Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Streaming
Friday, July 16, 2010
Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live | Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates | Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates Streaming | Houston vs Pittsburgh MLB Live Stream | Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Webcast
7:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 16, 2010
The Houston Astros were the worst team in the NL at the end of May, but since then, the Pittsburgh Pirates have had that title all to themselves. The Pirates’ dreadful past two months have them on pace for their most losses since 1952, but they’ll hope to start the second half with some momentum when they open a 10-game homestand Friday night against the Astros. Houston was entrenched in the NL Central cellar after going 17-34 through May 31, but it’s gone 19-19 since then as Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman have bounced back from poor starts. The Pirates’ 21-31 start, on the other hand, has turned far worse despite the June call-up of top prospects Brad Lincoln, Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez. Pittsburgh is 9-27 since June 1, and after being swept in consecutive road series heading into the All-Star break, the team is on pace for 107 losses, its most since a 42-112 finish in 1952.
Turning it around against the Astros could be a tall order. Pittsburgh has lost nine consecutive series to Houston, getting outscored 33-13 in two three-game sweeps at Minute Maid Park this season. Brett Myers is a good candidate to help keep the Astros perfect versus the Pirates in 2010. The right-hander is the only pitcher in the majors to last six innings in every start this season, extending his club record to 18 straight as he beat St. Louis on Saturday by giving up a run and five hits over eight innings in a 4-1 win. Myers is 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA in three starts at PNC Park, and road struggles are nothing new to him. He’s 5-0 with a 2.48 ERA at Minute Maid Park, but 1-6 with a 4.37 ERA away from home. The Pirates welcome Zach Duke back to the rotation for the first time since June 16, hoping his strained left elbow has fully recovered. The left-hander was 0-4 with an 8.18 ERA in his last four starts before going on the disabled list, but he surrendered two runs over seven innings in two rehab starts with Double-A Altoona.
