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Astros RHP Oswalt looks to dominate Reds again

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:04 AM Cincinnati (74-84) at Houston (83-74) 8:05 pm. EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Roy Oswalt has been lights out lately, but it's nothing the Cincinnati Reds aren't used to seeing.

Oswalt takes the hill on Thursday looking to continue his dominance of the Reds, while helping the Houston Astros keep their faint postseason hopes alive.

Randy Wolf tossed 6 2/3 strong innings and Lance Berkman homered as the Astros rolled to a 5-0 victory on Wednesday. The win temporarily postponed the inevitable. Houston trails Milwaukee (87-71) and New York (87-71) by 3 1/2 games in the wild-card race.

A win by either the Mets or Brewers or a loss by the Astros would eliminate Houston from playoff contention.

"It's the same as it's been the last several weeks for us," Berkman said. "Every game is important. We just have to focus on that game. That's about all we can do."

They seem to be in good hands with Oswalt (16-10, 3.60 ERA), who has won seven straight starts against the Reds and is 22-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 25 games against them.

In addition, Oswalt is 11-0 with a 2.45 ERA vs. Cincinnati at home. Lately, it hasn't mattered who Oswalt has faced as he is 8-2 with a 1.67 ERA in his last 10 starts.

The Reds, who have won eight of 11, send Johnny Cueto (9-13, 4.62) to the hill. Cueto is 0-2 with a 6.50 ERA in three career starts vs. Houston.