The problem with playing against a great defensive team like the White Sox is that, over the course of 4-7 games, it's entirely possible that none of those balls will find holes.

That said, if Houston can pull a win out tonight, they'd at least stand an outside chance of a comeback. The White Sox pitching-wise are in better shape than the 2004 Yankees were, but Houston would be sending three of the best pitchers in the game up there for games 5-7.

Is it likely? No, especially given how well Chicago is playing right now. But wouldn't it be cool if Houston made it close?

David Dean:

You say that the Astros would be sending three of the best pitchers in the game up there for the next three wins if they manage to stop the White Sox steamroller tonight. I have to disagree with that. On paper, they look good, but look at them individually. Clemens had to leave his game 1 start after TWO innings because of a hamstring-back issue. Andy Pettitte needed a cortisone shot in his surgically-repaired elbow after throwing in game 2. And the Sox hardly let Oswalt faze them.

Clemens, Pettitte, Oswalt sounds as good as any other three-some in baseball when healthy, but healthy two of them are not.

I have to agree with Benjamin.

It's hard to believe all of the ESPN experts that predicted the Astros were going to win this series because of their "superior" pitching. They forgot one important factor, the White Sox are from the American League, not the National League. This just proves once again, that the AL is a stronger hitting League. Other than that fluke win by the D-backs, who has dominated the Series the past 10 years?? The American League of course.

Benjamin:

I'm certainly not saying that such an outcome is likely, and yeah, the Astros big three are a bit banged up, but all three are certainly capable, injuries and all, of throwing 6-7 dominating innings on any given night. These injuries didn't just appear in the World Series, remember.

Basically, I agree with you. I'm trying to play devil's advocate, and hoping that tonight is not the last night of baseball before pitchers and cathers report.

Yeah. I hate the last game of the year... unless its Game 7 or a team I really love winning the World Series.

The clue to how Backe will do comes early in the game. Opponents batted .339 against Brandon during his first 30 pitches, 58 for 171. The rest of the way they batted .245. If Backe gets through the second inning unscathed, he should be okay.

You know, David, I've never liked this bit statisicary... doesn't that fact that he will likely not pitch deep into a game, when he's off, affect the later game sample? Maybe it's just me.

That's a legitimate concern. But you see a number of pitchers that do well very early then poorly late. The fact that he doesn't do well early tells you the probability of his getting knocked out early is higher than other pitchers.