Preview for G2: Astros v. Giants

Who We Got

San Francisco: 1-0
On the Road: 1-0

Houston: 0-1
At home: 0-1

Starting Pitchers

Barry Zito, 0-0, 0.00 ERA
Wandy Rodriguez, 0-0, 0.00 ERA

Why the Astros Will Win

Because the Astros are facing Barry Zito, who - against current Astros - has allowed a slash line of .243/.337/.378. Carlos Lee does well against Zito (9x33, four extra base hits).

Or because Zito struggles before the end of April. In his career, Zito is 13-26 with a 5.16 ERA/1.43 WHIP in March/April. Meanwhile, Wandy has the opposite issue. In March/April, Wandy is 7-5 with a 2.70 ERA/1.11 WHIP.

Zito hasn't pitched against the Astros since 2008, but in three starts against Houston, he's 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA.

Why the Astros Will Lose

Because Wandy had a rough spring. In six starts, he threw just 19.1IP, and allowed 34H/26ER, 17K:9BB.

Or because Wandy doesn't feel very confident in his abilities. Hopefully it's just a smoke-screen, but I can't imagine that anyone who feels like they can't find their spots can actually find their spots.

Or because Wandy has only faced four Giants in the current lineup: Uribe, Freddy Sanchez, Edgar Renteria, and Mark DeRosa. And those Giants have tagged Wandy for .389/.459/.796 in 54 plate appearances.

Zito/Wandy vs. Astros/Giants

In advance of the larger preview coming this afternoon, I thought we could take a moment to examine how tonight's starting pitchers have fared against the respective opposition:

Barry Zito vs. 2010 Astros lineup:

Hunter Pence: 2x7, 0K:2BB, .286/.444/.286
Carlos Lee: 9x33, 5K:3BB, .273/.333/.485
Pedro Feliz: 3x14, 2K:1BB, .214/.214/.429

Wandy Rodriguez vs. 2010 Giants lineup:

Juan Uribe: 1x2, 0K:0BB, .500/.500/2.000 (yeah, that was a solo homer)
Edgar Renteria: 3x5, 2K:1BB, .600/.667/1.800 (two homers)
Mark DeRosa: 7x24, 4K:3BB, .292/.370/.667

This adds up to five homers and ten RBI career against Wandy.