Bucs and 'Stros

Tonight's guest recapper, apk, whom frequent commenters will surely recognize, has been kind enough to send me a preview for tonight's game as well. Since wireless internet is only available in the lobby of my hotel, I'm going to put this up right now and you can use this as a gamethread for tonight's game when it goes down.

The Bucs head to The Field that Bases Itself on a Train Station Even Though the Home Team Has a Space-Aged Name ...umm, Field, for the first game of a three-part series against the Astros. We'll send Paul Maholm (4-9 4.83) up against a recently-healed Brandon Backe (2-1 4.38). Everything I know about Brandon Backe I learned from the Pirates' website (editor's note: Backe is that guy that sucks during the seaon and kicks ass in the playoffs, isn't he? Also, he's quite a good hitter, if I remember correctly). Apparently he spent some time on the DL earlier this season before dominating the Padres last week. Good for you, Brandon! He'll take the hill and try to continue his success against the Corsairs, who he absolutely shut down to the tune of 2-0, 1.38 just last season. Word from "Ryan Crawford" of mlb.com is that he surrendered just two runs to the Pirates in 13 IP lin '05. It's a good thing that Crawford did the pregame write up, and not Ed Eagle, otherwise I'd be telling you all things like, "Brandon Backe is not good, and the Pirates are the Greatest Team Ever. Being 12-10 since the Break is just like being awesome. The Pirates will win tomorrow. Unless, of course, they don't. Then, Brandon Backe = Steve Nebraska, and the Pirates lost because Pittsburgh's too small of a market to compete. Also, Dave Littlefield is my Lord and Savior."

Maholm, on the other hand, walks too many people, but has been effective in his last two starts (just don't let anyone know that his last two starts were against the Braves and the Brewers).

You can catch all of the mediocre (if we're lucky!) Major League Action on FSN. And don't forget-- it's one of those Crazy Central Time Zone 8pm starts. You know, because all of the teams in the Central Division are in the Central Time Zone, and all of the teams in the Eastern Division are in the Eastern Time Zone. Because the Braves should play the Phillies 67 times a season.

- Who will come out on top, Maholm v. Backe?!?
- Who will play first, X-Man or Joker?!?
- What garish uniform will the Astros wear?!?
- Will Trenni play roving reporter?!?

Answers to all these questions and more! Tuesday! 8p! FSN: Pittsburgh! WE WILL: ENTERTAIN!