Currently: Since the last week in July, no team has been hotter than the Houston Astros. Since joining the Milwaukee Brewers at the beginning of that month, no pitcher has been better than CC Sabathia.
The Astros try to improve their still-faint wild-card hopes in a three-game road series with the Brewers, who will send their dominant left-hander to the mound in Monday’s opener.
Sitting 7 1/2 games behind Milwaukee (71-54) in the wild-card race - with four other teams ahead of them as well - this will be the final chance for Houston (63-61) to gain some ground head-to-head against the Brewers. Astros manager Cecil Cooper is counting on that happening.
In response to a reporter’s question about a potential sweep in Milwaukee, Cooper told the Astros’ official Web site, “I’m predicting that, I’m going out on a limb. You heard it here first.”
Cooper’s confidence may stem from his team’s play since it was 46-55 and in last place in the NL Central on July 23. A day earlier, Houston made what seemed to be a curious move in acquiring San Diego’s Randy Wolf, a veteran pitcher many predicted would be dealt to a clear contender prior to the July 31 trading deadline.
Since the start of a series in Milwaukee on July 25, though, the Astros have played better than anyone in the majors. They took two of three from the Brewers that weekend and have won 17 of their last 23.
The Astros had won eight straight heading into their series with Arizona on Friday. After losses in the first two games, Houston salvaged a victory the finale Sunday, getting eight dominant innings from ace Roy Oswalt and a three-run homer from the red-hot Ty Wigginton in a 3-0 win.
Wigginton, primarily a third baseman, has helped fill the void left by the injury to outfielder Carlos Lee. He’s hitting .514 with four homers and 14 RBIs over his last 10 games, while often taking Lee’s spot in left field.
Houston has scored an NL-high 70 runs over its last 11 games.
Milwaukee’s lineup hasn’t been nearly as good lately, as it put up nine runs in three games - two losses - heading into Sunday. The Brewers hit the ball better in their finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but lost 7-5 on a walkoff homer in the ninth.
When Sabathia (7-0, 1.55 ERA) has been on the mound, though, the Brewers haven’t needed many runs. He has the lowest ERA in baseball since coming over from Cleveland on July 6, and has pitched four complete games.
Sabathia went seven innings Wednesday at San Diego, allowing a run while striking out eight in a 7-1 win.
“He’s been everything we thought he’d be,” right fielder Corey Hart said. “When he’s out there, we feel like we don’t have to score a lot because he’s not going to give up a lot. When he’s out there, there’s a good chance we’ll win.”
Sabathia has won 10 straight decisions dating to early June with the Indians. He’s never faced Houston.
He’ll be opposed by Wolf (8-10, 4.56), who’s 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in four starts with the Astros. The left-hander has pitched deeper into the game in each of those outings, going seven innings and allowing two runs in a 6-2 victory over San Francisco on Wednesday.
Wolf didn’t get a decision in his first start with the Astros, an 11-6 win at Milwaukee on July 27. He gave up four runs in 4 1-3 innings.
The Crawfish Boxes
Brew Crew Ball
