Pitching matchups: John Thomson(14-8, 3.72) vs. Brandon Backe(5-3, 4.30 12:00 cst on ESPN2 Thomson vs. HOU in 2004: 1-1, 4.73 in 2 starts Backe vs. ATL in 2004: 0-0, 9.00 in 2 relief appearances (1.0 IP)
Lane deserves a start as much as Biggio deserves to be sat out game three. Where has Lamb been anyway? He was so hot during that long winning streak last month.
it's safe to say if the Astros lose this game...then Clemens will for sure start game 4. Anyone disagree?
That's the plan. And if (when) we win tommorow, I DO NOT start him in game 4... you save him for a game 5 in Atlanta. Remember... the Braves have lost their 1st round series the past two years because of losing game 5's at their place (thus, it can be done).
I disagree, I think that Clemens goes in Game 4 regardless of the outcome. If we win tomorrow, he goes in game 4 to clench, so we don't have to go back to Atlanta. If we lose, he goes to force game 5. Just because you go up 2-1, you can't take your foot off the pedal, you have to take them out. I don't care what the Braves have done the last two years, I don't want to play a fifth and deciding game away from home if I don't have to.
I hope Im wrong but I don't see Backe lasting longer than 4 against a lineup like Atlanta but the Stros will put up alot of runs to pull this one out Astros 8 Braves 6 (J.D. Drew's coming out party)
