NewsDuke to face Astros in home opener
Pittsburgh (3-3) vs. Houston (1-5), 1:35 p.m. ETBy Jeff Wallner / Special to MLB.com
04/12/09 7:22 PM ET
Home sweet home. That was the prevailing sentiment among Pirates players and coaches prior to Sunday's series finale against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. "It's always nice to get home where you feel comfortable," said Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth. With the grueling Spring Training schedule followed by a seven-game road series to begin the regular season, the Bucs feel like strangers to PNC Park. "It seems like we've been gone a year," said Pirates manager John Russell. "There's always a lot of anticipation for [the home opener]. Guys are anxious to get home to Pittsburgh, to the home stadium and clubhouse. It will be nice to have somebody cheering for you instead of against you." The Pirates play their home opener at 1:35 p.m. ET on Monday against the Houston Astros at PNC Park. Left-hander Zach Duke will start for the Bucs. He'll be opposed by Astros right-hander Brian Moehler. "It's going to be huge," said second baseman Freddy Sanchez. "It'll be nice to see family again. It's always nice to play on Opening Day in front of the home crowd. With Spring Training, it does feel like we've been gone for a long time." Pitching matchupPIT: LHP Zach Duke (1-0, 1.42 ERA)
Duke gets the nod to pitch the home opener, and while it happened that way because of the rotation order, he certainly deserves the honor after his first start. Duke followed up a great Spring Training with a solid start to the regular season, limiting the Cardinals to one earned run in 6 1/3 innings, largely by establishing his fastball command early and working off of that. He's also showing more confidence in pitching inside and is doing so effectively. Despite a 1-4 career record in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the Astros, Duke has a respectable 3.81 ERA against them. HOU: RHP Brian Moehler (0-1, 37.80 ERA)
Moehler was the surprise of the Astros' rotation in '08, logging 11 wins after working himself into the rotation after the season started. Moehler originally was a fill-in for the injured Wandy Rodriguez, but he pitched so well that he maintained his starting job even after Rodriguez returned. Moehler ranked second in wins among Astros pitchers and third in games started. He recorded a five-game winning streak from July 9-Aug. 19, his longest since he won six straight in 2000. The Astros were 16-10 in his 26 starts last year, and he allowed four runs or fewer in 20 of them. Tidbits
Pittsburgh is playing Houston in the home opener for the first time since 2000. ... The Bucs are 1-1 all-time when facing the Astros in the home opener, losing, 5-2, in 2000 and winning, 13-4, in 1968 at Forbes Field. ... Pregame ceremonies begin at 12:50 p.m. ... McLouth will receive his 2008 Rawlings Gold Glove at 12:55 p.m. ... Steve Blass, in his 50th season with the club, will be honored at 1 p.m. ET. ... Team introductions begin at 1:10 p.m. ... In the first five games this season, the Pirates hit .346 (18-for-52) with runners in scoring position. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Off-day
• Wednesday: Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf, 0-1, 3.00) vs. Astros (Mike Hampton, 0-1, 5.40), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Pirates (Jeff Karstens, 5-11, 4.89 in 2008) vs. Astros (Russ Ortiz, 0-0, 9.00), 12:35 p.m. ET
Jeff Wallner is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
