Posted April 4, 200618 yr versus --- Now that the Opening Day excitement has ended, the Marlins hope to settle and avenge a tough-fought 1-0 loss on Monday to the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Blanked by Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge on Monday, the Marlins turn to Sergio Mitre on Tuesday night. Mitre makes his Marlins debut, drawing a difficult pitching assignment in Houston's Andy Pettitte. Now 7-7 in their Opening Day history, the youthful Marlins are being tested against a seasoned Astros' squad. On Monday, they raised the Astros' 2005 National League pennant. And on Tuesday, the players will get their championship rings from a year ago. The average age of the Marlins is 26 years, 132 days, for the entire 25-man roster. So, first-year manager Joe Girardi wasn't surprised there were some Opening Day "jitters." Before Tuesday's game, the Marlins are expected to make a roster move. They claimed right-hander reliever Franklyn German off waivers from the Tigers on Monday. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder is expected to provide some experience in the bullpen. Pitching matchup FLA: RHP Sergio Mitre (2-5, 5.37 ERA in 2005) Obtained from Cubs in offseason, the right-hander makes his Marlins debut. Faced Astros once in 2005. Had no decision, giving up two runs in seven innings. HOU: LHP Andy Pettitte (17-9, 2.39 ERA in 2005) The veteran left-hander enters his third season with Houston, and he possesses a 172-91 career record. Player to watch Veteran Astros second baseman Craig Biggio has enjoyed a solid career facing the Marlins. In Monday's opener, Biggio doubled in four at-bats. In 100 career games vs. Florida, Biggio is 113-for-385 (.294) with 23 doubles, two triples, 11 homers and 43 RBIs. Biggio's double was the 605th of his career, tying him for 10th place all-time with Paul Waner and Paul Molitor. Biggio scored the only run Monday. And for the Marlins, look no further than Reggie Abercrombie. "The Rain Man" or "Kool-Aid" as he was dubbed by fans, Reggie will most likely be making his major league debut in centerfield for the good guys on Tuesday night. Coming off a tremendous spring, .358/.394/.627, he hopes to add some offense to the Marlins tonight in Houston. Quotable "His focus. His ability to locate that cutter, and make it look very much like a fastball. He's a big focus guy. You can always tell when his focus is there, or maybe when it's not there. He's a big-game pitcher. He's a neat individual." -- Joe Girardi on Astros' left-hander Andy Pettitte, a pitcher he once caught while with the Yankees. On the Internet •MLB.TV •Gameday Audio On television • FSN Florida On radio • 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol) Roof •Open Other things to look for: •Sergio Mitre is most famous for: His 1 hitter vs the Marlins last season •Andy Pettite is most famous for: Being Roger Clemens "wing-man" •Just how many times will Spike say the Marlins are 0-2 before Mitre even throws his first pitch? •Can the Marlins get off the shnide and score against the Astros? •How far will each of Josh Willingham's homeruns travel? •How many times will a Marlins user try and be cute by writing "Thats So Marlins" on a miscue? •Can Shadez rebound from a shotty defensive effort? •And finally, can the Marlins get in the win column? All this and sooooo much more, tonight as the Florida Marlins take on the Houston Astros live live LIVE in Minute Maid Park
April 4, 200618 yr Prediction: One of these teams will win this game and the other were almost certainly not.
April 4, 200618 yr Prediction: One of these teams will win this game and the other were almost certainly not. :mischief2 i beg to differ
April 4, 200618 yr And for the Marlins, look no further than Reggie Abercrombie. "The Rain Man" or "Kool-Aid" as he was dubbed by fans, Reggie will most likely be making his major league debut in centerfield for the good guys on Tuesday night. :mischief2 Go Marlins. Have fun out there guys!
April 4, 200618 yr Big shout-out from from Dallas, TX! Hope you guys have a great Game Thread tonight. And... G :cool FISH!
