERA to 4.61 since his return. The Rangers are 4-1 over the five game stretch... and he has gone at least 6 innings in each of his starts. Should I mention the three quality starts? Probably not relevant.

Chacon is stupid. You don't grab anyone by the throat and throw them to the ground. PERIOD. And at the very least, you don't do it to your boss. That is the definition of stupid. This guy made $3,825,000 in 2007. I couldn't find his 2008 change, but I'm sure he was making some good cash.

Astros to Watch:

• Mark Loretta: 12-34 (353 BA); 2 doubles, 1 HR, and 3 RBI
• Ty Wiggington: 7-22 (318 BA); 4 doubles and 2 RBIs
• Brad Ausmus: 4-13 (308 BA)

The current Astros roster is 47-168 (280 BA) with 14 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs, and 18 RBIs.

Forecast: Reality check... Rodriguez looks better than Millwood for this one. But then there is the lady luck factor... and let's be honest, Rodriguez hasn't been lucky this season despite his good performance. And with that in mind, and the Silver Boot in mind... Rangers win it with gifted runs, 6-3.

Home Plate