The Arizona Diamondbacks look to make it seven straight wins tonight when they host the Houston Astros in the second of a three-game set.
The D'backs have gone from three games under .500 to three games over .500 and at 39-36 are third in the NL West.
Miguel Batista is 5-3 this season and his 2.60 ERA is the fifth-best mark in the National League. He was outstanding last time out when he pitched into the ninth inning of Arizona's 4-2 win at Houston. Manager Bob Brenly described the Dominican's stuff as 'dazzling' and believes he should be considered for the All-Star game. Batista is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 10 home outings this season. In seven career games against the Astros he is 1-3 with a 2.83 ERA.
The Astros are 41-35 overall to be second in the NL Central.
Tim Redding (4-6, 3.63 ERA) gets the start for the Astros and the 25 year-old has allowed at least four runs in three of his past four outings. He has lost his last two decisions including Thursday when he gave up seven hits and four runs in seven innings against these D'backs. The struggling right-hander is 2-6 with a 4.25 ERA in night starts for Houston and is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three career games against Arizona. He will be more than a little concerned that the Diamondbacks have homered in eight straight games. Jeff Kent has missed the Astros last five games and is listed as day-to-day with a sore wrist.
In the series opener last night Arizona scored five runs in the eighth inning and held off a late Houston rally to record a 7-6 victory.
Tonight we'll stay with the red-hot Diamondbacks to continue on their winning way.
Recommended Play: Diamondbacks -131
The D'backs have gone from three games under .500 to three games over .500 and at 39-36 are third in the NL West.
Miguel Batista is 5-3 this season and his 2.60 ERA is the fifth-best mark in the National League. He was outstanding last time out when he pitched into the ninth inning of Arizona's 4-2 win at Houston. Manager Bob Brenly described the Dominican's stuff as 'dazzling' and believes he should be considered for the All-Star game. Batista is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 10 home outings this season. In seven career games against the Astros he is 1-3 with a 2.83 ERA.
The Astros are 41-35 overall to be second in the NL Central.
Tim Redding (4-6, 3.63 ERA) gets the start for the Astros and the 25 year-old has allowed at least four runs in three of his past four outings. He has lost his last two decisions including Thursday when he gave up seven hits and four runs in seven innings against these D'backs. The struggling right-hander is 2-6 with a 4.25 ERA in night starts for Houston and is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three career games against Arizona. He will be more than a little concerned that the Diamondbacks have homered in eight straight games. Jeff Kent has missed the Astros last five games and is listed as day-to-day with a sore wrist.
In the series opener last night Arizona scored five runs in the eighth inning and held off a late Houston rally to record a 7-6 victory.
Tonight we'll stay with the red-hot Diamondbacks to continue on their winning way.
Recommended Play: Diamondbacks -131