Quick Preview: After going 1-5 last week, we need to take advantage of six games versus two mediocre teams in the Ass Pirates and the Red Flying Rats. The Ass Pirates have been atypically close to .500 this year, but how? And the Red Flying Rats have been playing over their heads all year.

Today’s matchup features Wandy Rodriguez for the good guys against Phil Dumatrait. Dumatrait, who has a pretty good arm, came up through the Red Sawx system before jumping to the Reds last year and the Ass Pirates in 2008. His downfall has always been mediocre control, but with the Astros third-to-last in walks drawn, we aren’t in a great position to take care of that. Dumatrait has not faced the Stros in his career.

Wandy brings a 2-3 record, 5.65 ERA, 1.56 WHIP in his career against the Ass Pirates. Interestingly, he has struck out more than a man/IP against them.

This should be a real interesting match-up between two guys with good stuff but control problems. And, not unlike the Stros, the Ass Pirates are RH dominant. This should be a fun one.