Making his first major league start since 2006 on Friday is Runelvys Hernandez. He throws a kind-of-flat low nineties fastball, a sinker, a decent curveball, a slider, and a good change-up. Hernandez used to be pretty good (in 2003) but then he hurt his elbow, didn't bother to get it fixed, and lost what he had. Last year he played for the AAA Yankees, AAA Pittsburg, and Pawtucket (he made seven starts with three losses) clubs. He's got a 6-3 record in fifteen starts this year for AAA Houston. He's got a K/9 rate of just under 7 and a BB/9 rate of 2.46. In the past he's exhibited an unflappable presence on the mound and excellent command. Lefties have had good success against him.
Scheduled to pitch Saturday's game is Brandon Backe. He's an aggressive pitcher who throws a mid-nineties fastball, a sinker, a slider, a change-up against lefties, and a curve ball as his out pitch. He's an excellent defensive pitcher and a pretty good batter. He gives up home runs (there's only been one game this season when he hasn't given up a home run) and he walks guys. Most of his home runs have been to righties but lefties have an easier time hitting him in general.
Making the start on Sunday is Brian Moehler. Moehler had been working as a reliever but was promoted to the starting rotation. He throws a fastball, a cut fastball, curve ball, and a change-up. He doesn't walk a lot of batters and he doesn't give up a lot of home runs. He doesn't strike out many batters, though. Lefties have a significantly easier time getting hits off him.
Their big first baseman, Lance Berkman, is their biggest bat. Besides him Miguel Tejada, Darin Erstad, and Carlos Lee are good bats. Tejada continues to be extremely difficult to strike out. Their biggest threat to steal a base, with twenty-nine so far this season, is Michael Bourn. Not a huge power threat but a wave for Mark Loretta.
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