(909)HOU (910)MIL
PLAY (909)HOU
The Astros look to get back on track as they open a three-game set against the NL Central rival Brewers at Miller Park on Friday night. Houston sends Brandon Backe (4-5, 4.19 ERA) to the bump, who has held opponents to four runs and 11 hits in 13 2-3 innings while winning back-to-back starts for the first time this season. The right-hander gave up one run in a season-high 7 1-3 innings against a powerful Philadelphia lineup in a 4-3 victory last Friday. Backe, who's coming off elbow ligament replacement surgery, says he's finally getting into a rhythm after two injury-shortened seasons. Backe is 3-1 with a 3.10 ERA in seven career games against Milwaukee. The Brewers will hand the ball to Manny Parra (2-2, 5.11), who was tagged for six runs in 4 1-3 innings of Milwaukee's 7-6 loss at Washington on Sunday. It's been an inconsistent season for the left-hander, who has lasted six innings in just one of his 10 starts. Parra made his first career appearance against the Astros during the club's May series. He gave up six runs in four innings of a 6-2 defeat on May 3. The Astros have a strong OPS of .808 versus lefties compared to the Brewers .706 versus right-handers. I also give the Astros a slight advantage in bullpen performance. Houston has a 3.58 ERA on the road compared to Milwaukee's struggling 5.19 home ERA. Add all this up and I'm all over the Astros plus the number as a dog.