Last night was a roller coaster of emotion as the Braves lose a 9 run lead and my under play cashes after giving up 5 runs in the top of the first. Other than that it was business as usual with a 1-1 record for yesterday. I have one play for the Astros / Phillies game.

Houston Astros @ Philadelphia Phillies

Wandy Rodriguez (9-12, 4.00 era)

The Astros send out 33 year old right hander Wandy Rodriguez (9-12, 4.00 era) who will try to accomplish something that is very difficult to do, that is to sweep a four game series from the Phillies at Philadelphia.   Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 4.58 era) will assume the role of slump buster as the Phils try to avoid the embarrassment of four straight losses to the cellar dwelling team from Houston.

Ryan Howard looking for offense

Philadelphia has scored exactly six runs in the last three games. That is exactly two runs per game. The Astros pitching staff is not over powering as this lack of run scoring is more of a Phillies internal problem. This is not the Houston Astros of the mid 1980's when they could throw Phil Niekro, J.R. Richards and Nolan Ryan out there against their rivals. Citizens Bank Park is a hitters friendly setting as it was built to give up runs and the long ball as it has proven to be a pinball machine when it comes to scoring. Look for a high scoring affair with Philadelphia doing most of the damage here and play the over 8.5(-105) runs. Hot afternoon baseball games seem to usually bring out the hitting shoes. I look for that to happen today in Philadelphia.