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Brewers-Astros Preview

Sep 15, 2010 - 4:21 AM By MATT BROWN STATS Editor

Milwaukee (66-77) at Houston (69-75), 2:05 p.m. EDT

The Houston Astros won't be going to the postseason barring a miracle, but they've been one of the best clubs in baseball since the final days of July. That's also when they acquired J.A. Happ, and it's likely no coincidence.

Happ seeks to win his fourth straight decision and pitch the Astros to a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers when the NL Central rivals conclude their series Wednesday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.

Houston (70-75) obtained Happ (6-2, 2.78 ERA) from Philadelphia in the July 29 Roy Oswalt trade, and the left-hander has not disappointed since his arrival. He's allowed three runs or fewer in eight of nine starts for the Astros, including his last six. Happ has been nearly untouchable over his last four outings, going 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA.

He limited Los Angeles to one run Friday, but ran his pitch count up to 102 and left after five innings, failing to get a decision in Houston's 11-inning, 4-2 defeat.

Happ's debut with the Astros came at home against the Brewers on July 30. He allowed two hits and four walks over six innings of a 5-0 win, improving to 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two career starts versus Milwaukee.

Brewers slugger Ryan Braun is 0 for 6 with four strikeouts against Happ.

Happ is a major reason why the Astros are 30-16 since July 27 - Minnesota and Philadelphia are the only major league clubs with better records over that stretch. Houston has won three in a row overall, including the first two games of this series.

Braun has been a bright spot in this set for Milwaukee, going 4 for 8 over the two losses. He homered Tuesday, but Chris Johnson's three-run shot in the first was all the offense the Astros would need as they hung on for a 3-2 victory.

"I love C.J. a ton," Houston starter and winning pitcher Bud Norris said. "We've come up all the way in the minor league together and he's such an amazing player and he's going to be a big player for this team for a long time down the road and it's real big."

Milwaukee (66-78) has dropped seven of its last eight road games.

"We're getting some runners on, but we're just not getting them in," right fielder Corey Hart said. "And when we hit a homer, it's a solo home run. We can't get guys in, especially when we get in situations where we can take the lead and tie it up. We're just not getting that big hit."

The Brewers will send Dave Bush (7-12, 4.59) to the mound for the series finale. The right-hander could be a welcome sight for a couple of Houston's batters. Johnson is an incredible 7 for 9 with a double in his career against Bush, while Hunter Pence is 10 for 26 with a double and a homer.

Bush has alternated wins with losses over his last five decisions spanning seven starts. He was charged with a 4-0 loss to the Cubs on Friday, when he allowed three runs - one earned - five hits and four walks in 5 2-3 innings.

Bush is 6-3 with a 3.61 ERA in his career against Houston.