It appears Bud Norris will make his debut today. He's warming up in bullpen. According to a tweet from Tags... Savior has arrived!
If Hampton starts again, I have an idea... let a reliever pitch the 1st inning then bring Hampton in.
Astros have just 1 series vs. PIT in 2nd half, bad news for Hampton. 4-0, 1.00 ERA vs. PIT. Just 1-5, 5.77 in 10 starts vs. everybody else (July 6) Hampton now 1-7, 6.21ERA when not facing PIT. He's 4-0,1.00 ERA vs. PIT. Just 6 QS this year, team 5-11 when he starts. (July 19) Hampton now 6-1 in 7 starts vs. former teams or Pirates. 0-6 in 10 starts vs. rest of MLB. Team is 6-11 in 17 starts, 6 of them QS. (July 24) After allowing 6R in 1st,Hampton's ERA when not facing Pittsburgh is 6.91.(today)
You are right. Ortiz's last start is just so firmly stuck in my mind that I think of it as yesterday. Our bullpen is screwed.
I'm going to take Norris' performance today with a grain of salt - to the Cubs hitters, he'll probably look like Cy Young after seeing what Hampton had.
TAGS on Twitter.... Bud Norris is walking to the mound to start the fifth. First Astros player to make his Major League debut this year. Pudge talking to him. I feel goosebumps on Gamecast lol