Question answered. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...t_id=1256901&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou CHICAGO -- Jeff Bagwell will serve as the Houston Astros' designated hitter in Game 1 of the World Series on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Manager Phil Garner made the decision Friday night and told Bagwell following the Astros' workout. "He wanted to make sure that I was doing it because that's what I wanted to do from a baseball standpoint," Garner said. "And that's exactly what I wanted to do." Bagwell has had a limited role through the postseason, making only two plate appearances in 10 playoff games -- one in the National League Division Series, and one in the National League Championship Series. The slugger, who has 449 career home runs and sped up his rehab after his June shoulder surgery to rejoin the team in September, was considered the sentimental favorite to DH in Chicago by fans and media. Garner said that his decison, however, was based on fact, not feel-good stories. "There's obviously that emotion," Garner said. "I am very happy that I am able to do that. But the reason he is on the team in the first place, and [general manager] Tim [Purpura] and I discussed it, we discussed it at length, we all felt like he can help us and that goes back to the playoff roster. "The reason he's DH-ing tonight is because I think he can help us win."
