The Pirates have been struggling lately. This is not a secret. So how will they play against an Astros team that they had no trouble with in the season’s first few months? The Astros are certainly not any better now than they were the last time these two clubs played, back before the trade deadline. If the Pirates are going to make a run at getting back to .500, the stretch their entering now — that lasts until September 11th which includes the Astros twice, the Dodgers, the Cubs, and the Marlins — is when it’s going to have to happen.
Tonight Ross Ohlendorf takes the mound for his second start since returning from his shoulder injury. His first start was not terribly impressive. I’m already pretty convinced that his time remaining in the rotation is limited and a good start against the Astros won’t change my mind, but I do suppose it’ll be a start. He’ll face off against Wandy Rodriguez, who the Astros apparently can’t give away because of his contract. The Rockies claimed him on waivers but couldn’t work out a deal with the Astros, so Wandy will apparently be a ‘Stro until the end of the season. He’s certainly with the Astros tonight, where he can torment the Pirates with a ton of strikeouts the way he has his entire career.
First pitch tonight is at 8:05.
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