The Astros take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a brief three-game road trip, followed by a brief homestand. Taking the mound tonight for Houston is righthander Shawn Chacon. Good news: Chacon is undefeated on the season with six strikeouts. Bad news: he is also winless and has walked eight batters. Can Chacon carry on the success shown so far by Brandon Backe and Wandy Rodriguez? We'll find out.
For the game, the 'Stros will have backup catcher Humberto Quintero to complement Brad Ausmus. J.R. Towles is out with a bruised left hand after getting hit by a pitch; his injury eerily reminds me of Jeff Bagwell's tendency to get his left hand broken by pitches. Maybe Towles can borrow Baggy's padded batting glove.
Few people, including myself, have picked Houston to be successful this season. If the Astros want to prove people wrong, they have to have good pitching. It's a cliche, but it's true: offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
Yes, it's a little discouraging that last year's Rookie of the Year candidate Hunter Pence is off to a .180 start. I like to think he'll break out of his slump soon and start providing some offensive help that Houston badly needs.
Keywords: Astros, Hunter Pence, Phillies, Wandy Rodriguez
