Series Preview: The Ewok and His Friends

Once things start looking good, they'll always take a turn for the worse, if you're an Astros fan, that is. After striking out the Pirates 34 times in three games and limiting them to just 6 total runs in that span, the 'Stros welcome one of the best offenses in the league to Minute Maid Park in the Milwaukee Brewers. Not only do they have superior firepower, but baseball pundits everywhere are starting to question whether the Crew could perhaps challenge the mighty Phillies for home-field advantage in the NL. Do the Houston nine have any shot to pull an upset? Let's take a look.

 (Note: Prince Fielder is the Ewok. I tried to think of a clever title, but none really came to mind that didn't involve a certain outfielder with a certain alter-ego which I refuse to call him by.)

Houston Astros (47-90) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (81-56) September 2-4, Minute Maid Park

Game 1:

7:05 pm- Lucas Harrell (0-0, 0.00) vs. Zack Greinke (13-5, 4.05)

Game 2:
6:05 pm- Bud Norris (6-8, 3.68) vs. Chris Narveson (9-6, 4.28)

Game 3:
1:05- Wandy Rodriguez (10-9, 3.43) vs. Shaun Marcum (11-5, 3.24)

Though it seems like a slaughter on paper, there's several interesting pitching matchups in this series. Harrell, a July waiver claim from the White Sox, was called up from Oklahoma City to take Brett Myers' turn in the rotation, due to Myers' wife giving birth. Harell was 5-2 with a 1.72 ERA in nine starts with the Redhawks, but the turn looks ominous when Greinke's the opposing hurler. Norris v Narveson is probably the team's best hope at a win, as Narveson has gone 11 days since starting, due to a cut he sustained on his pitching thumb while trying to repair his glove. Norris has been electric of late, striking out nearly 11 men per nine innings in his last four starts. Marcum and Rodriguez have both been dominant in their last few outings, as Rodriguez handily struck out 13 Buccos the other night, while Marcum gave up just two runs to the Cardinals, both of which were unearned.

PREDICTION: I really, really, really want to say that the Astros win one of these games, but I just can't see it happening. The Brewers are on a serious roll, and while they're not so great away from home and still have an atrocious defensive infield, I have a feeling they'll be able to mash out enough runs to sweep the series. If Rodriguez were matched up against Narveson, I'd pick a 'W' in that one, but Norris is more volatile and serves up hits to Ryan Braun at a .417 clip. With two MVP candidates on the same team, things can be difficult.