Clemens, Astros host Burnett, Marlins in wild card battle
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555"><TD align=middle colSpan=6>Gameday Matchup</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD> </TD><TD align=middle width="15%">W-L</TD><TD width="12%">NIGHT</TD><TD width="12%">GRASS</TD><TD width="10%">STK</TD><TD width="10%">L10</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>FLA - 2nd NL East</TD><TD align=middle>78-67</TD><TD>55-48</TD><TD>75-67</TD><TD>W2</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>HOU - 2nd NL Central</TD><TD align=middle>76-68</TD><TD>59-47</TD><TD>76-68</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>4-6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle colSpan=4>Pitching Matchup</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD colSpan=2>FLORIDA</TD><TD colSpan=2>HOUSTON</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD width=67>
</TD><TD>A.J. Burnett
12-10, 3.43
Last start:
9/09 at PHI
2.1 IP, 5 ER
Dec = Loss </TD><TD width=67>
</TD><TD>Roger Clemens
11-7, 1.78
Last start:
9/09 at MIL
3.0 IP, 5 ER
Dec = Loss </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle colSpan=3>Series at a glance</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD align=middle colSpan=3>Florida leads 2-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Mon 9/12</TD><TD>FLA 8, @HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap | Box Score</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Tue 9/13</TD><TD>FLA 4, @HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap | Box Score</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD noWrap>Wed 9/14</TD><TD noWrap>FLA (Burnett) @ HOU (Clemens)</TD><TD noWrap>8:05 ET | Stat Pack</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD noWrap>Thu 9/15</TD><TD noWrap>FLA (Vargas) @ HOU (Pettitte)</TD><TD noWrap>8:05 ET</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=3>· Complete Schedule: Astros | Marlins</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle>Injury Report</TD></TR><TR class=colhead vAlign=top><TD>FLORIDA</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>· Tim Spooneybarger, RP (Elbow; 60 Day DL. 3/25)
· Antonio Alfonseca, RP (Elbow; 15 Day DL. 4/22)
· John Riedling, RP (Shoulder; 15 Day DL. 8/29)
· Alex Gonzalez, SS (Elbow; Out 7-10 days. 9/6)
· Nate Bump, RP (Shoulder; 15 day DL. 7/17)
· Paul Lo Duca, C (Hamstring; Was out Sun. Questionable Mon. vs Hou. 9/12)
· Paul Quantrill, RP (; Has signed with Fla. for rest of season. 9/10)
</TD></TR><TR class=colhead vAlign=top><TD>HOUSTON</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>· Morgan Ensberg, 3B (Hand; Questionable Wed. vs Fla. 9/14)
· Willy Taveras, CF (Finger; Out Wed. vs Fla. 9/14)
· Jeff Bagwell, 1B (Shoulder; (Will only be used as pinch hitter))
· Roger Clemens, SP (Hamstring; Left game early. Questionable for next start. 9/10)
· Luke Scott, LF (Hip; Was out Mon. Questionable Tue. vs Fla. 9/13(Pinch hit Mon.))
· Andy Pettitte, SP (Arm; Left game early. Probable Sat. vs Mil. 9/9)
</TD></TR><TR><TD>· Fantasy Injury News
| View MLB injury report </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle colSpan=5>Today's Line</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD width="28%">FAVORITE</TD><TD width="18%">OPEN</TD><TD width="18%">CUR</TD><TD width="24%">UNDERDOG</TD><TD width="12%">O/U</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>HOUSTON</TD><TD>-145</TD><TD>-144</TD><TD><NOBR>FLORIDA</NOBR></TD><TD>7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle colSpan=3>Season Series</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD align=middle colSpan=3>Florida leads 4-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Mon 5/9</TD><TD>HOU 2, @FLA 1</TD><TD align=middle>Recap</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Tue 5/10</TD><TD>@FLA 6, HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Wed 5/11</TD><TD>@FLA 2, HOU 1</TD><TD align=middle>Recap</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>Mon 9/12</TD><TD>FLA 8, @HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>Tue 9/13</TD><TD>FLA 4, @HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>Sep 14, 2005</TD><TD>FLA (Burnett) @ HOU (Clemens)</TD><TD>8:05 PM ET</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>Sep 15, 2005</TD><TD>FLA (Vargas) @ HOU (Pettitte)</TD><TD>8:05 PM ET</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=3>· Complete Schedule: Astros | Marlins</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Florida (78-67) at Houston (76-68), 8:05 pm EDT
HOUSTON (ESPN.com news services) -- Roger Clemens' mother, Bess Clemens, died early Wednesday, but with the Houston Astros in the National League wild-card race, he'll make his start.
The Astros host A.J. Burnett and the Florida Marlins in the third contest of a crucial four-game series at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros have dropped four of their last five contests to fall 1½ games behind the first-place Marlins in the NL wild card standings.
The Roger Clemens Foundation announced his mother's death of complications from emphysemia and said he would pitch in her honor.
Despite owning the best earned run average in the majors, Clemens (11-7, 1.78 ERA) has gone winless in his last six outings. He suffered his worst start of the season at Milwaukee on Friday, surrendering five runs, five hits and five walks in just three innings.
Clemens has battled a strained left hamstring since sustaining the injury September 3 against St. Louis. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has dominated Florida throughout his career. He tossed seven scoreless frames on May 9 to improve to 4-0 lifetime against the Marlins.
Burnett (12-10, 3.43) looks to snap a personal four-game skid when he takes the mound Wednesday. The hard-throwing righthander has posted an 8.35 ERA over his last four outings and has not won a road start since August 4 at St. Louis.
Although he owns a 2.95 ERA at home this year, Burnett has been inconsistent away from the pitcher-friendly confines of Dolphins Stadium. In 16 road outings, he has posted a 3.84 ERA.
Burnett took the loss against Clemens on May 9 despite pitching well against the Astros. He yielded just two runs while striking out nine in seven solid innings.
After getting dominated by Dontrelle Willis in Monday's series opener, Houston dropped a 4-2 decision Tuesday.
Josh Beckett worked 7 1/3 strong innings to record his second straight road win and Paul Lo Duca belted a two-run homer for the Marlins, who have won six of their last eight.
Florida holds a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (77-68) in the wild card standings.
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555"><TD align=middle colSpan=6>Gameday Matchup</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD> </TD><TD align=middle width="15%">W-L</TD><TD width="12%">NIGHT</TD><TD width="12%">GRASS</TD><TD width="10%">STK</TD><TD width="10%">L10</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>FLA - 2nd NL East</TD><TD align=middle>78-67</TD><TD>55-48</TD><TD>75-67</TD><TD>W2</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>HOU - 2nd NL Central</TD><TD align=middle>76-68</TD><TD>59-47</TD><TD>76-68</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>4-6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle colSpan=4>Pitching Matchup</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD colSpan=2>FLORIDA</TD><TD colSpan=2>HOUSTON</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD width=67>
</TD><TD>A.J. Burnett12-10, 3.43
Last start:
9/09 at PHI
2.1 IP, 5 ER
Dec = Loss </TD><TD width=67>
</TD><TD>Roger Clemens11-7, 1.78
Last start:
9/09 at MIL
3.0 IP, 5 ER
Dec = Loss </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle colSpan=3>Series at a glance</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD align=middle colSpan=3>Florida leads 2-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Mon 9/12</TD><TD>FLA 8, @HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap | Box Score</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Tue 9/13</TD><TD>FLA 4, @HOU 2</TD><TD align=middle>Recap | Box Score</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD noWrap>Wed 9/14</TD><TD noWrap>FLA (Burnett) @ HOU (Clemens)</TD><TD noWrap>8:05 ET | Stat Pack</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD noWrap>Thu 9/15</TD><TD noWrap>FLA (Vargas) @ HOU (Pettitte)</TD><TD noWrap>8:05 ET</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=3>· Complete Schedule: Astros | Marlins</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD class=stathead style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #555555" align=middle>Injury Report</TD></TR><TR class=colhead vAlign=top><TD>FLORIDA</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>· Tim Spooneybarger, RP (Elbow; 60 Day DL. 3/25)
· Antonio Alfonseca, RP (Elbow; 15 Day DL. 4/22)
· John Riedling, RP (Shoulder; 15 Day DL. 8/29)
· Alex Gonzalez, SS (Elbow; Out 7-10 days. 9/6)
· Nate Bump, RP (Shoulder; 15 day DL. 7/17)
· Paul Lo Duca, C (Hamstring; Was out Sun. Questionable Mon. vs Hou. 9/12)
· Paul Quantrill, RP (; Has signed with Fla. for rest of season. 9/10)
</TD></TR><TR class=colhead vAlign=top><TD>HOUSTON</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD>· Morgan Ensberg, 3B (Hand; Questionable Wed. vs Fla. 9/14)
· Willy Taveras, CF (Finger; Out Wed. vs Fla. 9/14)
· Jeff Bagwell, 1B (Shoulder; (Will only be used as pinch hitter))
· Roger Clemens, SP (Hamstring; Left game early. Questionable for next start. 9/10)
· Luke Scott, LF (Hip; Was out Mon. Questionable Tue. vs Fla. 9/13(Pinch hit Mon.))
· Andy Pettitte, SP (Arm; Left game early. Probable Sat. vs Mil. 9/9)
</TD></TR><TR><TD>· Fantasy Injury News
Florida (78-67) at Houston (76-68), 8:05 pm EDT
HOUSTON (ESPN.com news services) -- Roger Clemens' mother, Bess Clemens, died early Wednesday, but with the Houston Astros in the National League wild-card race, he'll make his start.
The Astros host A.J. Burnett and the Florida Marlins in the third contest of a crucial four-game series at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros have dropped four of their last five contests to fall 1½ games behind the first-place Marlins in the NL wild card standings.
The Roger Clemens Foundation announced his mother's death of complications from emphysemia and said he would pitch in her honor.
Despite owning the best earned run average in the majors, Clemens (11-7, 1.78 ERA) has gone winless in his last six outings. He suffered his worst start of the season at Milwaukee on Friday, surrendering five runs, five hits and five walks in just three innings.
Clemens has battled a strained left hamstring since sustaining the injury September 3 against St. Louis. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has dominated Florida throughout his career. He tossed seven scoreless frames on May 9 to improve to 4-0 lifetime against the Marlins.
Burnett (12-10, 3.43) looks to snap a personal four-game skid when he takes the mound Wednesday. The hard-throwing righthander has posted an 8.35 ERA over his last four outings and has not won a road start since August 4 at St. Louis.
Although he owns a 2.95 ERA at home this year, Burnett has been inconsistent away from the pitcher-friendly confines of Dolphins Stadium. In 16 road outings, he has posted a 3.84 ERA.
Burnett took the loss against Clemens on May 9 despite pitching well against the Astros. He yielded just two runs while striking out nine in seven solid innings.
After getting dominated by Dontrelle Willis in Monday's series opener, Houston dropped a 4-2 decision Tuesday.
Josh Beckett worked 7 1/3 strong innings to record his second straight road win and Paul Lo Duca belted a two-run homer for the Marlins, who have won six of their last eight.
Florida holds a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies (77-68) in the wild card standings.
