[tinfw17]

Top of the Ticket - Total

4* #906 PHILADELPHIA/HOUSTON Over

With a lame-duck interim manager and nothing to shoot for in the final week of the 2009 season it is not a surprise that the Astros hand the ball to Yorman Bazardo again, and that works out well for us tonight. Bazardo had already thrown 135 pitches in the Minors before being called up in early against, and the experiment of seeing how he would far as a starter has been a complete disaster ? he has worked to a 12.20 tune over 15.1 innings of four tries, with 27 hits and 11 walks allowed vs. only five strikeouts. There just is not much there, and with both physical and mental fatigue as issues this is the wrong lineup to face, particularly in this ballpark on a night that will bring a favorable hitter?s wind. It also means this Total is too low. Cole Hamels brings the appearance of ?form? right now, but that is what happens when face the Mets twice, the Pirates, Nationals and Giants within a span of five weeks. The Astros read him well in Houston four starts back, scoring four runs on eight hits over six innings, he has had particular problems with Lance Berkman (3.53 lifetime in 17 at-bats) and Miguel Tejada (an impressive 6-8, with three doubles). And while Carlos Lee may only sport a .214 average over his 14 at-bats, those trips to the plate have produced seven rbi?s. There is also that matter of the Phillie bullpen for the latter stages, with Charlie Manuel still not set with his closer situation despite the playoffs being only a week away, which means ample opportunities can be available in the latter stages.