Braves vs. Astros--NLDS matchup preview

Astros lineup

LF Craig Biggio .281 24 hr 63 RBI
CF Carlos Beltran .268 38 hr 104 RBI
1B Jeff Bagwell .266 27 hr 89 RBI
RF Lance Berkman .316 30 hr 106 RBI
2B Jeff Kent .289 27 hr 107 RBI
3B Morgan Ensberg .275 10 hr 66 RBI
SS Jose Vizcaino .274 3 hr 33 RBI
C Brad Ausmus .248 5 hr 31 RBI

key reserves

3B Mike Lamb .289 14 hr 58 RBI
OF Orlando Palmeiro .241 3 hr 12 RBI
C Raul Chavez .210 0 hr 23 RBI
SS Adam Everett .273 8 hr 31 RBI

starting rotation

RHP Roger Clemens 18-4 2.98
RHP Roy Oswalt 20-10 3.49
RHP Brandon Backe 5-3 4.30

key relievers

RHP Brad Lidge 6-5 1.93 28 sv
RHP Dan Miceli 6-6 3.51 2 sv
RHP Chad Qualls 4-0 3.62


Braves lineup

SS Rafael Furcal .279 14 hr 59 RBI
2B Marcus Giles .311 8 hr 48 RBI
RF JD Drew .305 31 hr 93 RBI
3B Chipper Jones .248 30 hr 96 RBI
C Johnny Estrada .314 9 hr 76 RBI
1B Adam LaRoche .278 13 hr 45 RBI
CF Andruw Jones .261 29 hr 91 RBI
LF Charles Thomas .288 7 hr 31 RBI

key reserves

OF Eli Marrero .313 10 hr 40 RBI
1B Julio Franco .306 6 hr 56 RBI
IF Nick Green .278 3 hr 26 RBI
C Eddie Perez .235 3 hr 13 RBI

starting rotation

RHP Jaret Wright 15-8 3.28
RHP John Thomson 14-8 3.72
LHP Mike Hampton 13-9 4.28
RHP Russ Ortiz 15-9 4.13

key relievers

RHP John Smoltz 0-1 2.76 44 sv
RHP Antonio Alfonseca 6-4 2.57
RHP Chris Reitsma 6-4 4.07 2 sv
LHP Tom Martin 0-2 3.97 1 sv
RHP Kevin Gryboski 3-2 2.84 2 sv


The Astros appear much stronger on paper and come into the playoffs on fire. But, the Braves are also playing well. In order for the Astros to win, Clemens and Oswalt have to be themselves, and lineup needs to continue it's hot hitting against MLB's strongest pitching staff this year. In order for the Braves to win, they need to get into the Astros bullpen where they're vulnerable, their banged-up players need to heal fast and perform well, and they need the hitters to produce. The Braves have a deeper team than the Astros, so if they keep it close late in the game the advantage swings their way.

This ought to be a great series.